Still Keeping It Real With Fantasy – Week 8

Same people, same great advice

Welcome back to Week 8 of Fantasy Football! After an exciting week of football, we are back to give you even more insight on who to start, sit, and pick up for your fantasy football team! Headlines for this week include the Seahawks losing a nailbiter to the Cardinals, the Falcons scoring a game losing touchdown, and a familiar face re-emerging in the NFL!

 

Injuries: 

Aaron Jones (Packers, RB) – Jones remained sidelined throughout Wednesday’s practice as he worked his way back from a calf injury he suffered last Thursday. As for Jones’ status, head coach Matt LaFleur said the team will “be smart with him,” adding that holding Jones out of last week’s game “definitely helped him.” For now, consider Jones questionable to play in Week 8.

Odell Beckham (Browns, WR) – Beckham was forced out of  the victory over the Bengals with a knee injury he sustained while making a defensive play after a Browns turnover. Beckham confirmed a couple days ago that he suffered a torn ACL that will end his 2020 campaign.

 

Starts: 

Dionate Johnson (Steelers, WR) – Johnson had at least 10 targets in every game he’s finished in. Fantasy managers shouldn’t overlook anyone with that track record. We figure to see Marcus Peters in coverage some of the time, which isn’t bad since Peters has allowed three scores this year.

Jonnu Smith (Titans, TE) – One bad game shouldn’t scare you off of Smith. Late last week, Smith nearly had a short-yardage touchdown and two plays later was the primary read for Ryan Tannehill and was held on the play. So nothing’s changed and he’s still a desirable end-zone option for the Titans. Cincinnati, Smith’s opponent, allows the third-most Fantasy points to tight ends (11.7 per week). 

Ryan Tannehill (Titans, QB) – All Ryan Tannehill does is produce for Fantasy managers. Every week, even in tough matchups, he comes through with quality production. And he should be awesome once again this week against the Bengals. He’s now started a full season worth of games for the Titans going back to last year, and he’s scored at least 20 Fantasy points in 14 of them. We expect him to keep adding to that total this week in a dream matchup.

 

Sits: 

Josh Kelly (Chargers, RB) – With the injury of Austin Ekeler, we expected Kelly’s number to be called for the Chargers RB position. He’s averaged 2.03 yards per carry over his past three games and he’s just not running with the same explosiveness and with his weak pass catching game (4.8 yards per catch)- we really don’t see Kelly making waves this Sunday. 

Jarvis Landry (Browns, WR) – Following Odell Beckham Jr.’s injury, we expect the Browns to play it safe with their other key players. Landry didn’t look 100% last Sunday, as he had been dealing with injuries of his own. Unless his QB Baker Mayfeild looks to find him as many targets as possible, I wouldn’t look to Landry for your WR needs.

David Montgomery (Bears, RB) –  Although it may be hard for fantasy owners to let go of one of their most prominent running backs, we don’t expect him to do well this week. He’s already been on a little decline rushing for less than 60 yards for the past 5 games. With his offensive line banged up and the Bears playing the Saints defense. There really isn’t much expectation for Montgomery to perform. 

 

Waiver Wire:

Giovanni Bernnard (Bengals, RB) – With Joe Mixon out due to an injury, Bernard turned in a 20.6-point performance, handling 13 carries and adding five catches and a receiving score. Mixon did not practice this past week, and it would stand to reason that he is uncertain for Week 8. Bernard is a top option until Mixon returns and is a must-add.

Eagles D/ST – It’s very rare that we recommend something for two weeks in a row, but if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that this Eagles defense will have no choice but to dominate the Cowboys. After losing their starting QB Dak Prescott to a gruesome ankle injury, and then losing their backup QB Andy Dalton to a concussion, the Cowboys will end up starting rookie QB Ben DiNucci. Last week was not the best showing for the Cowboys, only putting three points up on the board and allowing 25. We believe that their struggles will not only continue, but worsen as the season progresses. That starts with the Sunday Night football matchup against the Eagles.