This is the part of the season where you find out what teams in your league are for real, and what teams are winning solely because they play the league’s lowest scorer every week. For me, it always seems as if the fantasy football championship is decided in a game between the player who drafted the best (the guy who drafted Andre Ellington in the fourth, Lamar Miller in the 12th, and Andrew Luck in the seventh) and the guy who worked the waiver wire the best (the player who picked up Ronnie Hillman while everyone else was rushing to get Branden Oliver and Andre Williams). In my nine years of playing, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a blowout in the championship game. These two teams are always evenly matched and it shows on the scoreboard. For those of you that are still looking to make the playoffs by the skin of your teeth, search your bench for these next couple of players and consider what they have to offer you this week. Starting them could play off big time.
Fantasy Football Likes and Dislikes for Week Eight
Like #1: Zach Ertz
Arizona’s defense is designed to give offenses the shallow middle of the field. That’s why they give up more catches and yards to tight ends than just about everyone else in the league. With a string of low production weeks now behind him, I like Zach Ertz’ chances this week. I’m aware the Eagles have a lot of mouths to feed but, it would be wise to take what the defense gives him. Ertz is a top-10 play for me this week, and the next couple of weeks moving forward.
Like #2: Michael Floyd
Philadelphia’s secondary is among the bottom 10 in the league at defending the pass; Micheal Floyd has either 100 yards or a touchdown in every game he’s played with Carson Palmer this season. Considering this game has shootout potential, Michael Floyd could be in for the game of his career. Don’t rule out Larry Fitzgerald here, either. Despite the slow season, he has a knack for scoring against the Eagles.
Like #3: Jerrick McKinnon
Last but not least, Jerrick McKinnon. Tampa Bay is allowing 128 yards per game on the ground this year, and McKinnon, like we all predicted, has officially taken over the starting job in Minnesota. It wouldn’t shock me if McKinnon finished this game with over 150 yards from scrimmage in this game. A combination of poor tackling, missed gap assignments, and easily recognizable blitz packages have made the Buccaneers as bad as they are. I refuse to believe they’ve cleared up all of their defensive issues in two weeks.
Dislike #1: LeSean McCoy
Though it appears Shady is about to return to 2013 form, the matchup states otherwise. The Arizona Cardinals have allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league this season, as well as just 3.4 yards per carry between the tackles. In a game that I’ve already said should be a shootout, I don’t like McCoy’s odds. I started Ronnie Hillman over him in a league, and I am not regretting it after his performance against the Chargers. I would also recommend Ahmad Bradshaw, Justin Forsett or obviously Jerrick McKinnon over Shady this week.
Dislike #2: Andre Johnson
Aside from the fact DeAndre Hopkins is always likely to suck targets away from the future Hall of Famer, Andre Johnson has not played well against the Tennessee Titans as of late; over the past two seasons they’ve held him below 60 yards per contest, and a whopping zero touchdowns. It’s hard to rely on any Texans receiver at the moment considering Ryan Fitzpatrick is the quarterback but, this matchup makes it every bit more difficult. Given the options, I’d take Vincent Jackson against the Vikings or Kelvin Benjamin at home against Seattle before I start Andre Johnson this week.
Dislike #3: Matt Ryan
After being one of the best quarterbacks in fantasy football over the first four weeks of the season, Matt Ryan has taken a complete nosedive. No literally, he’s constantly taking a nosedive into the turf when he’s mauled by every pass rusher he faces. The Falcons offensive line is arguably the worst in the league after being plagued by the injury bug. It doesn’t help that this game is being played about as far away from the Georgia Dome as possible against the league’s best pass rush. The Lions might set a record for sacks in a game this week in London. Seriously, don’t start Matt Ryan this week. I recommend Cam Newton at home, Ryan Tannehill against the Jaguars, or Austin Davis against Kansas City.
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