The Week 8 Value plays could have been much better, although Tyrod Taylor, Titans defense, and Hunter Henry were all strong plays. The running back and wide receiver plays just didn’t cut it though as Carlos Hyde, Benny Fowler, Jordan Matthews, and Marlon Mack were all underwhelming options. Let’s see what Week 8 has in store.
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Quarterback
Andy Dalton (CIN): $5,700 v. IND
Andy Dalton gets the Colts at home in Week 8 who rank 30th against QBs after being shredded by Blake Bortles. I have rules about being shredded by Blake Bortles, and one of them is that I will start QBs who play that defense after that.
It’s an excellent spot for Dalton to bounce-back from a rough performance in Pittsburgh. Fire Dalton up with confidence for under $6K.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon (CIN): $4,700 v. IND
The Colts also rank 31st against running backs. We’ve been waiting on Joe Mixon’s impending breakout for weeks, but it just hasn’t come. Expect it to be this week as Mixon is still leading the backfield in touches despite mysteriously not receiving a carry in the second half against Pittsburgh.
After three weeks of 15+ carries, the Bengals only gave him seven in Week 7. They’ll fix that against the Colts, and a nice lead wouldn’t hurt either. Expect a return to double-digit carries for Mixon against the Colts.
Alvin Kamara (NO): $5,900 v. CHI
The Bears defense is no joke, but we still have one more week until Kamara reaches $6K. The Bears have been vulnerable against receiving backs allowing seven receptions to Christian McCaffrey last week and a big game to Jerrick McKinnon in Week 5.
Kamara nearly had a touchdown last week but was stopped just short of the goal line on a red zone carry. He’s still a focal point in the passing game, and will occasionally receive red zone carries making him a high floor player in the Saints’ offense as he has at least 14 touches in three straight games.
Wide Receivers
Ted Ginn Jr. (NO): $4,700 v. CHI
Ted Ginn Jr. is getting it going for the Saints but still hasn’t reached $5K. With Michael Thomas drawing all of the attention, Brees is beginning to look more to Ginn who has registered 12 targets over the last two games. Ginn has put up an exceptional 2.8 points per target this season which is second highest among all WRs averaging more than four targets per game.
The Bears have been lockdown the last three games against wideouts, but they will be hard-pressed to lockdown a Drew Brees-led passing attack. Expect another big game from Ginn before he is overpriced.
Brandon LaFell (CIN): $3,700 v. IND
Yeah, I know. It’s Brandon LaFell. However, LaFell has re-emerged in the Bengals’ offense with 15 targets over the last two games and has always been a threat in the red zone, even more so with Tyler Eifert out for the season. The Colts have been allowing big games to multiple wide receivers every week so let’s play to that trend.
A Bengals’ stack sure looks good this week. I like LaFell’s chances of making it two straight games with a touchdown as he’s now had two straight games with multiple red zone targets.
Tight End
Jason Witten (DAL): $4,200 @ WAS
The Redskins rank dead last against the tight end, and Jason Witten seems to have found his consistency once again with two straight 13+ point performances. A clunker is always possible as Witten has two of them this season, but that’s the case with any low-priced tight end.
It should be noted that his two clunkers came when he was priced well above $4,500. He isn’t this week.
Defense/Special Teams
Seahawks D/ST (SEA): $3,200 v. HOU
The Seahawks have too strong of defense to ever be priced below $3,500. Texans rookie QB Deshaun Watson has been exceptional, but look at who he’s played the last four weeks — the Browns, the Chiefs, the Patriots, and the Titans. Going to Seattle is a different ballgame entirely. Despite big fantasy numbers, Watson has been turnover-prone with five interceptions in five and a half starts which isn’t great for somebody who hasn’t gone against the stiffest of pass defenses.
The Seahawks have only played two games at home this season, but are averaging a healthy 14 points per game. In their last ten home games, Seattle is averaging 8.5 points per game which presents solid value at $3,200. Look for them to make it a point to bring the star rookie back down to Earth.
That’s it for Week 8. Best of luck.
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Joey Korman is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joey, check out his archive and follow him @leaveit2divac.
