With five big time Quarterbacks celebrating byes and several others feeling the pain of injuries, many fantasy owners are left without a quarterback this week. If you are one such person, here are some quarterbacks who could save your week. Even if you’ve got a starter for week 8, some depth never hurt.
- Chad Henne (MIA) has been very consistent this year thanks to the addition of Brandon Marshall. He is one of the safest QBs you might find on the waiver wire.
- David Garrard (JAC) should return from a concussion this week. Before getting hurt, Garrard threw five touchdowns in two games. He may get right back on track against a Cowboys defense that has given up 11 passing scores this year.
- Josh Freeman (TB) has shown an incredible ability to put up 200 yards and one touchdown every week. The ceiling isn’t too high, but if you play fantasy football not to lose, he’s your guy.
- Matt Moore (CAR) looked great in his return as a starter last week. Moore connected with rookies David Gettis and Brandon LaFell early and often against the 49ers. He showed ability at the end of last year and may have the most potential out of the bunch. If the two-headed running attack continues to falter in St. Louis, Matt Moore will have the chance to put up big numbers again this week.
Here are some other options to start in Week 8:
| START ‘EM | |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick @ KC
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Fitzpatrick has come out of nowhere to put up great numbers consistently over the last month. In most leagues, he’s been a top five scoring QB thrice in the last four weeks. Last week, the Harvard grad put up his best numbers of the year, and that was against a vaunted Ravens defense.
The success should continue this week as his Bills take on Kansas City. The Chiefs have given up the 8th most passing yards, and even Todd Bouman put up solid numbers against the porous secondary. The Bills have no defense or running game, so Chain Gailey will continue to lean on Fitzpatrick. If you’re looking for a QB to start this week, you should lean on him too. |
| Jason Campbell vs SEA | After an atrocious performance, Tom Cable spent last week encouraging Campbell. The first-year Raider responded with a solid game. Campbell will continue to be encouraged after he goes off on Seattle this week. The Seahawks are 29th against the pass in terms of yardage. |
| Jon Kitna vs JAC
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For the 6-8 weeks that Tony Romo will be sidelined, Jon Kitna will be all the Cowboys have. He will inherit an explosive offense and certainly has enough experience to come in and succeed. The Jaguars defense has given up the most passing touchdowns and 6th most passing yards, so Kitna may get off to a fast start. |
| Brett Favre @ NE | I have no doubt that Favre will play this week. No matter what other people have said, I’ve always predicted his coming back and his playing every week. Furthermore, Favre always seems to come up big when counted out. This could be one of his last chances to woo some fans with a big performance. New England has given up the 3rd most passing yards and Randy Moss will be giving it all against his former team. |
| Matthew Stafford vs WAS | If Shaun Hill can put up 250 yards a week, then Stafford’s gotta be able to put up 500, right? The 2nd year signal-caller returns this week and will grab the reigns of an explosive offense. Stafford was solid against Washington last year and is an interesting option this week. |
And here is who to sit in Week 8:
| SIT ‘EM | |
| Sam Bradford vs. CAR
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After exciting Rams fans and Fantasy owners with a hot start, Sam Bradford is starting to look more like a rookie should. This year’s #1 pick hasn’t thrown a TD in two straight weeks and now has more interceptions than touchdowns on the year. The loss of Mark Clayton has clearly had a significant effect on Bradford in the passing game. He likely won’t get back on track this week against Carolina. The Panthers have given up the 4th fewest passing yards despite facing big names like Carson Palmer, Drew Brees and Eli Manning. Steven Jackson’s injury also will hurt Bradford this week. Sit the rookie. |
| Mark Sanchez vs. GB | After a hot start, 'The Sanchize' has cooled considerably, amassing one sole touchdown in his last two contests. This week, Green Bay comes to town after controlling former-Packer Brett Favre last week. I think it’s time to sit Sanchez until he regains your trust. |
| Donovan McNabb @ DET | The veteran castoff has been ok this year, but rarely awe-inspiring. McNabb has put up two big yardage games, but has yet to score two touchdowns in a game. In most leagues, there are much better plays, even in this week full of teams with byes. |
| Matt Hasselbeck vs OAK | In the past few weeks, the 35-year-old has hovered around 200 yards and one touchdown, not rousing numbers to say the least. Seattle is running more and passing less, hurting the QB’s fantasy stats. Oakland has given up the 5th fewest passing yards, so don’t expect much out of Hasselbeck this week. |
| Matt Cassel vs. BUF | Last week, another recommendation led to another solid performance by Matt Cassel. This week though, I’m taking a pit stop on the bandwagon as Cassel faces Buffalo. The Bills pass D is 9th in terms of yardage. Don’t forget that Matt Cassel is still just Matt Cassel, and he deserves a sit this week. |
