Week 8 Fantasy Football Duds
All Hallows’ Eve is a holiday celebrated by some and feared by those who are more prone to superstition. It is the spookiest night of the year. Unfortunately for fantasy owners some of the ghouls and goblins were up to no good a few days early this year. They crept into our fantasy rosters leaving our point totals unexpectedly hallow. There’s nothing worse than having your studs poop in their big boy pants, except maybe ol’ Mrs. Peterson down the street who gives out raisins and toothbrushes to trick or treaters…
Here are your Duds from Week 8.
Editor’s Note: Get the full breakdown on today’s podcast, and read up on the Week 8 Studs.
Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston vs CAR
210 passing yards, 2 INTs, 13 rushing yards
Tampa was one of the few outdoor games played in the sunshine in Week 8. However, this is a fantasy performance best kept in the shadows.
Dak Prescott @ WAS
143 passing yards, 16 rushing yards
This one is particularly tough to swallow. Prescott didn’t play poorly, he just didn’t need to do anything else as Elliott had the Redskins on lock.
Running Backs
Jay Ajayi @ BAL
13 carries, 23 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 18 receiving yards
The Dolphins got absolutely skewered by the Ravens on TNF. Not that Ajayi doesn’t deserve his share of the blame, it’s just hard to imagine a worse game script for RB fantasy production. The final score was 40 to nothing.
Devonta Freeman @ NYJ
12 carries, 41 rushing yards, 1 reception, 20 receiving yards
Freeman and the Falcons were fortunate to escape rain-soaked New Jersey with a W. If only Freeman owners were so lucky.
Latavius Murray @ CLE
19 carries, 39 rushing yards, 1 reception, 8 receiving yards
Murray really set his owners up for disappointment. Coming off a hundred-yard performance against the Ravens in Week 7, owners were hoping Murray would continue his success against a struggling Browns team in London. He did not.
Carlos Hyde @ PHI
12 carries, 25 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 22 receiving yards
Not unlike Jay Ajayi and his struggles, Hyde is going to have some inconsistent performances while this offense goes through some growing pains with questionable QB play.
Ameer Abdullah vs PIT
11 carries, 27 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 11 receiving yards
This game was the culmination of Abdullah truthers’ worst fears. Abdullah lost all of the goalline and short yardage work to Dwayne Washington and when the Lions were in catch up mode, they turned to Theo Riddick.
Wide Receivers
T.Y. Hilton @ CIN
2 receptions, 15 receiving yards, 7 targets
The season is over for the Colts. With no timetable for the return of Andrew Luck, the best part of Hilton’s season may be behind him. His rest of season schedule still holds contests against the Texans, Steelers, Jaguars, Bills, Broncos, and Ravens. A veritable murderers row of defensive secondaries.
Stefon Diggs @ CLE
4 receptions, 27 receiving yards, 6 targets
The hype level on Twitter for Diggs’ return to action in Week 8 following injury was turned up to 11. However, it didn’t look like Diggs was playing at 100% in London. I expect Diggs to get right and be back at full strength following his Week 9 bye.
Brandin Cooks vs LAC
5 receptions, 26 receiving yards, 8 targets
The target share for Brandin Cooks is encouraging but the low yardage total is puzzling, to say the least. Especially from a speedster like Cooks who was averaging nearly 20 yards per catch coming into this game.
Dez Bryant @ WAS
4 receptions, 39 receiving yards, 6 targets
Dez! Dez, things are heating up between you and Josh Norman again. What do you have to say about that?
Amari Cooper @ BUF
5 receptions, 48 receiving yards, 10 targets, 4 drops, 4 rushing yards
You’re probably thinking to yourself that you’re pretty sure that I made up the part about the 4 drops. But on a scale of 1-10, how confident are you that it is a fabrication? Or maybe you didn’t even notice. Either way, I think I’ve made my point.
Devin Funchess @ TB
2 receptions, 11 receiving yards, 6 targets
You mean to tell me that elite fantasy production from Devin Funchess isn’t sustainable? *gasp*.
Pierre Garcon @ PHI
2 receptions, 17 receiving yards, 4 targets
The Eagles secondary has put together some solid performances of late. Garcon owners should batten down the hatches though, his matchups aren’t going to get easier anytime soon.
Nelson Agholor vs SF
3 receptions, 26 receiving yards, 3 targets
Agholor has been something of a darling in the fantasy community this season. Preachers of the “3rd year WR breakout” theory were pointing to Agholor as a prime example. I guess we will have to wait and see if he bounces back.
DeSean Jackson vs CAR
3 receptions, 37 receiving yards, 8 targets
DeSean Jackson is basically the reason we have Stud and Dud segments in the first place. He lives his fantasy life between the two worlds, phasing in and out on a near-weekly basis.
Jarvis Landry @ BAL
5 receptions, 33 receiving yards, 12 targets
I know the matchup was difficult, but Jarvis, buddy. You have to do better than 2.75 yards per target. You just have to.
Tight Ends
Hunter Henry @ NE
2 receptions, 11 receiving yards, 2 targets
West coast team traveling across the country and playing in the early window of games.
I don’t know, that’s the only narrative that seems to fit.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs ATL
5 receptions, 28 receiving yards, 5 targets
ASJ is averaging 33.5 receiving yards per game with the Jets this season. You’re going to need him to score to be really happy with his fantasy output. Though his 26 receptions in 6 games have given owners a decent floor in PPR leagues.
Jason Witten vs WAS
3 receptions, 31 receiving yards, 5 targets
In the rain in Maryland, the Cowboys didn’t need any more from the future Hall of Famer. Though I’m sure fantasy owners could’ve used a few more points.
Dishonorable Mentions
Drew Brees vs CHI
299 passing yards
Wendell Smallwood vs SF
1 carry, 5 rushing yards, 1 reception, 9 receiving yards
Dion Lewis vs LAC
15 carries, 44 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 10 receiving yards
Mike Gillislee vs LAC
11 carries, 34 rushing yards
Theo Riddick vs PIT
4 carries, 21 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 24 receiving yards
Danny Amendola vs LAC
2 receptions, 14 receiving yards, 6 targets
Tyrell Williams @ NE
1 reception, 24 receiving yards, 6 targets
Jordan Matthews vs OAK
3 receptions, 21 receiving yards, 4 targets
Terrelle Pryor vs DAL
Nothing, 1 target
Coby Fleener vs CHI
1 reception, -1 receiving yard, 1 target
Nick O’Leary vs OAK
1 reception, 5 receiving yards, 3 targets