Fantasy Football Tips: Start or Sit for NFL Week 8

Bassyonni

ago 7 hours

As NFL Week 8 approaches, fantasy football managers face critical start-or-sit decisions. With six teams on bye, injuries are compounding the challenges, leading many to consider players outside their usual lineups.

Fantasy Football Tips: Start or Sit for NFL Week 8

One player drawing attention this week is Rico Dowdle of the Carolina Panthers. Dowdle has proven to be a reliable backup running back, particularly in recent games.

Performance and Matchup

Over the past three weeks, Dowdle has showcased his abilities, running 53 times for 389 yards and scoring a touchdown. He also caught seven passes for 84 yards and an additional touchdown during his time without Chuba Hubbard.

Despite the return of Hubbard, Dowdle has maintained significant involvement in the offense. In the latest game, he received 17 carries for 79 yards, emphasizing his effectiveness. Head coach Dave Canales has indicated a rotation strategy, using both Dowdle and Hubbard interchangeably.

Analyzing the Buffalo Bills Defense

This week, the Panthers face the Buffalo Bills, a defense that has allowed an average of 5.8 yards per carry this season. Notable performances against the Bills include:

Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson, both of whom excelled against Buffalo.
The Saints’ Alvin Kamara, rushing 15 times for 70 yards.
Kendre Miller, who added 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.
De’Von Achane from Miami, gaining 62 yards on 12 carries.

Considering these statistics, it is reasonable to predict that Dowdle could surpass 50 rushing yards. This performance could establish him as a solid mid-range RB2 option for fantasy managers.

Final Considerations

As the week progresses, keep an eye on injury reports and player updates. Such factors could influence start-sit decisions leading up to kickoff. For the latest information, check El-Balad’s weekly rankings.