Dion Lewis will look to carry his momentum against a Chargers’ defense that is one of worst in the league at stopping opposing running backs.
Credit:@SInow
It is hard to believe that Week Eight is already here. Playoff races are starting to shape up in fantasy leagues, and many owners are scrambling to try and find replacements for players on bye weeks. Six teams are off this weekend, so multiple star players will be hitting owner’s benches during a critical time in the season. Here is a list of some of the best players to start if you are struggling to find good options in a bye-heavy week.
Tyler Kroft, TE Cincinnati Bengals:
The Bengals’ offense isn’t always in sync, but one thing is for sure when Andy Dalton throws, he tends to look for his favorite targets over and over again. It was not a great showing from Cincinnati in Week Seven when they played the Steelers, as they were only able to put together 14 points in what should have been a high scoring game. This week they play host to the Colts who have been nothing short of terrible on defense and have had a tough time containing opposing playmakers. Quarterback Andy Dalton loves to look for his tight end when he is in the red zone, and even with Tyler Eifert out for the season that has still been the case. New starter Tyler Kroft hasn’t been prolific in his time as the starter, but in four games he has three touchdowns and 17 catches. The third-year man out of Rutgers is nothing flashy, but he could see extended action against a Colts’ secondary that has allowed 14.1 yards per catch to opposing receivers. Slot in Kroft as a low end TE1 this week with the hope Dalton connects with him in the end zone.
Dion Lewis, RB New England Patriots:
It is never easy to trust running backs in the Patriots’ offense since the team tends to change their strategy for the run game almost every week. Unfortunately, their unpredictability has been the case for a long time, and it can make it nearly impossible to predict who will be the lead rusher of the four running backs. It is a situation that many fantasy owners get headaches over, but this week Dion Lewis looks to be the guy you’ll want to start. Lewis is in his sixth year in the NFL and has only played more than nine games once, but when he gets the ball in his hands, he is very productive. In his career, the University of Pittsburgh product has averaged 4.8 yards per carry and has only fumbled on a rush once. Lewis has seen his carries increase every game for the last five weeks, and looks to have taken a prominent role in the Patriots’ backfield. With double-digit carries in each of the last two games, the veteran should have a productive game against the Chargers’ defense who has given up 140 yards per game on the ground this season. Lewis makes for a nice flex option this week with a chance at low-end RB2 numbers.
Tyrod Taylor, QB Buffalo Bills:
The Bills’ signal caller is usually thought of as a solid option in fantasy but hasn’t been great so far this season. Taylor is currently coming off of his best game of the year where he threw for 268 yards, including a touchdown while adding 53 yards on the ground. Last week’s performance was the first time the veteran hit 20 fantasy points in a game this season as he only has two games with multiple touchdown passes and has yet to run for a score. His stats have been underwhelming enough to justify a spot as the sleeper quarterback in this article. Taylor and co. will host a Raiders’ secondary that just allowed 342 passing yards and three touchdowns to Alex Smith last week. The matchup is right for the mobile quarterback to have a great game, but just be aware that he has completed no more than 20 passes in a game so far this season, limiting his upside. Start Taylor as a low end QB1 with the hope he can get a couple of touchdown passes and add some points with his legs.
Marquise Goodwin, WR San Francisco 49ers:
Goodwin seems to be one of the better wide receiver sleepers going into this weekend. The 49ers have not met expectations this season, as they remain winless going into Week 8, but there are a few players on the offense that can still contribute to fantasy teams. The obvious solid players in San Francisco are Pierre Garcon and Carlos Hyde, but Goodwin and tight end George Kittle are both players who are flying under the radar. The 49ers will travel to Philadelphia to play a secondary that has been easily exploitable this season. Goodwin has yet to score a touchdown but has seen at least five targets total, but one game so far this season. The fifth-year wide receiver just caught four passes for 80 yards last week against the Cowboys, and he has a catch of at least 48 yards in three different games this year. Goodwin has the chance to get his first touchdown of the season this weekend and can be started as a low-end flex option with WR3 upside.
Theo Riddick, RB Detroit Lions:
It would take some guts to start Riddick this week seeing as he hasn’t been overly productive this season, but there might just be some potential value here. The Lions are coming out of a bye week after losing their previous two games; therefore different players will have to step up on offense. Riddick has always been a great pass-catcher out of the backfield, but he may be called upon to play a lot more so the Lions can keep up with the Steelers’ offense. In his last two games, the fifth year running back has gotten at least 45 yards receiving, but he will look to expand upon that during this week in a primetime game. The Pittsburgh defense has been fantastic against the pass this season by only allowing 147 yards per game in the air; quarterback Matthew Stafford may have to utilize the short passing game more often. Consider Riddick to be a deep sleeper this week; however, he warrants serious flex consideration in PPR leagues.
