Matt's Stats: Week 8 NFL Preview

With another big week in the books here are the players and picks for Week 8 in the National Football League:


"Sleep"ing on the Job:

It's an easy choice for the top sleeper this week and that is Jesse Chapman (RB, Miami Dolphins). It is not often that you can get a starting RB off the waiver wire this late in the season, but thanks to the injury of Ronnie Brown, that is exactly what has happened. Chapman has totalled only 545 yards and 4 TDs in his career as a backup but as the full time starter is sure to put up stats (73 yards and 1 TD), worthy of making him a weekly fantasy starter. As of Sunday Chapman was owned on only 7% of CBS leagues, and now he is owned in 80 percent of leagues, so act fast if you are lucky enough to be in league that he is still available in.

If Chapman is already gone, do not get fooled into picking up Ricky Williams, as the Dolphins do not want him back even if the NFL allows it. Pick up either Patrick Cobbs or Lorenzo Booker if you want to pick up Chapman's backup in case of injury or lack of production.

"Play" or "Stay Away"

QB - Play Brian Griese (QB, Chicago Bears). Griese has been having a good season (1,203 Yards, 8 TD, 6 INT) since taking over for Rex Grossman and he gets to play against the 30th Ranked Lions defense. Expect a big game from Griese in Week 8.

Stay away from Jeff Garcia (QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Garcia is playing against the 13th ranked defense of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and should struggle a bit this week. Even when they lose, the Jaguars do not allow many points. Expect a 200 yard, 1 TD, 2 INT game and look elsewhere for a starter if possible.

RB - Play Brandon Jacobs (RB, New York Giants) this week against the Dolphins. The Dolphins are ranked 31st in the NFL against the run and will be missing one of their leading tacklers in Zach Thomas. Jacobs has set career highs for rushing yards in 2 of his last 3 games, and expect him to make it a new career high in 3 of 4 games as the Giants teach the British how you run the football. Also an added bonus, is that they are predicting rain in London on Sunday, which will increase the carries that Jacobs sees this week. Expect 125 Yards and 1-2 TDs.

Stay away from LaMont Jordan (RB, Oakland Raiders). After a very fast start Jordan has been unable to eclipse 100 yards in a game since Week 3. Jordan is against the Titans this week, who are #1 against the run allowing only 59.7 yards per game. Expect about 40 yards from Jordan this week and not much else. Look elsewhere for a starter at RB if you can.


WR - Lee Evans (WR, Buffalo Bills). The Jets have given up 246.3 receiving yards per game, ranked 25th in the league. Lee Evans is coming off his best game of the year with 5 receptions and 98 yards. Look for Evans to finally start to get on a roll with not only his first 100 yard game of the season, but with his first TD of the season as well.

Stay away from Torry Holt, Issaac Bruce, or any of the other Rams WRs until further notice. Yes, they all have good track records, and yes Marc Bulger is back, but this is a beat up Rams team. Do not expect any kind of consistency out of the position from them until 2008. If Holt has a good game this week against a weak Browns D then try to trade him while his value is up, because it does not look like he will be putting up his normal stats anytime this season.


Survival of the Fittest:

After a nice win last week to put my total to 6-1 this season, the pick here is the San Diego Chargers winning over the Houston Texans. Nobody knows where they will play, maybe in San Diego, maybe Houston, maybe LA, maybe Montana. But one thing is for certain, this Chargers team is starting to get back to normal and will be on a mission to win this week in honor of all the people in Southern California who had to abandon their homes because of the fires.

Have a Great Week 8!!!

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