Week 8 DFS fantasy football: start/sit advice

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 06: Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) makes a cut in the open field during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2 of 10

DFS Fantasy Football: Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy/Getty Images /

DFS Fantasy Football: Quarterbacks to Sit

Philip Rivers (LAC) @ CHI

Despite having a top-10 fantasy day against the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday, Philip Rivers’ 2019 overall body of work hasn’t impressed me enough to keep him off this list for Week 8. Only two other times in 2019 has Rivers found himself just within the top-10 in terms of fantasy point production.

He has also thrown four interceptions in his previous three games played as well. In the last seven seasons, Rivers’ current quarterback rating (93.5) is the lowest it has been since 2016 when it was 87.9. Now the Chargers are the lucky recipients to get to travel to Chicago where they will square off with a stiff Bears defense. I would avoid starting Rivers in all formats this week.

Jameis Winston (TB) @ TEN

Winston’s six turnover debacle in Week 6 just further enhances my point to avoid starting him in most situations each and every week. No matter how strong of an arm Winston may have, or as dangerous of weapons that may be surrounding him, he will still heavily struggle way too often.

The talent is there, but it’s his poor decision-making skills that are killing him from taking that next step up towards greatness.

That has been his problem ever since entering the league in 2015 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It doesn’t matter if Winston throws for over 400 yards and several touchdowns because more often than not, there will be a handful of turnovers involved as well. If Winston continues to turn the ball over at his current rate, he might be better becoming a pastry chef instead.

Kyler Murray (ARI) vs. NO

I’m proceeding with some caution saying this, but it’s the matchup that has me worried about Murray. Over the last three weeks, Murray ranks as QB9 while averaging 20.4 fantasy points per game in that span.

While this is all well and good for Murray’s fantasy value, we need to remember that the Cardinals have played against some pretty week competition recently. The Bengals, Falcons, and Giants are all bottom-tier defenses who don’t stand much of a chance against mostly every active quarterback in the league.

Now he will be playing against a red hot defense who has had double-digit fantasy outings in three of their previous four games. The young rookie quarterback may see quite a change in defensive quality this Sunday.

Home/Fantasy