Week 8 Fantasy Football Preview - Start or Sit?

There are many starts and sits that are obvious and therefore a waste of time to write about. Hopefully the following article will bring to light some lesser talked about fantasy football players who could help you win in week 8!

Start –

Vick Ballard –
The rookie running back out of Mississippi State should get one more good start before Donald Brown retakes the starting role. The 24th ranked Tennessee Titans rush defense should provide an opportunity for Ballard to plead his case for more carries once Brown come back into the fold. Donald Brown has been practicing in full this week but the Colt’s brass should and hopefully will hold him out this week as a precaution. If Brown is a full go, obviously you should temper expectations. The Titans have given up 134 yards per game on the ground thus far in 2012 making both running backs viable fantasy football options even if they split time.

Joel Dreessen –
Bit a of gut call since he shares time as Peyton Manning’s tight end with Jacob Tamme. It should be noted that Dreessen has scored 3 out of the last 4 weeks and has 19 targets over that time span. The Broncos face the Saints this week in what looks to be a Sunday night shootout. Get one of these tight ends into your lineup if you need a bye week fill in.

Emmanuel Sanders –
Most analysts have the entire Pittsburgh offense going off this week and rightly so. Chances are all the core of that offense is already owned if you league is worth the buy in and your fellow owners pay attention. That said if you are in a tight spot at wide receiver or just need a “hail Mary” Emmanuel Sanders could be an excellent option. The Redskins rank dead last in the league against opposing wide receivers. Emmanuel Sanders is not normally a viable fantasy football wide receiver but given the circumstances you could reasonably start him in all formats. Sanders hasn’t scored yet this year but he might be due.

Sit –

Shonn Green –
Don’t get cute here. Yes Green has had a couple of good outings the past two weeks but this week he faces the Dolphins 3rd ranked rush defense in week 8. Let Shonn Green ride the pine this week if you have yet to sell high on him.

Cam Newton -
Odds are good if you own him you feel inclined to start him but this Bears defense has been very good this season. Pair that with the fact that Cam Newton has yet to live up to his year one fantasy football expectations and you have slim odds of success. I’m not saying that Cam is not a good fantasy football quarterback (we all know he can be one of the best) but right now he is not playing like the first round draft pick he was in many fantasy drafts. Facing the Bears defense at soldier field is not an ideal match up for a young passer to try to get his game back on track.

Rashad Jennings -
If you own Maurice Jones-Drew odds are good you may not have any better options at your disposal. Green Bay’s offense is clicking on all cylinders despite all of their injuries and I don’t see any reason they will slow down against a reeling Jacksonville team. There is a good chance The Jaguars are out of it early on in this one taking the running game out of the equation, crippling Jennings’ value this Sunday. Look elsewhere if you can.

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