"Studs & Duds" is designed to serve as a "Start/Sit" or "Love/Hate" guide. I'll try to pinpoint players, by position, that I think will have a good chance to deliver better or worse performances in comparison to their season averages. I consider "Studs" as quality starters and "Duds" as possible busts that may deserve to be on your bench, depending on the depth of your league and team. I'll also offer up a couple sneaky sleeper picks for each position. Keep in mind that I won't be including some of the "no-brainer" starting options, nor will I tell you to bench someone who isn't a realistic option. For clear-cut lineup decisions, be sure to check out my rankings and in-depth analysis on a bunch of relevant players. Quarterbacks Studs Cam Newton (CAR) vs. IND: For the second time in as many weeks, I have Cam in the Stud section. While he didn't airball last week against the tough Eagles D, he didn't do all that well either. The way I see it, Cam Newton got the win for the Panthers even after playing one of his worst games of the year. He only threw for 197 yards while tossing 3 INTs compared to 1 passing TD. He salvaged his day, per usual, with a classic goal line SuperCam touchdown. He plays on Monday night this week against the below average Colts defense, who let the Saints jump out to a massive lead last week. He's scored a rushing TD in four of his six games this year, so that presents an awesome floor. I'm guessing he is safer with the ball this week, improving his passing yards, TDs, and lowering his INT total. I think he's a mid-range QB1 in a MNF spotlight home matchup, with 20+ point scoring potential. Matt Ryan (ATL) vs. TB: Another player making a second appearance in a row as a Stud is Matt Ryan. He disappointed owners last week with a rough performance on the road against the Titans. The Falcons struggled to put points on the board, but they didn't really need too many points against a porous Titans offense. He also had a TD to Julio get questionably overturned. This week he gets to play at home for the first time in three weeks, and he'll face the bottom-3 defense against fantasy QBs, the Tampa Bay Bucs. In a game with a 48.5 over-under, I look for this one to be much higher scoring than last week. The Bucs aren't a very well-rounded team, but they can throw points on the board. The Bucs just gave up a whopping 30 fantasy points to Kirk Cousins, so I see Ryan as a low-end QB1 here. If he doesn't deliver this week, I promise I'll back off. Duds Matt Stafford (DET) @ KC: I have seen a lot of sites predicting a solid game from Stafford this week in London, but I'm not buying it. He has been up and down (mostly down) this year, and now he gets a coaching overhaul before traveling out of the country. The Chiefs defense is loaded with talent, but had been underwhelming weekly until last Sunday against the Steelers. Even though it was against Landry Jones, they looked like they got some of their swagger back. If they can rush the pass and mess up the Lions' protection, which is exactly where Detroit struggles, Stafford will be under duress for much of the morning. He could hit Calvin for a big play here and there, but I don't see it translating into quality numbers. Peyton Manning (DEN) vs. GB: You know things have gone downhill when this legend is considered a Dud in fantasy, but that's just how things have gone this year. Off of a bye for both teams, Peyton will be facing an all-around tough Packer defense lead by LB Clay Matthews. While their run D is at the top of the league, their secondary is no slouch either. It'll be a home game, which works in Manning's favor, but what doesn't work in his owners' favor are the wounded ducks he's been flinging around the field. He has the weapons to produce an average game against the Packers, but I'm seeing a surprisingly defensive outing from both teams. He's not worth a start. Sleepers Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) @ OAK: The Raiders have a surprisingly tough run defense, so the Jets might rely on the passing game. Bryan Hoyer (HOU) vs. TEN: Houston's pass attack might not be pretty, but there will be plenty of volume. Running Backs Studs Chris Johnson: (ARI) @ CLE: Although he's likely made it into your weekly RB2/3 slot, I especially like the man formerly known as "CJ2K" this week. Playing in Cleveland, he'll be going against a Browns team that has given up an embarrassing 150+ yards to opposing backfields in four of their seven games this season. As the early down back for the Cardinals, it looks like it's Johnson's turn to shred Cleveland defense. The only concern is that he might cede some work to his backups if Arizona takes a big lead, but that wouldn't scare me away from using him as a top-notch RB2. Gio Bernard (CIN) @ PIT: As much as it pains me (as a Jeremy Hill owner) to say this, it looks like another week setting up for a heavy dose of Bernard. While I fully expect the Bengals backfield to swing in Hill's favor down the road during a softer part of the schedule, a trip to Pittsburgh should result in a better game from Gio. The Steelers field an impressive run defense, and their offense will now be clicking on all cylinders, so I expect this to be a shootout. When the Bengals have needed to put points on the board in a hurry this season, Bernard has been the main beneficiary out of the backfield. I see him as a high-end flex or lower-end RB2. Charcandrick West (KC) vs. DET: After last week's strong performance, West undoubtedly has the Chief's backfield carries on lock. He has drawn comparisons to Jamaal Charles by Andy Reid, and he took on his workhorse role in Week 7. He'll be in London against the Lions this Sunday morning, and they have given up a total of 406 rushing yards along with 5 TDs to opposing backfields over the past three weeks. Charcandrick should get a decent workload once again, making him a pretty strong option in Week 8. Duds Eddie Lacy (GB) @ DEN: Last week might have been the happiest owners of Lacy have been since Week 1 of this season - they got to sit him, as he was on a bye week. He got some much needed rest, because he has been ineffective since the first week, managing zero double digit fantasy performances to this point. After his lame beginning of the year, he has nowhere to go but up, but this week likely won't kickstart his upward trent. He faces off against the ferocious defense of the Broncos on the road, who'll be getting Demarcus Ware back from injury. He's a tough start, even if its at flex. Latavius Murray (OAK) vs. NYJ: Coming off a strong outing against the Chargers last week, Murray will have a much harder test in Week 8. He gets a matchup against the stout Jets defense, who specialize in stuffing runners for minimal gains. Last week, Tom Brady was forced to lead the Pats in rushing yards with a measly 15 of them. Blount toted the rock 3 times for negative 3 yards. While Murray is more prolific than Blount, you get my point. Sit Latavius. Giants RBs (NYG) @ NO: You can't have any faith in this Giants' backfield at this point of the season. Usually, running back stables are relatively clear at the midway point of the season, but this situation is as muddy as can be. With Shane Vereen, Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, and now Orleans Dawkwa each getting their share of carries over the past weeks, the only thing you can be confident about regarding the Giants RBs is sitting them all. Sleepers Ameer Abdullah (DET) @ KC: The Lions getting an offensive staff change could perhaps spark the run game, and Ameer is their most talented back. Duke Johnson (CLE) vs. ARI: Against the high-scoring Cards, he'll be needed in the pass game. He's an intriguing flex option, especially in PPR. Andre Ellington (ARI) @ CLE: I'm all in on CJ2K this week, but Ellington is supposedly going to get more touches this week. Plus, he plays the Browns. Wide Receivers Studs Jeremy Maclin (KC) vs. DET: As he returns from a concussion that temporarily sidelines him, Maclin walks into a pretty tasty matchup in London. The Lions present a bottom 10 defense against fantasy WRs this year, and have let up consecutive big games to Stefon Diggs and Alshon Jeffery. Jeremy Maclin should be fresh and ready to go, and if the Lions decide to air it out, the Chiefs will look his way early and often to try, as he and Travis Kelce are their only legitimate aerial options. I'm feeling a big game from this WR2. Jarvis Landry (MIA) @ NE: Say what you will about the Dolphins "dink-and-dunk" passing attack, but it has been working in their favor the last two weeks. Under Dan Campbell, Miami has been playing tough, gritty, and inspirational football. A true playmaker with the ball in his hands, they're likely going to have to hit Landry on multiple short routes on Thursday night if they want to have a chance against the high-flying Patriots. While the Pats might do their best to contain Miami's top passing weapon, I think he has a safe enough floor (and high enough upside) to sit firmly in the low-end WR2 discussion. Stefon Diggs (MIN) @ CHI: Averaging over 6 grabs for 108 yards in the past three weeks, Diggs has gone from speculative waiver add to startable fantasy option. Now he gets a bottom 5 defense against fantasy WRs in the Chicago Bears. He's blowing the other Vikings WRs out in terms of Bridgewater's go-to guy, and I look for that to continue in Week 8. He has the speed and route running ability to become a reliable option in real life and fantasy as well, so I'm saying he's a quality WR3/flex for now, with upside for more. Duds James Jones (GB) @ DEN: In what many think could be a shootout on Sunday night, I see a relatively low-scoring and mostly defensive game. Both the Packers and the Broncos field solid defenses from front to back, but the Broncos have the advantage. Jones plays on the outside, unlike Cobb, which means more coverage from Aqib Talib and Chris Harris. They're about as tough a matchup as a WR can get. Jones has a relatively safe floor and could even be saved by a touchdown, but I'm not betting on it. I'd still consider him a WR3, but with a bit less upside than my following Dud... Amari Cooper (OAK) vs. NYJ: Coming off a huge performance last week, it'd be tough to bench Cooper. The chemistry he has with Carr is legit, but not as legit as Darrelle Revis' coverage skills. He has the ability to shut down wideouts on a weekly basis. Unless Cooper burns him deep on a fluke play, I can't see justifying a solid game from Cooper this week. If he has a big game though, he'd be matchup-proof from here on out. He looks like a middling WR3 until he leaves Revis Island. Des Bryant (DAL) vs. SEA: Of course, Dez would have to play this week to be considered for Dud candidacy. But assuming he does (he's on track to play), I don't think owners need to rush him into their lineups unless their season is in shambles and/or their wideouts are awful. Yes, he's one of the best WRs in the NFL, but we've seen a similar case of what can happen in situations like this - Antonio Brown. Without Big Ben, Brown offered up low-end WR2 numbers at best. Dez without Romo would be a very similar fantasy conundrum, as he'd have Matt Cassel heaving the ball. Add in the fact that he'll be covered by Richard Sherman among other LOB members, and I'm sitting him on my bench for another week. Sleepers Brandin Cooks (NO) vs. NYG: I'm a believer in talent, and Cooks has talent. He's also getting more chemistry with Brees. Michael Floyd (ARI) @ CLE: I had him pegged as a sleeper last week, and he delivered. I think he's closing the gap between him and John Brown. Nate Washington (HOU) vs. TEN: I'm not one to chase points from last week, but Washington could come up big again if Hopkins is blanketed. Tight Ends Studs
Ladarius Green (SD) @ BAL: I had Green listed as a sleeper last week even before knowing Gates was going to be sidelined. He had a nice game and scored a touchdown, like he usually does without Gates. He's honestly a handcuff option for Gates, which is rare at the TE position. With Antonio looking doubtful for this week, I think he will thrive as one of Rivers' top targets in the passing game, as he's been chucking for about 60 times per game. He's a safe TE1 until Gates returns, and will still hold value when he comes back. Eric Ebron (DET) @ KC: My other sleeper from Week 7 was Eric Ebron, and I was tempted to list him there again. Ultimately, I decided to go a bit bolder and label him a stud for this week. In a very thin fantasy position, I think his production when he's healthy serves as enough of a sample size to trust him as a low-end TE1 on most weeks. This week, he goes against the Chiefs D, who is tough against opposing TEs. However, I just think the offensive playcall being revamped, plus his obvious athleticism, makes him a Stud candidate. Duds Jason Witten (DAL) vs. SEA: Witten had a very solid outing last week against the Giants. He clearly looks like Matt Cassel's safety blanket, but that doesn't cut it for me this week. He'll be against the Seahawks athletic defense, who will likely pinpoint him as a key offensive player to cover. If Dez plays, it'll help Witten out a bit. But as of now, I think the Cowboys stick to a run-heavy attack, leaving Witten just a low-ceiling TE option for Week 8. Jordan Cameron (MIA) @ NE: It's looking like a second consecutive underwhelming year for Cameron and his fantasy owners. Although the Dolphins have turned things around lately, he hasn't seen a major improvement. He hasn't even surpassed 30 yards in his last four games, making him a very unappealing option, even at the thin TE position. Until former TE coach, Dan Campbell, gets Cameron more involved, he should be riding the pine. Sleepers Heath Miller (PIT) vs. CIN: With Big Ben returning, I think Miller could provide sneaky value in what could be a TD-heavy game. Crockett Gillmore (BAL) vs. SD: He's been coming on as a sturdy TE2 option lately, and Flacco has no other options outside of Steve Smith. |
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