Start’ Em Sit Em’ Week 8 & TNF Preview

By ZachBrook@Zbrook Oct 25, 2018, 11:00am EDT

NFL: New England Patriots at Chicago Bears

QB that needs to be in your lineup in Week 8:

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers:

Matchup: @ Rams

I’m calling it. After this Sunday afternoon, no NFL team will remain undefeated. Aaron Rodgers has been getting sharper by the week after sustaining the MCL sprain in the season opener. Against Jared Goff and a depleted Rams’ offense that is down a star in Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles doesn't have enough firepower to defeat their toughest test of the season.

QB I like in Week 8:

Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears:

Matchup: Vs. Jets

Week 7 Stats: 333 Passing YDS, 2 Passing TD, 2 INT, 81 Rushing YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 31.4 PTS

If you would have told me that I’d be starting Mitchell Trubisky in Week 8 at the start of the season I would have told you that you were out of your mind. The second-year signal-caller has improved his overall game in Matt Nagy’s offense and has been absolutely terrific over the last month, both through the air, as well as on the ground. A matchup at home this weekend against an inconsistent Jets’ unit should allow the former Tar Heel to continue his stellar play.

QB I am hesitant about in Week 8:

Case Keenum, Denver Broncos:

Matchup: @ Chiefs

Week 7 Stats: 161 Passing YDS, 1 Passing TD, 1 INT, 8.8 PTS

This is not the same offense that Case Keenum showed mastery of just a year ago. Keenum’s terrific 2017 campaign was a much more potent aerial-attack that fell just short of reaching the NFC Championship. His unit in the Mile High City is going to be down early to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and this one could get real ugly, real quickly.

RB that needs to be in your lineup in Week 8:

Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals:

Matchup: Vs. Buccaneers

Week 7 Stats: 50 Rushing YDS, 3 Receptions, 1 Receiving YD, 8.1 PTS

Before Joe Mixon could get going on Sunday Night Football, the Bengals were already down 20-plus and were playing catchup. This weekend he faces a soft defensive front in the bout against Tampa and should be in for one of his best outings of 2018.

Pittsburgh Steelers v Cincinnati Bengals

RB I am hesitant about in Week 8:

Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars:

Matchup: Vs. Eagles

Carlos Hyde has yet to step onto the gridiron in a Jacksonville uniform after being traded down south just a week ago. This weekend he is expected to suit up for the first time, unfortunately he faces a stout defense in Philadelphia, competition in the backfield from T.J. Yeldon, and it is not yet known if he has completely grasped the playbook.

NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

WR that needs to be in your lineup in Week 8:

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts:

Matchup: @ Raiders

Week 7 Stats: 4 Receptions, 25 Receiving YDS, 2 Receiving TD, 18.5 PTS

T.Y. Hilton returned last Sunday from a multi-week hiatus due to a lingering ailment and managed to haul in two scores on just four receptions against the Buffalo Bills. This weekend he faces a poor Oakland defense that has lost all confidence, Hilton should be for another terrific outing as he regains his footing.

WR I like in Week 8:

Danny Amendola, Miami Dolphins:

Matchup: @ Texans

Week 7 Stats: 6 Receptions, 84 Receiving YDS, 1 Receiving TD, 20.4 PTS

I’m expecting a huge-outing tonight from the newest wideout in South Beach while both Albert Wilson and Kenny Stills are expected to be out of the contest. Brocktoberfest reaches a conclusion tonight, and the main cog in the system tonight will be from Danny Amendola.

WR I am hesitant about in Week 8:

Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles:

Matchup: @ Jaguars

Week 7 Stats: 7 Receptions, 88 Receiving YDS, 1 TD, 21.8 PTS

Alshon Jeffery has rebounded much quicker than most would expect after missing the first slate of games in 2018 to rehab from offseason rotator cuff surgery. He’s posted 20-point outings in three out of the four games he’s played in so far but faces a tough matchup in Jalen Ramsey on Sunday afternoon. The Jags’ stout defense has been struggling as of late but their secondary has remained a strength. With no fluid running game, look for Carson Wentz to try to get Jeffery going early, but his floor should be lowered in this matchup.

WR that I am avoiding in Week 8:

Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks:

Matchup: @ Lions

The Seahawks come off of the bye with a contest against the Detroit Lions. Doug Baldwin, still not 100% healthy, will most likely face shadow coverage from Darius Slay, and with the inconsistency of Russell Wilson so far in 2018, I’m keeping Baldwin on the bench.

TE that needs to be in your lineup in Week 8:

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers:

Matchup: @ Cardinals

Week 7 Stats: 5 Receptions, 98 YDS, 1 TD, 20.8 PTS

The second-year standout is matchup-proof, as evident by his play with both Jimmy Garrapolo as well as C.J. Beathard. He has remained a major factor and the number-one cog in the 49ers’ offense and that trend should continue this weekend against a struggling Cardinals’ unit.

TE that I am avoiding in Week 8:

Evan Engram, New York Giants:

Matchup: Vs. Redskins

Week 7 Stats: 2 Receptions, 16 Receiving YDS, 10 Rushing YDS, 4.6 PTS

If you unfortunately sat through the disappointment that was Week 7 Monday Night Football, you saw how out-of-wack the Giants’ offense is just three days ago. Evan Engram is clearly still not healthy and his target share was evident of that. A contest Sunday against a much-improved Washington secondary should hold the second-year tight end in check. Keep him on the bench this weekend.

Thursday Night Football: Miami Dolphins @ Houston Texans

Miami:

Brock Osweiler: Stream

Kenyan Drake: Flex

Danny Amendola: Start

DeVante Parker: Start

Dolphins D/ST: Sit

Texans

Deshaun Watson: Sit

Lamar Miller: Start

DeAndre Hopkins: Start

Will Fuller V: Start

Texans D/ST: Start