Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Kickers and Team Defenses Fantasy Football Week 8: Low Scoring Battle of New York
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Fabs’ Top 10 Defenses
1. Eagles defense at Commanders
2. Jets defense at Giants
3. Ravens defense at Cardinals
4. Bills defense vs. Buccaneers (Thur.)
5. Browns defense at Seahawks
6. 49ers defense vs. Bengals
7. Chiefs defense at Broncos
8. Lions defense vs. Raiders
9. Cowboys defense vs. Rams
10. Chargers defense vs. Bears
Complete Week 8 defense rankings
Week 8 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Byes: None
Week 8 Start ’Em: Defenses
Start of the Week
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Eagles at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Eagles defense is coming off a 10-point performance against Dolphins, and I’m expecting an even bigger stat line this week against the Commanders. Their offense has allowed a ridiculous 40 sacks and committed 11 giveaways, so the Eagles defense should fly high again.
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Start ’Em
Jets defense vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jets defense ranks in the top 10 heading into the week based on fantasy points, and I’m expecting this unit to make some noise in the battle of New York against the Giants. Their offensive line has allowed the second-most sacks, and the team has committed 10 giveaways.
More Starts
Browns defense at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
Chargers defense vs. Bears (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Lions defense vs. Raiders (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Giants defense vs. Jets ($3,500)
Browns defense at Seahawks ($3,000)
Falcons defense at Titans ($2,900)
Week 8 Sit ’Em: Defenses
Sit of the Week
Patriots defense at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Patriots have been less than stellar in fantasy this season, and this week’s matchup against the Dolphins makes it even less attractive. Their offense has averaged 34.3 points and more than 460 yards of total offense this season, and their line has allowed just 10 sacks.
Sit ’Em
Bengals defense at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Bengals defense has been one of the best (top 10) in fantasy football this season, but this is not a good week to start it against the 49ers. Their offense has allowed just 12 sacks, and it’s also committed a mere six giveaways on the season. Sit the Bengals this week.
More Sits
Buccaneers defense at Bills (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)|}
Rams defense at Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Vikings defense at Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Seahawks defense vs. Browns ($3,400)
Steelers defense vs. Jaguars ($2,900)
Panthers defense vs. Texans ($2,600)
Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers
1. Jake Elliott at Commanders
2. Harrison Butker at Broncos
3. Justin Tucker at Cardinals
4. Tyler Bass vs. Buccaneers (Thur.)
5. Jason Sanders vs. Patriots
6. Brandon Aubrey vs. Rams
7. Jake Moody vs. Bengals
8. Blake Grupe at Colts
9. Ka’imi Fairbairn at Panthers
10. Riley Patterson vs. Raiders (Mon.)
Week 8 Start ’Em: Kickers
Start of the Week
Brandon Aubrey vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Aubrey has been fantastic as the Dallas kicker, averaging nearly 11 fantasy points per game. He’s a solid option coming out of the bye, as the rookie faces a Rams defense that’s allowed 16 field-goal conversions and nearly 10 points per game to opposing kickers in 2023.
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Start ’Em
Blake Grupe at Colts (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Grupe has been quietly solid in the stat sheets, scoring nine or more points in three of his last four games. He’s well worth a look this week, as Grupe will face a Colts defense that’s surrendered 17 field-goal conversions and the most fantasy points to opposing kickers this season.
More Starts
Jake Elliott at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Jason Sanders vs. Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Younghoe Koo at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Week 8 Sit ’Em: Kickers
Sit of the Week
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Boswell vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Boswell, listed as a start ’em last week, scored a respectable eight points in a win over the Rams. He has a tougher matchup this week though, as Boswell faces a Jaguars defense that’s allowed five or fewer points to kickers in four games and just 6.3 points per game overall.
Sit ’Em
Jason Myers vs. Browns (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Myers is a solid fantasy kicker and tough to sit at the position, but this week’s matchup against the Browns isn’t at all attractive. Their defense has allowed just one enemy kicker to score more than eight points against them, so Myers could be in for a less-than-stellar week.
More Sits
Greg Joseph at Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Greg Zuerlein at Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Wil Lutz vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
