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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This week started on a high note for Astros fans as they were able to see Lance McCullers return and pitch in a game for the first time since 2022. McCullers looked good, only needing 13 pitches to get through the inning, and didn't allow any runs.
If McCullers continues on this path without any setbacks, we wouldn't be surprised if he's pitching for the big league club at the end of April or early May.
However, the outlook isn't nearly as positive for Luis Garcia, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Garcia was expected to throw a live BP on Thursday, but those plans have now changed. According to multiple reports, Garcia is dealing with elbow soreness and will now see team doctors for further evaluation.
Luis Garcia faced hitters in October and, almost all winter, was considered ahead of Lance McCullers Jr. in their rehab schedules. It's unclear how things have derailed. The Astros reiterated this week they will not make any member of their medical staff available for interviews https://t.co/rrBg6EaG7j
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 20, 2025
This isn't the first time Garcia has dealt with a setback in his recovery. As Chandler Rome mentions in the post above, Garcia was expected to be ready to return before McCullers. However, complications have apparently forced the Astros to slow down Garcia's rehab, making his status for this season even more uncertain.
Fortunately for Houston, they weren't counting on Garcia or McCullers to start the season in the rotation. But, they were hoping to have both return at some point this year to add more depth to the roster.
If Garcia is shut down from throwing for several weeks, even in a best-case scenario, it's hard to imagine he'll be ready to contribute over the next three months. The Astros would be wise to play it safe with Garcia, the last thing they want to happen is for him to need another surgery.
This also serves as a reminder that pitchers often require more than the typical 12–18 months to recover. Which is why counting on Cristian Javier to contribute this season, feels like a big ask for a player that had Tommy John surgery in June.