Follow along for all things fantasy football ahead of Week 8.

Renee Miller

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Fantasy football Week 8 introduction

Welcome to Week 8 where having all of your players available makes for some difficult choices after last week’s byes and injuries forced us to basically just start anyone actually playing in an NFL game.

The biggest story line of this Sunday is snow in Denver. The reports I’m seeing have the snow ending just before game time, which means the field could be messy and the temps will be chilly but the visibility should be fine. Wind is not expected to be a factor.

I have all of the normal concerns about using the Broncos offense for fantasy, but basically no concerns about the Chiefs. I’ll get into the specifics based on your situations below.

The other story? We received several defense questions this weekend! I’ve been doing this for two years and never had one before, so that’s exciting.

Stay tuned! Let’s get right to the sits and starts.

KC, NO, or SEA D/ST?

I'm starting Dalton Schultz over Evan Engram this week, so this will be the week Engram finally gets a touchdown. You're welcome to other Engram managers.

Now my question. Defense. KC, NO, or SEA D/ST for the rest of the season? - Michael A.

I had to choose this question just to say thanks to Michael because I really need that Engram touchdown this week. Chiefs, but do you have to lock yourself in for the rest of the season?

I prefer to stay flexible on D/ST, but the Chiefs are allowing the second-fewest points per game and rank in the top third of the league in most defensive stats.

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Huge matchup, who should I start at flex?

Maria Lysaker / USA Today

Torn on my last flex spot (PPR). Massive week as first place vs. second place matchup

• Evan Engram @ PIT
• Dameon Pierce @ CAR
• KJ Osborn @ GB
• D’Onta Foreman @ LAC

Thanks for the help! - Benjamin L.

Big week! In a go-big push for first place, I’m taking Pierce. There had been reports that he was out of sync with the new offensive scheme and some grumblings that he wasn’t being put in situations where he could succeed.

I’m giving this one more week – in the second-best RB matchup – to see if the talent we glimpsed in his rookie season is still there.

Royce Freeman or Jeff Wilson?

Royce Freeman or Jeff Wilson? Yes I know terrible choices but injuries have torn me up. - Steve B.

Not gonna lie, I was tempted to skip this one. Close your eyes and click Wilson.

At least it’s a better matchup and he plays for a higher scoring team, right? The Dolphins could be very run-heavy if they get out to an early lead.

Henry, Stevenson, Johnson, Hunt or Hubbard?

Kirby Lee / USA Today

My running backs are King Henry, Rhamondre Stevenson, Roschon Johnson, Kareem Hunt and Chuba Hubbard...who should I start? King Henry against the Falcons with no passing offense but the Falcons have given up only one rushing TD this season. - Edward C.

Atlanta has been tough on running backs; even Travis Etienne struggled against them but he has been their toughest test. Not taking anything away from them, but it’s not enough to bench Derrick Henry.

I know Jerome Ford is going to try to give it a go, but I don’t trust that ankle to start or finish the game today. Kareem Hunt is my second choice here if you can start two of these.

Johnson, Waller, Henderson or Shaheed?

Troy Taormina / USA Today

Need to start two in a PPR league: Roschon Johnson, Darren Waller, Darrell Henderson or Rashid Shaheed? - Matt

I’m finding it hard to trust Waller can make it through this game on a wet field as he is a genuine questionable this morning with a hamstring. Johnson will definitely split time with Foreman in a pass-heavy game script for the Bears.

I actually like Shaheed a lot this week – he’s been – which leaves Henderson as the guy I’d pair with him.

Seattle or Detroit DST?

Seattle or Detroit DST? - Benjamin S.

Seattle. This is a tough choice because both are kind of sneaky good defenses without being super consistent about points allowed.

Seattle has put forth a strong pass rush and ranks behind only Baltimore in sacks (3.8 per game). The other factor is Cleveland turns the ball over at the highest rate – 2.3 giveaways per game. And their home-field advantage is arguably stronger than Detroit’s.

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Purdy, Dobbs, Taylor or Bagent?

Brad Rempel / USA Today

Who to start at QB? Justin Fields is out. I have Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs and Tyrod Taylor. Or could pick up Tyson Bagent.

PPR league with bonuses for long TDs and 300-yard passing games. - Deborah D.

I’m a Purdy believer through and through. This one has some shootout potential so despite Purdy’s two down games without Deebo Samuel, I’m still starting him over those others.

Bagent obviously has the best matchup, so if your team is built around a Bears’ stack (e.g. Fields and DJ Moore), you should have already picked him up for continuity.

Dameon Pierce, Amari Cooper, or Najee Harris?

Full PPR, last flex spot: Dameon Pierce, Amari Cooper, or Najee Harris? I have C.J. Stroud at QB so wary of stacking Texans, even against Carolina - Andrew F.

The flip side of that is if you go with Stroud and Pierce, you account for more of what could be a big pile of points. I’m rolling with Pierce in DFS today, hoping that part of the bye week rejiggering gets him more involved and on the same page as the rest of the offense.

If you only need a solid showing (like you have a big lead already) I’d choose Cooper.

Need help with 2 flex spots, what do you suggest?

Who should I start in two flex spots (half-PPR): D’Onta Foreman, Darrell Henderson, Zach Moss or Josh Downs? I also need to drop one of these players, which one? Thanks for any help! - Colin F.

This is an ugly one, I’m sorry to say.

Foreman and Moss are both in time shares I’d rather avoid. I’m a big fan of Downs, but New Orleans is a miserable matchup for fantasy. Henderson had a great Week 7, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be used as heavily with two other possibilities on the sidelines and the Cowboys defense potentially bottling him up.

Personally, I’d go with Downs because he has carved out a lead role for the Colts’ pass offense. Over the last three games, he’s their leading receiver in half-PPR scoring (by a tiny margin, but still).

Higgins, Dell or Downs?

Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today

Tee Higgins, Tank Dell, or Josh Downs in my last spot (PPR)? - Kevin J.

I like Downs here as the highest volume guy in a 1A-1B WR situation for the Colts. Dell and Higgins may pop for big games – impossible to predict – but are further down in the pecking order.

Jets D or Ravens D?

Jets D or Ravens D? - Jake G.

I started out feeling pretty good about the Ravens’ D as they’re who I’m starting in one league, but as the week has worn on I’m getting more and more jealous of the guy with the Jets.

Given the low point total and weather, I’d start the Jets. They’ve also been a turnover machine, averaging 2.2 per game while the Giants give up 5.3 sacks per game. Lots of potential for the guys in green.

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Miles Sanders or Chuba Hubbard?

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Due to injuries and terrible drafting I now have both Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard. I have to start one; which is the best option? - Daniel B.

Man, that sucks. I had higher hopes for Sanders this season. Neither has been able to do anything productive on a consistent basis.

Hubbard had his one big game just before the bye, so recency bias says stick with him. He’s also been the more efficient back in terms of YPC and has 10 red zone carries to Sanders’ six. Reluctantly, my vote is for Hubbard today.

DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle?

Jasen Vinlove / USA Today

Half-PPR: DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle? - Colin F.

Both? If you truly have to choose, I’d go with Waddle simply on the basis of his team having the higher implied total.

More total points = more opportunity for fantasy.

Browns or Cowboys DST?

Browns or Cowboys DST? Thanks for your help! - Johnny R.

Home team breaks ties for me, so Dallas. They’re also allowing the fourth-fewest real points and averaging two turnovers per game.

For flex and WR: Pickens, Jacobs, Sutton or Thielen?

Philip G. Pavely / USA Today

Need one WR and one flex....Half-PPR league. George Pickens, Josh Jacobs, Courtland Sutton, Adam Thielen??? Thanks! - Perry C.

I’m definitely taking Pickens here and then I think it’s Thielen. He was red-hot and unbenchable before the bye, so I’m not letting a matchup with Houston’s stingy secondary stop me.

I, like many of you, feel like Jacobs is due to have a big game, but Detroit has been awfully stout against the run and this might just not be the week for him. I believe in the Chiefs’ D 100 percent, and especially in bad weather.

Mixon, Jones or Pittman at flex?

Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today

Who do I start in my only Flex spot? (PPR, 10 teams) Joe Mixon, Aaron Jones, or Michael Pittman? - Kaleb R.

It’s a tough decision, I’m sorry. Disappointment, injuries, bad matchups…you have a mix of all the negatives.

I would (and plan to) start Mixon today and hope he gets in the end zone.

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Which 3 wideouts should I start?

Start three: DK Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, Zay Flowers, Jakobi Meyers, George Pickens. Full PPR, flex 9. - Colin W.

I love this format for the creativity it requires. I’m in leagues that allow more flexibility, but there are still minimums at each position.

I’m going to pass on Metcalf due to the matchup with Cleveland’s formidable secondary and his coming back from core injuries. I like Flowers a lot today in a great spot vs. Arizona and it’s hard to argue with Meyers’ usage regardless of who’s at quarterback. The Raiders play Monday night in Detroit, which isn’t the best matchup, but should at least force Jimmy Garoppolo to throw a lot to stay in it.

Pickens and Wilson will both be playing in rain and modest wind today against fairly generous pass defenses (Giants and Jaguars both rank in the top 10 for fantasy). Pickens has been more successful as the big-play guy, but today I might opt for more of the short passes Wilson catches and hope for some big after the catch yards and a score.

Taysom Hill or Logan Thomas at TE?

Bill Streicher / USA Today

Half-PPR: Taysom Hill or Logan Thomas at TE? - John K.

I’m just not a Taysom Hill fan, so it’s Logan Thomas for me.

He’s averaging about five targets per game and the way to compete with the Philadelphia Eagles is through the air, so all Commanders’ pass catchers get a little bump today.

Any concerns with Mahomes, Kelce or Pacheco in the snow?

Should we be looking for different options with the snow in Denver for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isaiah Pacheco, etc.? - Chris S.

Absolutely not. The Denver Broncos are the best matchup for fantasy overall and for running backs. Pacheco has scored in back-to-back games and is playing a lucrative role in the pass game for the Kansas City Chiefs.

I expect him to do more on the ground than last week and simply can’t sit him.

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