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It was a mixed bag for Week 7 as Joe Flacco, David Njoku and Zach Ertz all came through, but Andy Dalton laid a major egg and punting at defense was not the correct route. Time to focus on Week 8 and see if we can identify a few winning players.
Quarterbacks
Cash Game Option:
Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson ($11,000) – There are a lot of different ways to go at the quarterback position this week. I will never talk anyone out of paying up if you can make the salary fit and the lineup looks good. However, if paying down, but want a solid floor than Wilson is your guy. Wilson has now thrown three touchdown passes in back-to-back games and has finished with at least 20 rushing yards in two of the last three games. The Seahawks take on a Detroit Lions defense that is ranked 28th in pass defensive DVOA and have allowed five touchdown passes in their last two games. I wish Wilson ran more this year as it would immediately give him a higher floor, but he’s still in a strong spot this week, especially at his salary.
Tournament Option:
Cincinnati Bengals Andy Dalton ($11,700) – We’re going right back to the well with Dalton after he let fantasy owners down against a prime match-up against the Chiefs. Dalton is in cash game conversation as well, but we saw his extremely low floor which we can’t afford to have. I even think he will be lower owned this week due to his poor performance. We have to have short memories and Dalton is back in a smash spot once again as the Bengals take on a Buccaneers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to the quarterback position this year and is ranked dead last in passing yards per game with 328. I think Dalton rebounds nicely in Week 8 and is a strong option in all formats.
Tight Ends
Cash Game Option:
Cincinnati Bengals C.J. Uzomah ($7,000) – If Dalton makes you nervous in cash games, but want exposure to the Bengals offense than Uzomah can be your guy. The Bucs rank 31st overall in defensive DVOA, but more importantly, rank 30th against the tight end. The over/under has been set at 54.5 with Bengals favored by four and an implied team total of 29.25. As mentioned before, this is is bounce back spot for the Bengals and Uzomah should benefit. The tight end has also caught eight passes with a touchdown in the last two games.
Tournament Option:
Indianapolis Colts Eric Ebron ($9,200) – Ebron has scored in double digits five times this season, but is coming off a sub-par performance in Week 7. The price is still high which is why Ebron is more of a tournament option. Also, teammate Jack Doyle may return which could cut in to Ebron’s targets. The Colts are taking on a Raiders defense that is ranked dead last in defending the tight end position in defensive DVOA. We know Ebron has a tremendous ceiling which is what we are looking for in tournaments and he is once again in a great spot this week.
Defenses
Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,500) – I recommended punting defenses last week and it failed miserably. However, for a second straight week there isn’t a defense in a great spot that is worth paying up for. This leads me to once again paying down and the Steelers could be a nice target. The Steelers rank fourth in adjusted sack rate according to Football Outsiders and take on a Browns offense that has allowed the most sacks in football. The ability to get sacks along with the price makes the Steelers defense a good option this week in all formats.