As you finalize your lineups, here are nine last-minute fantasy football thoughts for Week 8.
9. The Rams’ defense will torture Andy Dalton
After recording just one sack in the first five games, Los Angeles defensive tackle Aaron Donald has come to life. The NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons, Donald has three sacks over the last two games. That’s bad news for the Cincinnati offense because the Bengals average just 16 points per game. It’s particularly bad news for Dalton, who has been sacked 24 times. Donald could be in for a multi-sack game.
8. Josh Allen will show he can pass
The Buffalo quarterback hasn’t thrown for more than 254 yards in Buffalo’s 5-1 start and that came in the opener. Allen has seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. But he’ll put up some strong passing numbers against the Eagles. Only five teams have allowed more passing yards per game than Philadelphia. Plus, the Eagles have given up 75 points over the last two weeks.
7. Marlon Mack should dominate
Although Indianapolis quarterback Jacoby Brissett has emerged as a legitimate passer, the running game, which was limited to 62 yards last week against Houston, could be the story for the Colts against the Broncos. Denver’s pass defense is holding opponents to 195.3 yards per game (third in the NFL). That means Mack could put up the kind of numbers he did in an Oct. 6 game against Kansas City when he carried 29 times for 132 yards.
6. Ryan Tannehill has a great matchup
Two weeks ago, Tannehill was the backup to Marcus Mariota in Tennessee. This week, he’s worth a start in fantasy. Tannehill threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s victory against the Chargers. But that’s not the main reason, I’m saying you should start him this week. The main reason is he’s facing a Tampa Bay defense that ranks last in the league in passing yards per game (304.5). Plus, Tampa Bay’s Shaquil Barrett has gone silent as a pass rusher the last two games after starting off the season with nine sacks.
5. Golden Tate will make a statement
The New York Giants receiver is having a very quiet season (15 catches for 195 yards and one touchdown). Tate went out of his way this week to be diplomatic about facing his former team, the Detroit Lions. But there has to be a part of Tate that carries some sort of grudge against a team that refused to give him a contract extension and traded him after more than four seasons. Tate will be out to prove a point. But he’s going to need some help from rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, who has slumped after going 2-0 in his first three starts. In his last three games (all losses), Jones has been limited to 566 passing yards and three touchdowns while throwing five interceptions.
4. Michael Thomas vs. Patrick Peterson
Thomas, the wide receiver for the Saints, is one of the best in the league. He has 62 catches for 763 yards and three touchdowns. Normally, Thomas is an automatic fantasy starter. But you may want to be cautious with him this week. He’ll be matched up against Arizona’s Patrick Peterson, who is one of the league’s top cornerbacks under any circumstances. But Peterson could be better than ever this week because he could be auditioning for a trade before Tuesday’s deadline.
3. Saquon Barkley will run wild
After missing three games with an ankle injury, the New York Giants running back returned last week and ran for 72 yards on 18 carries against Arizona. Barkley should get more touches this week against the Lions. That should translate into big fantasy numbers. Detroit’s run defense is ranked No. 28 and the Giants want to use Barkley to take pressure off slumping rookie quarterback Daniel Jones.
2. Mitchell Trubisky will have a big game. Seriously!
The Chicago quarterback showed lots of anger while meeting with the media earlier this week. Take that as a good sign. Trubisky is upset about all the criticism he’s taking, even though much of it is justified. But Trubisky has a history of responding well to criticism. After broadcaster Michael Lombardi ripped Trubisky last year, the quarterback responded with 355 passing yards and three touchdowns. The current criticism is coming from all directions, but that could help Trubisky. Think back on what has happened to Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins after receiver Adam Thielen criticized him. Cousins has put together four strong games. Maybe Trubisky will respond the same was. Besides, he has a favorable matchup against the Chargers, who are allowing 8.2 yards per pass attempt (28th in the league).
1. Russell Wilson will enhance his case for MVP
The Seattle quarterback has been great all season. But, this week, he could be better than ever because he has such a favorable matchup. Atlanta’s defense can’t pressure quarterbacks and the secondary has been bad. That’s resulted in the Falcons allowing 223 points through seven games. The only time they allowed more than that was 250 points in 1966, the franchise’s inaugural season.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
