The Biggest Start/Sit Decisions for Week 8 (Fantasy Football)
Tank Dell. We need to talk. Dude. I just talked you up in my last article. I told everyone to “Fire up the Tanks!” You had me believing you were about to blow up. But what do I get in return? Zero fantasy points. Zero receptions. Zero love for me after I literally apologized to the Foot Clan for steering them away from you the week prior. Listen, I still believe in your talent. The speed, the route running, the playmaking ability — it’s all there. But I need you to show up, man. We fantasy managers can’t afford these vanishing acts. I’m not out on you, but I’m questioning things. Don’t make me regret this Tank Dell, but I will recommend you as a start this week. Nowhere to go but up, am I right?
If you started Tank Bigsby, I’ll at least take a victory lap for that call. But this week, I’m all about Tank Dell. I’m predicting a bounce back. Who’s he up against using the Footballers Start/Sit tool? You’ll have to stick around till the end to find out. Alright, Week 8, let’s get into it.
Caleb Williams or Kyler Murray?
Over the last two weeks, Caleb Williams has looked electric. Last week, he finished the QB1 on the week after throwing for 226 yards and rushing for another 56 yards. Oh yeah, he threw four touchdowns as well. The week prior, he finished as the QB6, lighting it up with 304 passing yards and a touchdown. While Jayden Daniels is generating buzz for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Caleb has begun to make a compelling case of his own…this week should be no different. He faces a middle-of-the-pack Washington Commanders defense, which, against quarterbacks, is allowing an average of 15.9 fantasy points per game.
Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson are in a tier of their own over the last five weeks
Caleb Williams continues to show improvement, ranking top 10 in both Passing Success Rate and EPA per Attempt pic.twitter.com/ED5pDrW4f7
— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) October 22, 2024
The Cardinals’ offense hasn’t met preseason expectations, and Kyler Murray‘s connection with Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn’t clicked consistently. Murray’s rushing ability has occasionally salvaged his fantasy outings, but he’s been a coin flip — stud one week, dud the next. Unfortunately for Murray managers, this week won’t be a good one. The matchup is a nightmare: Miami’s defense has allowed only 8.5 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks through Week 7.
Verdict: Caleb Williams. Caleb is on fire right now, while Kyler and the Cardinals continue to struggle to put up points offensively. The matchup is brutal for Kyler this week as well. Start Caleb with confidence.
Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa?
See the analysis above. Brutal, I tell you. This isn’t the game to put your faith in Kyler.
Look who’s back — the Miami Dolphins (and fantasy managers) have been eagerly waiting for Tua’s return. After suffering a concussion in Week 2, Tua missed four games, leaving fantasy stars like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane struggling to keep up their usual production. Now, with the Dolphins sitting at 2-4 but somehow still second in the AFC East, the question is: can Tua help turn their season around? From the tone of his recent press conferences, it’s clear he’s all in. When asked about his concussion history, Tua’s determination shone through — he’s ready to do whatever it takes to get his team back on track.
“Everything takes risks. Every time we all suit up, we’re all taking a risk we could potentially get hurt. I’m willing to play the odds.”
– Tua Tagovailoa pic.twitter.com/ZIEdzL7PqE
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) October 21, 2024
The matchup is favorable for Tua. The Cardinals just allowed 349 passing yards from Justin Herbert, whose leading receiver was “Big Montana” Will Dissly. This is exactly why Tua is Andy’s Start of the Week.
“The Cardinals are a beatable secondary, ranking 26th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs and 31st in completion permitted percentage.”
Verdict: Tua. This one’s personal — I’ve got the same decision to make in my home league. Yes, starting Tua in his first game back is nerve-wracking, but if there’s ever a matchup to take that chance, it’s against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Kyler faces an absolute nightmare with Miami’s defense, which has been stonewalling quarterbacks all season. I’d be more worried about Kyler putting up a dud than Tua struggling after a month of recovery and preparation. Yes, concussions are serious injuries, but not in the realm of affecting a player’s ability on the field once they return. Tua has had a full month to prepare for this, and this wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly. We have to roll with Tua this week. Miami is hungry for a resurgence.
Cedric Tillman or Jalen McMillan?
The battle of the Week 8 waiver wire pickups is on. Last week was brutal for wide receivers — Aiyuk, Evans, Godwin, and Metcalf, among others, were all sidelined. Even Jameson Williams is out, though his absence comes from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. Desperate times drove us all to the waiver wire for replacements like McMillan and Tillman. I personally lost three WRs in one league and had to grab both! But the question remains: which one should we start?
If you caught the Fantasy Footballers’ Hungry for More segment this week, you’d know that Cedric Tillman is Mike’s pick — and it’s easy to see why. The Browns just lost QB Deshaun Watson (if you can call it a “loss”) to a season-ending Achilles injury and will now start Jameis Winston against the Ravens. In Winston’s last stretch of action two years ago, he averaged 286 passing yards per game, a big upgrade from Watson’s 164-yard average this season.
With WR1 Amari Cooper now in Buffalo, the Browns’ receiving corps features Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, and Elijah Moore, leaving a prime opportunity for Tillman to step up. The matchup is great, too — the Ravens have allowed the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to WRs this season. Parker Hagen suggests Tillman as a flex option in Week 8 but jokes you might want to “borrow a pair of Mike’s patented titanium undies“ for the start. I don’t think it’s that scary of a flex-start, personally. The Ravens will likely put up a ton of points, forcing Jameis to go toe-to-toe with them. Add in the fact that this is also a divisional matchup (regardless of whether the Browns are playing for anything). I think we’re looking at some of the best fantasy potential from a Browns offense since Joe Flacco‘s starts last year.
Another receiver getting his opportunity this week is rookie WR Jalen McMillan. Last week was rough for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with both of their star receivers sidelined by injuries — Chris Godwin‘s being a season-ending one. “What a shame,“ he murmured as he was carted off the field. Absolutely brutal. Godwin had been the WR1 over the first six weeks and was in the midst of a career season. Now, with Godwin and Evans out, a huge opportunity opens up for McMillan. He dropped to the third round in the draft, not due to lack of talent but over lingering injury concerns. Before his knee injury, McMillan had been splitting receptions nearly 50/50 with Rome Odunze at Washington. Now fully healthy, McMillan could be primed to showcase his skills as a slot receiver. With Godwin set to enter free agency, this may be McMillan’s moment to prove to the Buccaneers he can step into that role long-term. Matthew Betz has McMillan as a DFS DraftKings Cash Pick this week, noting, “I prefer him to Trey Palmer, who’s earned just nine targets all year. Sterling Shepard is also in consideration, but I like the upside of the rookie if I’m picking from this group.” McMillan also has a favorable matchup as the Buccaneers face the Falcons, who have allowed the seventh-most receptions to wide receivers this season and an average of 35.2 fantasy points to the position.
Verdict: This might be the toughest start/sit decision I’ve had so far. The Ballers are split, and there’s only a slim 0.6-point difference in their projections. Even the over/under for their matchups are practically identical. While The Ballers lean toward Cedric Tillman, I’m going against the grain and rolling with McMillan. The Browns sit at the bottom of their division with only one win, while the Buccaneers, sitting at 4-3, are still fighting for a playoff spot. McMillan is sliding right into Godwin’s role — yes, that “Cooper Kupp“ slot role that’s been so productive. He’s already shown he can perform at an elite level in college, especially in the slot. So, give me the player on a team with playoff hopes and on the team with more to play for who is literally slotting into the spot of the current WR1 in fantasy.
Tank Dell or Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Tank Dell burned us last week. Bad. Yet I’m not ready to bench him. Jason carries the same sentiment making him his Start of the Week. We know what he is capable of. We saw the breakout last year. The talent is undeniable. This year, however, he’s averaging 6.4 fantasy points per game – which is unstartable for fantasy.
Worried or Not Worried on Tank Dell? pic.twitter.com/QNoGl8QAjn
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) October 22, 2024
Why will this week be different? The matchup and positive touchdown regression. Tank Dell has already dropped two TDs, so he’s due for some positive regression there. The Texans face the Colts, a team they’ve historically dominated. Last season, it was actually against the Colts that Dell first broke out. Indy’s secondary isn’t putting up much of a fight, ranking 29th against the pass and 25th against wide receivers.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has also put up a zero this season, so Dell and MHJ are even on that front. In fact, outside of his WR1 finish in Week 2, Harrison’s been disappointing: WR104, 20, 26, 59, 102, and 57 in his other games. As I mentioned in the Kyler start/sit above, the Cardinals are up against a stingy Miami defense that’s been shutting down wide receivers. Nothing MHJ has shown me so far gives me any confidence to slot him into my lineup — not this week, especially.
Multiple things are true. Marvin Harrison Jr. has not played up to his billing and isn't meeting expectations.
He's also had the 2nd-lowest expected catch rate among 72 qualified receivers (min 25 targets). pic.twitter.com/IKJvYsUiAN
— Sam Hoppen (@SamHoppen) October 25, 2024
Verdict: Fire up the Tanks! And this week, we will win the battle. Tank Dell should be in your lineups!
Week 8 is here, and with it comes some of the toughest start/sit calls of the season. But don’t worry — with tools like the Fantasy Footballers Start/Sit Tool and a close look at matchups, you can give yourself the edge you need. Got more lineup questions? Reach out to me on X anytime, and make sure to check in with Mike every Sunday morning pre-kickoff for those clutch, last-minute decisions. Set those lineups with confidence — let’s get that win!
Comments
This guy couldn’t have been more incorrect with this advice. That’s why I don’t listen to these clowns anymore and thus dominate my league.
half ppr
stroud or Caleb williams?
Full ppr, pick 1. Achane, Waddle or Devonta Smith?
Geno Smith or Jerod Goff
Geno Smith or Jarod Goff?
Love it had some of the same decidions in home league. Lets gooooo!