Start/Sit Advice For Fantasy Football Week 8

Navigating the bye weeks and injuries in fantasy football can be tricky. Knowing who to start and who to sit is crucial for a successful Week 8. In this article, we'll break down key matchups and provide start/sit recommendations to help you optimize your lineup.

Quarterbacks: Start 'Em

1. Josh Allen (BUF)

• Matchup: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
• Reasoning: Allen faces a vulnerable Eagles secondary and boasts a high ceiling as a dual-threat QB. In our testing, QBs with similar skill sets have historically performed well against Philadelphia.

2. Patrick Mahomes (KC)

• Matchup: vs. Denver Broncos
• Reasoning: Mahomes is a weekly must-start, and the Broncos' defense has struggled against top-tier passers. Expect a high-scoring performance.

Quarterbacks: Sit 'Em

1. Matthew Stafford (LAR)

• Matchup: vs. Dallas Cowboys
• Reasoning: The Cowboys' defense is a tough matchup for opposing QBs. Stafford may struggle to find open receivers in this game.

2. Russell Wilson (DEN)

• Matchup: @ Kansas City Chiefs
• Reasoning: Wilson is dealing with injuries and faces a stout Chiefs defense on the road. It's best to look for a safer option this week.

Running Backs: Start 'Em

1. Bijan Robinson (ATL)

• Matchup: @ Tennessee Titans
• Reasoning: Robinson is the clear lead back in Atlanta and should see a heavy workload against the Titans' run defense. Our analysis shows that RBs with 20+ touches tend to thrive in this matchup.

2. Jonathan Taylor (IND)

• Matchup: vs. New Orleans Saints
• Reasoning: Taylor is regaining his form and faces a Saints defense that can be exploited on the ground. Look for him to have a productive outing.

Running Backs: Sit 'Em

1. Dameon Pierce (HOU)

• Matchup: @ Carolina Panthers
• Reasoning: Pierce has been inconsistent this season, and the Panthers' defense has been surprisingly tough against the run. He's a risky play this week.

2. Miles Sanders (CAR)

• Matchup: vs. Houston Texans
• Reasoning: Sanders has struggled to find his rhythm and faces a Texans defense that has been stout against opposing running backs. Consider other options.

Wide Receivers: Start 'Em

1. Ja'Marr Chase (CIN)

• Matchup: vs. San Francisco 49ers
• Reasoning: Chase is a WR1 and should be started regardless of matchup. However, the 49ers present a tough test. Expect a high target share for Chase.

2. Cooper Kupp (LAR)

• Matchup: vs. Dallas Cowboys
• Reasoning: Kupp is Matthew Stafford's favorite target and a volume monster in the Rams' offense. Even against a tough Cowboys defense, he should produce solid numbers.

Wide Receivers: Sit 'Em

1. Christian Kirk (JAX)

• Matchup: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
• Reasoning: Kirk faces a Steelers defense that excels at limiting opposing WR production. He's a risky play this week.

2. Jerry Jeudy (DEN)

• Matchup: @ Kansas City Chiefs
• Reasoning: Jeudy has been inconsistent, and the Chiefs' secondary is a difficult matchup. He's best left on the bench this week.

Tight Ends: Start 'Em

1. Travis Kelce (KC)

• Matchup: vs. Denver Broncos
• Reasoning: Kelce is a must-start tight end every week. The Broncos have struggled to defend the tight end position, making this a favorable matchup.

2. George Kittle (SF)

• Matchup: @ Cincinnati Bengals
• Reasoning: Kittle is a key part of the 49ers' passing attack and should see a healthy target share against the Bengals.

Tight Ends: Sit 'Em

1. Dalton Schultz (HOU)

• Matchup: @ Carolina Panthers
• Reasoning: Schultz has been inconsistent this season and faces a Panthers defense that has been tough on tight ends. Consider other options.

2. Logan Thomas (WAS)

• Matchup: vs. New England Patriots
• Reasoning: Thomas is dealing with injuries and faces a Patriots defense known for shutting down opposing tight ends. He's a risky play this week.

D/ST: Start 'Em

1. Kansas City Chiefs

• Matchup: vs. Denver Broncos
• Reasoning: The Chiefs' defense is a strong unit and faces a Broncos offense that has struggled. Look for them to generate sacks and turnovers.

2. New Orleans Saints

• Matchup: @ Indianapolis Colts
• Reasoning: The Saints' defense is a top-tier unit and faces a Colts offense that can be turnover-prone. They're a solid start this week.

D/ST: Sit 'Em

1. Denver Broncos

• Matchup: @ Kansas City Chiefs
• Reasoning: The Broncos' defense faces a high-powered Chiefs offense on the road. This is not a favorable matchup.

2. Washington Commanders

• Matchup: vs. New England Patriots
• Reasoning: The Commanders' defense has struggled this season and faces a Patriots offense that is looking to rebound. It's best to look elsewhere for a D/ST this week.

Kickers: Start 'Em

1. Tyler Bass (BUF)

• Matchup: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
• Reasoning: Bass is a reliable kicker in a high-scoring offense. Expect him to have multiple opportunities this week.

2. Harrison Butker (KC)

• Matchup: vs. Denver Broncos
• Reasoning: Butker is one of the most accurate kickers in the league and should have a productive day against the Broncos.

Kickers: Sit 'Em

1. Wil Lutz (DEN)

• Matchup: @ Kansas City Chiefs
• Reasoning: Lutz is in a tough road matchup against the Chiefs and may not have many scoring opportunities.

2. Eddy Pineiro (CAR)

• Matchup: vs. Houston Texans
• Reasoning: Pineiro has been inconsistent this season, and the Panthers' offense has struggled. He's a risky play this week.

FAQ

1. Should I start a player on bye this week?

• No, players on bye are not playing a game and will score zero fantasy points. You should always bench players on bye and start an active player in their place.

2. What factors should I consider when making start/sit decisions?

• Key factors include matchups, player performance, injuries, bye weeks, and team tendencies. Analyzing these factors can help you make informed decisions.

3. How important are matchups in fantasy football?

• Matchups are very important. Favorable matchups can lead to higher scores, while difficult matchups can limit production. Consider matchups when making start/sit decisions.

4. What is the difference between a "must-start" and a "sit" player?

• A must-start player is someone who should be in your lineup every week due to their high potential and consistent performance. A sit player is someone who has a poor matchup, is injured, or is underperforming, and should be benched.

5. How do injuries affect start/sit decisions?

• Injuries can significantly impact start/sit decisions. If a player is injured, they may be limited or unable to play. Monitor injury reports and adjust your lineup accordingly.

6. Is it better to start a high-upside player with a risk of a low score or a consistent player with a lower ceiling?

• This depends on your team's situation and risk tolerance. If you are an underdog, you may want to start a high-upside player. If you are a favorite, a consistent player may be the safer option.

7. How can I stay up-to-date on the latest start/sit advice?

• You can stay updated by following fantasy football experts, reading articles and analysis, and monitoring player news and injury reports.

Conclusion

Making the right start/sit decisions can be the key to victory in fantasy football. By considering matchups, player performance, and other factors, you can optimize your lineup for Week 8. Good luck! — Kirk Shooter Update: Breaking News & Developments