Week 8 held many exciting events including Tevin Coleman’s four touchdown game, Kenyan Drake and Aqib Talib were traded, and Aaron Jones continued his dominance. Week 9 is right around the corner so let’s get right into who to start, sit, and pick up. Point totals are done in the standard ESPN PPR point system.

Must Start

Matthew Stafford- Quarterback- Detroit Lions: Since Kerryon Johnson got hurt, the Lions have been completely pass oriented. Stafford has also been red-hot in that time as well as has gone north of 340 passing yards in both games, 7 total TDs, and gone for 28.6 and 23.4 fantasy points in that span. He has a super friendly matchup this week against the Raiders who are the second most friendly defense to opposing QBs and give up 24.5 FPPG to the position. Stafford is an elite this play and will have a great chance to continue his hot streak.

Jordan Howard- Running Back- Philadelphia Eagles: Howard faces his former team this week after coming off a massive game where he put up 18.1 against a stout Bills defense. He has a much easier matchup this week against a surprisingly bad Bear rush defense who is top 10 in FPPG allowed to opposing RBs. Not only that, there is a good chance Miles Sanders is not active and Howard will be playing with a chip on his shoulder against a team who traded him for next to nothing.

Michael Gallup- Wide Receiver- Dallas Cowboys: He is one of my favorite fantasy assets. He is in such a prime role working behind Amari Cooper and this week has a super easy matchup. The Giants also have given up the third most FPPG to opposing WRs all year. Gallup (who is averaging 15 FPPG) will be up against a CB2 and is a strong candidate for a home-run play against a Giant defense who gives up a lot of them.

Do Not Start:

Kyler Murray- Quarterback- Arizona Cardinals: I’ll make this quick. There really is not that much to say. Kyler Murray has really been struggling as he has put up 7 and 10.1 points in his last two games. He also plays the 49ers this week. A cold QB against a team who is the second hardest matchup for QBs in terms of fantasy points per game (only 8.1 FPPG to opposing QBs). No thanks.

Terry McLaurin- Wide Receiver- Washington Redskins: McLaurin will be matched up against Tre’Davious White all game who will make his life miserable. The Bills are the 5th best fantasy defense against opposing WRs as well. McLaurin is also facing a shaky QB situation in Washington. Case Keenum is in concussion protocol and Dwayne Haskins hasn’t been anything except bad.

Mark Andrews- Tight End- Baltimore Ravens: Andrews is facing a little competition in his position in Baltimore and now has a super rough matchup against the Patriots. The Pats have only allowed 4.8 FPPG to opposing TEs (best in the NFL) and Andrews is already facing some struggles. He only had 5.9 points in his last outing. With his volume decreasing heading into a tough matchup, Andrews is hard to trust.

Waiver Wire Pickups

Mark Walton- Running Back- Miami Dolphins: Walton steps into a feature role now that Kenyan Drake has been dealt to the Cardinals. Even with the Dolphins being behind in nearly every game they play, Walton has the potential for 15+ touches a game in his new role. Walton has some FLEX appeal for now until proven otherwise and he is only owned in 33.7% of ESPN leagues.

Auden Tate- Wide Receiver- Cincinnati Bengals: I really don’t know why he is not rostered in more leagues. He is racking up targets like no one’s business. He had 13 in week 8 and 52 in the past 6 weeks. He is going over double digit points in nearly every game he plays and is a solid FLEX option or WR replacement if someone is injured or on a bye. He is only owned in 29% of ESPN leagues.

Jaylen Samuels- Running Back- Pittsburgh Steelers: James Connor is questionable and most likely won’t play this week. Samuels would step into a feature role and could easily produce RB1 numbers in his absence. Samuels is only owned in 28.2% of ESPN leagues.