Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams, or Travis Kelce. Instead, I'll look at the players you have the most questions about to help you set the most effective starting lineup possible. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2021 NFL season.
Byes: Raiders, Ravens
Week 8 Start ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Start of the Week
Courtland Sutton vs. Football Team (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Sutton has been a star in the stat sheets in recent weeks, scoring 23-plus fantasy points in two of his last three games. He’ll remain a strong option this week, as the Broncos face a Washington team that has allowed seven touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points per game to receivers lined out wide. Jerry Jeudy should also be back in most fantasy lineups.
Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em
QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS | TEAM DEFENSES
Start ‘Em
Chase Claypool at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Claypool should be seen as a solid FLEX option this week, as he faces the Browns in a tough AFC North matchup. Over the last three weeks, only the Dolphins and Football Team have allowed more touchdowns and more fantasy points to opposing wideouts than Cleveland, so the matchup is more favorable than you might think. Look for Claypool to put up a pretty nice stat line.
Michael Pittman Jr., vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pittman has looked good this season, scoring 20-plus fantasy points in three of his last six games including two of his last three. He’ll be in a great spot to continue that streak of success against the Titans, who have allowed 10 touchdowns and the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Consider Pittman a viable No. 2 fantasy wideout this week.
DeVonta Smith at Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Smith’s numbers haven’t been massive in the last two weeks, but he continues to see solid target totals in the Eagles offense. I’d consider him a nice FLEX option this week, as the Eagles head to the Motor City to face the Lions. Their defense has allowed more receiving yards to pass catchers lined out wide than any team in the league, so Smith is in a potential smash spot for fans.
Emmanuel Sanders vs. Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Sanders has been one of the most reliable wideouts in fantasy football over the last month, scoring 13-plus points in four straight games including two with 20-plus points. He’s in the FLEX conversation this week, as the Bills host a Dolphins team that’s allowed seven touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers lined out wide this season.
More Starts
- Chase Claypool at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Robert Woods at Texans (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
- Sterling Shepard at Chiefs (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
DFS Bargains
- Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Titans ($5,300)
- Jerry Jeudy vs. Football Team ($4,900)
- Laviska Shenault Jr. at Seahawks ($4,700)
Week 8 Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Sit of the Week
Julio Jones at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Fantasy fans might have to start Jones out of necessity, but he simply isn’t getting the job done in Tennessee. He’s failed to score more than 8.9 fantasy points in all but one game, and he’s a weekly injury risk due to his problematic hamstring. This week’s matchup against the Colts is actually good on paper, but their defense held Jones to a meager 7.7 fantasy points back in Week 3.
Sit ‘Em
Allen Robinson vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Robinson has been one of the biggest busts in fantasy football, but it’s by no fault of his own. The Bears offense is atrocious, and rookie Justin Fields looks like a deer in the headlines behind a terrible offensive line. As a result, Robinson has averaged just 7.7 points over his first seven games and the matchup hasn’t mattered. At this point, Robinson is droppable in smaller leagues.
Scott Galvin/USA TODAY Sports
Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Browns offense is predicated on the run, and the absence of Baker Mayfield makes Beckham even less of an option in fantasy leagues. He’s been held to 5.1 or fewer fantasy points in three of his last four games, and the matchups don’t really matter at this point. So while Pittsburgh has been bad against receivers this season, OBJ is no better than a risk-reward FLEX.
Corey Davis vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Davis scored last week on a tough catch in the back of the end zone, but I wouldn’t trust him ahead of a matchup against the Bengals. The Jets will be starting the inexperienced Mike White, and the Cincinnati defense has been tough on receivers lined out wide. In fact, the position has put up just four touchdowns and fewer than 23 fantasy points per game this season.
Jakobi Meyers at Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Meyers, who is still seeking his first NFL touchdown, caught five passes last week but was still held to just 9.4 points in a win over the Jets. Next up is a difficult road matchup against the Chargers, who have allowed three touchdowns and the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Unless you’re desperate, Meyers is a likely fade in this AFC matchup.
More Sits
- Tyler Lockett vs. Jaguars (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Robby Anderson at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
- Tyler Boyd at Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Fades
- Calvin Ridley vs. Panthers ($6,600)
- Julio Jones at Colts ($5,800)
- Brandin Cooks vs. Rams ($5,700)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business!
Sports Illustrated may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.
