Fantasy Football, Week 8: Best lineup with start/sit advice

Lineups

QUARTERBACKS

Start: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos 

Stats: 2,223 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 120 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns 

Do we really even need to dive into this one? Mahomes has been absolutely electric in 2018. Many games have been won by this man’s arm for fantasy owners. If you’re lucky enough to have him then you know exactly what we mean. If you’ve been among the many unlucky to be heartbroken by his stellar play we also feel your pain.

Sit: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers vs Baltimore Ravens 

Stats: 1,427 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 257 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns 

Sitting Cam Newton in Week 8 is easy. His passing yardage is 22nd-ranked in the league. There’s some upside with his rushing yards, currently No.1 overall in the NFL among quarterbacks. Week 8 looks to be a tough, grimy contest with the Baltimore Ravens top-ranked defense. Did we mention the Ravens are second-ranked against the pass?

RUNNING BACKS 

Start: Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions vs Seattle Seahawks 

Stats: 444 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 89 receiving yards 

Hey look it’s another rookie running back doing big things in the NFL. Kerryon Johnson has come along nicely in his rookie campaign. His 444 rushing yards is eighth-ranked amongst running backs. Seattle’s defense is a shell of its former self. The Seahawks are 22nd-ranked against the rush and Johnson is at home in the dome.

Sit: Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Stats: 386 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, 100 receiving yards, 1 touchdown 

Why sit such a dynamic player against a horrible defense? Well, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are surprisingly sixth-ranked against the rush. Their high flying offense could play a factor. Although Nick Chubb and Baker Mayfield combined for 119 yards on the ground against them in Week 7, the matchup isn’t the best and owners could find themselves in a similar situation as Sunday night when the Chiefs offense took Mixon out of the game plan.

WIDE RECEIVERS 

Start: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns 

Stats: 478 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns 

Antonio Brown is due for a big game. At home against Cleveland is just what the fantasy doctors ordered. Although Brown isn’t having a Brown-like season, he has still been highly productive. Sunday in front of his home crowd could be his best game yet. Who doesn’t start Brown this week? The answer is NOBODY.

Sit: Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers vs Baltimore Ravens 

Stats: 374 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns 

This matchup for the entire Panthers offense could be a nightmare in Week 8. Funchess just hasn’t been consistent enough for us to tell you it’s OK to start him against the No.1 ranked defense in the NFL. If you have other options, take the safer path and sit Funchess this week. Many could argue his three touchdowns in four games, but take the advice and play it safe.

Next: Best NFL player from each state

TIGHT ENDS

Start: Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts vs Oakland Raiders 

Stats: 357 receiving yards, 6 touchdowns 

Look we all know the tight end position varies week to week as to who makes it out as top dog. Ebron in Week 7 was targeted a team-high seven times. He is still the touchdown leader among tight ends and still ranks in the top three in touchdowns, receptions and targets. Oh, and the Raiders are 22nd-ranked against the pass.

Sit: Jimmy Graham, Green Bay Packers vs Los Angeles Rams 

Stats: 349 receiving yards, 1 touchdown 

Jimmy Graham hasn’t been what we all hoped he could be with Aaron Rodgers, with one measly touchdown in six games played. Not enough production to start him against one of the best defenses in the league in Week 8. If he is all you have, cross your fingers this is a shootout where Graham hits paydirt.