Hope everyone's awake (that includes all you West Coasters and even-further-west-West Coasters). One of you shared that you didn't get up in time to set your lineup before last Sunday's 9:30am Eastern London game. Suppose it's an easy mistake to make, and it's obviously a brutal one. This morning's contest features the Eagles and Jaguars -- two teams that should be better at the near-halfway point of the season. Keep an eye on the impact of the overnight arrest of four Jag defenders for not paying a $40,000 bar tab. As of writing this, no NFL- or team-imposed punishments have been dispensed. But if they're somehow forced to sit, Carson Wentz and his receviers would get nice bumps.
Now to the ideal 50/50 lineup of the week. I hit last Sunday despite putting fruitless faith in the Jets' top two receivers, moving me to 4-2-1 on the year. As is often the case, this week's lineup aims at high floors and high upsides:
QB Pat Mahomes ($9,200) -- The most expensive Fan Duel QB. The past few days I've toyed with inserting the cheaper Mitch Trubisky or Big Ben. For what should be clearer reasoning in a moment, I'm going with fantasy's #1 quarterback.
RB Kareem Hunt ($8,100) -- A dreadful Denver D isn't the only factor for rolling with this near-elite running back. He's also a hedge in case K.C. opts to run it more near the goal line. Basically, if the Chiefs put up a realistic 28+ points, this pairing should do just fine.
RB Saquon Barkley ($8,900) -- Will the slightly more affordable James Conner vs. the Browns be better? Possibly. But I'm choosing talent over situational advantage. Despite facing Washington's top-10 run D, Barkley is as safe as they come.
WR Emmanuel Sanders ($7,200) -- Fantasy's third-highest scoring WR (and only 11th most expensive WR) will battle a low-end Kansas City pass defense. And Denver should be playing from behind virtually the whole day.
WR Taylor Gabriel ($5,500) -- The average price of my first four guys is $8,350, leaving me only $5,320 per remaining player. Gabriel works in this spot, particularly with Allen Robinson listed as "doubtful" on the injury report.
WR Jermaine Kearse ($4,700) -- Just because he was terrible last week, doesn't mean he'll be terrible this week. Too many managers make the mistake of "following the points" instead of anticipating rebound performances. I fall victim to this, too. It can be hard to anticipate when a slumping player will snap back. With Robby Anderson joining Quincy Enunwa on the sidelines, and with Kearse earning only two targets in Week 7's rough home loss to Minnesota, the Jets' de facto #1 receiver will be a bigger part of the game plan in Chicago.
TE Vance McDonald ($5,300) -- Travis Kelce is averaging 13.3 Fan Duel points per week, leading all Week 8 options. To put this in perspective, 18 WRs and 10 RBs are averaging at least 13.2. There's simply little need to invest heavily in an elite TE with plenty of solid cheap options out there. McDonald has weekly TE1 appeal and has a favorable matchup.
FLEX David Johnson ($7,300) -- A new offensive coordinator. A team desperate for a win. A beatable opposing defense. I wouldn't be surprised if DJ touched the ball on eight of Arizona's first 12 plays en route to a 25+ touch statement game.
DST Steelers ($3,800) -- $1,200 cheaper than the seemingly higher-upside Bears. But Pittsburgh should be better than adequate at home against a sub-par Cleveland offense.
Good luck today.
Now to the ideal 50/50 lineup of the week. I hit last Sunday despite putting fruitless faith in the Jets' top two receivers, moving me to 4-2-1 on the year. As is often the case, this week's lineup aims at high floors and high upsides:
QB Pat Mahomes ($9,200) -- The most expensive Fan Duel QB. The past few days I've toyed with inserting the cheaper Mitch Trubisky or Big Ben. For what should be clearer reasoning in a moment, I'm going with fantasy's #1 quarterback.
RB Kareem Hunt ($8,100) -- A dreadful Denver D isn't the only factor for rolling with this near-elite running back. He's also a hedge in case K.C. opts to run it more near the goal line. Basically, if the Chiefs put up a realistic 28+ points, this pairing should do just fine.
RB Saquon Barkley ($8,900) -- Will the slightly more affordable James Conner vs. the Browns be better? Possibly. But I'm choosing talent over situational advantage. Despite facing Washington's top-10 run D, Barkley is as safe as they come.
WR Emmanuel Sanders ($7,200) -- Fantasy's third-highest scoring WR (and only 11th most expensive WR) will battle a low-end Kansas City pass defense. And Denver should be playing from behind virtually the whole day.
WR Taylor Gabriel ($5,500) -- The average price of my first four guys is $8,350, leaving me only $5,320 per remaining player. Gabriel works in this spot, particularly with Allen Robinson listed as "doubtful" on the injury report.
WR Jermaine Kearse ($4,700) -- Just because he was terrible last week, doesn't mean he'll be terrible this week. Too many managers make the mistake of "following the points" instead of anticipating rebound performances. I fall victim to this, too. It can be hard to anticipate when a slumping player will snap back. With Robby Anderson joining Quincy Enunwa on the sidelines, and with Kearse earning only two targets in Week 7's rough home loss to Minnesota, the Jets' de facto #1 receiver will be a bigger part of the game plan in Chicago.
TE Vance McDonald ($5,300) -- Travis Kelce is averaging 13.3 Fan Duel points per week, leading all Week 8 options. To put this in perspective, 18 WRs and 10 RBs are averaging at least 13.2. There's simply little need to invest heavily in an elite TE with plenty of solid cheap options out there. McDonald has weekly TE1 appeal and has a favorable matchup.
FLEX David Johnson ($7,300) -- A new offensive coordinator. A team desperate for a win. A beatable opposing defense. I wouldn't be surprised if DJ touched the ball on eight of Arizona's first 12 plays en route to a 25+ touch statement game.
DST Steelers ($3,800) -- $1,200 cheaper than the seemingly higher-upside Bears. But Pittsburgh should be better than adequate at home against a sub-par Cleveland offense.
Good luck today.