Mario’s Hot & Not Fantasy Rundown: Week 8
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
Hot: Aaron Jones
In the upset win, Jones split carries with AJ Dillon, but was clearly the superior fantasy back to own in Green Bay. Jones got 23 total touches (7 receptions) for 110 total yards and a TD. The split in carries with Dillon was most likely a product of gameplan with the Packers’ top 3 WRs in COVID protocol. Jones is still a must start moving forward.
Not: Deandre Hopkins
Nursing a sore hamstring, Hopkins was a game-time decision. He was able to get out on the field, but was mostly ineffective after breaking free for a 55 yard catch and run on the first series of the game. Hopkins’ overall production is down this year after the emergence of so many weapons on the Arizona offense.
Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons
Hot: Chuba Hubbard
Hubbard continues to be a viable fantasy fill-in until the return of CMC. Rushing for 82 yards and a TD, Hubbard helped the Panthers up end the division rival Falcons. Panthers brass confirmed that CMC is likely to return in Week 9. Keep Hubbard on your bench in case CMC reinjures his hamstring.
Not: Kyle Pitts
Pitts’ 2 game streak of at least 119 yards receiving came to an end in an abrupt way. The Panthers matchup up the recently activated Stephon Gilmore on Pitts, and he limited the rookie to 13 yards on only 2 receptions. Not every team has a Gilmore however, so Pitts remains in your starting lineup moving forward.
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
Hot: Cole Beasley
Beasley scored 23 fantasy points without finding the endzone on Sunday. He racked up 10 receptions for 110 yards, constantly moving the chains on a day where the rest of the fantasy relevant Bills were a non-factor. Beasley remains a flex-worthy play.
Not: Jaylen Waddle
Waddle turned 12 targets into only 4 receptions for 29 yards, for a total of 6.9 fantasy points. Waddle’s usage suggests he should be played as a WR1, but his actual production suggests otherwise. Based on volume alone, Waddle remains a weekly flex play at the least.
San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears
Hot: Elijah Mitchell
Mitchell is just the latest in a string of successful running backs in Shanahan’s offense. Mitchell notched his 3rd 100+ yard rushing day of the season on his way to 15.7 fantasy points. The only concern is the complete lack of passing game work. In a fantasy world desperate for RB1s, Mitchell remains a must start.
Not: Allen Robinson
The fall of Robinson’s fantasy stock is appalling. His 3 catches for 21 yards are pretty close to his average this season, which is terrible for a WR of his caliber. Sadly, Robinson is a drop candidate in redraft leagues.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
Hot: Najee Harris
Harris continues his stellar play in his rookie season. In a tough divisional road matchup, Harris ground out 91 yards and a TD in the win. Najee has not been very efficient with his touches, but has insane volume that keeps him as your RB1.
Not: Odell Beckham Jr.
What has happened to the Browns’ WR1? Beckham continues his less than stellar play with his worst game of the season. 1 catch for 6 yards is not going to cut it. Now, rumors are swirling that OBJ will be traded before the deadline. Hold onto him on your bench to see if he gets traded to a more favorable offense.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions
Hot: Boston Scott
Yes, you read that right. Boston Scott! Scott ran for 60 yards and 2 TDs on 12 carries, totaling 18 fantasy points on a day everyone thought Gainwell would receive the bulk of the carries. Not sure how useful Scott will be going forward, but at least he flashed again for one week. He will have to prove it again before I roster him.
Not: D’Andre Swift
Swift had his worst fantasy output this season. He rushed for only 27 yards, and although he caught 5 passes, most of that was wiped out by a lost fumble, and he finished with only 6.9 fantasy points. Due to the scarcity at the RB1 position, Swift is still a must start every week. Treat this blowout loss as an outlier.
Los Angeles Rams @ Houston Texans
Hot: Darrell Henderson Jr.
Henderson continues to display the RB1 qualities fantasy players covet, even with the presence of Sony Michel. Henderson rushed for 90 yards and a TD, and chipped in 1 receiving TD as well, totaling 22.1 fantasy points on the day. As long as the Rams can keep jumping out to big leads, Henderson will see double digit touches every week.
Not: David Johnson
Johnson was a popular waiver wire add in light of Mark Ingram being traded to the Saints mid-week. Rumors in the fantasy community were that he would resume his lead back carries of yesteryear, but we were all sadly disappointed. Johnson received only 3 touches the entire game, and recorded a measly 1.4 fantasy points. He can be dropped in all formats.
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
Hot: AJ Brown
Brown proved that his performance last week really was a sign of things to come after a slow start to the season. Brown torched the Colts pass defense with 10 receptions for 155 yards and a long TD, totaling 33.5 fantasy points. Pittman gave him a challenge on the other side of the field, but the Titans got the win so Brown gets the honors.
Not: Carson Wentz
Due to QBs out on bye, Wentz was a popular streamer, but he failed to deliver vs a Titans defense that is one of the worst in the league against the pass. Wentz threw for 3 TDs, but completed only 53% of his passes, and had 2 untimely (and terrible) interceptions. One in the final 2 minutes that was returned for TD, and the other in OT when the Colts had a chance to drive for the win. Seek streaming QB help elsewhere.
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets
Hot: Michael Carter
The Jets have mainly used a RBBC this season so far, but it appears the rookie RB is finally getting his chance to shine. Carter rushed for 77 yards and a TD, and chipped in 95 yards on 9 receptions in the passing game. He received a team high 14 targets! Carter ended his breakout game with 27.3 fantasy points. Carter is a low end RB2, with RB1 upside if this volume continues.
Not: CJ Uzomah
A few solid performances in a bleak TE fantasy landscape vaulted Uzomah into TE1 territory, and into fantasy lineups. He did not deliver, however, in a juicy matchup with a poor Jets pass defense, posting only 33 yards on 4 receptions, while also only receiving 4 targets. Give Uzomah another chance in your starting lineup.
New England Patriots @ Los Angeles Chargers
Hot: Austin Ekeler
Even in the midst of a loss, Ekeler remained the best player on the field, posting 124 total yards and a TD on 17 total touches, including 6 receptions. He added 21.4 fantasy points to his yearly total, and is a lineup lock.
Not: Brandon Bolden
Bolden was a popular waiver wire add after posting 6 catches for 79 yards and a TD last week in a runaway win vs the Jets. Anyone starting him was left wanting more as Bolden carried the ball 4 times for 26 yards, and did not receive a single target in the passing game. Hold Bolden on your bench until further review.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Seattle Seahawks
Hot: Tyler Lockett
Week 8 was finally time for one of Lockett’s big games after several duds in a row. On 13 targets from Geno Smith, Lockett hauled in 12 catches for 142 yards. Although he didn’t find the endzone, he still amassed 28.2 fantasy points. It’s impossible to predict when Lockett will have a game like this, but with this upside, it’s difficult to have him on your bench.
Not: Alex Collins
Collins’ lack of production is alarming, especially considering the flow of the game. With a large lead for most of the contest, and a weak Jags run defense, Collins only received 10 carries for 44 yards, and zero work in the passing game. 4.4 points from the RB slot is not good enough to win your matchup. With Carson slated to come back, Collins moves back to a bench stash.
Washington Football Team @ Denver Broncos
Hot: Melvin Gordon
In a low scoring game, Gordon was able to find the endzone twice for Denver on only 13 touches. 62 total yards and 20.4 fantasy points later, Gordon refuses to loosen the reins for Williams to take over for good. Gordon is a flex play until circumstances change.
Not: Terry McLaurin
It was a slow day all around for the WFT offense, but even their stud McLaurin only caught 3 passes for 23 yards. Scary Terry wasn’t so scary on Sunday in Denver, but he should still remain in your starting lineup.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
Hot: Chris Godwin
Godwin made the most of the absences of Antonio Brown and Gronk’s early exit. With Evans blanketed by his nemesis Marshon Lattimore on the opposite side of the field, Godwin shook loose for 140 yards and a TD on 8 receptions, totaling 26.0 fantasy points. You were never sitting Godwin to begin with, but fantasy players should see increased volume as long as Brown and Gronk are hobbled.
Not: Leonard Fournette
Fournette had been on a tear, putting up at least 16.9 fantasy points in each of the past 4 games, but he met his match vs the Saints defense. Lenny amassed only 43 total yards and 7.3 fantasy points on Sunday. This is an outlier, and Fournette must remain in your starting lineup.
Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings
Hot: Amari Cooper
After a few subpar weeks in a row, Cooper showed up and showed out with Cooper Rush behind center. Cooper caught 8 passes for 122 yards, and the game-winning TD with less than a minute to play in the 4th quarter. His 26.2 fantasy points were his most since Week 1. Dallas just has too many mouths to feed on offense, but Cooper can remain in your WR2 or flex spot.
Not: Justin Jefferson
Going into the game, we did not know what the Cowboys’ plan on defense was going to be. The plan ended up being to shadow Jefferson most of the game with Trevon Diggs, and Jefferson managed only 1 reception for 3 yards against Diggs, and 2 catches for 21 yards for the game. Jefferson doesn’t have it any easier next week vs Marlon Humphrey, but he must remain in your starting lineup.
New York Giants @ Kansas City Chiefs
Hot: Tyreek Hill
The Mahomes to Hill connection was back on Monday night, as the two connected 12 times for 94 yards and a TD. Hill’s 27.4 fantasy points were the most since Week 4 at Philly, and he has another great matchup next week vs Green Bay in what should be a high scoring affair.
Not: Travis Kelce
Monday night was a rare down game for Kelce. Many fantasy players went into Monday night needing only single digit points to win their matchups, and were let down. Kelce only caught 4 passes for 27 yards, and his fantasy impact was lessened by a lost fumble. Kelce’s 5.7 fantasy points were his lowest output of the season, but he should bounce back next week in a high scoring game vs Green Bay.
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