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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José Soriano pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Logan O'Hoppe hit a pair of two-run shots to end a long home run drought and help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 9-1 on Saturday night.
Soriano (5-5) struck out 10 and allowed one run on three hits and three walks. He has allowed just two runs in his last three starts covering 20 2/3 innings with 28 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a home run since April 22 — a span of 11 starts.
O’Hoppe hit his 15th homer and first since May 22 in the third inning to give the Angels a 6-0 lead. The catcher capped the scoring with his second of the game in the seventh.
Jo Adell reached with a one-out infield single off Astros rookie Brandon Walter (0-1) in the second and Luis Rengifo followed with his fourth home run for a 2-0 lead.
Nolan Schanuel was hit by a pitch and Mike Trout singled and scored from first on a double by Taylor Ward for a 4-0 lead.
Jose Altuve walked and scored on a two-out single by Christian Walker in the fourth for the Astros, but the Angels answered in their half when Zach Neto doubled with two outs and scored on Schanuel's single for a 7-1 lead.
Walter allowed seven runs on nine hits in six innings in his fourth career start.
Key moment
The Angels never looked back after Rengifo homered in the second.
Key stat
Houston is 3-2 against the Angels this season and leads the overall series 133-85. That includes a 65-45 record at Angel Stadium.
Up next
Astros rookie RHP Ryan Gusto (4-3, 4.31 ERA) will start Sunday's rubber game against Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.79).