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As we navigate through the season, we are starting to see Top 5 candidates in every category crystallize a bit, but at this point, no one has come through with any of the top prizes! That won't stop us from trying, however
We ended up nailing a couple of categories again this week, but not enough to connect,Before diving into Week 8, let's take a look at last week's winners in every category.
Week 7 Results
QB Passing Yards - Aaron Rodgers
Even without Davante Adams, Rodgers was able to put together a big day thanks to Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Aaron Jones catching out of the backfield.
QB Completed Passes - Mitchell Trubisky
Tom Brady came in a close second here, and he was a much more likely candidate than Trubisky, who struggled prior to his injury but stepped it up in his return to action.
RB Rushing Yards - Leonard Fournette
We probably should have seen this one coming against the Bengals, but with Carson having a high floor potential, it seemed like a safer play. Carson barely broke the top 10.
RB Receiving Yards - Austin Ekeler
You'd think Melvin Gordon would have a negative impact on Ekeler's potential to return in this category, but other defenses have had to defend the run a bit more, leaving a lot of room to move for Ekeler in the middle of the field.
WR Receiving Yards - Stefon Diggs
Proving that he's no fluke, Diggs took the honors for a second-straight week in this category.
WR Receptions - Allen Robinson and Marvin Jones
Jones had a monster week that was hard to ignore, while Robinson kind of snuck up on us. But the QB/RB completion tandem struck again with Trubisky and Robinson.
FG Made - Josh Lambo
Lambo came through with four field goals, and wasn't on our radar at all.
Defense Points Allowed - 49ers and Patriots
Here's one we got. This category has come in to focus nicely, and we're able to place our focus on 4-5 defenses to go after each week. Taking SF and NE and then looking for who plays the Redskins, Jets or Bengals is the safe strategy.
Week 8 Targets
QB Passing Yards
Russell Wilson, SEA at ATL
I feel like you have to give at least some consideration to Wilson against the lowly Falcons. Not only is Atlanta likely without Matt Ryan, but the Falcons rank dead-last against opposing quarterbacks. The only thing to give me pause is that the Seahawks may not need MVP-like numbers from Wilson to win this game. Still, Atlanta is definitely tougher against the run, so Wilson may need to air it out anyway.
Matthew Stafford, DET vs. NYG
The great thing about drilling down these categories is that you have a solid foundation from which to construct lineups in standard DFS - and the stats just scream an endorsement for Stafford in all formats. He's really starting to hum with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, T. J. Hockenson is full of potential, and the likely absence of Kerryon Johnson is going to force Stafford to the air more often. Adding to that is the Giants pedestrian passing defense that's allowed 154 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
QB Passes Completed
I'll say right off the bat that I like Stafford again in this category, but let's give you a couple of other options.
Tom Brady, NE vs. CLE
If the weather looks bad I'll be more inclined to move off this pick, but Brady came in a close second last week and he may be implementing Mohamed Sanu into the offense this week, which is an added bonus. Even if the weather is bad, he's got a host of running backs who can catch the ball out of the backfield for easy completions. The Browns don't hit all the metrics I'd like for an opposing defense in this spot, but this is Brady we're talking about - some stats, you just have to throw out the window.
Jacoby Brissett, IND vs. DEN
He's a bit of a flier against a middling defense, but Brissett has consistently shown up in the top 10 in this category and might be worth a bet. Aside from a decent game against the Titans, the Broncos have been lit up on the regular, particularly through the air.
RB Rushing Yards
Leonard Fournette, JAX at NYJ
The weather might be awful, but not as awful as the Jets are currently. Truth be told, you can never be sure which version of the Jets will show up, and they're currently living and dying by the arm of Sam Darnold. You have to assume that the Jags will lean on Fournette in this game in an attempt to tire out the Jets defense and keep them on their heels. Fournette is on the field for over 90 percent of Jacksonville's snaps. I see no reason to expect a decrease in that number.
Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. WAS
Need I say more? The Redskins possess a low ranking in almost every category, and rushing defense is no exception. My only worry here is a decisive, overwhelming blowout where the Vikings elect to rest Cook and put Alexander Mattison out there to mop up.
RB Receiving Yards
James White, NE vs. CLE
The Pats spread the ball around a lot, but James White almost took this category last week and I think he's a good stack with Brady if you plan on going that route. White has caught 38 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown this season.
Austin Ekeler, SD at CHI
The Bears are a tough defense, but they've yielded 41 receptions for 326 yards to opposing running backs. It might be the only way Philip Rivers and the Chargers gain ground in this matchup, so Ekeler is as safe as any other choice on the slate.
WR Receiving Yards
Kenny Golladay, DET vs. NYG
I'll gladly go back to the well with Golladay thanks to a plum matchup against the Giants, who rank 29th against opposing receivers. It's always a risk when you have a guy like Marvin Jones lining up alongside you, but both guys seem to be getting their share of targets. I favor Golladay the most because he's projected to line up across from rookie cornerback Deandre Baker, who's been absolutely terrible this year. Obviously, if we hear that Baker switches to Jones (unlikely), I'd reconsider this pick and go with Jones.
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU vs. OAK
Will Fuller may miss this week, which essentially leaves Hopkins and Kenny Stills. There's no denying Hopkins is a superb play against a Raiders team that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. I didn't endorse Deshaun Watson, but he's a reasonable play as a stack if you opt to go with Hopkins.
WR Receptions
Cooper Kupp, LAR AT CIN
Here I go again with Kupp! I actually like all of the Rams receivers this week because the Bengals top cornerbacks, Dre Kirkpatrick and William Jackson, are unlikely to play. With the Bengals utilizing their second-string secondary, I look for Kupp and Robert Woods to both have decent games.
Keenan Allen, SD at CHI
I like Allen's potential matchup against Buster Skrine, who is one of the few weak spots in the Bears' defense this season. I previously mentioned Ekeler might be one of Rivers' best options this week, but this is another soft spot to target in this matchup.
Field Goals Made
Josh Lambo, JAX vs. NYJ
The Jags rank dead-last in red-zone TD conversion so I will roll with last week's winner based on those numbers.
I also like Wil Lutz in the Superdome versus the Cardinals. Michael Thomas is facing off against Patrick Peterson and the popular target may be compromised, resulting in fewer TD's inside the red zone.
Defense Points Allowed
Remember that we are strictly looking for points allowed, so we are trying to identify blowouts.
Based on their matchup with the Bengals, I like the Rams, and it's also hard to go against the Patriots against the Browns.
