Key Starters and Tough Calls - Week 8 Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include Calvin Ridley, Dameon Pierce, Alexander Mattison

Welcome back RotoBallers to my Week 8 Lineup Spotlights - Key Starters and Tough Calls for fantasy football. Every week, I zoom in on some of my favored players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions. These choices are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a discount and get access to my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the 2023 fantasy football season.

We feature players that you should lean to in tough calls and guys who may exceed expectations this week are also highlighted, so you can feel even more confident about starting or adding them. Skill position analysis here is based on my PPR rankings.

When considering each player for your lineup, also consult our fantasy football rankings to see exactly where they are positioned when compared to your other possible lineup choices.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Running Backs – Fantasy Football Week 8

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

The trade rumors are swirling around the greatest Titans player of all time. It is still possible that Henry could play his last game with Tennessee in front of the home crowd this week, even though the team has reportedly told him he will not be moved. I am not the type of fantasy analyst who overlooks intangibles and emotions as a part of the game. Pro football is often heavily laced with motivational factors.

The natural storyline points to Henry stealing the stage to thrill the home folks, just in case Tennessee does indeed deal him away. But the Falcons will also be ready to key in on him, knowing Henry has an extra possible incentive to perform well this week. Atlanta’s defense is underrated, and the coaches and players well know, as all previous opponents have for years, that the primary goal when trying to beat Tennessee is to limit Henry.

#Falcons DC Ryan Nielsen on #Titans Derrick Henry: “We can’t let him get going….It’s going to be an all-out 11-man effort.” pic.twitter.com/bAhkAct7qT

— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) October 26, 2023

The Falcons employ a top-eight rushing defense and have not allowed a rushing TD to a running back yet this season. Rookie Will Levis is also expected to be the primary QB for the Titans, so the natural defensive approach should be to load up against Henry. The offense may also struggle to move into a TD position for their RB. You cannot sit Henry in most situations, but I would lower expectations for him despite the obvious narratives surrounding the three-time All-Pro. Henry has been inconsistent recently, with two games of less than 45 rushing yards in his last four, so he can surely disappoint in a challenging matchup.

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

Pacheco has arrived as a must-start fantasy RB2 who will slide into the backend of my RB1 rankings area in some weeks. This is indeed one of those weeks, as the Denver Broncos allow the most fantasy points per game to RBs. Pacheco caught a season-high six passes on six targets against Denver in Week 6. The Kansas City RB ranks No. 8 at the position in total points and he is averaging more points per game than Henry, Bijan Robinson, and Austin Ekeler.

Pacheco has 10 receptions in his last two games, as he is starting to demonstrate more versatility. He also has four TDs from scrimmage in his last five games. The second-year man has finished with 15-plus PPR points in four of his past five games. In most tight lineup decisions involving Pacheco, you should strongly consider reserving the alternative option. Outside of Travis Kelce, Pacheco has solidified himself as the most dependable skill position player in the Kansas City offense.

Alexander Mattison / Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings

We will have to keep a close watch on the Minnesota RB situation this week. It’s a friendly matchup for both Mattison and Cam Akers, who appears to be coming for a larger chunk of the former’s workload and reps. Akers played on 39 percent of the snaps in Week 7, his highest share in four games with the Vikings. He totaled 61 scrimmage yards on 12 touches.

Mattison has played on just over 50 percent of the snaps in two of his past three games. Soon, he may be working in an even timeshare with Akers, and it is possible that the ex-Ram surpasses Mattison as the preferred lead runner for Minnesota in the weeks ahead. Mattison does not have a rushing TD this season and he has not reached the 45-yard mark as a rusher in his last three games.

The Packers rank 30^th in fantasy points per game allowed to RBs. This might be a final opportunity for Mattison to show he deserves a significant part in a timeshare, so consider sticking with him as a flex play for one more week if you don’t have another clear solid choice at RB. In deeper leagues, Akers is also a viable option for possible quality production.

Dameon Pierce / Devin Singletary, Houston Texans

Pierce has been a big disappointment so far this season. I admired his tenacity and willingness to battle through tackles last season and expected a good fantasy campaign in an improving Houston offense. Pierce is outside the top 30 at RB this season, though, and he is averaging 8.6 points per game. Singletary, meanwhile, ran hard in Week 6 and looked like the better option of the two, finishing with 58 rushing yards on 12 attempts.

I am still getting questions on whether to start Pierce over other RBs who are clearly more dependable or have higher statistical promise. I prefer to keep Pierce reserved for now if possible. But it will be interesting to see how the Houston RBs perform coming out of a bye. We could see more of a timeshare going forward. Pierce needs to perform well this week to hold off a charge from Singletary, who was never dependable for fantasy purposes when he was with Buffalo.

The Panthers allow the second-most FPPG to RBs. The matchup is good, but it is challenging to predict which Texans RB has the better outing. I would not start either guy over a more solid option based on the matchup, but if you are digging deeper for a flex player, I would slightly lean toward Pierce, who still may be better than what we have seen so far this season. He has to play with some urgency to not be in further danger of losing more playing time.

Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Week 8

Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars

Some fantasy leaguers are vowing to pin Ridley to their benches until he starts showing signs of producing better. Ridley has totaled 35 receiving yards in his last two games and he has not reached the 45-yard mark in five of his past six. But I am expecting a bounce-back performance in Week 8 and will recommend keeping him in lineups as a WR2.

It's time to BUY Calvin Ridley ahead of week 8

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— Matt Donnelly (@MattDonnellyFF) October 27, 2023

The Steelers rank 30^th in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs. Trevor Lawrence will make it a point to get Ridley the ball early and often this week. The ex-Falcons star has 100-plus receiving yards in two of three road games this season. I don't like to use overused phrases, but the “squeaky wheel” theory applies here in a good matchup, and Ridley will deliver a satisfying performance to those who have been frustrated by him recently.

Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

The Jets “travel” to face the Giants as the road team in the Battle of New York (played in New Jersey) in Week 8. This is an important game for the Jets no matter what some of the players might say publicly. Beating their co-tenant/neighbor will serve as a stirring feat as the Jets look to further establish a new winning identity.

Wilson will obviously play a big part in helping the Jets officially take over as the better team in the area, which will be a rare and notable accomplishment for the franchise. He had eight catches for 90 yards on 12 targets in the last game before the bye, and the Giants rank 26^th in FPPG allowed to WRs over the past four weeks.

DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s top WR will return this week after a rare missed game in Week 7. The Seahawks have sputtered in scoring situations in recent games while totaling 50 offensive points in the last three games. Despite giving up a surprising 38 points to the Colts last week, the Browns still rank No. 1 in FPPG allowed to WRs. Metcalf, who has 103 receiving yards in his last two games, is not ranked in my top 25 WRs for Week 8, and you should also consider reserving Tyler Lockett.

Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys

I am going by a “gut feeling” here, but those have worked out well enough for me in deeper leagues recently. Last week, my hunch was about Jake Bobo, who had 61 yards and a TD reception. Cooks caught his first TD as a Cowboy before the bye, and the week off may have provided the team opportunities to design more ways to get Cooks the ball. Dallas still needs him to step forward as a No. 2 WR, and this can be the week when Cooks becomes a bigger part of the passing game.

The matchup is a tough one based on FPPG, as the Rams rank fourth against WRs. In larger leagues and DGS tournament lineups, though, I will take a chance on a good game from a proven quality WR. It will not shock me when Cooks performs well and puts a bumpy start to his tenure with the Cowboys behind him.

Quarterback And Tight End - Fantasy Football Week 8

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints

The Saints QB was clearly agitated during a Week 7 loss to Jacksonville, yet he still managed to pass for 300 yards in his second consecutive game. Carr has attempted 50-plus passes in each of his last two games. The Colts rank 22^nd in passing yards allowed to QBs.

Can you trust Derek Carr in fantasy lineups this week? pic.twitter.com/S9LpO8TCDZ

— Moody (@EricNMoody) October 27, 2023

If you lost Anthony Richardson or are missing Justin Fields, Carr is worthy of strong streaming consideration this week. He should be locked into lineups in Superflex leagues.

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

In Week 6, the Las Vegas rookie appeared to be on the verge of breaking out, as he finished with five receptions for 75 yards. But Mayer caught only two passes for 13 yards in Week 7. Expect a bounce-back performance this week against the Lions, who allow the second-most FPPG to TEs. Jimmy Garoppolo is on the path to returning, which further boosts Mayer’s outlook.

Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.

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