Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 8 of the NFL Season

Whether your team’s cruising or clinging, we’re here to sift through the rubble, patch up the holes, and find the next batch of players trending up or down. Here’s the fallout going into Week 8…

Steelers 31 @ Bengals 33 

Pat Freiermuth(5-111-2) was Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target on Thursday night, along with Jonnu Smith actually(3-28-1), with both garnering 6 targets. With Calvin Austin(shoulder) out for the time being, both TEs having streaming value this week against the Packers.

It was kind of amazing that any other Bengals had good fantasy lines, with Ja’Maar Chase(16-161-1) getting a team record 23 targets on the day. Chase Brown had his first 100+ yard day of the season, a good sign for Joe Flacco’s(31-342-3) signing with the team. Samaje Perine did have 7 carries to Brown’s 11 though, and I think he’ll continue to get a handful of touches. 

Rams – 35 @ Jacksonville – 7 

Blake Corum(12-37; 1-6) matched Kyren WIlliams(12-54; 2-11) in carries(12), but that was largely an artifact of the blowout game script. I don’t expect Corum to get double-digit touches on a regular basis. The Rams have a bye this week, so there’s a strong chance Puke Nacua returns in WK9. 

Travis Hunter(8-101-1) had his best output of the season, in conjunction with Brian Thomas Jr. coming in and out of the lineup before exiting with a shoulder injury. The Jags have a bye for Thomas to get right, so it might make sense to shop Travis Hunter in the meantime.

Parker Washington(4-52) had 10 targets on the day, so he stands to benefit if Thomas actually does miss any time.

Raiders 0  @ Chiefs 31

The Raiders didn’t have a single fantasy worthy line on Sunday. They get the bye week to figure something out offensively. 

Rashee Rice(7-42-2) made a big splash in his first game back from suspension. Xavier Worthy suffered, but we know that this offense can sustain both WRs. With both Isiah Pacheco(15-57-1) and Brashard Smith(14-39; 5-42) getting at least 14 carries a piece, it didn’t really allow for a major line from anyone else. 

Dolphins 6 @ Browns 31

The Dolphins offense was completely stymied by the Browns – Tua Tagovailoa couldn’t find a rhythm or protect the ball. With Darren Waller(shoulder) questionable this week, it’ll only make things harder. Malik Washington(4-30) led the team in targets(8) and would presumably get a boost if Waller can’t go. 

Harold Fannin(4-36) led the Browns in receiving and targets(5), but with Quinshon Judkins(25-84-3) having a field day, and Tua turning the ball over, the passing game took a backseat.

Patriots 31 @ Titans 13

Rhamondre Stevenson(18-88-1) has regained a stranglehold on the Pats backfield. TreVeyeon Henderson(2-5) is an afterthought these days, as even Terrell Jennings(5-18) logged 3 more carries than him. 

Kayshon Boutte(2-55-1) managed to find the endzone but only had 2 targets on the day. Boutte is a boom or bust flex on any given weekend. 

Chimere Dike(4-70-1) led the Titans in receiving, with Calvin Ridley(hamstring) sidelined. He could have another expanded role this week if Ridley can’t make it back. 

It was only by 4 yards, but Tyjae Spears(5-22; 3-18) out-gained Tony Pollard(6-18; 6-43) on the ground. The Titans don’t have much going for them on offense right now, so it makes sense for them to see what they have in Spears. 

Panthers 13 @ Jets 6

Rico Dowdle(17-79; 1-17) and Chuba Hubbard(14-31; 2-24) split touches almost            evenly(18-16), with Hubbard outsnapping Dowdle 38 to 33. With Bryce Young(ankle) doubtful this week and a run-funnel Bills defense onboard, they could both hold flex value this week. 

Xavier Leggette(9-92-1) led the Panthers in receiving and targets(11). He’s scored in 2 of his last 3 games and seems entrenched as the no.2 in Carolina, for whatever that’s worth. He could see his fair share of targets with Andy Dalton under center this week.

The Jets passing game is in shambles right now, as neither Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor seems to be the answer. And when teams don’t have to respect the pass, they can key in on the run, limiting Breece Hall’s effectiveness. Fortunately for him, Hall faces the Bengal’s league worst run defense this week. He’s the only Jet you can play. 

Saints – 14  @ Bears – 26

Kendre Miller is out for the season with a torn ACL. Devin Neal is the next man up to back Alvin Kamara and is worth an add in deeper formats. The rumors that Kamara will be traded can probably be put to rest, but he hasn’t been playing well enough to keep Neal out of the mix. 

Juwan Johnson(7-79) bounced back this week tying for team target lead(7). This is an encouraging sign, considering that both Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau were active. He’s a fair streamer in middling to good matchups, like this week’s with Tampa.

Kyle Monangai(13-81-1) had a season high line, with the Bears leading the Saints by double-digits. With Baltimore and Cincy up the next couple of weeks, he could actually maintain some deep league value.

Eagles 28 @ VIkings 22

Saquon Barkley(18-44) had another stinker, but he gets a revenge narrative this week against his ex-Giants. If he doesn’t go off this week, I don’t know when he will. 

TJ Hockenson(6-43) is getting targets(9), just not ones that matter. He’s still worth starting based on his usage.

Colts 38 @ Chargers 24

Alec Pierce(5-98) led the Colts in targets(10) and receiving, with Josh Downs out with  concussion. It’s likely that Downs returns this week, but Pierce could be worth a flex if not. 

Rookie TE Oronde Gadsden II(7-164-1) exploded in WK7, just one week after a respectable 8-68 line in WK6. He’s hot and he needs to be owned in all leagues. 

Giants 32 @ Broncos 33

Theo Johnson managed his 4th TD in as many games, grabbing an errant throw and housing it in a soul shattering  loss. A favorite of Dart, Johnson is TD dependent but has a respectable enough target share to stream him if necessary. Daniel Bellinger(3-88-1) actually had a better line than Johnson, but he had only 4 targets to Johnson’s 7. Either way, Dart’s RBs and TEs are fairing better than his WRs in this short-ball offense. 

      You wouldn’t have guessed Troy Franklin(3-19-1) tied for most team targets(10) with that line, but there it is. Both he and Marvin Mims(6-85) are low floor, upside plays this week against Dallas, though I’d rather take a shot with Mims. 

Packers 27 @ Cardinals 23

Josh Jacobs(13-55-2) was questionable going in, and that’s probably why Emmanuel WIlson(6-17) had 6 touches on the day. Jacobs didn’t seem any worse for the wear, so we can play him as usual unless we hear differently throughout the week. 

Now’s the time to pick up Christian Watson, if you haven’t already. He should be close to returning, and he should regain starting duties when he does.

Despite the loss, Jacoby Brissett(25-279-2; 6-26) is playing well enough to stream if Kyler Murray doesn’t return against the Cowboys, after the bye. 

Commanders 22 @ Cowboys 44

Apparently Jayden Daniels(hamstring) could’ve returned against Dallas, but the game was well out of hand at that point. Daniels gets an extra day to heal, as the Commanders play on Monday, but he could leave you in the lurch if he doesn’t go. Have other plans ready if he doesn’t get a couple days of practice in this week. 

Rookie WR Jaylin Lane led the Commanders in receiving with the majority of their starters sitting. He could be worth a deep league flex this week, if they’re still without either of their primary starting WRs. 

Jaydon Blue(7-29; 1-5) had 8 touches on the day, but it was a blowout. You can leave him on your dynasty benches. 

Falcons 10 @ 49ers 20

Darnell Mooney(3-68) missed a couple of deep throws late in the game but still had a respectable line. Now healthy, he’ll be a boom or bust flex this week against Miami.

Mac Jones(17-152-0-1) won the game, or rather was playing QB for the winning team, but he’s unusable in fantasy. He’ll face the league’s toughest QB defense this week in the Texans, so I’d shy away from 49ers not named McCaffrey.

Brian Robinson(9-36) matched a season-high in touches(9), but that was probably the result of the 49ers playing with a lead most of the game. He’s still a high-value handcuff and should probably be owned if you also own CMC and have the bench space.