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!
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Zack Short hit a walk-off RBI single in the 11th inning after Christian Walker tied it with a sacrifice fly and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 on Saturday night.
Short hit a 1-1 pitch to right field off Hoby Milner after Robert Garcia (1-5) walked two to load the bases.
Texas took a 4-3 lead when Adolis García hit the first pitch from Bennett Sousa (3-0) for a single — scoring automatic runner Marcus Semien.
Kyle Higashioka hit a solo home run off Josh Hader with two outs in the ninth to tie it 3-3. It was the first blown save for Hader after 25 straight to begin the season.
Jose Altuve hit his 17th homer — a two-out solo shot in the first off Jacob deGrom to tie it 1-1 after the Rangers scored an unearned run on Framber Valdez’s wild pitch.
Yainer Diaz homered for the 14th time for a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Mauricio Dubón hit his sixth homer off Jacob Webb for a 3-1 lead in the seventh.
Semien hit his 11th homer to cut it to 3-2 in the eighth.
Valdez allowed an unearned run on four hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks in six innings. The Astros have won his last 12 starts with him getting the win in nine of them.
DeGrom allowed two runs on four hits and a walk in six innings with eight strikeouts.
The Rangers struck out 19 times — two short of the club record for an extra-inning game.
Key moment
Short entered as a pinch runner in the ninth and was just 4 for 17 before his game winner.
Key stat
Houston hasn’t lost a season series with division rival Texas since 2016.
Up next
Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (6-3, 1.62 ERA) starts Sunday’s rubber game opposite Astros RHP Hunter Brown (9-3, 2.21).
Related Stories