The storyline for Week 8 of the NFL is injuries and weather. There is a slew of injuries to monitor as we countdown to kickoff, so have backup plans in place if some of the questionable players do or don’t suit up. Also, there are winds a-blowin’ across the Midwest and Northeast, which imperils fantasy production in Green Bay, Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo. Okay, it’s not that dire, we can still roster some players and mini stacks from those games at potentially lower rostership thanks to all the wind hype. So, as we all must do these days, be ready to pivot.
With that, let’s stack’em up for Week 8.
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Stacking Options
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF): $6,600 / George Kittle (TE – SF): $7,700 / Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF): $5,900
If it seems like every game the Seahawks play turns into a shootout, you’re right. We’ve seen at least 53 total points in every game they have played, and no team has scored fewer than 23 points on either side of the ball. So, why not go back to it again this week by taking the 49ers passing game?
The 49ers are likely without their top three running backs, which should put the ball in Jimmy Garoppolo’s hands more often this week. The Seahawks have allowed an average of 374 passing yards (32nd) and 7.82 yards per attempt (26th) while ranking 30th in Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) according to FootballOutsiders. With limited rushing production, Garoppolo will need a pair of receivers to have a big day to reach GPP winning levels, so with Deebo Samuel out, the targets should be headed to George Kittle and rookie Brandon Aiyuk.
On the bring back, it feels like we are chasing points to recommend Tyler Lockett after his explosion on Sunday night, but he does have a better individual matchup against the 49ers secondary with most of his time spent in the slot.
Bring it back with: Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA): $7,200
Joe Burrow (QB – CIN): $7,600 / Tyler Boyd (WR – CIN): $6,400
The Titans/Bengals tilt is one of those “wind games.” That said, it won’t have sustained winds quite as high as in other spots, and it might get overlooked in GPPs despite the great game environment. Joe Burrow and the Bengals passing game is more focused on the short looks anyway with just 6.9 yards per attempt (24th) this season.
The wind shouldn’t play a big role in the short-range targets that should primarily be headed to Tyler Boyd. Boyd racked up 11 catches on 13 targets last week for 101 yards and a score. I wouldn’t be shocked by a similar line this week against a Titans secondary that has allowed 19 receptions (31st) for 208.5 yards (30th), and 2.0 touchdowns (30th) to the wide receiver position over the last five weeks. Bring it back with the high-priced Derrick Henry who could get a few extra (not that he needs them) touches if the wind limits the downfield throws by Ryan Tannehill and the Titans are working with a lead.
Bring it back with: Derrick Henry (RB – TEN): $9,500
Darrell Henderson (RB – LAR): $6,100 / Rams (DST – LAR): 4,900
While Darrell Henderson doesn’t have the bell-cow role for the Rams backfield. as he cedes some carries and the occasional goal-line work to Malcolm Brown, Henderson has had at least 14 carries in each of the last three weeks. More importantly, he has 16 red-zone touches over that span, compared to just four for Brown.
The matchup and game environment is strong for the Rams’ running game, as they are a small road favorite against the Dolphins rush defense that ranks dead-last in DVOA and has allowed 5.2 YPC (30th) and 1.25 touchdowns (30th) per game to opposing running backs. Pair up Henderson for a positive game script with the Rams defense who will face Dolphins rookie signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa in his first NFL start. It’s hard to know what to expect out of Tua, but we can be certain that the Rams defense will apply pressure to the young quarterback, as they lead the league in sacks per game over the last five weeks.
High-Priced Stud
Kareem Hunt (RB – CLE): $8,200
Over the last three weeks with Nick Chubb out, Kareem Hunt has had at least 15 touches in each game, including two with over 20. With the expected wind in Cleveland on Sunday, Hunt should get all the work he can handle in a plus matchup against the Raiders to have just bleed points to opposing running backs. The Raiders rank 29th DVOA against the run while allowing 4.86 YPC (27th) and 1.3 touchdowns (32nd) per game to backs. They are also very generous through the air, where they have surrendered seven receptions (27th) for 63 yards (31st) per game to pass-catching backs. It is looking like a Hunt smash spot that you won’t want to miss.
Low-Rostered Fliers
- Baker Mayfield (QB – CLE): $7,200
- Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND): $7,300
- Damien Harris (RB – NE): $5,500
- Zack Moss (RB – BUF): $5,400
- Jarvis Landry (WR – CLE): $5,900
- Marquise Brown (WR – BAL): $5,900
- Darnell Mooney (WR – CHI): $5,200
- Mike Gesicki (TE – MIA): $5,500
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Brad Richter is a featured writer at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.
