If you like scoring, if you like drama, if you like lead changes, the early stretch of Week 8 was your kind of jam.
Seven of the eight races sailed above their achieved total. A number of matchups came down to the final drive or even the final play. Imagination points everywhere. The NFL as it should be.
This is the type of slate where this column could be a bottomless cup. Unfortunately, there is a specific space we have to fit into. Let’s start the analysis by looking at three offenses – Cleveland, Miami and Tampa Bay – which gives us a new revelation this week, a first look at a new or renovated lineup.
Jameis Winston earned a 29-24 win over Baltimore on Sunday, but he did something even more important for Cleveland: He gave the city hope. The Browns were clearly wrecked by Deshaun Watson’s poor play over seven weeks, but Winston sparked the offense in his first start and produced the stunning result. Winston threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns, directing nearly all of his passes to four fantasy-relevant players: waiver dynamo Cedric Tillman (7-99-2), tight end overlord David Njoku (5-61-1) and receivers Elijah Moore (8-85-0, 12 targets) and Jerry Jeudy (5-79-0).
To be fair, there were negative actions too. Winston lost a fumble and he threw at least two interceptions that the Baltimore defense kindly dropped. He will always have trick-or-treating in his game. This performance also came against a Ravens pass defense that has been terrible all year. But after watching Watson’s struggles through the first seven games, we needed something like this to cleanse our palates. The Browns passing game is alive again. In a year where fantasy wide receivers have been dropping like flies, Cleveland’s offense has relevant pieces that we can consider additions and possible starters.
Miami’s first game with Tua Tagovailoa was a mixed bag. The Dolphins lost to the Cardinals, 28-27, and Tagovailoa was limited to 6.2 yards per attempt. The best news for Tua is that he only took one sack and didn’t take much punishment. And fantasy managers were happy to see the momentum back in the Miami offense, as the Dolphins’ skill players essentially did nothing when Tagovailoa was unavailable.
De’Von Achane had the best for Miami, going 147 yards and a touchdown on 16 touches. Raheem Mostert wasn’t efficient (nine carries, 19 yards), but he knocked in a pair of short touchdown runs. Tyreek Hill (6-72-0) and Jaylen Waddle (4-45-0) will go down as mild disappointments for Week 8, although things are certainly trending upward. Miami could find itself in a shootout over the next two weeks on the road against the Bills and Rams. Tua’s return wasn’t a huge success, but this offense will soon be fun again.
The Buccaneers fell to the Falcons, 31-26, as Kirk Cousins torched Tampa Bay again – four touchdown passes. But Baker Mayfield went down as the brave gunslinger. He threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns – against two picks – and did his best despite a receiving room missing superstars Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Mayfield’s plan without his star receivers was to focus on the non-wideouts. Cade Oton was a star on National Tight End Day, posting a 9-81-2 line on 10 targets. He’s the dominant target here as Evans rehabs. Mayfield also sent 13 targets to the backfield duo of Bucky Irving (7-40-0) and Rachaad White (5-38-1). Meanwhile, every plausible waiver wire in Tampa Bay fell flat — none of the trio of Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard got past 35 yards.
At least Tampa Bay’s plan kept the boot on the accelerator. The Buccaneers had 50 pass attempts versus 22 runs — partly by design, partly by game script — and Tampa Bay could chase the game in November while the Chiefs and 49ers wait for the schedule. The trio of White, Irving and Oton all have a chance to succeed, and Mayfield is still imaginative, even if his wide receiver space remains a work in progress.
Other Week 8 blooms
All those tight ends playing pinball
I don’t know who came up with this nonsense National Tight End Day holidaybut the players seemed to embrace the spotlight. Kyle Pitts scored twice, a nice duel with Otton on the other side. Trey McBride romped for 9-124-0 in Miami. Tucker Kraft did his thing, another long catch and another short touchdown. Sam LaPorta finally clicked (6-48-1), even though the Lions didn’t have to throw much in a thrashing of Tennessee. Mark Andrews now scores every week. Even Evan Engram bailed out with a late touchdown. Fantasy’s most difficult position from last month became the easy button in week 8.
Experienced RBs answer the call
Josh Jacobs jumped to the top of the RB board, rushing for 127 yards and two scores (25.0 fantasy points) in Jacksonville. Kudos to Matt LaFleur, who found a way to get the win even after losing Jordan Love to a groin injury. The Packers still had a credible offense when Malik Willis was forced into action this year, and LaFleur’s fingerprints are all over it.
Jacobs, of course, had company. Joe Mixon (21.4 points) totaled 134 yards and a beautiful touchdown run against the Colts. Jonathan Taylor (18.2 points) had a similar line in the same game, 117 total yards and a score. Derrick Henry (14.2 points) was limited to 73 rushing yards, but of course he scored like he always does. James Conner (13.9 points) would not be denied on a short touchdown run in Miami. It’s great when your smartest players are also your strongest players.
Buy-Low recipients slam the window
Marvin Harrison Jr. put on a clinic in Miami (6-111-1), with several high-difficulty catches. DeVonta Smith trailed Cincinnati’s defense for a touchdown to cap off a spirited 6-85-1 day. He was the WR6 (17.5 fantasy points) when the early slate ended. In both cases, consumer confidence has certainly been restored.
Week 8 cracks
Saquon Barkley, a bystander on the goal line
There was nothing wrong with Barkley in Cincinnati as he averaged 4.9 yards per carry with his 22 carries. He was physical and athletic. But Jalen Hurts scored three rushing touchdowns, two of them from the one-yard line, and Barkley didn’t score. As long as the Tush Push continues to be successful, expect the Eagles to keep repeating it. Barkley’s managers see the 11.6 fantasy points and know the score could easily be between 25 and 30 points.
Ja’Marr Chase defended quite well
For most receivers, nine catches and a touchdown (15.9 points), that’s quite a day. But Chase made just 54 yards on his nine receptions, which equates to less than five yards per target.
For weeks I’ve wondered why the Bengals failed to fully commit to their best offensive weapon, with Chase leading the position in fantasy points despite a goal count that barely ranked top 20. But Chase’s top form may not return until Tee Higgins is back, so you’ll obviously need someone else to provide cover for the defence. Only two non-Chase wideouts scored for Cincinnati in the loss to Philadelphia; Besides Chase, Joe Burrow focused on his tight ends and running backs. It resulted in only 280 yards of offense, which is simply not good enough: after a sharp opening touchdown, the Bengals struggled to move the ball.
Remark: I’ll add more week 8 analysis later today.
