Packers @ Cardinals
AJ Dillon looked awesome, he went for 78 yds on 16 carries and it’s only a matter of time until he hits paydirt. The way he fell forward on the majority of carries should surely incentivize the Green Bay staff to give him more redzone carries, look out Aaron Jones. It will be interesting to understand the significance of DeAndre Hopkins hamstring injury, but with the Cardinals offence already spreading the ball around I don’t expect any dramatic value increase for Green/Kirk/Moore. James Conner is completely touchdown dependent, but with plenty of redzone possessions he can still be put into lineups.
Bengals @ Jets
This was a shock after the Bengals stomped the Ravens last week, but Joe Mixon dominated the backfield. Mixon did not cede a single carry whilst also catching 4 balls for 58 yds and a tuddy, Mixon owners should hope this kind of usage continues. Michael Carter was the real story in this one, undervalued by most, he led the Jets in rushing and receiving. If Mike White continues at QB, Carter can be a top 15 RB rest of season, he’s had 23 targets in games with Mr. White. Even if Wilson comes back Carter’s usage still warrants high end RB2 status.
Titans @ Colts
Unfortunately the big fantasy news from this one is that King Henry is headed to IR and is expected to be out 6-10 weeks, so it’s effectively a fantasy season ender. The Titans went out and signed Adrian Peterson on Monday but neither him or Jeremy McNichols will be able to fill the void left by Henry. We should see Tennessee lean on the passing game moving forward, so AJ Brown and Julio Jones are the winners of this unfortunate development.
Rams @ Texans
Cooper Kupp is the first player in the SB era with 900+ receiving yds and 10+ receiving TD’s in the first 8 games of a season. He is putting up ridiculous numbers and he could break 2000 receiving yards if he keeps up this pace. If you drafted Kupp, congratulations. Rex Burkhead came out of nowhere and ruined the day for people that picked up David Johnson after Mark Ingram II was traded. Seriously Brandin Cooks only here, do not waste time or hope on the Texans backfield or anything else for that matter.
Steelers @ Browns
Rookie Pat Freiermuth is definitely worth a waiver pick up after snagging 4 catches, 44 yds and a toe drag swag touchdown. His 7 targets were second behind Diontae Johnson and they have a juicy matchup with the Bears next week. With Baker Mayfield back OBJ had a disastrous 1 target game, if he doesn’t get traded at the deadline, Beckham is a definite drop in all formats. An absolute waste of talent, the Odell Browns experience has been a complete bust.
Eagles @ Lions
The Eagles put up 44 points but this was a devastating fantasy day for DeVonta Smith snagging only 1 catch for 15 yds. The Heisman trophy winner has now had 3 dud games in a row and it’s hard to trust him with Hurts only throwing north of 200 yds once in the last 4 games. On the other side of the ball T.J. Hockenson returned to glory with Jared Goff hitting his tight end 10 times for 89 yds. He and D’Andre Swift remain the only startable Lions…….move along.
49ers @ Bears
Eli Mitchell is the real deal, he’s a week in week out high end RB2/borderline RB1 and he should be a trade target for all managers. Deebo Samuel now paces SF receivers all time over the first 7 games of a season, his sixth round ADP looks unreal right now. Khalil Herbert has carved himself a role regardless of David Montgomery coming back, there’s a strong chance this will be a committee upon his return. That’s an awesome return on a most likely free midseason FAB waiver pickup, pour one out for those that spent $$ on Damien Williams.
Panthers @ Falcons
Condolences to Calvin Ridley owners, but lets all hope the man can use this time away to get the support he needs. Matt Ryan did not look good and Kyle Pitts was a real let down with extra defensive attention that will likely continue with Ridley out. You’d have thought Russell Gage would be the beneficiary here but he was absent without leave. Can’t really trust anyone beyond Pitts and Patterson. Robby Anderson continues to be a huge disappoint with another stinker and I don’t see this changing whilst Darnold is under centre. Fingers crossed that we hopefully see Run CMC back next week to liven up this offense.
Dolphins @ Bills
Mike Gesicki was the loser after the return of DeVante Parker, having a meager 4 targets compared to Parker’s 11 and Waddle’s 12. The Dolphins have some winnable matchups coming up so don’t let one game put you off firing up Gesicki as a weekly mid range TE1. For the Bills Cole Beasley soaked up all the targets vacated by the injured Dawson Knox and he’ll continue to be a high end WR3 until the tight end returns. Hopefully Emmanuel Sanders dud didn’t cost you a win, but chalk this up to an anomaly and move onto next week.
Patriots @ Chargers
Ol’ Wild Bill Belichick seems to have the cheat code on Justin Herbert who after his second straight down game needs to rebound hard against the Eagles next week. The knock on effect of Herbert’s struggles is that Mike Williams is returning to his old boom or bust status. Damien Harris dominated carries for the Pats and now has 5 td’s in his last four games, he gets a much tougher run defense when New England travels to Carolina in week 9.
Jaguars @ Seahawks
The Jags really let me down after I talked up both Lawrence and Shenault in last weeks Start or Sits. James Robinson’s status needs to be monitored this week but with Bills up next it’s probably worth steering clear of Carlos Hyde even if Robinson sits. Geno Smith resurrected Tyler Lockett which was a welcome return for owners, however I'd wager most had him on their bench. The good news for the Seattle receivers is that it looks increasingly likely Russell Wilson will be back after their week 9 bye returning Lockett to must start status.
Football Team @ Broncos
The bye week can’t come soon enough for Antonio Gibson, hopefully he can rest up during the down time as his usage is clearly being managed by the team. One must hope a healthy Gibson can return to early season form otherwise this is looking like a lost season for a high end pick. Jerry Jeudy’s come back downgrades both Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick to low end WR2 and 3’s respectively. The Bronco’s clock management was shockingly bad at the end with Melvin Gordon coughing up a fumble that somehow did not cost Denver the game. It’s a good job he doesn’t play for Bill Belichick!
Buccaneers @ Saints
Jameis Winston is lost for the season after tearing his ACL, and with Taysom Hill still sidelined, Broncos reject Trevor Siemian stepped in to somehow beat Tom Brady and the Bucs. Even so it is widely anticipated that Hill will start when he is healthy, and he therefore warrants a pick up in all formats, Alvin Kamara owners beware! Gronk’s return was a disaster for fantasy managers as he left early with back spasms, but he has the bye week to get truly healthy for a smash spot against the lowly Football team in week 10.
Cowboys @ Vikings
With a surprise start for Cooper Rush following a late scratch for QB1 Dak Prescott, the Cowboys lent on their talented receiving corps to steal the win in Minnesota. Big nights were had for both Cooper and Lamb, and Cedric Wilson hit paydirt on a long TD catch. Michael Gallup is likely returning from IR very very soon so don’t get too high on waivers with Wilson this week. Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson had disappointing nights with Kirk Cousins faltering, however both remain top 10 options against the Ravens next week.
Giants @ Chiefs
Injury woe’s continued for the Giants with Sterling Shepard being ruled out at the half and Kadarius Toney struggling in this one. Seemingly short on pass catchers Darius Slayton still put up a goose egg, he’s worth avoiding on waivers even with the uncertainty surrounding multiple Giants. Travis Kelce had a bad game for the Chiefs and fantasy managers, catching only 4 balls for 27 yds and giving up a fumble. He looked sluggish in this one, as did the Chiefs offense as a whole, Pat Mahomes was lucky to have a second INT called back for an offsides. They’re going to need their A game to keep up with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in week 9.