Breakout Week: Fantasy Football “Aww’s” And “Naw’s” for Week 8

Aww Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (away vs. Detroit Lions) – Even though the Lions defense has given up plenty of fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, I have a feeling Wilson will throw more and have solid fantasy numbers in Motown.

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (home vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Dalton has always played great at home and the Buccaneers’ defense has given up 12 total passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season.

Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears (home vs. New York Jets) – Trubisky’s last three games has been solid and this week against the Jets should have another good game at home. He’s averaging over 330 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions during those games.

 

Naw Quarterbacks

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (home vs. Indianapolis Colts) – Even though wide receiver Amari Cooper was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, Carr still has a good matchup at home against the Colts. The reason why he’s making my “Naw” list is he’s just not consistent weekly. Carr only has one game with more than 17 fantasy points this year.

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars) – Wentz has been playing pretty well over the past month, averaging around 22 fantasy points but has a game against a tough Jaguars defense in London Sunday.

 

Aww Running Backs

Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts (away vs. Oakland Raiders) – If Mack can stay healthy, watch out. In the past two weeks, he had 12 carries for 89 yards, as well as one catch for four yards in Week six at the Jets after being out three games with a hamstring injury. Then he had a dominant outing in Week 7 against Buffalo with 19 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown, as well as two catches for 33 yards and a touchdown.

Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers (away vs. Arizona Cardinals) – In my opinion, Mostert looks really good as a runner and receiver over the past few weeks. Fellow running back Matt Breida shouldn’t be playing against a bad run defense at home versus Oakland.

Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos (away vs. Kansas City Chiefs) – With running back Royce Freeman questionable with a bad ankle, Lindsay should benefit with his all-around game and passing ability on the road against Kansas City.

 

Naw Running Backs

Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (away vs. Minnesota Vikings) – He really struggled against this Minnesota Vikings run defense in the playoffs and this game flow could be more Alvin Kamara. So, sit him if you can.

Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears (home vs. New York Jets) – I hope I am wrong but Howard is just not getting a lot of carries like last year. If he does not score a touchdown, you’re not getting much at all.

 

Aww Wide Receivers

Jordy Nelson, Oakland Raiders (home vs. Indianapolis Colts) – Why not? There’s no more Amari Cooper so I expect quarterback Derek Carr throwing often, as he’s most the familiar receiver and he should get high-target volume lining up everywhere.

Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks (away vs. Detroit Lions) – Remember this guy? Baldwin has actually led Seattle in targets in two of his three games since coming back from his knee injury. He should have a good game against the Lions who have struggled with slot receivers this season.

 

Naw Wide Receivers

Marvin Jones Jr., Detroit Lions (home vs. Seattle Seahawks) – Jones is just not scoring and he’s fading badly behind fellow wideouts Golden Tate and Kenny Golladay. I see the Lions running the ball a lot in this home matchup against the Seahawks.

Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs (home vs. Denver Broncos) – With the hot play of Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt, Watkins just does not get enough looks from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to consider starting him in an actual good matchup at home against the Broncos.

 

Aww Tight Ends

Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (home vs. Baltimore Ravens) – Even though the Ravens defense has only allowed one touchdown to a tight end this season, a healthy Olsen should get good looks inside to test the linebackers and cornerbacks.

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (away vs. Pittsburgh Steelers) – Njoku is playing like a beast in his past four games, with at least ten points (in a points per reception league) in each game. Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield is targeting Njoku a lot and will lean on him again on the road against the Steelers.

 

Naw Tight Ends

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins (away vs. New York Giants) – Still waiting on Reed’s breakout game. Last time he’s scored a touchdown was week one. The Giants have allowed just one touchdown to a tight end all season.

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings (home vs. New Orleans Saints) – Like Jordan Reed, Rudolph has been a non-factor with his recent play. He scored at least ten points (points per reception) in three of his first four games and hasn’t scored a touchdown since week three. The Saints have allowed just one tight end to score a touchdown this year.

 

Aww Team Defense

Pittsburgh Steelers (home vs. Cleveland Browns) – Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield has been sacked 15 times in his past three games and he has five interceptions in four games as a starter. The Steelers have not played at home in three weeks, so expect a turnover or two.

 

Naw Team Defense

Denver Broncos (away vs. Kansas City Chiefs) – Don’t even think the Broncos defense will put up the same fantasy numbers like they did last week against the Arizona Cardinals.