Fantasy Football Week 8: Larry Fitzgerald and 3 Stars Who Will Let You Down

Even the most valuable fantasy players will have an off day or two over the course of a season. Tough matchups have these three standouts set to underperform compared to their usual numbers this weekend.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona

The issue with this matchup isn’t actually the Baltimore secondary. The Ravens have some respectable corners, but by themselves they aren’t enough to keep Fitzgerald down.

Instead, the problem will be on the other end of the Arizona passing game, where Kevin Kolb will need time to get the ball away if Fitzgerald is going to catch it. Terrell Suggs and the Ravens’ pass rush are going to be playing angry after last week’s embarrassing loss to Jacksonville, and that’s a very unwelcome sight for a quarterback.

Philip Rivers, San Diego

Rivers has been hampered all season by the inconsistency of his receiving corps, but he faces a new personnel problem this week. Star guard Kris Dielman is out for Monday night’s game with the aftereffects of a concussion suffered last Sunday.

Facing Kansas City won’t necessarily do Rivers any favors, either. The Chiefs defense will be fired up after their six-INT romp over Oakland, and Arrowhead Stadium is rarely a fun place to play for visiting QBs.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina

Stewart has been surprisingly productive in fantasy play this season (despite his usual time-sharing with DeAngelo Williams), but this isn’t the week to start him if you have a choice. The Minnesota defense is the fourth best in the NFL against the run.

Stewart will be a little better off in PPR leagues, as Cam Newton will likely be throwing enough that he’ll see some targets. Even then, though, Newton will be more likely to attack downfield against the Vikings’ suspect corners and leave Stewart out in the cold again.