Week Eight Aftermath

Week eight brought us more exciting performances and a few disappointing ones as well. As your league standings start to fall into place and the playoff run begins, let’s take a look back at what happened and a look forward to week nine.

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Week Eight Fantasy MVP

If you saw David Garrard in your opponent’s lineup before the games began, you were probably pretty happy. After all, he couldn’t really put up 260 passing yards, and five total touchdowns against Dallas.  Right!?! Garrard is incredibly inconsistent, but that was a performance that brought many a win to owners this week.

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Week Eight Fantasy LVP

Jonathan Stewart was primed for a huge breakout this week. After all, DeAngelo Williams was out with an injury and he finally had the feature back job he excelled in late last year in his grasp yet again. Unfortunately, 30 yards on 14 carries didn’t get it done. He even topped it off by blaming his performance on a pourous offensive line. That should help!

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Lineup Fun

You probably won if your lineup looked like this…

QB David Garrard = 260 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis = 112 rushing yards, 11 receiving yards, two total touchdowns
RB Jamaal Charles = 177 rushing yards, four catches, 61 receiving yards
RB Arian Foster = 102 rushing yards, nine catches, 65 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Calvin Johnson = 9 catches, 101 yards, three touchdowns
WR Brandon Lloyd = 7 catches, 169 yards, one touchdown
WR Mike Sims-Walker = 8 catches, 153 yards, one touchdown
TE Antonio Gates = 5 catches, 123 yards, one touchdown

You probably lost if your lineup looked like this…

QB Ben Roethlisberger = 195 passing yards, one interception
RB Jonathan Stewart = 30 rushing yards
RB Knowshon Moreno = 40 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards
RB Steven Jackson = 59 rushing yards, 4 receiving yards
WR Chad Ochocinco = 3 catches, 34 receiving yards
WR Mike Wallace = 3 catches, 43 receiving yards
WR Mile Williams (SEA) = 1 catch, 27 receiving yards
TE Vernon Davis = 1 catch, 12 receiving yards

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Gut Checks

I’d be worried if…

I own Roy Williams. The resurgence of Williams seems to be pretty short lived. He’s been an afterthought in the Cowboys offense lately and Dez Bryant is beginning to take over.

I have Knowshon Moreno in a dynasty league. Yes, the Broncos are forced to throw to much, but Moreno has simply not looked like the dynamic back we all saw when he was playing at Georgia.

I own Randy Moss. Who knows where he ends up this year, but it certainly looks like a lost season.

I have Cadillac Williams. LeGarrette Blount has taken a stranglehold on that job at this point and looks like a steal for the Bucs. Williams is actually droppable in most formats.

I expect anything like that performance for Darrius Heyward-Bey again.

I have Alex Smith as my backup quarterback. It certainly looks like Troy Smith is going to get his chance to showcase his abilities, or lack thereof.

I have Chad Ochocinco as my No. 2 wide receiver. Ocho is living on his reputation in fantasy leagues right now as his performances have been as inconsistent as ever.

I own Donovan McNabb. He didn’t have the cardiovascular endurance to finish the game? Don’t expect the marriage to Mike Shanahan to extend past this season.

I’m not considering starting Ryan Fitzpatrick in my fantasy leagues. The Bills are terrible, but he’s been a great player in leagues this season.

I’m relying on Andre Johnson to carry my team. AJ is an absolute beast, but that ankle may not be 100% all season.

I own CJ Spiller. The Bills have nothing to lose by letting the kid play, yet they refuse to do so. We’re halfway through the year, so don’t expect a miracle.

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A Look Back at our dynasty Waiver Suggestions for Week Eight

1. Jon Kitna = 379 passing yards, one touchdown, four interceptions

2. Stephen McGee = DNP

3. James Davis = Signed by Washington to the practice squad

4. Tarvaris Jackson = 36 passing yards, one touchdown

5. Derek Anderson = 234 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions

6. Damian Williams = Two catches, 43 yards

7. Andre Roberts = No catches

8. Jacob Tamme = Six catches, 64 yards, one touchdown

9. Nate Davis = DNP

10. Riley Cooper = DNP

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A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Week Nine Waiver Wire

1. Troy Smith, QB, SF

Any starting quarterback is worth owning and Smith earned himself at least another start.

2. Kevin Smith, RB, DET

Smith is beginning to get worked back into the lineup and looks to be finally healthy again.

3. Rex Grossman, QB, WAS

I wouldn’t want him either, but if I only have McNabb at QB…

4. Toby Gerhart, RB, MIN

Certainly already on dynasty league rosters, but he’s creeping towards ownership in redraft leagues.

5. Jordy Nelson, WR, GB

Driver looks like he needs some time off and that’s going to give Nelson and James Jones some opportunities.

Keep in mind the names found on this list are added to ones from previous weeks. For the prior week’s picks, check out the links below:

Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight

Good luck this week!