Fantasy Football Week 8: Start 'em/Sit 'em for Every NFL Game in Week 8

Joe Rapolla Jr.Oct 30, 2011

Trick or Treat! Week 8 of the NFL Season is upon us. The season is just south of its halfway point, Halloween is upon us and your fantasy season is five weeks away from over (in most leagues).

Whether you are sitting pretty in first place or fighting for a playoff berth, nearly every lineup will need some reconfiguring this week.

Stud RB Jahvid Best is out once again following a Week 6 concussion, Peyton Hillis still looks shaky and no word has been given yet on Andre Johnson. In addition to injuries, the Falcons, Raiders, Packers, Jets, Bucs and Bears are all on byes. This means no Michael Turner, Darren McFadden or (cue the cringe for his owners) Aaron Rodgers.

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How do you survive this week? Read ahead, and Happy Halloween!

Quarterback Starts

Eli Manning: He's playing the Miami Dolphins. Enough said?

Joe Flacco: The Ravens should look hot and hungry to win following an upset loss to Jacksonville.

Cam Newton: He's been great this season, and versus a weak Minnesota run defense, little should change.

Ryan Fitzpatrick: Ignore the fact that Washington's defense has been fairly impressive; Fitzmagic will impress and control the game.

Quarterback Sits

Tim Tebow: The Broncos QB and media golden-boy may have led a nice comeback in Week 7, but it was against the Dolphins.

Andy Dalton: I think Seattle will play well at home and Dalton will have a tough day of tricks and picks.

Philip Rivers: It may sound crazy, but I see this game being very defensive and very flat.

Running Back Starts

Ryan Matthews: Mike Tolbert is doubtful, so Matthews should get the carries in the MNF matchup.

DeMarco Murray: Don't expect 253 yards again, but 100 and a touchdown isn't bad, either.

Chris Johnson: It's amazing that he's not a must-start anymore, but his matchup this week is SO good.

Ryan Torain: He'll bounce back from a terrible showing the past two weeks.

Running Back Sits

Maurice Morris: I didn't like him last week, and I don't like him this week, either. The Lions won't utilize him enough.

Bernard Scott: The Seattle run defense will make Scott's first start this season a rough one.

Joe Addai: He hasn't been an option all season, but just in case you were thinking about it.

Reggie Bush: Daniel Thomas is out, but I don't think Bush will get any production as his replacement against the Giants defense.

Wide Receiver Starts

DeMaryius Thomas: He looks to be Tebow's favorite target and is emerging as the No. 1 WR in Denver.

Victor Cruz: I like him to rebound from his slow Week 6 performance and thrive on this good matchup.

Sleeper: Doug Baldwin: It's risky considering how awful Seattle looked last week, but Baldwin has the potential if he is given the targets, which will happen at home for Seattle if it's going to happen anywhere.

Dez Bryant: At this point, there is no reason to sit/doubt him.

Anquan Boldin: Rule of thumb: Always start players against their former teams

Wide Receiver Sits

Eric Decker: He was emerging, but then Tim Tebow took over at quarterback

David Nelson: I don't see him having any luck this week, as he has had in recent weeks.

Nate Burleson: The sloppiness of this matchup will not bode well for Burleson, the clear No. 2 receiver on Detroit

Tight End Starts:

Jake Ballard: Eli has been looking his way a lot in recent weeks, and Miami has given up the second-most points to tight ends.

Rob Gronkowski: He scored thrice the last time New England played Pittsburgh.

Dallas Clark: He's been getting his game back in recent weeks despite Indianapolis looking miserable

Greg Olsen: He has a great matchup to bounce back this week after only getting one catch for four yards in Week 7.

Tight End Sits: