Week Eight Fantasy Picks

Recorder Sports Staff

 

The Recorder sports staff gives their take on week eight of the NFL fantasy landscape.

 

Who is your sure thing for the week?

Trevi Alickolli- Staff Writer: Zach Ertz (TE, Philadelphia)- The Eagles offensive line is banged up and has not played well up to this point in the season. A dominant Jacksonville defense will be tough to counter. Carson Wentz will look to Ertz to bail him out early and often. I expect him to have a big fantasy output in the form of yards and touchdowns.

Patrick Gustavson- Sports Editor: James White (RB, New England Patriots)- With Sony Michel going down, White could be the feature back in both the running and passing game. The Patriots should feast on the Bills and White will surely be a focal point in the potential beatdown.

Tom Hopkins- Staff Writer: Adam Thielen (WR, Minnesota Vikings)- The paragon of consistency, Thielen has surpassed the 100-yard mark in every game this season. There’s no reason to think his stellar play won’t continue against a Saints defense that gives up the most points to receivers in a game that could turn into a shootout at U.S. Bank Stadium.

 

Who is your sleeper for the week?

Alickolli: Aaron Jones (RB, Green Bay Packers)- The problem this year with Jones has not been his production, but his opportunities. When he gets the opportunities, he produces. Hopefully, after the bye week, the team will realize that he is their best back and give him more opportunities, therefore more production.

Gustavson: CJ Uzomah (TE, Cincinnati Bengals)- Despite a tough loss to Kansas City, the Bengals will likely bounce back in a matchup with Tampa that has shootout written all over it. Especially with the tight end position lacking depth, Uzomah, who found the end zone last week, should end the week as a TE1.

Hopkins: Dede Westbrook (WR, Jacksonville Jaguars)- Westbrook has been inconsistent, but at least part of the blame rests on quarterback Blake Bortles, who was benched last week. A fired up Bortles will likely start this week, so look for Westbrook to put up a nice stat line against a Philadelphia defense that gives up a ton of points to receivers.

 

Who is going to bust this week?

Alickolli: James Conner (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers)- If you haven’t gotten rid of Conner yet via trade yet, I suggest you do so immediately as Le’Veon Bell is said to return in the near future, meaning Conners’ touches will decrease drastically and so will his production. Move on while you can.

Gustavson: Christian McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers)- McCaffrey has had two straight weeks with less than 30 yards rushing. The Ravens have proven to have one of the best defenses in the league. Though he may be utilized in the passing game, I don’t expect him to eclipse double-digits.

Hopkins: Mark Ingram (RB, New Orleans Saints)- Ingram came back hot from his four-game suspension, finding the end zone twice. Last week, he disappointed, only getting 32-yards on the ground. Granted, the Ravens were a tough matchup, but his running mate, Alvin Kamara, managed to do more with his opportunities. This week, Ingram has another tough matchup against a stout Vikings defense that kept a strong Jets run game in check last week.