Hot Fire Fantasy Football Questions: Week 8
Our “Hot Fire Fantasy Questions” series takes a look at Week 7 following up recent news, fantasy performances, and implications for owners moving forward. Our Hot Fire contributors from our Fantasy Footballers writing staff includes Travis Strickland (@DFS_Travis) and Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg).
Make sure you listen to today’s podcast to get Andy, Mike, and Jason’s reactions from all the Week 8 action.
1. What are Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Will Fuller ROS?
Watson and Hopkins are both every week starters based on volume, consistency, eye test and any other criteria you care to name. Fuller is a tougher nut to crack because the bust games are coming, we just don’t know when. For now, I’m staying in the flames and starting all 3 in most scenarios. –Travis Strickland
This offense just aced their midterm exam. Since Week 3, this offense has averaged 3 passing TDs per game, a number that can’t be sustained. Or can it? In terms of play calling, the playbook isn’t super complicated but Watson’s efficiency is off the charts. He’s a top 5 play every week when you add in the fact he’s averaging 37+ yards on the ground per contest. Hopkins’ usage is unreal and reminiscent of his monster 2015 campaign. He’s catapulted himself in the Antonio Brown tier. Fuller is exciting and looks like a WR2 especially in standard leagues. –Kyle Borgognoni
2. QB scores were down across the board. Who should owners not be worried about?
Dak Prescott had one of his worst fantasy games of his career as the Cowboys fed Ezekiel Elliott the ball 33 times on the way to a divisional win. He was the most consistent fantasy QB in 2016 and is well on the way to being one of the most consistent again this season. So move along, there’s nothing to see here, keep starting Dak every week. –Travis Strickland
Dak definitely played game manager in the rain and should be fine. I’d also add in Drew Brees who was held without a TD against the Bears at home. Chicago’s defense has given up the 6th fewest fantasy points to QBs on the year so this wasn’t a cakewalk by any means. He’s been a lackluster fantasy option recently without the giant ceiling we’re used to with Brees and the Saints. Next week’s matchup against the Bucs at home is a gift so don’t be worried. -Kyle Borgognoni
3. Which fantasy performance let owners down the most in Week 8?
Including this week, Ameer Abdullah has given you less than 8 fantasy points in PPR in 50% of his games despite being healthy for once. The offensive line is atrocious and deserves some of the blame but he is barely averaging 2 targets per week in the passing game. That’s less than half than his teammate Theo Riddick. It’s hard to see the weekly upside at this point with only 1 rushing TD for Abdullah so far on the season. -Travis Strickland
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Owners have to be frustrated with Freeman who hasn’t cleared 12 PPR fantasy points since Week 4. He looked like he’d be a featured option in the rain on the road against the Jets but saw only 13 touches on the day. His involvement in the passing game has plummeted this season under new OC Steve Sarkisian and is a bit concerning. Freeman hasn’t caught more 3 balls or seen more than 4 targets all year! He’s removed himself from the 2nd tier of elite RBs and is trending more towards a high-end RB2 than RB1. The player’s talent hasn’t changed, just his usage. -Kyle Borgognoni
4. Give us 1 stat line owners need to pay attention to.
Over the first 6 weeks, Marlon Mack had a grand total of 5 targets. In the two games since he’s had 11. He also had his season high number of carries this week with 11. He needs to be owned in every league. –Travis Strickland
He was the leading 49ers receiver on the day with 39 yards while securing a shovel pass for a TD. He looked like the preferred option in the backfield as San Francisco was getting clobbered. His role and size make him a James White comp. If Kyle Shanahan continues to utilize him in the passing game, Breida could carve out a place as a weekly FLEX option in PPR leagues. -Kyle Borgognoni