This is for both seasonal and daily leagues.
Start
TE Martellus Bennett, @NE– I know he has had a couple of slow weeks as the Bears offense has struggled. That said, he is the second most targeted tight end in football and is going against a defense that generally struggles defending the TE. Belichick always likes to scheme to take away the team’s biggest strength so one would think he has something cooked up to negate Marshall and Jeffery. That leaves a lot of room for Bennett to operate against a decimated LB corps. He’s only $5,900 on fanduel and should be a pretty popular play. He is a good bet for week 8
RB Ben Tate, vs OAK– I know those who started him last week in a cake matchup aren’t trying to hear this but go back to the well. He had 16 carries for 36 yards in a disappointing effort last week against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars. He plays against the Raiders this week who have allowed at least 100 rushing yards to every opponent but one (New England). Coming off an extremely poor Hoyer outing, one would think Cleveland is going to make it even more of a priority to run the ball and Tate is the primary back against a team allowing 145.3 yards per game on the ground. Run him out there.
TE Jordan Reed, @DAL– I know. Colt McCoy is playing QB for the Redskins on Monday night. That isn’t exactly an ideal thing for a pass catcher but I actually think McCoy’s general ineptitude plays into Reed’s hands. He has a half working water gun for an arm and is brand new to the starting lineup. What better than an athletic freak of a tight end to lean on? Dallas has also allowed the second most points to tight ends on the season so Reed could be a good play here.
RB Jerick McKinnon, @TB– McKinnon was the first running back in the league to hang 100+ on the stout Buffalo Bills last week. Now he’s going against the defense that ranks 31st in rush defense according to PFF and have given up the second most rushing touchdowns in the league. I think we are at the point where we can comfortably expect RB2 production from him the rest of the season.
QB Carson Palmer, vs PHI– Palmer has thrown at least two touchdowns in all three games he’s started this season. The Eagles have allowed the second most passing touchdowns in the league this season. Add in the Eagles fast pace potentially leading to a ton of plays for the Cardinals and you have a potential top 7 QB play on your hands.
WR Sammy Watkins, @NYJ– Watkins averages with Kyle Orton at the helm: 13 targets, 8 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD. The Jets excel in stopping the run, and their pass defense is a mess at the moment. Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller are also out so Watkins should be featured early and often on Sunday. I expect a big game out of him.
RB Mark Ingram, vs GB– I know about his disappointing effort last week against the disappointing Detroit Lions and that might scare some folks away but Ingram was playing well previously. The Packers aren’t great at stopping the run, and both Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson are out. It shapes up as a game where Ingram should get 15-20 touches or so. I think he’s a good start, especially at the $6100 he currently is on Fanduel
WR Michael Floyd, vs PHI– Most already know about the chemistry Floyd and QB Carson Palmer share. Floyd has scored a TD in each of the last two weeks and has pretty clearly taken over as the Cardinals #1 WR. The Eagles have allowed the seventh most fantasy points to WRs and this game has one of the highest over/unders of the weekend. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Floyd put together a 100 yard game with a score.
Sit
QB Matt Ryan, vs DET (London)– Ryan is without two of his offensive linemen, the game is in London and Detroit is fantasy’s least friendly defense to QBs. If you can afford to do so, go in a different direction. I don’t think this ends well for Ryan.
WR Percy Harvin, vs BUF– If you are feeling YOLOish go for it. That said, new offense, potentially spotty QB play? I would pass but some folks are more risky that I am.
RB Anthony Dixon/Bryce Brown, @NYJ-The Buffalo Bills are playing against a stout Jets run defense and the roles of these men haven’t been defined clearly. I’d hold off on starting either one until there is more clarity in the backfield.
WR Torrey Smith, @CIN- Smith usually struggles against the Bengals, and has been extremely TD dependent in his recent stretch of mild success. I know the Bengals defense is suddenly a struggling unit but I would stay away from him this week if I had a comparable alternative.
QB Andy Dalton, vs BAL– Dalton will be without AJ Green, and Baltimore gives up the sixth least fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. It could be an ugly day for him.
WR Mohammed Sanu, vs BAL- According to PFF, Sanu leads the league with nine drops. Baltimore is generally effective against primary targets and it might be a struggle for the Bengals offense on Sunday. I would avoid him altogether if I could.
RB Steven Jackson, vs DET (London)– If he doesn’t score touchdowns, he’s basically unplayable. He has yet to gain more than 60 yards in a game and he’s going against a stout Detroit Lions defense. Bench him.
RB Bishop Sankey, vs TEN– I am just going to keep putting him here until he gives me a reason not to do so. Shonn Greene got arrested and it doesn’t move the needle for me at all. Steer clear.
TE Jason Witten, vs WAS– Witten is no longer a starting caliber TE in fantasy. One redzone target all season and a declining workload makes him an undesirable weekly play. If you have him, look for a replacement.
Fantasy Savvy 