Fantasy Football Week 8 Start/Sit
Last Week:
Mark Ingram vs. Jay Ajayi — Loss
Gary Barnidge vs. Vernon Davis — Loss
Doug Baldwin vs. Allen Hurns — Win
Week 7 Record: 1–2
Season Record: 15–15
This weekly column serves to help Fantasy Life App users make tough start/sit decisions and win their weeks. Let’s get into the questions.
@beingawesom7505 asked: “Should I go with Stewart or Rob Kelley at flex?I’m scared of Arizona D.”
Jonathan Stewart returned to game action last week and didn’t miss a beat, racking up a 19–98–2 statline against the Saints defense. However, New Orleans has given up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs, while Arizona has allowed the second fewest. That’s quite a difference for running back who relies on volume, not efficiency, and also is one-dimensional, as he does not catch many passes. Rob Kelley has a chance to break out this week against the Bengals in London with Matt Jones being ruled out with a knee injury. With a positive matchup and likely a full workload ahead, the preseason standout will have a chance to show off his skills. So, while Stewart has proven to be a solid player throughout his career, this week comes down to matchup, opportunity, and even desire — and need — to succeed. (I will say, however, that I am not overly afraid of the Cardinals run defense, and I do believe that Stewart is start worthy in most formats and in most situations.)
The Pick: Rob Kelley
@drewbanks2728 asked: “I’m in a standard league. Should I stick with Donte Moncrief as my receiver No. 2 or go get Stefon Diggs on the waiver?”
Donte Moncrief will play in his first game since week two after taking a five-week hiatus due to a shoulder injury. One of fantasy’s most hyped-up prospects, Moncrief showed a flash of potential in his only complete contest, a 6–64–1 line against the Lions. This week, he gets to match up with the Kansas City Chiefs, whose secondary has allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Stefon Diggs has followed up an astouding 9–182–1 performance in week two with only 105 yards in the Vikings’ most recent four tilts. Injured and falling victim to a steady, yet not electric, Minnesota offense, he has all but fallen off fantasy radars. However, this week he’ll take on the Chicago Bears, the only team to allow more fantasy points to opposing wide receivers than the aforementioned Chiefs. Still, the Vikings have major offensive line issues, and Diggs is not as big a part of that offense as his romping of the Packers might indicate. Luck loves Moncrief and will look for the wideout early and often; Moncrief will be used more than Diggs can be.
The Pick: Donte Moncrief
@omartorres4926 asked: “Who to start Non PPR. G. Bernard, M. Jones or T. Riddick?”
Matt Jones, as previously mentioned, will sit this week out, which leaves only two possibilities two answer this question. First, Giovani Bernard, who has been earning more and more carries each game as the season progresses, a welcome sight for fantasy owners in standard and PPR leagues alike. He out-touched Jeremy Hill last week 18 to 11, and his constant threat as a receiver provides the back with extra playing time. He also has a juicy match up this week against a Washington defense that has allowed the ninth most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Theo Riddick, on the flipside, will play his first game back from an ankle injury, leaving lots of question marks in his wake. He’s clearly Detroit’s best receiving option out of the backfield, but the presences of Zach Zenner, Justin Forsett and Dwayne Washington really clog up carries and cloud the backfield. The Lions will likely decide to take it easy on Riddick in his first game back, especially rushing wise, leaving Bernard to get more touches in what will likely be a high scoring game.
The Pick: Giovani Bernard
Until next time, ask your start/sit questions to @cb on the Fantasy Life App and @CBRetweet on Twitter.
The Fantasy Life app is the best sports community app to talk fantasy football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, WWE, MMA, Nascar, golf, eSports, or anything else you would hear about at a sports bar. Find or post funny memes, polls, GIFs, or join chats about your teams. Matthew Berry (ESPN, The Talented Mr. Roto), the face of fantasy football co-founded the app as a place for fans to chat about sports, get fantasy advice, or find sleepers for your team. Find Matthew on the app @matthewberry
Download the iPhone or Android app at fantasylifeapp.com. Also available in theApp Store and Google Play.
