I just hope it's not an Alfred Blue game this week. Bobby Ellis/Getty Images
Week 8 is here and I have more sleeper plays for you. My standard for a good fantasy game is around 100 total yards and/or a TD, and this is for PPR scoring. A game with a lot of catches helps too obviously. Of course, the bar is a little lower for TEs.
I’m going to do things a little bit different this week. I’ll just tell you my record from last week and if you want to go back and check out my previous article, you can, but this new format should save me some time. I can spend more energy putting my picks together for the week, and less time writing a recap of every player from the previous article.
I went 6-6 last week, and you can check out that article here. Week 7 was by far my worst week of the season, and injuries were a big reason. With the bye weeks upon us, I will continue to look for players that can help you, and are also widely available.
QB
Andy Dalton (CIN): He burned me last week, but his matchup is too good to ignore. He gets the Bucs who are allowing over 32 FPTS/G to QBs over the last month.
Jameis Winston (TB): We talk about this on our radio show all the time. If you haven’t checked out Moneyline on ESPN 97.5 Sundays from 10-noon (shameless plug), you definitely should. When you think one QB in a matchup will have a good game, usually the opposing QB has a big game as well. That applies here, and the Bengals are allowing over 28 FPTS/G to the QB position over the last 5 weeks.
RB
Lamar Miller (HOU): Miller not only has a chance to stick it to his former team, but he also gets the best RB matchup possible. Over the last five weeks Miami is giving up over 34 FPTS/G to RBs, so fire him up. Hell, he might even be on your waiver wire. I picked him up in a 10-team league on Wednesday. Just hope O'Brien doesn't give Alfred Blue too much work.
Raheem Mostert (SF): This play could be a bit dangerous, but I think Breida has exited almost every game this year with an injury. Mostert has a Top 5 matchup against the Cardinals this week, and he’s look good. He has some juice.
Adrian Peterson (WAS): AD looked great last week, and he faces the Giants in Week 8. They just traded Snacks Harrison to the Lions, and the team doesn’t have much to play for. Plus, this is a Top 11 matchup for Adrian, and we’ll see if Chris Thompson is healthy enough to play this week.
Phillip Lindsay (DEN): He should have a big game against the Chiefs underwhelming run defense. Over the past 5 weeks they’re allowing over 30 FPTS/G to RBs.
WR
Stefon Diggs (MIN): People are starting to panic a little bit over Diggs. All the love seems to be going to Theilen, but Diggs should be just fine. He faces the Saints this week who have given up over 46 FPTS/G to WRs over the last month. Keep rolling with him.
Tyler Boyd (CIN): Another guy that killed me last week, but I’m back in the saddle. Who’s giving up over 47 FPTS/G to WRs over the last month you ask? The Bucs, who else? Unless A.J. Green keeps all 47 points to himself, Boyd should come through.
Will Fuller (HOU): With no KeKe Coutee this week, Fuller should be the man. The Dolphins aren’t bad against the pass, but Xavien Howard should be on Hopkins, which should allow Fuller to have a big game.
TE
David Njoku (CLE): He came through for me last week, so I’ll give him another shot. With the Steelers giving up almost 19FPTS/G to the position, he’s in a good spot. The Browns could also be chasing points this week.
Jared Cook (OAK): Cook should get an uptick in targets with the departure of Amari Cooper. Plus, he has a nice opportunity this week with the Colts allowing over 15 FPTS/G to the position.
Benjamin Watson (NO): Halloween is approaching and I know starting Watson can be scary. He did score last week though, and he has a Top 6 matchup against the Vikings this week. Will he be a trick or treat?
That’s all I have for this week. For more fantasy info, make sure you check out my show Moneyline on ESPN 97.5 every Sunday from 10-noon. Jerry Bo and I will get you ready for kickoff and answer any questions you may have. Also, follow us on Twitter.
Good luck in Week 8!
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How Nick Caley's tactical blueprint could redefine Texans' offense
Feb 18, 2025, 11:37 am
As players continue to arrive at Astros spring training, the updates we are receiving are very positive for the most part. Astros pitcher Lance McCullers is very optimistic about his chances to return and produce a successful and healthy season.
At this point, we'll just have to wait and see with McCullers, but it is encouraging to hear how happy he is with where he is physically. Lance pointed out that his velocity is sitting right around 90mph, which is where it was typically in spring training in previous years.
When McCullers spoke about how he would be used this season, something really stood out. He stated that he expected to continue to be used as a starter, despite GM Dana Brown talking about the possibility of Lance coming out of the bullpen.
McCullers even said he wasn't sure where that narrative is coming from, he anticipates starting because he feels like pitching in relief would be harder on his body.
The puzzling communication trend continued when Jose Altuve told reporters on Monday that the team asked him to give left field a try after the conclusion of last season.
Which doesn't line up with the reports that Altuve volunteered to move to left field in an effort to convince Alex Bregman to return to Houston after the team traded for infielder Isaac Paredes.
Speaking of Bregman, we heard reports last season that Alex wasn't happy with how he was communicated with when the team dropped him in the batting order due to his offensive struggles.
However, there is one common factor between these players. Bregman, McCullers, and Altuve are all represented by Scott Boras. It wouldn't surprise us if the reports about Altuve being willing to switch positions was actually something that was floated by Boras to increase leverage in the Bregman negotiations.
Making it seem like Houston was still interested in re-signing Bregman after seemingly filling his position with Paredes could make some sense.
Another element to consider in this communication narrative is Yordan Alvarez making his feelings known on where he hits in the batting order. Yordan didn't request to hit second or third, but he did make it clear he would like the club to pick a spot for him and leave him there.
Based on Altuve's inclination to swing at the first pitch, it wouldn't surprise us if Yordan would prefer to hit third, so he won't find himself regularly in the batter's box for the second pitch of the game.
The club has publicly stated they would like the hitters to see more pitches this season, hopefully that starts with Altuve. Opposing pitchers know Altuve's tendencies, so ambushing fastballs on the first pitch of the game is not as effective as it once was.
One final thought on the mixed signals between the players and front office. We have to take anything Dana Brown says with a grain of salt. He says a lot of things that turn out to be false, and not necessarily on purpose. This is the same guy that said Kyle Tucker would sign an extension with Houston, and Bregman was the top priority in free agency.
I think he's quickly learning that Jim Crane isn't the one that's going to have to “fasten his seatbelt.”
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion!
Spring training is up and running. Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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