Fantasy Football Week 8: Feeling the Hurt

By Tim Bearden in News on Oct 29, 2011 8:45PM

Fantasy football start and sit lists across the country have become more like injury reports of late due to the number of players that have been getting hurt.

Rising star Matthew Stafford (QB) was among the list of players who left games last week due to injuries. Stafford was seen limping off the field on Sunday with an ankle injury after losing to the Falcons. He is said to have practiced fully at the end of the week though and should be good to go for Sunday, providing he doesn't have any setbacks.

Big week for Arian "Beast" Foster--if Calvin Johnson can be Megatron, Arian Foster can be Beast--with approximately 40 fantasy points, over 200 total yards combined receiving and rushing and three touchdowns. He is the first Texan to have 100 yards in one game both rushing and receiving. Foster seemed to be unstoppable last week and it will be interesting to see what he does against Jacksonville who allows decent points to running backs, but is still tough defensively (as proven last week against the Ravens).

To make matters more interesting we're in a another bye week again this week. Teams on byes: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So let's get this party started.

Starts:

1. Tom Brady (QB) - He's back from a bye week this week and should be ready to be explosive once again. Brady has had 22 consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass, a Patriot record, and is only one win behind Joe Montana for wins as a starter for 7th all-time.

2. Cam Newton (QB) - For anyone who has followed this column, this should come as no surprise. Newton is one of the best young quarterbacks to come into the NFL in recent years and this week he's playing the 1-6 Vikings, who have allowed the 8th most points to quarterbacks this season. As usual, he should be a starter.

3. Wes Welker (WR) - Like Brady, Welker is coming off a bye week. They are playing the Steelers who have given up the least amount of points to wide receivers this fantasy season. However, Welker had 8 receptions for 89 yards against the Steelers last season. He does have a tough match-up, but he's one of the league's elite receivers this season and should still do well for your line-up.

4. Arian Foster (RB) - Foster, coming off a huge week, is looking to keep that pace against Jacksonvile, who have shown they can be tough defensively. But Foster is one of those running-backs who can get through a gap in a closed door. While I don't expect as big of a week, he should still be a nice supplement to your line-up.

5. Darren Sproles (RB) - Sproles had an 88-yard, two touchdown game against the Colts last week and the Rams defense is just as dreadful. They've given up some of the most points against running backs this season, but with their equally bad secondary Drew Brees might be tempted to stick to the air. At any rate, it's a great match-up after a good week so he's a good starter this week.

6. Marques Colston (WR) - Colston had two touchdowns and 98 yards receiving last week against the Colts and should have a just as good, if not better, week against the dismal Rams secondary. With a quarterback like Brees its hard to tell if he has a favorite target, but Colston is definitely at the top of the list if he does.

7. Calvin Johnson (WR) - Johnson has proven this season he's a wide-out to watch as he continues to tally points and touchdowns to help both his team and his fantasy owners' teams excel. He's a threat this week against Denver, whose pass defense is rocky at best.

8. [ALT] Frank Gore (RB) - He has struggled a bit this season, but has really come into his own leading up to the bye week. After a weeks rest, a healthy Gore should be a threat to the Browns rush defense, which is tough as it is. He may not be a permanent fixture on your starting roster with his propensity for injury, but he's a good starter in lieu of LaGarrette Blount or Michael Turner.

9. [ALT] Matt Schuab (QB) - With Aaron Rogers out this week, he would be a good alternative. He's put up consistent yards against tough defenses so far this season and could do the same against Jacksonville. While he may not have had a "break-out" season, he's still had a decent one.

10. Antonio Gates (TE) - Gates had a solid game last week against the Jets and should have a good one against the Chiefs this week. Gates has been touch and go with a foot injury this season, but they're saying he's going to play Sunday, so I'd go with him.

Sits:

1. Jacoby Jones (WR) - Let's face it, he had a bad week last week and his match-up this week isn't looking very promising either. He may be active as Andre Johnson is out this week with his hamstring injury, but if you can get a better second wide-out, do it.

2. Marshawn Lynch (RB) - He's probable for this week, but back spasms can be an on-going issue. He was ruled out of last weeks game at the last minute and it hurt a lot of rosters. I wouldn't risk it until he's played a full game this week.

3. Jeremy Shockey (TE) - He hasn't seen the endzone yet this season and Greg Olsen seems to be the favored tight end. While he may have a decent week this week against the Vikings, he's still at risk for not getting many looks. His reward is not worth the risk.

4. Brandon Jacobs (RB) - He's said to be coming back from a knee injury this week, but Miami, despite their 0-6 season, has still been tough on running backs. Expect Ahmad Bradshaw to get the bulk of the carries.

5. Brandon Marshall (WR) - Each week you want him to do well and each week he continually disappoints. The Giants have a questionable secondary, but Marshall has had questionable receiving ability this season. Don't expect much.

6. Mark Ingram (RB) - He's been ruled out this week with a heel injury and Sproles should see his usual amount of carries.

7. Reggie Wayne (WR) - It hurts to put such a generally reliable receiver on this list, but he just hasn't been consistent this season and they face Tennessee who has given few looks to wide-outs as it is. He's not worth the roster space.

8. Joseph Addai (RB) - It's a good match-up for hiim this week, but he's questionable on the injury report and the coach even said they may be looking to their second and third options going into this weeks game. He's a risky start.

9. Peyton Hillis (RB) - He had a full practice once this week, but that was it. He's officially listed as questionable, but don't expect him to play with that hamstring injury again this week.

10. Vikings (D/ST) - This weeks defense of shame goes to the Vikings. They've been hit and miss this season in the defense department so don't expect that to go away as they face Newton and the Panthers this week. Newton and company are too explosive to give this defense any recognition even as a bye week filler.

So that's your spooky start/sit list this Halloween weekend. Enjoy the games on Sunday and check back next week to see who's on the docket for your roster.

Follow me on Twitter (@tdbearden) for fantasy football advice from 10 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. CST Sundays. I will be available to answer your questions then as well. Follow hashtag #CFF.