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Fantasy Football Busts: Week 8

Fantasy Football Busts: Week 8
Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson continued his disappointing season in a prime matchup

I cannot help but feel sorry for “fantasy experts.” Being a fantasy expert really means you take all of the available information and make a prediction on what is most likely to happen. Of course, trying to predict all of the outcomes of an NFL game is almost impossible, but individuals who play fantasy rely on expert advice to win. When advice does not pan out, experts take the brunt of the abuse.

As I watched Monday Night Football I also noticed Matthew Berry (among others) were taking a beating from many individuals upset with him for not ranking Jordan Howard higher. Keep in mind, Howard was out snapped and outplayed by Ka’Deem Carey the previous week, Jeremy Langford was activated and HC John Fox hinted at a “hot hand” and committee. Oh, did I mention the Bears were going against the Vikings’ defense which for the most part has been nothing short of spectacular? In case you missed the game, Howard rushed 26 times for 153 yards with a TD and added four catches for 49 yards. In other words, if you predicted that performance, please let me know so I can follow you.

Here are my top fantasy disappointments for Week 8:

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QUARTERBACKS

Cam Newton (CAR): 12.58 Fantasy Points
Carolina scored 30 points on Sunday, but Cam was not the fantasy beneficiary. After a few devastating hits and missing time with a concussion, it appears the Panthers are relying less on Newton for goal line carries. Jonathan Stewart scored two goal line touchdowns for the second week in a row and could be a major fantasy asset if the Panthers continue to give him those carries. Newton did rush seven times for 43 yards and threw for 212 yards, but accounted for zero touchdowns.

Russell Wilson (SEA): 10.02 Fantasy Points
If you are still starting Russell Wilson, you are probably at the bottom of your league. In fact, out of my three leagues, those owners still using Wilson are at the bottom of the standings. The Seahawks offensive line is dreadful, and Wilson is dealing with several injuries. Wilson’s floor used to be higher than almost all QBs due to his rushing ability. In 2015, he rushed for 553 yards. In 2016, he is on pace for under 100 yards. Keep in mind, this last performance was against the New Orleans Saints.

Brock Osweiler (HOU): 9.54 Fantasy Points
If you started Osweiler, surely you expected to be disappointed. Listing him as a disappointment is not as much about him as it is his receiving corp. Osweiler is surrounded by immense talent; DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Braxton Miller, Jaelon Strong, and Lamar Miller. However, with all of the talent on the team, he has none of it. Bill O’Brien has helped several QBs be successful, but could only help Osweiler throw for 186 yards, one TD, and one interception against perhaps the league’s worst secondary, at home. Regardless, Osweiler is O’Brien’s guy and therefore should take the blame for his ridiculous contract.

RUNNING BACKS

Spencer Ware (KC): 4.70 Fantasy Points
It is not Ware’s fault he left with a concussion after only accumulating seven rushes for 19 yards and two catches for 28 yards, but fantasy owners were let down regardless. In a dream matchup with the Colts, many believed Ware was in line for a huge day. Jamaal Charles‘ season and Ware’s Week 9 status are both in jeopardy which means a potential big workload for Charcandrick West.

Mark Ingram (NO): -1.50 Fantasy Points
Few believed Ingram was in for a huge day against a tough Seattle defense, but when you play with Drew Brees, you always have a chance. Unfortunately for Ingram owners, he had a disastrous game and finished with three carries for five yards with a costly fumble that Earl Thomas recovered and returned for a TD. Even worse, Ingram was benched for Tim Hightower for the remainder of the game, and HC Sean Payton expressed Hightower’s role will “definitely increase” going forward.

Don Jackson and Knile Davis (GB): 1.40 Fantasy Points
Many fantasy owners invested heavily in FAAB or a top waiver priority on Knile Davis or Don Jackson hoping to secure the Packers’ backfield. Of course, Ty Montgomery took the lead, but he missed Sunday due to complications from his sickle cell trait. But, in his absence, Jackson and Davis combined for seven rushes for 14 yards. To make matters even more unclear, the Packers cut Davis after the game leaving Jackson and Montgomery as the likely RBs moving forward until James Starks returns from a knee injury.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandon Marshall (NYJ): 6.80 Fantasy Points
Everyone scores against Cleveland. Everyone except for Marshall. He recorded only four receptions for 68 yards in a prime “get right” game. Fantasy owners should not panic but should be concerned that they are not getting the return on their investment. Marshall was drafted as a WR1 and has yet to produce consistent numbers.

Doug Baldwin (SEA): 5.10 Fantasy Points
About this time last year, Baldwin and Seattle went on a historic offensive run, and fantasy owners are holding out hope for a repeat of that performance. If it happens, I think we all would be shocked. Seattle looks appalling offensively, and Russell Wilson has a multitude of injuries including his pectoral, ankle, and knee. Baldwin finished with four catches for 51 yards against New Orleans leaving fantasy owners yearning for much more.

DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller (HOU): 4.40 and 2.30 Fantasy Points
Hopkins had four receptions for 44 yards, and Fuller had one reception for 23 yards against Detroit, perhaps the league’s worst secondary (also missing perhaps their best corner, Darius Slay). Fuller did get hurt in the game, but this duo has continually underwhelmed even when they are both healthy. Hopefully, the Texans offense can improve over the bye and get this duo back on track.

Marvin Jones (DET): 3.30 Fantasy Points
Jones flew out of the gates to start the season as a top WR but has not had over 10 fantasy points in the last five weeks. He did have a tough matchup against Houston, but that hardly excuses three receptions for 33 yards. Matthew Stafford‘s stock has fallen as well, and the schedule does not get much better for the Lions in upcoming weeks which includes the Vikings twice.

T.Y. Hilton (IND): 2.00 Fantasy Points
Hilton struggled to stay in the game in Week 8 with a hamstring issue and recorded only one reception for 20 yards. The injury does not appear to be serious, but fantasy owners are undoubtedly nervous after this week’s performance. If Hilton is healthy, he is an easy top-10 play, but there is growing concern that his production will slow down with Donte Moncrief back in the mix.

TIGHT ENDS

Jimmy Graham (SEA): 3.40 Fantasy Points
Many believed Graham would have a huge day in a homecoming match against his former team. However, he was limited to three receptions for 34 yards. Graham appears to be healthy and able, but the Seahawks offense cannot function without a good Russell Wilson. Graham is still a TE1 rest-of-season because of his ability and large role in the offense, but there probably be an equal amount of disappointing and rewarding days.

Greg Olsen (CAR): 1.10 Fantasy Points
I was ecstatic to trade for Greg Olsen in one league. After all, his worst week of the year was 6.40 fantasy points. However, he finished with one reception for 11 yards on three targets. Although the day was disappointing for fantasy owners, Olsen will remain a top-3 fantasy TE rest-of-season.

Hopefully, you survived the onslaught of disappointments in Week 8. Week 9 will not get any easier with Arizona, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, and Washington all on byes. Good luck and maybe your players will avoid this article next week.


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Brad Cowger is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Brad, check out his archive and follow him @FP_BradCowger.

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