Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 8
SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 8 rankings.
StartAndy Dalton, QB, Bengalsvs. Colts
Dalton was held to just 140 passing yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7 after throwing for 286 and 328 yards in the Bengals' previous two games. He's thrown multiple interceptions in back-to-back outings, but he'll have the comforts of home field against a Colts team allowing the second-most passing yards per game.
Fearless prediction: 342 yards passing, 3 TDs, INT
Other QBs to start
- Philip Rivers at Patriots
- C.J. Beathard at Eagles
vs. 49ers
Blount had his worst game of the season in the Eagles' Week 7 victory, gaining just 29 rushing yards on 14 attempts. Even with the poor outing, he's averaging 5 yards per carry on the year, and he'll be used often to run out the clock against a winless 49ers team that's allowed eight rushing touchdowns this season.
Fearless prediction: 96 yards rushing, 2 TDs
Other RBs to start
- Dion Lewis vs. Chargers
- Christian McCaffrey at Buccaneers
- Rob Kelley vs. Cowboys
at Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have Football Outsiders' 32nd-ranked passing DVOA. They jump up to 22nd against No. 2 receivers, but still allow them to receive eight targets and 65.1 yards per game. Funchess has seen at least that many targets in each of his past five contests.
Fearless prediction: 111 yards receiving, TD
Other WRs to start
- Pierre Garcon at Eagles
- Robby Anderson vs. Falcons
- Jordan Matthews vs. Raiders
at Redskins
The Redskins are holding opposing tight ends to just a touchdown every other game, but they're also surrendering a league-high 86.5 yards per game to the position.
Fearless prediction: 92 yards receiving
Other TEs to start
- Tyler Kroft vs. Colts
- Hunter Henry at Patriots
at Seahawks
Coming out of Houston's bye, Watson will face his toughest test yet as a starting quarterback in the NFL. The worst game of his young career came in a second-half debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars' No. 1-ranked pass defense, but Watson has otherwise enjoyed a particularly easy schedule while rising to fame. Dial back expectations against the Seahawks in Seattle.
Other QBs to sit
- Ben Roethlisberger at Lions
- Trevor Siemian at Chiefs
vs. Panthers
Martin failed to reach the end zone for the first time in his abbreviated campaign during Week 7, finishing with a season low of 49 yards on a high of 20 carries. The touchdown-dependent running back shouldn't be trusted against a Panthers team with just three rushing scores allowed this year.
Other RBs to sit
- Isaiah Crowell vs. Vikings
- Lamar Miller at Seahawks
- Frank Gore at Bengals
vs. 49ers
While Agholor has scored in three consecutive weeks, he's still relying heavily on volume. The Eagles shouldn't need to pass nearly as much in a likely rout of the 49ers, leading to a decrease from Agholor's season average of five targets per game.
Other WRs to sit
- Tyler Lockett vs. Texans
- Brandon Coleman vs. Bears
- JuJu Smith-Schuster at Lions
at Bengals
Doyle has received 25 targets over the past three weeks, but still has just one touchdown on the season in the Colts' 23rd-ranked red-zone offense. Meanwhile, the Bengals are allowing just 3.7 targets per game to tight ends.
Other TEs to sit
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs. Falcons
- Vernon Davis vs. Cowboys
Fantasy managers typically should never carry two tight ends, but should make an exception for Clay, who serves as Buffalo's No. 1 option in the passing game. He's a must-hold in leagues where tight ends can be started at the FLEX position.
Dontrelle Inman, WR, Bears
Inman was freed from being buried at the depths of the Chargers' wide receiver corps and will instantly challenge for the No. 1 option in the Bears' unit. Keep him on the bench for now as there aren't many passes to go around, but he certainly has upside.
QuitMike Gillislee, RB, Patriots
Gillislee still ranks fifth among all running backs with 20 red-zone carries on the season, according to NFL Savant. He's also scored four touchdowns on those rushing attempts, but doesn't have a single one since Week 2 - the last time he was the Patriots' outright leader in single-game red-zone rushing attempts. He's not receiving enough work nor being efficient enough to warrant weekly starting consideration as Dion Lewis takes over the backfield.
Jamison Crowder, WR, Redskins
Crowder's received 11 targets over his past two games, but caught just five for a total of 43 yards. He doesn't have a touchdown on the year and his role is shrinking with the emergence of Josh Doctson and the Redskins' shift toward more two-tight end sets featuring Vernon Davis and Jordan Reed.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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