Dez Bryant is inching closer and closer to returning to the Dallas Cowboys, but does that make him a smart fantasy start if he plays? And is Peyton Manning worth a start against the Green Bay Packers?
Those are just some of the questions fantasy football owners are asking for Week 8.
Luckily for you, we’ve got some answers. As always, thanks for submitting questions to our Twitter and Facebook pages for our weekly fantasy football mailbag. We answered four of them below.
Quarterback Questions:
Who should I got with: Stafford or Peyton? — @ThatNDkid
Peyton Manning’s downward trend continues. The Denver Broncos quarterback has thrown just seven touchdowns and has been picked off 10 times. However, the Broncos are still undefeated, and he had the benefit of a bye week to get ready for the Green Bay Packers this Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have switched offensive coordinators, and reports indicate they will try to throw the ball deep more. That is good news for Matthew Stafford fantasy football owners.
There’s a good chance Manning will put up more fantasy points this weekend than in recent games, but the ceiling is higher for Stafford.
Who should I start this week: Flacco or Brees? — Christian Debreczeni, via Facebook
Both quarterbacks are pretty good options this week. Drew Brees had his worst fantasy performance of the season against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7, but you shouldn’t expect a repeat against the New York Giants. Joe Flacco is going to need to be elite this weekend if the Ravens want to keep pace with Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers’ offense.
Both quarterbacks could have big weeks, but Brees is the safer bet.
More Questions:
Dez suits up this week, but hasn’t played since Week 1. Start or keep on the bench one more week? — Jennifer Clark, via Facebook
All signs point to Dez Bryant playing for the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Keep an eye on his status all the way up until kickoff, though.
Even if Bryant does play, he is still a risky fantasy start. He will likely need some time to work out the cobwebs after missing so much time, and he will have Matt Cassel throwing to him, too. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough reason to stay away from Bryant this week, he has to face the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” in his first game back.
If you are limited in your options, you should consider Bryant as a possible FLEX, but you should go with someone else at wide receiver.
Eric Ebron or Delaine Walker? — @davem0202
You should start Eric Ebron for many of the same reasons as Stafford. The Lions look like they want to throw the ball deep more under new offensive coordinator in Jim Bob Cooter, which should benefit Ebron.
Walker isn’t a bad play, either, and he could be a good FLEX choice if you need one. He faces a favorable matchup against the Houston Texans.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
