Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Mahomes, Dak & A.J. Brown

Hey everyone and welcome to another edition of Fantasy with Fabs each and every week. I'll bring you my top starts and sits to help you set your fantasy football lineups right here on SITV. And before we kick things off, just a reminder that the 49ers, the Giants, the Saints, and the Texans are all on a bye this week, which means no Christian McCaffrey, no Malik Neighbors, but of course that's where I come in to help you set the best possible lineup for week eight. and let's get things started like we always do with the quarterback position and Dak Prescott. Hey, Dak is back, right? Monday night had a huge game against the Eagles. I know it was their JV team, but he still scored over 23 fantasy points. And I think he should remain in starting lineups this week as the Cowboys host the Cardinals. Now the Cardinals defense has allowed five quarterbacks to beat them for more than 18 points this year. So that's a ton. three have gone over 26 fantasy points and the total in this game is in the mid 50s so vegas is expecting a high scoring affair at Jerry World start Dak Prescott this week and start Trevor Lawrence he's putting up scary good fantasy totals lately it is halloween week after all he's put up 19 plus points in three of his last four games and i like him this week coming off the bye against the Colts. They've allowed the 10th highest EPA, which again is expected points added. And they're giving up an average of right around 18 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. And Lawrence has also scored 19 plus points in each of his last three games against Indianapolis. The Jaguars, again, coming off a bye. They're going to be refreshed and ready to go. The Colts coming off another loss. This is a smash spot for Trevor Lawrence. And I'm going to tell you to start Kyler Murray this week. And listen, I get it. He's not been good. Okay. He has failed to score more than 14 fantasy points in all but one of his first four full games. He's been dinged up in a couple of those games as well. Keep in mind, but you've got to put them at least in the starting conversation against Detroit. I mean, all but one quarterback has beaten Detroit for over 21 fantasy points and no team has allowed more points to position this season than the Lions. Now this could end up being Kyler's breakout game as a Minnesota Viking. If you have another option that's more high-end, that's more reliable, I get it. Kyler has been inconsistent, and to be honest, he's been consistently unreliable, but the matchup is very good this week. So maybe you consider Kyler more of a streamer, but regardless, he is a solid starter in a matchup that might be the best one he has all season long now let's move on to the sit-em quarterbacks and first you're going to ask me Fabs what are you talking about sitting Caleb Williams now listen i'm not telling you that if Caleb Williams is your best quarterback and you have no other alternatives that you should sit him down for Malik Willis i'm not telling you that but look at this matchup the Seahawks defense has allowed one quarterback to beat them for more than 9.8 points at home okay that includes Drake Maye that includes Patrick Mahomes last week both quarterbacks fewer than 10 fantasy points now overall Seattle's allowed the second fewest fantasy points per game and the second fewest points per drop back to quarterbacks and listen I know Williams is great but he's had bad stat lines earlier in the season when the matchup has not been right so it's not like we're talking about Josh Allen here. If you have an alternative, I would sit Caleb Williams. And speaking of Mahomes, I told you not to play him last week. And well, he had a stinker 6.7 fantasy points against Seattle. He's now failed to score more than 17 points in four straight games. And during that time, he's averaging 12.4 points. I mean, that's not good. And now he's got Denver and Denver's defense has allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points per drop back this season to quarterbacks and listen I know Mahomes did beat them for over 21 fantasy points back in week one but a lot has changed since then Rasheed Rice is still banged up Patrick Mahomes comes with a lot of risk and speaking of that Chiefs Broncos game how about Bo Nix last week he was a streamer and he had a very good game against the Arizona Cardinals 26.3 fantasy points but that's more points than he had scored in his previous three games combined Nix has not been good for the majority of this season and now he's got Kansas City and this defense held him to 5.4 fantasy points back in week one again a lot has changed but also keep in mind that a lot of what Nix did last week was as a runner and not as a passer and Kansas City has held all but one quarterback to fewer than 14 fantasy points this year I would start Nix in a super flex league but in a traditional one quarterback league he should be on your bench here's a couple of fantasy streamers for you because I know you need them. Let's start off with Kirk Cousins against the Jets. You know, Cousins leads the NFL in passing touchdowns after seven weeks. That's just insane. And Jacoby Brissett against the Cowboys. I know his numbers have not been great, but the Cowboys have allowed four quarterbacks to beat them for more than 20 fantasy points. All right, now let's move on to the tight ends and we're going to start with Kyle Pitts Sr. Do you guys remember earlier in the season, his first three games, like he was an absolute fantasy dud. In fact, he started getting cut in a lot of leagues but since then his numbers have been fantastic four touchdowns scored over his last three games 51.4 combined fantasy points and he's got a really good matchup this week too against the Buccaneers they've allowed five tight ends to beat them for more than 10 points this season and by the way do you remember last year Pitts beat Tampa for 45.6 fantasy points in a week 15 game so he's had success against the Buccaneers in the past it is a very good matchup at a thin position, I guess I'm back on the bandwagon. Never thought I would be, but start Kyle Pitts and start Hunter Henry. Last week, didn't love the matchup against Chicago, but he still put up a pretty good stat line and he's kind of gone from a fantasy trick into a major treat. 11 plus fantasy points in four straight games. He's also seen 12 targets in his last two games and he's got Miami this week. And Miami's defense has not been good against tight ends. Did you see what Mason Taylor did to them? Last week, five tight ends in all have beaten the fish for over 10 fantasy points and three have had at least 18 points against them. So Hunter Henry is in a really good spot to continue this streak of attractive fantasy stat lines. Keep him in your lineup this week against the Dolphins. And I also like T.J. Hockenson. Can you say revenge game? You guys know I love that narrative. And listen, Hockenson's been hot. 13 plus fantasy points in each of his last two full games. Now he's got the Lions, the team that got rid of him several years ago. So, you know, there's going to be a little added motivation. And this matchup is phenomenal. OK, the Lions defense has allowed eight, OK, eight tight ends to beat them for over 13 points. Guys, we're into week eight. OK, so it's amazing how bad they've been against this position. Three tight ends have beaten them for more than 21 points. I mean, that's the definition of an absolute Halloween treat. Overall, no defense has given up more fantasy points to tight ends. And T.J. Hockenson could be on the waiver wire, guys, in some smaller leagues. If you need a tight end, pick him up and play him in that revenge game against Detroit. Now to the tight ends that I would fade this weekend. I told you not to play Mark Andrews last week. And I mean, listen, the numbers are just not good. He's been almost impossible to trust single digits in three straight games, including last week and five of his last seven on the season. Now he's got the Bills this week. Okay. They've allowed the 12th most fantasy points per game to tight end. So the matchup on paper is pretty good, but you know what? The matchup on paper was pretty good last week against Cincinnati. And what did he do? Well, he did bupkis. So I think there are better options out there at tight end. There could be some on the waiver wire. as I mentioned, maybe even a guy like TJ Hawkinson, I'm going to fade Mark Andrews and I'm going to temper expectations and beware of Harold Fannin. Now he's coming off of one of the best games he's had all year, six catches over 13 fantasy points against Tennessee last week, but he had been held to fewer than two points in his previous two games. So it's not like he's putting up great numbers every single week. And this week he's got the Steelers. Their defense has allowed the third-fewest points-per-route run to tight ends. Guys, nerdy stat, but very important. And they've only given up two touchdowns to tight ends. Now, full disclosure, Fannin was one of those tight ends, but he also did nothing in terms of his yardage. He's going to be touchdown-dependent this week. I would beware Harold Fannin. And the same goes for Tyler Higby. And listen, when I'm wrong, I'll say I'm wrong, and I liked him last week, and it was Davis Allen, not Higby, who had two touchdowns and posted the best stat line. And really, that's the problem. The Rams lead the NFL in 13 personnel. If you don't know what that means, it's one running back and three tight ends on the field at the same time. So one week, it could be Higby. One week, like last week, it could be Davis Allen. And then another week, it could be Colby Parkinson. The Chargers have allowed the 10th fewest points per game to tight ends as well this year. We got the Battle of Los Angeles going on at SoFi. I just think Tyler Higby comes with a lot of risk. A couple of streamers for you this week. How about Pat Freiermuth against the Browns? He beat them for almost 11 fantasy points in their first matchup of 2024. And hey, guys, Greg Dulcich, nine plus fantasy points in three of his last four games. And the Patriots have allowed 19 plus points to two tight ends since week five. Now it's time for the running backs. And we're going to start off with a fantasy football treat in Bucky Irving. Last week, I told you to play him. And he went off 106 yards on the ground, two touchdowns and 24 fantasy points against Carolina. And he's got a really good matchup this week, too, against Atlanta. their defense has allowed 14 plus fantasy points to six running backs and four have scored more than 21 fantasy points against them so this is a great matchup for Bucky, Atlanta has also allowed the third highest EPA that's expected points allowed to opposing running backs this season it's an important NFC South matchup I am starting Bucky Irving in that game and I'm starting Ollie Gordon I mean I just like to say Ollie because number one I love the name and number two he's been quietly really good. I mean, he has scored a touchdown and 14 plus points in four straight games. Like he's been better than Devon Achan before he went down with the knee injury. Gordon's also averaged an impressive 6.7 yards per rush in his last three games. And his touch share in week seven was 47%. So Jalen Wright is almost completely out of this backfield mix. Now I know the Patriots defense is tough, right? They're kind of in the middle of the pack in terms of points allowed to running backs. But at this point, it doesn't matter. The volume is there. Gordon's getting into the red zone. He's got a nose for the end zone, especially over the last four games. And that makes Ollie Gordon a viable number two fantasy running back in that AFC East battle. I'm also going to start Bhayshul Tuten. Like Lawrence, the Jaguars, of course, coming off a bye week. And before the bye, Tuten had his best game as a fantasy running back with almost 25 fantasy points and his touch share is right around 37 percent for the season we'll take that and I love the matchup this week against Indianapolis their defense has allowed three running backs to beat them for more than 23 fantasy points including one and that was Jalen Warren who went off for over 36 points and it's funny because last year's number one running back in Jacksonville was Travis Etienne well Etienne's been on IR reserve and has really been a nothing burger for fantasy, but the guy who replaced him, Bashaw Rootin' Tootin', has become a very solid RB2 stardom against Indianapolis. Now let's move on to the running backs that I would either sit or fade in Week 8, and I'm going to start off with Omari Hampton. He's kind of been on this list every single week that the Chargers have not been able to buy. I mean, he's been one of the biggest busts in fantasy football, and that makes it hard to start him, even as a flex. I mean, he's averaging fewer than 10 points per game. His yards per carry average in his last two games is right around 2.4. I mean, guys, that's brutal. And he's losing work not only to Keaton Mitchell, but my buddy, Vidal Sassoon. That means Kamani Vidal. The Rams are in the middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs So this isn't a bad matchup. It's not a good matchup, but Hampton's nearly impossible to start. In fact, he's basically touchdown dependent. If he doesn't get into the end zone, Omari Hampton's not gonna help your fantasy football team. So keep that in mind. and fade Omari Hampton. Now this next player, I have to play him in some leagues and you're going to have to play him in a bunch of leagues. And that's Quinshon Judkins. And he's coming off a really good game last week against the Titans. So I get it. You're going to have to play him, but I would temper expectations this week because the matchup's not great. Pittsburgh's allowed the third lowest rushing success rate, and they've held Jonathan Taylor, Chase Brown, and Bucky Irving to fewer than 12 fantasy points in games earlier this season. Now I do get it Judkins beat them for almost 22 fantasy points back in week four so this may end up being a decent stat line for Judkins but based on the numbers and based on the stats and you know we are living and dying by the numbers and the analytics Troy Aikman wouldn't love that but this is fantasy football I'm going to beware Quinshon Judkins this week and the same is going to go for Tony Pollard now Pollard was a sit-em last week on Startum and sit-em but on Sunday morning when we found out on Fantasy with Fabs that Pollard was going to be the lead back because Tyjae Spears was inactive. Well, I told people on the show to start Pollard, and that's why you need to tune in on Sunday mornings. He ended up having three touchdowns, and he had over 36 fantasy points. It was a massive stat line, so I know it's going to be hard to sit him, especially if Tyjae Spears doesn't play, but keep this in mind. Pollard had been held to single digits in four of his previous six games. And Cincinnati's defense is no joke this year. They've allowed the third fewest fantasy points and the third lowest EPA per game to running backs. So the matchup isn't favorable. And I just feel like people are going to chase the points. Pollard's probably a decent flex play, especially if Spears is out. But keep that in mind, Pollard has not been great this year outside of that explosion in week seven. Now let's get to some running back streamers for week eight. I'm going to start off with Rashad White playing the Eagles. Now, he's going to be the top running back in Washington. Ja'Cory Crossey-Merritt is on injured reserve, and the Eagles just gave up 155 rushing yards to Javante Williams. And how about Blake Corum? I mean, he's basically in a 50-50 split in that backfield in L.A. with Kyron Williams, but he's seeing enough touches and he's seeing enough snaps to be a solid flex player against the Chargers. All right, everybody, let's wrap up the show with the wide receivers, and we'll start with the starts and that's Parker Washington now you may say come on Fabs this is low-hanging fruit but you know what Washington's been held to 10.4 or fewer fantasy points in two of his last three games so he's not been great for the majority of his last trio of contests I know that other game he was phenomenal and I get it most people are going to start Washington because for the most part he's been very good and he's got the Colts this week now their defense can be tough on wide receivers you saw that last week with Justin Jefferson but Indianapolis has still allowed six wide receivers to beat them for over 12 points and two have beaten them for more than 19 and by the way Washington actually beat the Colts for 19 fantasy points in their last meeting that was last year I would keep Parker Washington in your starting lineup and you probably already know that a player who you're probably on the fence about though is Michael Wilson and listen he's been a dud over the last three weeks 25.8 combined fantasy points I mean that's just not great he's seeing a lot of targets though and that's a good thing and the matchup against the Cowboys is very favorable their defense I mean they're giving out fantasy points to wide receivers like I'll hand out candy on Halloween 15 plus fantasy points allowed to six wide receivers three have gone over 21 points and in all this is going to be a high scoring game the game total is in the mid fifties. So Vegas expect a high scoring game. And I know Wilson struggled. I would keep the faith. I keep him in your lineup against Dallas. I also like Stephon Diggs this week. You know, he's quietly had a pretty good season, right? 15 plus fantasy points in three of his five games. And now we know Terry McLaurin's out for the season. So Diggs is now the de facto number one wide receiver for Jayden Daniels. And Diggs has proven in the past that he can certainly fill that role and remember last year i mean he was a thousand yard receiver with the Patriots and that was coming off a knee injury this week he's got the Eagles, they've allowed the fourth most fantasy points per game to wide receivers and Diggs beat them for over 15 fantasy points back in week one, so yes Stephon Diggs who is probably drafted in the later rounds is now going to be a starter in a lot of weeks because the volume is going to be there in the matchup is certainly there this week. Now let's get to the wide receivers. I would either sit or fade. And I'm going to start off with A.J. Brown. I mean, listen, I get it. I know it's hard to not play A.J. Brown. And if you don't have a viable replacement, you probably have to play him. Just keep in mind, he has failed to score more than 7.8 fantasy points in any of his three games with the Patriots. And he's suddenly become kind of a butterfingers, right? He is dropping too many passes. And the matchup this week against Miami, you might laugh, it's actually tough on paper. Their defense has allowed the second fewest points per game, to wide receivers in the first seven weeks. And if you don't believe me, go and ask Garrett Wilson. So a tough matchup for Brown and the numbers have not been great. So temper your expectations. I'm saying beware Jamison Williams. He's been on fire over his last three games, four touchdowns, 61 fantasy points. He's been dynamic. He's been dynamite. He's been ultra productive. But keep this in mind. He was held to just 22.7 combined points in his first three games. And the Vikings have the best defense in the entire league. In fact, not a single wide receiver has beaten them for more than 12 points in a game since week two. So I think Williams is going to see his numbers decline sharply this week. If you've got to play him, I get it. Temper your expectations. Here's a player that I think you can sit. And that's Rome Dunzey. Now, he had just 10.9 fantasy points last week. Believe it or not, that was his second best game of the season. And I don't think his fortunes are going to change this week against Seattle. This is a tough road matchup. You guys watch that game on Sunday night. Seattle's defense is solid. No defense in the league has allowed fewer fantasy points, fewer fantasy points per route run and a lower EPA per game to wide receivers than Seattle. So while you're probably still going to play Luther Burden, I think you can sit Roman Dunzey this week. A couple of streamers here before we let you go. Amari Cooper has been on absolute fire. 22 plus fantasy points in two straight games. And the Raiders, well, their defense can be vulnerable to wide receivers. And then let's go with Keenan Allen. We went with a young player. Now let's go to an older player. He's seen 32 combined targets in his last four games. And the Jaguars have allowed the fourth most points to perimeter receivers this season. All right, folks, that is a wrap on another edition of Fantasy with Fabs right here on SITV. Be sure to tune in on Sundays every Sunday morning, guys. Let me do that again in three, two. Be sure to tune in on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as Aaron Coscarelli and myself, we answer all. And I'm talking about all of your fantasy football questions leading right into kickoff. Folks, thanks as always for watching. Have a great Halloween and good luck in week eight.