NFL DFS Preview: Week 8

Each Friday, FindBet will preview the week's DFS slate, highlighting players that are priced well on FanDuel, as well as some contrarian plays that can push your team to the top of the leader board.

Most NFL FanDuel games have you putting a team together with players from a certain slate of games. It could be just Sunday 1:00 PM games or it could be every game that is slated for the week. Once the last game that has eligible players is over, the final payouts are made according to how many fantasy points each team scored. Each player is worth a certain dollar amount, and you have a cap of $60,000 to build your team with. You have to have 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX (RB, WR, or TE) and 1 DEF.

The general scoring rules include (6) points for each rushing and receiving touchdown, (4) points for each passing touchdown, (0.1) points for each rushing and receiving yard gained, (0.04) points for each passing yard, and also (0.5) points for each reception. There are other scoring opportunities for defenses. You can see the entire breakdown on FanDuel. Let's dive into players we like and players we advise to avoid in Week 8.

Players to Target:

Ryan Tannehill (QB) - $7500

Tannehill gets the Bengals defense this week in what should be one of the highest scoring games of the week. Both offenses know how to score points and the defenses have been liable to give up big plays.

Tom Brady (QB) - $7700

Brady's first time showing up on our target list this year, he looks to finally be comfortable in the Buccaneers offense. The Bucs get a porous Giants defense, which is a great match up for Brady.


Jonathan Taylor (RB) - $7300

Taylor has appeal this week, going against a Lions defense ranked in the bottom third of the league in stopping the run.

Jamaal Williams (RB) - $7000

Keep an eye on Aaron Jones' status going into the game Sunday, but it looks like Williams will get one more week as the lead guy against a Vikings defense that hasn't stopped anyone.

Kenny Golladay (WR) - $7600

I think Golladay's floor production this week makes him an appealing start at this price. Detroit/Indianapolis has the chance to morph into a shootout.

Justin Jefferson (WR) - $6600

The rookie is on fire through the first seven weeks in the NFL. The Vikings are going to have to throw to keep up with the Packers so Jefferson will benefit.


Jonnu Smith (TE) - $6100

The Bengals gave up 3 TE scores last week to the Browns. At $6100, this is a great play.

Darren Waller (TE) - $6800

Waller gets the Browns defense this week, who has allowed 30+ points in their last 3 games. He is worth the premium price.

Philadelphia Eagles (DEF) - $4600

The Cowboys are starting their 3rd QB of the year on Sunday night. The Eagles defense isn't perfect, but they should be a solid play this week.


Kansas City Chiefs (DEF) - $5000

Chiefs are playing the Jets. That's it, that's all the analysis you need.

Players to Avoid:

Cam Newton (QB) - $7400

Weather looks to play a big role in New England on Sunday, which means a lot of running the ball. Newton was pulled last week after a horrid game, his job security is starting to come into question.

Josh Allen (QB) - $8200

Same analysis for Allen as it was for Newton, although Josh may get a rushing TD to help pad his stats. I just don't think he's worth the price this week.


Ezekiel Elliott (RB) - $8900

The Cowboys need to get the ball to Zeke more, but game script has forced their hand the past few weeks. Stay away from him this week.

Giovani Bernard (RB) - $5900

Joe Mixon looks like he is going to miss a second straight game with a foot injury, but the TD potential for Bernard, even in a plus match up, isn't good. I won't fault you for taking a chance at this price, but he will need to break off a longer TD for it to pay off.

Travis Fulgham (WR) - $6300

The Eagles WR corps is starting to get healthy, meaning less targets to go around. This may be the week that Fulgham's Cinderella story comes to an end.

Darius Slayton (WR) - $6200

With the return of Sterling Shepard to the Giants lineup, Slayton saw a massive drop in production. Couple that with a solid Bucs defense and he is not in a great spot to produce this week.

Mark Andrews (TE) - $7000

Andrews always proves me wrong when he is on this part of my list, but I think their are TEs this week with better matchups (and at better prices).

Evan Engram (TE) - $5600

Engram has just not been used like he was last year and it's pretty infuriating for DFS and Fantasy owners alike. Until he proves otherwise, I'd stay away.

Cleveland Browns (DEF) - $4400

The Browns have a defense problem, and the Titans have an offense that can create lots of problems.

Tennessee Titans (DEF) - $4600

Stay away from this Titans-Browns game!



FindBet Free Play for Week 8:

Here's a team you can put right into any of your contests, just remember to buy us a beer when you win big!

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
fanduel

Teams Fight for Their Lives as Playoffs Near

Steph Curry has came back from injury with one of his best seasons as a pro

Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports

As we're just over a week away from seeing the new play-in format the NBA has decided to go with this season, it means that teams are vying to be in the top 10 in their respective conferences to keep their postseason dreams alive.

We have seen LeBron James make public statements opposing the new format even though it was unanimously approved by the NBA Board of Governors last year. It's understandable that James would have negative feelings about the new format as his Lakers have struggled throughout the season as both him and superstar teammate, Anthony Davis, have dealt with injuries which have caused them to miss significant time.

Keep reading... Show less
nba playoffs

Three Up, Three Down: Fantasy Baseball Players to Target

Cole Irvin is making waves on the west coast for the Oakland A's

Rob Tringali/Getty Images

Baseball is a game of hot streaks and slumps, and as a fantasy baseball manager it's sometimes difficult to know when to part with someone on your roster to take a chance on someone new.

Here we'll examine three players you may want to consider moving on from if you have them rostered, and provide three potential replacements for them. Just like in real baseball, sometimes you have to make the tough moves in order to win. But if you don't know what the right moves are to make then you just end up looking like the Pittsburgh Pirates of your fantasy league.

Here's some advice for you so you don't become the Pirates of your league.


First Up

Cole Irvin Oakland A's SP (30% Rostered in Yahoo)

Irvin hasn't allowed more than two runs in the past four starts and will carry a 3.09 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 34/5 strikeout to walk ratio heading into his next one against Tampa Bay this weekend. To put how effective Irvin has been into perspective, he's averaging nearly a strikeout per inning while only .1 walk per inning.

Even if Irvin comes back down to earth a little, now is the time to pick him up while he's riding this hot streak. He is coming off a game against the hard-hitting Blue Jays where we saw him set his career-high in strikeouts with nine over eight innings. Take into consideration he has three quality starts (out of six) and his most recent loss was to the Rays who he sees again on Saturday. In that last appearance against Tampa he went six innings, striking out eight, allowed only two runs and earned a quality start in a loss.

If you're looking for a long term option at starting pitcher, Irvin presents a great opportunity to snag a hidden gem off waivers but don't expect him to last much longer if he puts in another strong performance against the Rays on Saturday.


Keep reading... Show less
fantasy baseball free agent pickups

Booms, Busts, Battlestar Galactica: NBA Week 19

Oshae Brissett

AP Photo

Who needs an Avengers incorporated ESPN broadcast when the real nerd-sports crossover is right here?

Welcome to the final round of the basketball fantasy season. You're either in the championship or you've decided that you wanted to set your lineups early and actually enjoy watching basketball.

In any case, you need to fill your rosters and we have the players you need to look out for on those waiver wires.

Booms

Oshae Brissett Guard/Forward Indiana Pacers

You'd be excused for not knowing who Oshae Brissett was before this week. He went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft and started his professional career in the NBA G League. Now, he is making a name for himself in Indianapolis.

Last week, the former Syracuse forward averaged 16 points, made three three-pointers, 10.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and four blocks. With multiple Pacers players fighting injuries, Brissett should have plenty of opportunities to prove he can be a consistent contributor in the final stretch of the NBA season.

Ricky Rubio Point Guard Minnesota Timberwolves

Much like the Timberwolves, it has been an objectively bad statistical year for the Rubio. Also much like the Timberwolves, even he can have a span of success. Rubio didn't provide a ton in any category this past week, but he did average a solid 10.5 points, 1.8 made threes, four rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 0.8 turnovers.

Rubio may have had a good week, but even his good week isn't much in terms of massive contributions. He may be high on last week's rankings, but he isn't worth the pick-up unless you're really desperate for steals and assists.

Isaiah Stewart Forward/Center Detroit Pistons

Stewart goes back-to-back on the list despite his scoring numbers dropping. In three games last week, Stewart scored 11 points on 53.8 percent shooting, 7.7 rebounds, one steal and 3.3 blocks.

While minutes volatility is still a fear with any Pistons player, Stewart has shown that he can contribute in four or more categories for another week. Pick him up for the rest of the season if you can.

Saddiq Bey Small Forward Detroit Pistons

Bey may still be figuring out how to be successful in the league, but at least he can score like a seasoned vet. In three games last week, he averaged 17 points, four made threes, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

He's still a liability in terms of accuracy (39.5 percent from the field last week), but if you need scoring and rebounding, there aren't a ton of other options on the waiver.

Busts

Dillon Brooks Guard/Forward Memphis Grizzlies

The former Duck has developed into a consistent scorer for the Memphis Grizzlies. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, he doesn't provide much else. Last week, he averaged 17.5 points, but only managed to average 1.8 made threes, 1.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.8 steals.

He may not provide much in fantasy, but Memphis is fighting hard to stay in the playoff picture. Brooks will have plenty of chances to keep up his scoring numbers so if that's something you require, he is a great option to give you a boost.

Duncan Robinson Guard/Forward Miami Heat

Shooters in fantasy basketball are DCEU movies: Sure, you'll get a Snyder cut of "Justice League" or "Wonder Woman," but you have to wade through the other travesties to really appreciate them. Duncan Robinson's last week was "Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice"-esque.

In four games, Robinson averaged three made three-pointers but only 10.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists. People aren't picking up Robinson for his other stats, but if he's not scoring or shooting at an elite level, he's a tough pickup at best.

Danilo Gallinari Forward Atlanta Hawks

Gallinari's up and down year hit another valley last week when he averaged 10.3 points on 37.9 percent shooting, 1.3 made threes, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

With Kevin Huerter and Bodgan Bogdanovic to compete with for minutes, anything consistent from the Italian baller can't be counted on moving forward.

Delon Wright Guard/Forward Sacramento Kings

Wright was making the most of his minutes in Detroit but since he was traded to Sacramento, his lack of opportunity has been frustrating for anyone who manages him. In four games last week, he averaged 10 points, one made three, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals.

If you are holding out hope that Wright will step up in the finals weeks of the season, I have a monorail I think you'd be interested in.

fantasy basketball