Fantasy Football Week 8: Start ‘em/Sit ‘em

Players to Sit

Jacquizz Rodgers and Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons

The Cardinals have yet to allow 20 or more points to opposing running backs. The Atlanta Falcons have injury concerns at running back with Jason Snelling out and Steven Jackson returning from a prolonged absence. That means they likely won’t lean heavily on either of their backs, and that renders both of them bench-able.

Steven Jackson was never going to set the world on fire for fantasy purposes, and his injury concerns have only made things worse. But don’t expect him to jump into the lineup and deliver value equal to the second round pick someone in your league spent on him. He was fully healthy when he got only 16 touches against New Orleans in Week 1, and there’s no way he gets more touches than that coming off an injury against a tough run defense.

And likewise, Rodgers is no longer an easy start with Jackson back. Jackson can catch the ball out of the backfield, so Rodgers won’t get the same sort of looks in the passing game as he did during Jackson’s absence. This is a lose-lose situation for fantasy owners, but a win-win for Atlanta, who have two dependable, if unspectacular backs.

Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams

Only the Houston Texans have managed to earn more than 15 fantasy points from running backs against the Seattle Seahawks this year. The St. Louis Rams, without Sam Bradford, won’t be able to recreate what Arian Foster and company were able to do.

Stacy has been a good value for those who stashed him away on draft day, now that he’s assumed starters’ duties with the Rams. But this week is not the week to plug him into the lineup.

There may not be a better option for you, and if that’s the case Stacy isn’t the worst play ever. Just don’t expect a big performance against the dominant defense of Seattle, especially with a backup quarterback handing the ball off to Stacy.

Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins

Aqib Talib has been practicing, and it sounds like he should play against the Dolphins. If he does, you want absolutely no part of Mike Wallace.

Wallace has been disappointing anyways, but with a solid cover corner like Talib around, things get even worse. Talib is a big part of the reason why the Patriots have the 9th best “fantasy points defense” against wide receivers. Number one targets struggle to get open against Talib.

If you drafted Wallace, you’re surely disappointed in what he’s given you so far. But even with the recent uptick in targets (more than 10 in his last two games) that may tempt you to put him in your starting lineup, you should avoid running him in your lineup against Talib and the Patriots.

Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns

The Kansas City Chiefs have allowed 16 fantasy points to tight ends all year. The best tight end performance against them amounted to 43 yards. No tight end has scored a touchdown against Kansas City.

Kansas City has not allowed any tight ends to do anything against them so far this season. So don’t count on the Jason Campbell-led Browns to break that trend, even with the talented Jordan Cameron available to throw to.