Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
Buccaneers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Baker Mayfield | QB | QB1 |
| Rachaad White | RB | RB1/2 |
| Sean Tucker | RB | RB4 |
| Bucky Irving | RB | Out |
| Emeka Egbuka | WR | WR1 |
| Sterling Shepard | WR | WR4 |
| Tez Johnson | WR | WR3 |
| Chris Godwin | WR | Out |
| Cade Otton | TE | TE1/2 |
Saints Players & Weekly Rankings
| Spencer Rattler | QB | QB2 |
| Alvin Kamara | RB | RB2 |
| Devin Neal | RB | RB4 |
| Chris Olave | WR | WR1 |
| Rashid Shaheed | WR | WR3 |
| Brandin Cooks | WR | WR5 |
| Juwan Johnson | TE | TE1/2 |
| Taysom Hill | TE | TE3 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Chris Olave is the WR16 in fantasy points per game, ranking eighth in red zone targets and 11th in deep targets among wide receivers. Olave has a 28.5% target share with 62.9 receiving yards per game (1.89 yards per route run) and a 33.3% first-read share. This week, he’ll face a Tampa Bay secondary that has utilized single high with 51.1-61.8% of their defensive snaps in four of their seven games this season. Against single high, Olave’s numbers have soared with a 35% target share, 2.64 yards per route run, and a 37.9% first-read share. Also helping Olave this week will be how much the Bucs love to blitz (fourth-highest rate). Against the blitz, Olave has also seen a 36.8% target share with 4.07 yards per route run and a 40% first-read share. Olave should have a nice Week 8 against a secondary that has allowed the 13th-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers and ranks 15th in fantasy points per game. Olave did open this week with a DNP (ankle), so we’ll have to monitor his status this week.
Since Week 5, Cade Otton has had weekly scoring finishes of TE13, TE17, and TE11 with at least 10.1 PPR points in each game. In those three games, he has had an 18.9% target share, 65.7 receiving yards per game (2.14 yards per route run), and a 12.7% first-read share. This week, he’ll face a Saints’ pass defense that has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate in the NFL (59.7%). Over the last three weeks, against single high, Otton has had a 20.4% target share with 2.74 yards per route run and a 16.2% first-read share. Otton is a viable streaming option this week against a defense that ranks 18th in receiving yards per game and has given up the tenth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Spencer Rattler has been a middling QB2 this season with only one weekly finish above QB16. He has only two games with multiple passing touchdowns and hasn’t surpassed 233 passing yards in any game this season. Among 41 qualifying passers, Rattler ranks 31st in yards per attempt, 17th in highly accurate throw rate, 21st in deep throw %, and 32nd in fantasy points per dropback. He has a nice matchup this week, but Rattler’s weekly ceiling likely remains low considering what he has done this season to this point. Tampa Bay has allowed the seventh-most yards per attempt, the tenth-most passing yards per game, the 12th-highest passer rating, and the fourth-highest success rate per dropback. What gives me hope that Rattler possibly outplays my modest expectations this week is his performance against the blitz. Tampa Bay has the fourth-highest blitz rate this season. Among 38 qualifying quarterbacks, Rattler ranks 13th in passer rating and tenth in adjusted completion rate against the blitz.
Rashid Shaheed is the WR37 in fantasy points per game, ranking 16th in deep targets and 18th in red zone targets among wide receivers. Overall, he has had an 18.8% target share with 50.9 receiving yards per game (1.63 yards per route run) and a 20.8% first-read share. Shaheed could have a nice week this week if he’s able to capitalize on the Bucs’ single high coverage. This week, he’ll face a Tampa Bay secondary that has utilized single high with 51.1-61.8% of their defensive snaps in four of their seven games this season. Against single high, Shaheed has seen his target share increase to 22.2% with 1.56 yards per route run and a 23% first-read share. The problem that could even things out is that the Bucs also have the fourth-highest blitz rate, and against the blitz, Shaheed’s target share has dipped to 15.8% with 0.98 yards per route run and a 17.8% first-read share. Spencer Rattler has leaned on Chris Olave heavily against both single high and the blitz. This adds some more volatility to Shaheed’s Week 8 projection. Shaheed could easily be a solid flex play this week, just be aware of the downside risk that he carries as well. Tampa Bay has allowed the 13th-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers and ranks 15th in fantasy points per game.
Last week, Tez Johnson had a 74.1% route share with a 14% target share, a 19.3% air-yard share, 58 receiving yards (1.45 yards per route run), and a 17.2% first-read share. He had one red zone target and two deep targets. This week, he’ll face a Saints’ pass defense that has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate in the NFL (59.7%). Over the last two weeks, against single high, Johnson has had an 18% target per route run rate, 2.06 yards per route run, and a 17.9% first-read share. Johnson will likely be running on the perimeter for most of his snaps this week (52.4-60% out wide over the last three games). He’s a solid flex play with upside this week against a Saints secondary that has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Juwan Johnson had seen his usage in decline over the previous few weeks until Week 7. Last week, he had a 21.9% target share and 25% first-read share. His usage hadn’t been that good since Week 3. Overall, Johnson has an 18% target share with 45 receiving yards per game (1.48 yards per route run) and a 22% first-read share. Johnson has four red zone targets and one deep target this season. Johnson is a low-end streaming tight end option this week against a pass defense that ranks 16th in fantasy points per game and has given up the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Last week, with Kendre Miller hurt and lost for the rest of the season, Alvin Kamara played 84% of the snaps with 14 touches and 29 total yards. Kamara’s per-touch numbers have sagged with only a 14% missed tackle rate and 1.64 yards after contact per attempt. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1, and I don’t think this is the matchup where he breaks the streak. Tampa Bay has allowed the 11th-fewest rushing yards per game, the tenth-lowest missed tackle rate, and the second-fewest yards after contact per attempt. Jahmyr Gibbs ripped Tampa Bay’s run defense last week, but Kamara isn’t Gibbs, and he doesn’t have the Detroit offensive line to run behind.
Sterling Shepard is the WR60 in fantasy points per game with only two top-36 weekly wide receiver finishes this season (WR33, WR32). He does have four red zone targets across his last five games. Shepard has a 13.9% target share with 38.1 receiving yards per game (1.43 yards per route run) and a 10.6% first-read share. This week, he’ll face a Saints’ pass defense that has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate in the NFL (59.7%). Against single high, Shepard’s target share (15.2%) and first-read share (11.8%) have risen slightly, but his yards per route run have dipped to 1.25. Shepard is a middling PPR flex this week. The Saints have allowed the 13th-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers (Shepard 54.8% slot last week).
MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC
Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos
- DEN -3.5, O/U 51
- Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Cowboys Players & Weekly Rankings
| Dak Prescott | QB | QB1 |
| Javonte Williams | RB | RB1 |
| Jaydon Blue | RB | RB4 |
| CeeDee Lamb | WR | WR1 |
| George Pickens | WR | WR1/2 |
| Jalen Tolbert | WR | WR5 |
| Jake Ferguson | TE | TE1 |
Broncos Players & Weekly Rankings
| Bo Nix | QB | QB1 |
| J.K. Dobbins | RB | RB2 |
| RJ Harvey | RB | RB3/4 |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | WR1 |
| Troy Franklin | WR | WR3 |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | WR | WR3/4 |
| Evan Engram | TE | TE2/3 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
After last week’s game, Bo Nix has climbed up to the QB9 in fantasy points per game. While Nix had a monster game last week, that doesn’t change the fact that Nix has regressed from his rookie season. Among 41 qualifying passers, he ranks 33rd in yards per attempt, 36th in CPOE, 29th in highly accurate throw rate, 36th in catchable target rate, and he has the sixth-highest off-target rate. All of that matters little this week against the horrendous Dallas pass defense. The Cowboys can’t stop anyone through the air, so I doubt they slow down Nix this week. Dallas has allowed the second-most passing yards per game and passing touchdowns, the fifth-highest success rate per dropback, and the highest CPOE.
J.K. Dobbins remains a solid RB2 in fantasy as the RB24 in fantasy points per game. He has been entirely reliant upon touchdowns and his rushing production, with only one target in each of his last four games. Dobbins has averaged 16 touches and 77.8 total yards. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks sixth in explosive run rate and 16th in yards after contact per attempt. Dobbins should have another strong day in Week 8. Dallas has allowed the third-most rushing yards per game, the fifth-highest explosive run rate, the seventh-highest yards per carry to gap runs, and the third-highest success rate to gap runs (Dobbins 56.2% gap).
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Troy Franklin is the WR45 in fantasy points per game with three top-36 wide receiver finishes in weekly scoring (WR7, WR36, WR34). Franklin has high value roles in the Denver offense as he’s third on the team in deep targets and is fifth in the NFL in red zone targets. Franklin has a 70.7% route share with a 17.6% target share, 38.4 receiving yards per game (1.36 yards per route run), and a 19% first-read share. This week he faces a Dallas secondary that in Weeks 1-6 had the ninth-highest two high rate (58.5%). Against two high, Franklin’s first-read share has increased to 20.8%. His downfield role could come in handy this week against a pass defense that has allowed the most deep passing yards per game and the most deep passing touchdowns. Dallas has the most PPR points per target and the fifth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Marvin Mims is the WR57 in fantasy points per game, but he has two top-24 weekly finishes this season (WR9, WR24) and is a viable flex play this week. Mims has a 47.5% route share with a 12.1% target share, 33.4 receiving yards per game (1.76 yards per route run), and a 16.1% first-read share. This week he faces a Dallas secondary that in Weeks 1-6 had the ninth-highest two-high rate (58.5%). Against two high, he has a 13.9% target share, 1.16 yards per route run, and an 18.2% first-read share. The drop in efficiency is notable, but he could make up for that this week with his downfield role. Mims leads the team with 11 deep targets. Dallas has allowed the most deep passing yards per game and the most deep passing touchdowns. Dallas has the most PPR points per target and the fifth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Mims could have a splash play or two this week and easily pay off as a flex in a high-scoring game environment.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Until RJ Harvey‘s role in the Denver offense changes, he’s not even flex-worthy. Over the last three games, he has had a 24.3% snap rate while averaging six touches and 19 total yards. Yes, he scored last week, but that still didn’t really “save” his day as he had only five touches and two total yards.
MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Titans Players & Weekly Rankings
| Cam Ward | QB | QB2 |
| Tony Pollard | RB | RB2/3 |
| Tyjae Spears | RB | RB3 |
| Calvin Ridley | WR | Out |
| Elic Ayomanor | WR | WR3/4 |
| Chimere Dike | WR | WR4/5 |
| Chigoziem Okonkwo | TE | TE2 |
Colts Players & Weekly Rankings
| Daniel Jones | QB | QB1 |
| Jonathan Taylor | RB | RB1 |
| Ameer Abdullah | RB | RB4 |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | WR1/2 |
| Josh Downs | WR | WR3/4 |
| Alec Pierce | WR | WR4 |
| Adonai Mitchell | WR | WR5 |
| Tyler Warren | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Daniel Jones has spectacularly continued the rebound campaign as the QB7 in fantasy points per game, with four outings with at least 22 fantasy points. Among 41 signal callers, he ranks fourth in yards per attempt and highly accurate throw rate, fifth in catchable target rate, and sixth in fantasy points per dropback. The last time he faced the Titans’ pass defense, he was the QB11 for the week with an efficient 72% completion rate and 9.1 yards per attempt. Jones should have similar success this week against a secondary that has allowed the eighth-highest yards per attempt and CPOE and the 12th-highest success rate per dropback.
The last time Pittman Jr. faced this secondary, he was the WR13 for the week, securing all six of his targets with 73 receiving yards and a score. He could post a similar box score this week. Pittman Jr. is the WR18 in fantasy points per game, ranking second on the team in deep targets and red zone targets. Overall, he has a 21.2% target share, 1.80 yards per route run, and a 24.9% first-read share. The Titans have the third-highest rate of two high (59.4%). Against two high, Pittman Jr. has been Daneil Jones’ go-to receiver with a 23.5% target share, 2.16 yards per route run, and a 29.2% first-read share. The Titans have allowed the second-highest completion rate and fifth-highest passer rating on downfield targets. Tennessee also can’t cover perimeter wide receivers, allowing the third-highest PPR points per target. Pittman Jr. should eat this week.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Elic Ayomanor‘s star has dimmed with Cam Ward struggling in his rookie season. Ayomanor is the WR64 in fantasy points per game. He has topped 50 receiving yards only once this season and hasn’t finished as a top-36 wide receiver in weekly scoring since Week 3 (against Indy). Maybe he can recapture some of that early-season magic this week, but it’s fine if you’re skeptical of that like me. Ayomanor has a 15.7% target share, 32.1 receiving yards per game (1.09 yards per route run), and a 19.9% first-read share. Indy has utilized single high with 51.2-62.5% of their defensive snaps in four of seven games, and the last time these two teams met, they deployed it with 55.6% of their snaps. Against single high, Ayomanor’s yards per route run has increased to 1.54, and his first-read share has bumped to 20.8%. Ayomanor is flex viable this week against an Indy secondary that has allowed the eighth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Josh Downs is the WR52 in fantasy points per game with top-36 wide receiver weekly finishes in each of his last two games played (WR34, WR15). Downs has a 59.1% route share with an 18% target share, 36.2 receiving yards per game (1.85 yards per route run), and a 21.1% first-read share. He has six red zone targets and three deep targets this season. Tennessee has the third-highest two-high rate in the NFL (59.8%). Against two high, Downs has seen his numbers dip slightly with a 17.3% target share, 1.55 yards per route run, and a 20.8% first-read share. Downs is a middling flex this week against a secondary that has limited slot receivers to the 14th-fewest PPR points per target.
I was very bullish about Alec Pierce‘s prospects last week against the Chargers’ single high coverage. This week, I’m more bearish about his outlook. The Titans have the third-highest rate of two high (59.4%). Against two high, Pierce has only a 9.2% target share, 0.85 yards per route run, and a 10.9% first-read share. Pierce has a few outs this week that could allow him to pay off despite possibly limited volume. Pierce leads the team with eight deep targets, and the Titans have allowed the second-highest completion rate and fifth-highest passer rating on downfield targets. Tennessee also can’t cover perimeter wide receivers, allowing the third-highest PPR points per target. Pierce is a dice roll flex play that could yield decent results this week if he and Indiana Jones can hook up on a deep target or two in Week 8.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
I’m not starting Cam Ward in any format. Last week was only the second outing this season in which he managed double-digit fantasy points. Ward still has zero games this season with multiple passing touchdowns, and he hasn’t eclipsed 270 passing yards in any game. Ward also can’t fall back on any rushing production with zero games this season with more than 25 rushing yards. Ward has had a tough rookie season and has little help around him to change the outlook moving forward.
Last week, Tony Pollard took back the passing-down back role for Tennessee as the team’s clear workhorse back. He played 58.8% of the snaps with a 35.9% route share and 17.6% target share. Pollard finished with 12 touches and 61 scoreless yards. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks 32nd in missed tackles forced per attempt and 18th in yards after contact per attempt. Pollard is a middling flex play this week, facing an Indy run defense that has held opposing backs to the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game, the third-lowest missed tackle rate, and the seventh-fewest yards after contact per attempt.
MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Packers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jordan Love | QB | QB1/2 |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | RB1 |
| Emanuel Wilson | RB | RB4 |
| Romeo Doubs | WR | WR3 |
| Matthew Golden | WR | WR4 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | WR | Out |
| Christian Watson | WR | WR5/6 |
| Tucker Kraft | TE | TE1 |
Steelers Players & Weekly Rankings
| Aaron Rodgers | QB | QB2 |
| Jaylen Warren | RB | RB2 |
| Kenneth Gainwell | RB | RB4 |
| D.K. Metcalf | WR | WR1 |
| Calvin Austin | WR | WR4/5 |
| Roman Wilson | WR | WR6 |
| Jonnu Smith | TE | TE1 |
| Pat Freiermuth | TE | TE2 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Romeo Doubs is the WR27 in fantasy points per game with four top-36 wide receiver weekly finishes this season (WR35, WR3, WR30, WR25). Doubs has a 20.5% target share with a 37.2% air-yard share, 51 receiving yards per game (1.99 yards per route run), and a 25% first-read share. He leads the team with seven red zone targets (tied) and is second in deep targets (six). This week, he faces a Steelers’ secondary that has utilized single high at the second-highest rate (61.9%). Against single high, Doubs leads the team with a 22.2% target share with 2.52 yards per route run and a team-leading 28.8% first-read share. Pittsburgh has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers. Doubs should smash.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Jordan Love has finished as a QB2 in every week this season, except for one. The Packers’ offense limits him weekly as they are seventh in red zone rushing rate and sixth in neutral rushing rate. Without rushing equity to help him out in fantasy, Love is just another mid-range QB2. Among 41 qualifying passers, he ranks fifth in yards per attempt, seventh in passer rating, 17th in fantasy points per dropback, and 16th in hero throw rate. He should post at least a solid stat line this week against a Steelers’ pass defense that has been woefully underperforming, giving up the most passing yards per game, the 11th-highest yards per attempt, and the 14th-highest success rate per dropback.
Aaron Rodgers faces his old team as the QB14 in fantasy points per game. He has two QB1 weeks this season (QB7, QB7). Among 41 qualifying passers, Rodgers ranks 23rd in passing yards per game, 13th in yards per attempt, and ninth in highly accurate throw rate and fantasy points per dropback. Pittsburgh’s game plan limits Rodgers’ fantasy success weekly, as they are 17th in neutral passing rate and have the 11th-slowest neutral pace. Rodgers is a mid-range QB2 with a tough matchup this week. Green Bay has limited passers to the lowest yards per attempt, the tenth-lowest success rate per dropback, and the 11th-lowest CPOE.
Since Week 3, Matthew Golden has been the WR41 in fantasy points per game, drawing a 15.3% target share with 58.3 receiving yards per game (2.35 yards per route run) with a 20.7% first-read share. During this stretch, he has had two red zone targets and five deep targets. This week, he faces a Steelers’ secondary that has utilized single high at the second-highest rate (61.9%). Since Week 3, against single high, Golden has been an afterthought with an 8.1% target share, 1.12 yards per route run, and a 9.5% first-read share. Sit Golden this week if you can. He could still have a solid game, but the volume won’t be massive. The matchup goodness will have to carry him, as Pittsburgh’s corners have been struggling. Pittsburgh has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game and the most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Over the last two games, Jonnu Smith has had a 74.2% route share with a 15.6% target share, 23 receiving yards per game (0.94 yards per route run), and an 11.4% first-read share. In those two games, he has two red zone targets and one deep target. Smith is a low-end streaming option this week. Green Bay has given up the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Jaylen Warren has played at least 65% of the snaps in two of his last three games while averaging 18.7 touches and 100.6 total yards. I’ll be honest. I never thought this type of season would come for Warren after wanting and hoping the Steelers would turn over the keys to the backfield to Warren. I was so heavily invested in him in previous seasons, only to watch Mike Tomlin run Najee Harris out there, that I gave up hope and invested heavily in Kaleb Johnson this season. I’m so happy that Warren is in the driver’s seat for Pittsburgh this season. He’s a talented player and deserves it. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks second in missed tackles forced per attempt and seventh in yards after contact per attempt. Warren will have to overcome a horrible matchup this week with volume. Green Bay has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game, the lowest explosive run rate, the ninth-lowest missed tackle rate, and the third-lowest yards after contact per attempt.
*Despite his big game last week, I can’t trust Pat Freiermuth in lineups this week. He had a 68.6% route share last week, which is the first time he’s crept above 59% this season. The bottom could fall out of his usage this week.*
MIN vs. LAC | NYJ vs. CIN | BUF vs. CAR | SF vs. HOU | NYG vs. PHI | CLE vs. NE | CHI vs. BAL | MIA vs. ATL | TB vs. NO | DAL vs. DEN | TEN vs. IND | GB vs. PIT | WAS vs. KC
