Saturday
Evening Edition
October
25th, 2014
David’s
Daily Digest
Week 8 Starts-Sits
My Favorites for Sunday
So as Sunday draws near,
it’s another slate of games and another list of some of my fantasy favorites
for week 8. I have several lineups going in season long leagues as well as many
in the weekly plays; these are several of the names that dominate both.
RB-Jerick McKinnon
The Vikings rookie runner
turned in a nice performance a week ago rushing for more than 100 yards against
a good Bills defense. This could be an even better and bigger week for McKinnon
facing the Buccaneers 25th ranked rushing defense that is allowing
128.3 yards per game. The Bucs defense also allows the 7th most
fantasy points to opposing running backs, including 8 total touchdowns. This
could be a good week for McKinnon to find the end-zone; start him.
RB-Tre Mason
The Rams rookie running
back is finally getting his chance and coming off an impressive 18-carry, 85
yards rushing with a touchdown performance a week ago would suggest he’ll be
the hot hand to start this Sunday against the Chiefs. The Chiefs defense has
not surrendered a lot of yards on the ground this season, but their 18th
ranked rush defense is allowing 4.7 yards per carry. This is one that might be
a little off the radar, but I like Mason here; he looked very good last week,
quick, elusive, and explosive. He should get first shot out of the gate and I
would expect another solid performance. If you are weak at the RB spot, he could
be a good start this week.
WR-Sammy Watkins
His 2014 season has not
been a breakout thus far, but the kid has shown some flashes of great. Bills Quarterback
Kyle Orton gives the position some stability and Watkins has benefitted with
double digit targets in two of his last three games. The Jets defense is ranked
18th versus the pass and it allows the 12th most fantasy
points to opposing wide receivers, including the 10th most
receptions and 8 touchdowns. Watkins is too great a talent for the Jets
secondary; he’ll see plenty of opportunities and is a good bet to reach the
end-zone. Start him this week.
WR-Mohamed Sanu
The Ravens may be on a
roll coming off an impressive win over a stumbling Falcons team, but their
secondary continues to get shreaded and surrender lots of yards (1,415 yards to
WR-most allowed) and catches (112 receptions to WR-most allowed). With no AJ
Green on Sunday, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu figures to see plenty of opportunities
and could be in line for a big game. Since becoming the number one, Sanu is
averaging 10 targets and nearly 6 receptions per game; he’s a must play.
TE-Zach Ertz
The Eagles tight end has
yet to make much noise this season, but Sunday could be a big day for the
Eagles pass catcher. Ertz faces a Cardinals defense this Sunday that allows the
7th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, including 11.8 yards
per reception. Ertz is greatly under-utilized, but if the Eagles can get him
heavily involved on Sunday he could be hugely productive. I like his chances
and would play him ahead of players like Jason Witten, Travis Kelce, Jared Cook,
and Heath Miller
TE-Dwayne Allen
With the news of wide
receiver Reggie Wayne OUT for Sunday, that just means more balls to go around
for the healthy receivers, including tight end Dwayne Allen. The Colts tight
end has been consistent this season and ranks in the top ten for fantasy. His
matchup this week against a Steelers defense that allows the 9th
most fantasy points to opposing tight ends would suggest a nice day. Allen has
scored in 5 of his teams’ 7 games and with the Steelers having allowed 4
touchdowns to tight ends so far this season, number 6 could be this week. Allen
is a strong favorite this week, play him.
Week 8 Sleepers
WR-Davante Adams
The Packers offense has a
good matchup this week in a game that figures to feature a lot of offense. The
last couple of weeks Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not needed to throw
the ball a great deal to do significant damage. This Sunday could be different
against a Saints team that is certainly capable of matching the Pack points for
points. I am expecting Rodgers to put the ball in the air enough for Adams to
see a nice share of targets; Adams is definitely a flex favorite this Sunday.
WR-Percy Harvin
Although there’s no real
data to suggest Harvin could have a big Sunday, this is more gut feeling and
trying to read between the lines. Harvin is an explosive talent, something the
Jets offense has been in desperate need of; don’t expect Marty Mornhinweg to
waste any time getting Harvin involved. He could be a nice sneaky flex play
this week.
That’s my take for week 8.
~David Ortega
