5 Players With Tough Week 8 Matchups
We all have those superstars on our rosters who should be automatic starters week after week, right? Not so fast. I don’t believe in the old adage “always start your studs”, as it’s sort of lazy and not entirely accurate if you want the most out of your fantasy squad.
In this new column at 4for4, each week I take a look at individual matchups and point out players who I think could struggle, even if they’re elite. I’m not saying to sit them without question, but as the title goes, these are players with tough matchups, meaning you'll have tough lineup decisions to make.
Week 7 Wrap-Up
This week was not as predictive as last, and some of the players on this list actually had banner days. Tom Brady was my lowest output as QB19 on the week and of course, Kerryon Johnson left in the first quarter with a knee injury so no victory laps taken there.
Week 8 Risky Plays
Carson Wentz (Eagles) @ Bills
Coming off a brutal single-digit fantasy outing on the road in Dallas last week, things could be bumpy yet again for the Eagles quarterback in Week 8. Philly heads to Buffalo to face a defense that’s stout against opposing signal-callers, yielding just 15.2 fantasy points to the position weekly this season. With the Eagles' offensive line as shaky as they’ve been, coupled with the tough matchup, I’d leave Wentz on your bench this week if you have the option to do so.
Odell Beckham (Browns) @ Patriots
You had to roll without OBJ last week due to a bye and are excited to throw him back into your starting lineup, right? Being a Debbie Downer is a part of my job, so here goes. This week could be a doozy for Beckham and the whole Browns offense. The Patriots defense is shutting down everything in ridiculous fashion so far in 2019, in fact, they rank first in QB schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed (aFPA) and third in WR aFPA through the first seven weeks of the season. With two more teams resting this week, it may be tough to sit OBJ, but you should at least consider it.
Frank Gore (Bills) vs. Eagles
The 36-year-old running back has shrugged off father time for another go around this season but could be quelled in Week 8. He faces Philly’s intense power run defense which could be too much for the straight-ahead runner. With Ezekiel Elliott and Mark Ingram both watching from their respective couches, you may have to go with Gore in a FLEX situation, but just don’t expect too much from the guy.
Alshon Jeffery (Eagles) @ Bills
If you’re sitting Wentz due to a tough opponent, his main target will also suffer in the matchup. Philly is having trouble getting the ball downfield this season which is no good for any of his weapons. Wentz has thrown for more than 200 yards just once in his last four games and subsequently, Jeffery has yet to hit the 100-yard receiving mark at all in 2019. Buffalo is among the top 10 in WR aFPA and sits second in the league in touchdowns allowed with only four on the season. Do your roster a solid and find yourself a better play at wideout this week.
Greg Olsen (Panthers) @ 49ers
Trust me, I’m aware of how brutal the tight end position is for fantasy purposes, as I also write a weekly streaming column for 4for4 on the position. But this is not the week to count on “old faithful” Olsen. The Panthers tight end gets San Francisco’s second-ranked defense when it comes to aFPA, a unit that hasn’t given up a touchdown to the position since Week 2 and is only surrendering 7.8 PPR points to opposing tight ends weekly this season. As slim as the waiver wire is, it may be in your best interest to let Olsen chill on the bench Sunday afternoon.
