Ride or Die: The Fantasy Footballers Predictions for Week 8

New name, same great segment. “Ride or Die” pits The Ballers against each other with three players to meet a certain number each week. Each Baller will pick the player to “Ride” or “Die” with the stat, similar to a “prop” bet.

Each week I will be here to recap where each of the Ballers took the wheel or gave a nice tuck and roll out of the vehicle for each one. Of course, I’ll weigh in as well and we’ll keep score throughout the season so you can see how smart I really am.

As always, let me know if you’re jumping in the passenger’s seat with me or think I’m driving the crazy train here or on Twitter: @KurtKnowsBest.

“Ride or Die” Scoreboard

First, let’s check the scoreboard to see who’s been the best so far this season. Andy and Jason won Week 7, getting two of three predictions correct. Mike and I tied for second, or last depending on how you want to view it, each only getting one right. What matters most is Jason still has the season lead at the midway point of the fantasy regular season.

Week 8 “Ride or Die” Predictions

Diontae Johnson (PIT) at Philadelphia: Top-35 WR

The theory that Diontae Johnson would be unlocked once Ben Roethlisberger retired has proven to be untrue. So far in 2022, despite seeing seven targets in all but one game and double-digit targets in all but two, Johnson has only cracked the top-35 WRs once.

Jason stays on brand with his negative stance on Diontae’s fantasy outlook and “Dies” on this prediction. Mike followed along with Jason, thinking the Steelers’ passing game isn’t worth betting on against a Philadelphia defense coming off their bye week. I’m siding with Mike and Jason here.

Andy is the lone “Ride” on this prediction after moving the line from the top-30 to the top-35. Mr. Holloway’s hope is the Steelers will need to throw the ball a ton and Johnson’s 27% target share will be enough to sneak him into the top-35.

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Alvin Kamara (NO) vs Las Vegas: To Score a TD (Rushing/Receiving)

Even with three-straight weeks of finishing inside the top 20 RBs, Alvin Kamara hasn’t gotten into the end zone, which is impressive. Since returning from an injury that caused him to miss Week 4, Kamara is averaging 71% of snaps and 16 fantasy points per week.

Mike was the lone “Ride” from the Ballers, arguing that the Raiders’ defense is porous and betting on Kamara to get into the end zone is a bet that Taysom Hill – The Hitman’s nemesis – won’t. I’ll ride along with Mike here. The Raiders’ defense can be attacked through the air, and I think Kamara will be utilized through the passing game. He’s averaging six receptions for 57 yards since Week 5.

Andy and Jason were on the “Die” side of this prediction. Andy thinks the Raiders win this game and to do that they’ll have to keep Kamara in check. Jason initially was a “Ride” but flipped with the “Andy Holloway TD Guarantee” (or lack thereof) on his side.

Kareem Hunt (CLE) vs Cincinnati: Double-Digit Opportunities (Rushes + Targets)

Hunt has been a ghost in the Browns’ offense in October, garnering just 12 opportunities over the last two weeks combined. 

Andy was a quick “Die,” arguing that he thinks the Browns are going to trade Hunt and there’s no need to showcase him to other teams and they’ll avoid any injury by keeping him off the field. Mike joined Andy, citing a personal grudge against Hunt since he’s relied on him the last two weeks and Hunt’s production evaporated.

Jason hopped in the driver’s seat for a “Ride” on this prediction, citing the David Njoku injury as a reason the Browns will need Hunt to be involved this week. I’ll get in the passenger’s seat with The Big Shimmy. If the Browns get behind early, they’ll need to go to the air game early and Hunt can be an outlet there.

Kurt’s Bonus Picks

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Kurt’s Bonus Picks Week 7 Outcome
Player	Prediction	Kurt
Kyler Murray	300 Passing + Rushing Yards	Ride
Darnell Mooney	70+ Receiving Yards	Ride
Kenneth Walker III	Top-8 RB	Ride
	2022 Overall	52% (11/21)

Week 8 Bonus Picks

Daniel Jones (NYG) at Seattle: Top-12 QB Finish

The Giants are easily the surprise of the NFL this season, sitting at 6-1 through their first seven games. A large part of their success has to be attributed to the improved play of Daniel Jones, who’s currently the QB9 on the season and is coming off an overall QB3 performance.

Possibly the most appealing asset to Jones’ fantasy output is the nearly 50 yards a game he’s adding on the ground. Jones has had weeks where he’s run for 79, 68, and 107 yards. Two of those three weeks also happen to be the only weeks he’s finished inside the top-10 QBs.

For Week 8, the optics would say that the Giants have a favorable matchup. However, Seattle’s defense has been pretty good against opposing QBs this season, only allowing two top-12 finishes so far and only giving up more than 20 fantasy points once.

If you’re in a QB streaming spot Jones is a fine option, but I’ll have to “Die” with this prediction.

Raheem Mostert (MIA) at Detroit: 15+ Fantasy Points (Half-Point PPR)

Miami’s offense looked much more like what fantasy managers expected with the return of Tua Tagovailoa starting at QB. Raheem Mostert made the most of Tua’s return, posting 18 fantasy points in half-PPR formats and finishing at the RB7. Whenever Mostert sees 60% or more of the snaps for the Dolphins, he’s averaging 13 points per game and has finished as a top-15 RB twice.

The Lions’ defense is allowing the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing fantasy RBs, and in Week 7 allowed two top-24 RB finishes from Ezekiel Elliott (RB10) and Tony Pollard (RB24). Mostert has a prime opportunity to be a top fantasy RB this week and hit the prediction of 15 points.

I’ll “Ride” with Mostert this week.

Jakobi Meyers (NE) at NY Jets: 60+ Receiving Yards

While the uncertainty at QB in New England and an injury have made for a slightly rocky start, Jakobi Meyers could still be considered a solid WR play for fantasy managers. In five games played, Meyers has finished inside the top-30 60% of the time and has a top-10 WR finish under his belt. The biggest question going forward is who will be getting Meyers the ball for the Patriots after a mid-game change at QB took place on Monday night.

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As for Week 8, the Jets’ defense that was allowing over 30 points a game to opposing fantasy WRs to start the season has tightened things up in the last four weeks, only allowing 19 points per game over that stretch. Meyers has hit 60 yards three times this season, but each one came against a defense that ranks 15th or worse schedule-adjusted against WRs.

Until the Patriots figure out what they’re doing with the starting QB, I’ll have to “Die” on this prediction.