2014-2015 Start 'Em Sit 'Em (Week 8)

Start 'Em:

Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs - Smith's seemingly unshakeable label as a "game manager" tends to keep him out of most fantasy football lineups. However, he has a great matchup this week against the Rams' defense and has been a remarkably solid fantasy performer thus far this year. Smith rarely throws interceptions and has a reputable 9 touchdowns over 6 games to this point. There are certainly quarterbacks who would deserve to start over Smith, but if you're in a position where you have been rotating quarterbacks week to week, Smith may be your man.

Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints - Ingram won't have inspired confidence in fantasy owners with his very poor showing last week, but you have to understand that he likely wasn't yet 100 percent. With a likelihood for more touches, and more effective touches at that, as well as a favorable matchup against a Packers' defense that has been fairly porous against the run, you would expect Ingram to have a good fantasy performance this week.

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks - Baldwin has already had his breakout week, with a monster performance last week against the Rams, so this may seem like an easy pick, but it's just too perfect a scenario for me to pass up. Baldwin is now the only qualified receiver on the Seahawks' depth chart, and he goes up against a Panthers' defense that has struggled to contain opposing wideouts. Additionally, you can be sure that Seattle will be playing angry after last week's loss at St. Louis, and will likely come out swinging. This week may prove to be the perfect storm for Baldwin, who should absolutely be in your starting lineup this week.

Sit 'Em:

Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals - I hate to tell you to sit Dalton for the second time in the last few weeks, but I absolutely hate his matchup with the Ravens this week. Dalton proved last week how vulnerable he can be without his number one target, A.J. Green, and this week he'll be without Green again. He also goes up against a Ravens' defense that has been pretty impressive thus far, and did well against Dalton in week one with the exception of one long touchdown pass to the aforementioned A.J. Green. Sorry Bengals fans, but Dalton is a definite sit this week.

Anthony Dixon, RB, Buffalo Bills - There's lots that would point to Dixon having a good week this week, as both Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller are injured, making him the only serviceable back on the roster. However, he has a horrible matchup against a Jets run defense that is one of the best in the league. One would expect the Bills to keep the ball in the air on Sunday, so Dixon may not really get a chance to have an impact.

Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons - White blew up against the Ravens last week, but he has a much tougher matchup against the Lions' pass defense this week. Even though I believe White may be a good fantasy option by the end of the season, its unlikely that he'll be able to replicate his performance against the Ravens - there's just too much inconsistency right now with White. He may be worth flex consideration, but the reality is, there are other options at the position right now that will likely be better this week.

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em (Week 8)

Start 'Em:
Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
Fred Jackson has dominated the Bill's backfield despite having to share carries with C.J. Spiller all season.  Now, imagine the game that Jackson could have with Spiller completely out of the picture.  Though he did have an injury scare last week, Jackson is second to none when it comes to toughness.  Expect Jackson to get into the end zone at least once against a poor Saints defense.

Terrance Williams, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Having solidified his spot as Tony Romo's second favorite wide receiver, Williams should be worthy of a flex spot in your team this week with a good matchup against the Detroit Lions.  In a game that is destined to be a shootout, Williams will receive more than enough passes to have a significant fantasy game.

Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
If Vick is able to go this week (which seems likely), he should have a field day against the Giant's weak secondary.  The giants defense has allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year, and many of those games came against quarterbacks with a lower pedigree than Vick (see Alex Smith and Nick Foles).  Though his run game will likely be limited this week, Vick has the arm to put up great numbers nonetheless.

Sit 'Em:
Steven Jackson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
If you are a Steven Jackson owner, you're probably thrilled to insert him into your lineup after being injured for the last four weeks, but not so fast.  First off, Jackson is going up against a tough Arizona run defense that has allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.  Also, Jacquizz Rodgers has performed admirably in Jackson's absence, especially in the passing game.  Rodgers should be on the field for nearly every passing down which will certainly work to limit the effect that Steven Jackson could have on this game.  Lastly, you have to remember that Jackson is an old-ish running back and the Falcons will probably look to ease him back into the offense after his injury.  When taking all of this into consideration, it is clear that Jackson should not be in your lineup this week.

Geno Smith, QB, New York Jets
Smith has been very inconsistent this year, but recently he has been much improved from his horrid start.  Last week against a decent Patriot's defense, Smith had a very good game, but the Pat's mediocre pass rush is nothing compared to what the Bengals have up front.  Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, James Harrison, and Vontaze Burfict will put pressure on Smith all game long and will likely take him out of his comfort zone.  Unless you are in a two quarterback league, leave Smith on your bench this week.

Harry Douglas, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Douglas seems like a good fantasy start this week, coming off of a huge game and being Matt Ryan's favorite target (now that White and Jones are injured).  However, Douglas will be blanketed by Arizona's Patrick Peterson and the Falcons will likely be playing run-out-the-clock for much of the second half.  Don't be fooled by Douglas' breakout week 7, as he should be falling back to earth in week 8.