Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sit 'Em Picks of Week 8

This week when setting your fantasy football lineup, sit these top 10 players for the most valuable roster.

Oct 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is shown during warm-ups before their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

It’s officially Week 8. And, as a fantasy football owner, you are dealing with three possible situations. One situation is you’re killing it this season and you’re in the top standings of your league. This is great, as you only have a few more weeks to hold your place for the playoffs.

Another option is that you’re doing average and you stay a potential threat to other contenders. You have about six more weeks to stay in the game and push through to the top.

Then there are the players in the bottom of the league. If this is you, these next three weeks are the most important. You must win to move up the ranks if you don’t want to end your season early.

But, one thing is certain. Regardless of your leagues standing, you need to fully optimize your starting lineup.

Based of this week’s games and past performances, I have identified invaluable Week 8 players. Check out this week’s 10 players who should stay off your starting lineup in order to come out on top in this week’s matchup.

10. Philip Rivers, QB – San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers is coming off a season-high Week 7. It’s unfortunate his name appears on this week’s sit ‘em list after such a great outing.

Last week, Rivers completed 27-of-44 passes for 371 yards. He also had one touchdown, lost a fumble and had one interception in an incredible overtime win.

However this week, Rivers takes on the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are only offering opponents a little under 180 yards through the air per game.

In Week 6, Rivers played the Broncos and was held to 175 yards. He didn’t even earn 10 fantasy football points.

This week, Rivers is no more than a QB2 option if that. Given his experience with his opponents, I suggest sitting Rivers in this daunting Week 8 rematch!

Oct 20, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) catches a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

9. Alshon Jeffery, WR – Chicago Bears

At this point, I have given up all hope for Alshon Jeffery. He hasn’t earned valuable fantasy football points since Week 1.

Jeffery has consistently earned less than 10 fantasy points per game. And, his Week 7 Thursday night game wasn’t any better. Actually, it was his worst performance all season.

Jeffery didn’t even complete half of his 11 targets; he only completed three for 33 yards. He earned fantasy football owners four points if you were lucky. Not to mention, he should have had a great game against the Green Bay Packers banged up secondary.

Jeffery hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1. His fantasy football value has dropped seven percent in the last week, and his Week 8 matchup isn’t going to help.

This week Jeffery takes on the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings defense has been a top defense all season and is offering opponents less than 200 passing yards per game.

If Jeffery can’t score against teams like the Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 8 isn’t looking good. Even if Jay Cutler emerges, sit him against the Vikings this week.

Oct 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

8. Martellus Bennett, TE – New England Patriots

Martellus Bennett has had a few great fantasy football outings this season. There were three games where he brought home over 20 points per game.

Bennett’s value just isn’t what is used to be. When Rob Gronkowski was injured, owners hurried to handcuff Bennett. But, Gronkowski is back, and Bennett is losing targets.

Last week, Bennett was only targeted twice for one completion. He didn’t gain more than five yards, earning one fantasy football point.

Ironically, Bennett is still owned in 90 percent of leagues. He may be worth holding on your bench as a handcuff but, right now he has no fantasy football value with Gronkowski on the field.

This week the New England Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills. In Week 4, Bennett earned over 20 fantasy points against the Bills. Look for Gronkowski to have a great week with Bennett taking a back seat role.

7. Mark Ingram, RB – New Orleans Saints

With a name like Mark Ingram, fantasy football owners expected to have a top 10 running back. Unfortunately, he has yet to live up to his name this season.

Out of his last six matchups, Ingram has only earned double-digits three times. Ingram used to contribute both rushing and receiving points but hasn’t been able to pull through.

Last week, Ingram had 16 carries for a little over 60 yards. He also completed four passes adding 20 yards and a touchdown. This was his best performance since Week 4 and he still only earned about 13 fantasy football points.

This week, Ingram takes on the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks absolutely stop the run. Opposing running backs who had less than 20 carries completed no more than 51 rushing yards per game against the Seahawks.

Ingram hasn’t topped 20 carries this season. The odds aren’t in his favor this week. Sit Ingram during his Week 8 matchup if you don’t want to potentially lose valuable points.

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

6. Marvin Jones, WR – Detroit Lions

Marvin Jones is as inconsistent as they come! In Week 1 he earned just about 10 fantasy football points. Then, he followed that performance with almost 30 points in Week 2.

In Week 3, Jones earned about 50 fantasy points against the Green Bay Packers. Jones looked to be the next superstar on the Detroit Lions.

And then, he disappeared. Jones hasn’t earned double-digit points since then, until last week. And, last week’s performance wasn’t anything to brag about.

Jones completed 4-of-5 targets for 94 yards. He had could have had a touchdown but, couldn’t complete the pass after bringing the team to the one-yard line.

Jones hasn’t had 10 or more targets since Week 2; last week he had his most yards since then as well. This week’s matchup isn’t the most ideal situation for an already struggling player.

The Detroit Lions take on the Houston Texans. The Texans secondary ranks second in the league. They hold opponents to 185 passing yards per game.

This week play it safe! Sit Jones, and the Detroit Lions receiving corps.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

5. Isaiah Crowell, RB – Cleveland Browns

Isaiah Crowell is another fantasy football headache. You can’t expect much from the Cleveland Browns but, we should be able to expect something from Crowell.

The ironic thing is when he’s good, he’s great and when he’s bad, he’s terrible. There’s no happy medium when it comes to Crowell and fantasy football.

In Weeks 2 and 4, he earned over 30 fantasy points. Then some weeks he earns a little over 10 but throws a few weeks in between where he only earns five like we saw in Week 6.

This week, Crowell takes on the New York Jets. Although their defense has seen rough times this season, the Jets defense knows how to stop the run.

David Johnson was the only running back to have more than 75 rushing yards against the Jets. Given that history, Crowell is a must sit in Week 8.

Oct 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs against Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Roy Miller (97) in the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jordan Howard, RB – Chicago Bears

In Weeks 4 and 5, Jordan Howard was a popular streaming option on the wire waiver. He looked to be the most worked running back and quickly became a valuable fantasy football player.

In Week 4, Howard earned over 20 fantasy football points. But, that was nothing compared to Week 5 when he earned over 30.

And that was the last we saw of Howard! Since then, he hasn’t earned double-digit points. In Week 6, he played in less than 70 percent of snaps.

Last week, he barely earned one fantasy point. He had only seven carries for 22 yards. He saw one target in which he didn’t complete.

With Ka’Deem Carey back from a Week 2 hamstring injury, Howard’s fantasy football value drops greatly. Also, keep in mind the Bears take on the Vikings this week.

The Vikings rank third in the league against the rush. Opposing running backs haven’t completed more than 81 yards per game against the Vikings. Howard is a must-sit in all leagues.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley (11) looks for the touchdown call from field judge Steve Zimmer (33) after a catch against Chicago Bears cornerback Jacoby Glenn (39) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

3. Cole Beasley, WR – Dallas Cowboys

Cole Beasley has been a consistent filler for Dez Bryant. But, I am worried that is all he’s good for, a filler. Since Week 2, Beasley has earned double-digit fantasy football points. In Week 6, he even topped 20 in some leagues.

However, Bryant has been out with a knee alignment and this week he returns. Although he has created a great relationship with Dak Prescott, his targets will decrease with Bryant’s return.

The only upside to Beasley is that while teams are focusing their secondary on Bryant, Beasley could have opportunities to find himself available for receptions. But, that’s a risk you shouldn’t take.

The Dallas Cowboys take on the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles secondary ranks fifth in the league, and you can’t expect Beasley to have a good game.

I’d also like to note that Tony Romo is expected to return in the next couple of weeks. This will heavily impact Beasley’s value, as the two haven’t built a relationship on the field.

Expect Beasley to be a has been in the next couple of weeks. At this point, he is nothing more than a Bryant handcuff for the rest of the season.

Oct 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller (86) blows kisses to fans after he scores a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

2. Zach Miller, TE – Chicago Bears

There seems to be a trend in this week’s sit ‘em list. I should have just said sit the Bears offense on your fantasy football roster this week.

This especially goes for Zach Miller. Miller hasn’t had any fantasy value since Week 3 when he earned a little over 20 points. Since then, he has barely earned eight points per game.

Last week was one of his worst performances this season. He only completed 2-of-5 targets for 40 yards. Miller hasn’t scored a touchdown in his last three games. He also hasn’t topped 50 yards since Week 4.

Aside from the Vikings top-ranked defense, they specialize in blocking tight ends. No opposing tight end has scored against the Vikings or had more than 65 yards this season.

Miller is a must sit this week. As his value and ownership continue to decrease as the season progresses, he is nothing more than a flex or filler option moving forward.

Oct 23, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Washington Redskins at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

1. Matthew Stafford, QB – Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford is the underrated fantasy football quarterback that you love to hate. By no means is he Tom Brady but, he has had a better fantasy season than Aaron Rodgers.

Out of his last seven games, there was only one week he didn’t earn double-digit points. For the most part, he earns close to 20 points per game.

There were also three outings where he scored over 20 points. In Week 1, he earned over 30 and in Week 3 he brought home close to 50.

But the unfortunate thing about Stafford is his inconsistencies. He has scored three or more touchdowns in four games. And on the other hand, he has three games with one or less.

I am a firm believer of Stafford in a QB2 position in any league. But, this week I cannot commit to starting him against the Texans.

The defense of the Texans is second in the league. Opposing quarterbacks haven’t completed more than 185 yards against the team. They have also only allowed five passing touchdowns this season. Stafford isn’t dependable enough to start against the Texans. He is a must sit in Week 8.