Fantasy Football: Week 8 Starts, Sits Include Matt Ryan, Dez Bryant

It can be hard to figure out whether a player is a flash in the pan or not.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Charcandrick West is an excellent example of this. The second-year running back out of Abilene Christian scored his first NFL touchdown and ran for 110 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, and now he faces a favorable matchup against the Detroit Lions in London this Sunday. However, he still is a relatively unproven running back in the NFL.

So is West worth a start in Week 8? Who are some other players you should play this weekend? We have your answers in this week’s Starts and Sits.

STARTS
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons: The entire Falcons’ offense struggled last week, but that shouldn’t keep you from starting Ryan against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay gave up eight combined touchdowns to Blake Bortles and Kirk Cousins the past two weeks.

Charcandrick West, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs: First of all, make sure you pick up West if he’s still a free agent in your league. He is coming off a huge performance against the Steelers, and now he faces the Detroit Lions and their struggling rush defense.

Doug Martin, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Martin has rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games, and now he gets to face the Falcons, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver, San Diego Chargers: Allen has been historically good so far this season. He set a new NFL record with 62 receptions through seven games, and that trend should continue against the Baltimore Ravens.

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals: Fitzgerald is coming off his worst week of the season, but fantasy owners who have kept him in their lineups have been mostly rewarded this season.

Gary Barnidge, Tight End, Cleveland Browns: The Cardinals have actually defended opposing tight ends well so far this season, but Barnidge should present one of their toughest tests. Barnidge just continues to put up huge numbers, and it takes a really bad throw for him to not come up with a catch.

SITS
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks: Wilson only has eight passing touchdowns and has thrown over 250 yards just once through eight games. He is coming off one of his worst performances of the year against the San Francisco 49ers — yes, the 49ers — and now he has a tough matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Eddie Lacy, Running Back, Green Bay Packers: Lacy has run for a combined 30 yards over his past two games, and now he faces the Denver Broncos and their fourth-ranked rush defense.

Latavius Murray, Running Back, Oakland Raiders: Murray found the end zone for only the third time all season last week against the San Diego Chargers. Now he has to run against the New York Jets and their top-ranked rush defense.

Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys: Bryant is officially listed as questionable, but it looks like he will play against the Seahawks. However, facing the “Legion of Boom” in his first game back from injury is not a favorable matchup.

T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts: There’s probably a good chance that you will start Hilton if you have him, especially after his performance against the New Orleans Saints. However, the Carolina Panthers’ defense presents a tough matchup.

Jimmy Graham, Tight End, Seattle Seahawks: Graham has only reached 100 receiving yards once this season, and he is still stuck at two touchdowns. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have done well defensively against opposing tight ends.

Thumbnail photo via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports Images