Week 8 Matchups - Fantasy Football Game Breakdowns (Part 1)

Welcome to our Week 8 matchups analysis and starts/sits column for fantasy football. We'll be covering every matchup from every Sunday game to help you make the best decisions for your fantasy lineups. We'll also be updating this as injury reports come in so check back often.

This article will cover the early slate of games, beginning at 1 PM ET on Sunday. Also, check out our late game matchups analysis and our MNF matchups analysis.

Check back here each week to get advice for your toughest start/sit decisions and take a look at our consensus rankings each week. Find me on Twitter @ChrisMangano for more insight and help to your start/sit questions.

Matchups Analysis - 1:00 PM ET Games

The early slate has eight games this week including another London game between Philadelphia and Jacksonville that starts at 9:30 AM. Set those lineups in time by analyzing each matchup below to gain the best advantage.

Eagles at Jaguars

Matchups We Love:

Keelan Cole (WR, JAX), Donte Moncrief (WR, JAX)
Moncrief leads the Jaguars in both targets and air yards, and is tied for the team lead in touchdowns, and is in a blow-up spot against an Eagles secondary that allows the second most yards to receivers who line up out wide. Cole, meanwhile, is second on the team in targets, receptions, and yards and is also in a smash spot. Both can be viewed as WR3 starts with tremendous upside, though Cole is the safer of the two.

Matchups We Hate:

Carson Wentz (QB, PHI)
Wentz has at least 278 yards and two touchdowns in four straight games but will be hard pressed to keep that streak going against a Jaguars defense that allows less than 200 yards and fewer than one touchdown per game to opposing passers. Wentz is tough to sit but fantasy players may want to look elsewhere this week.

Corey Clement (RB, PHI), Wendell Smallwood (RB, PHI)
In the two games without Jay Ajayi, Smallwood has out-snapped Clement 79 to 51 and out-touched him 30 to 25. It hasn't amounted to much for either though Clement at least has a touchdown to show for it. Neither is a viable option this week facing a Jaguars run defense allowing just 3.77 YPC and 87 yards per game. Both can be benched this week.

Alshon Jeffery (WR, PHI), Nelson Agholor (WR, PHI)
Since returning in Week 4, Jeffery has seen the Eagles second-most targets and has a 25% target share. He'll need every target he can get facing a Jacksonville secondary allowing the second fewest yards to outside receivers. His volume makes him almost impossible to bench but players should temper expectations. Agholor has seen just a 17% target share since Jeffery returned and is an easy bench in Week 8. He's just not getting the volume necessary to overcome such a bad matchup.

Blake Bortles (QB, JAX)
Bortles now has three monster games on the season and five absolute duds. Things got so bad in Week 7 that he was benched for Cody Kessler. This is not an overly difficult matchup as the Eagles allow 287 yards and almost 1.5 touchdowns per game, but can you really trust Bortles at this point? Unless it is an absolute cream-puff matchup Bortles must be benched until further notice.

Carlos Hyde (RB, JAX)
A week after being traded, Hyde is set to make his first start with Jacksonville and should be in line for a workhorse role. Unfortunately, he will be facing one of the stingiest run defenses, as the Eagles allow just 3.87 YPC and only 55 yards per game to backs. The volume keeps him in play but he can't be considered more than a low-end RB2.

Other Matchups:

Dede Westbrook (WR, JAX)
On paper, this matchup looks good for Westbrook, who leads the Jaguars in receptions and yards, but upon closer look, it isn't. The Eagles are getting torched on the outside but give up just the fourth fewest yards to receivers out of the slot. Westbrook is running 93% of his routes out of the slot this year according to Pro Football Focus. While the matchup isn't bad enough to bench him, he shouldn't be viewed as more than a flex.

Zach Ertz (TE, PHI)
Ertz has been a machine this year as he has 18 more targets and 19 more receptions than any other tight end. He also leads all tight ends with a massive 28% share of his team's targets. This is a tough spot for Ertz, however, and he'll need all the targets he can get facing a Jaguars defense allowing the third-fewest receptions and less than 40 yards per game to the position. Ertz is a weekly must-start but owners should temper expectations this week.

Broncos at Chiefs

Matchups We Love:

Case Keenum (QB, DEN)
Keenum has three games with at least 300 yards and two touchdowns to go along with four games of under 250 yards and one or fewer touchdowns. This looks like a spot where he could add to the former as the Chiefs are allowing over 330 yards and more than two touchdowns per game to opposing quarterbacks. Keenum is a great streaming option this week.

Phillip Lindsay (RB, DEN), Royce Freeman (RB, DEN)
On the season, Lindsay has out-snapped Freeman 37% to 35% and has out-touched him 90 to 75. This is a great spot for both backs as the Chiefs are allowing 5.1 YPC (3rd most), 101 yards (8th most), and seven receptions (2nd most). Freeman is also at risk of missing the game which would boost Lindsay even more. If both played Lindsay can be considered a high-upside RB2 while Freeman is a high-upside flex. If Freeman sits Lindsay is a fringe RB1.

Emmanuel Sanders (WR, DEN)
Sanders leads the Broncos in targets, receptions, yards, air yards, and touchdowns and is having a season we haven't seen from him since the Peyton Manning days. The Chiefs are allowing the sixth-most receptions to receivers and over 330 yards per game. They get torched from both the slot, where Sanders is playing 63% of snaps according to Pro Football Focus, and from the outside. Wherever Sanders lines up he should excel and is a back-end WR1 this week.

Kareem Hunt (RB, KC)
After a slow start to the season Hunt has been on fire with at least 94 yards and one touchdown in four straight games. He has found the end-zone six times over that stretch. Now he gets to face a Broncos defense allowing 5.5 YPC and 135 yards per game, both second-most in the league. The last time these teams played in Week 4 Hunt racked up 175 yards and a touchdown. He is a must-start RB1 and a top-3 option this week.

Matchups We Hate:

Tyreek Hill (WR, KC), Sammy Watkins (WR, KC)
Hill leads the Chiefs with a 24% target share and has seven touchdowns, but he is in a tough spot against a Broncos defense that allows the 11th fewest catches and yards to receivers. You can't bench him but players may want to temper expectations. Watkins is coming off a solid Week 7 when he turned seven targets into four catches for 74 yards. He has a low floor in this one and is a risky start.

Other Matchups:

Demaryius Thomas (WR, DEN), Courtland Sutton (WR, DEN)
The Chiefs allow over 300 yards through the air so this seems like a no-brainer to start both Thomas and Sutton, but it should be noted they give up a higher percentage of yards to running backs and slot receivers. Still, this is a good spot for both Thomas and Sutton. Thomas is obviously the preferred choice and should be in the WR2 discussion this week, while Sutton is a viable flex start.

Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC)
Mahomes has now thrown for over 300 yards in six straight games and has only thrown fewer than two touchdowns twice all year. Of course, one of those was against this same Broncos team when he threw for "only" 304 yards and one touchdown. Outside of Mahomes the Broncos have not allowed a 300-yard passer and have only given up multiple touchdowns twice. While Mahomes remains a weekly must-start, he may not quite have the ceiling players are used to in this one.

Travis Kelce (TE, KC)
Kelce is tied with Tyreek Hill for the team lead in targets with 60 and will need all the targets he can handle facing a Broncos defense that gives up just 4.14 receptions per game to the position (13th fewest). Kelce is an elite player and a weekly top-3 but he is in for a tough test this week.

Browns at Steelers

Matchups We Love:

Baker Mayfield (QB, CLE)
Mayfield had the best possible matchup last week and could muster only 215 yards in an overtime loss, though he did throw for two touchdowns while adding 43 rushing yards. He gets another soft defense this week as the Steelers allow over 300 yards and 2.5 touchdowns per game to opposing passers. Mayfield comes with risk but he once again has upside and is a viable streaming option.

Jarvis Landry (WR, CLE)
Since Baker Mayfield took over in Week 4, Landry leads the Browns with 43 targets, though he only has 20 receptions over that span. He has a real chance to boom this week, however, as the Steelers are giving up the 11th most receptions to receivers and the second most yards out of the slot. Landry has been in the slot on 73% of his snaps according to Pro Football Focus and he is an easy WR1 start in Week 8.

David Njoku (TE, CLE)
Baker Mayfield has done wonders for Njoku's fantasy value as he leads the Browns in receptions, yards, and touchdowns since Mayfield became the starter. Now he gets a Steelers defense allowing the most receptions to tight ends per game. Njoku is a great start and has top-5 upside at the position this week.

James Conner (RB, PIT)
The Steelers still haven't heard from Le'Veon Bell, and that means Conner will continue to dominate backfield touches. He is in a great spot against a Browns defense allowing 4.4 YPC and over 110 yards per game. When these teams met in Week 1 he lit them up for 192 yards and two scores. Conner is a must-start.

Antonio Brown (WR, PIT), Juju Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT)
Brown and Smith-Schuster are both having fantastic years and should keep things rolling against a Browns defense that allows the seventh most catches and 200 yards per game to receivers. Brown has the slightly better matchup as Cleveland allows the third most yards to receivers on the outside versus the 13th most out of the slot. Still, both are great options. Brown is a weekly WR1 while Smith-Schuster is a high-end WR2.

Matchups We Hate:

Nick Chubb (RB, CLE), Duke Johnson (RB, CLE)
Making his first NFL start, Chubb turned 18 carries into 80 yards and a score and was targeted twice though both were uncatchable. Johnson, who was supposed to see an expanded role, had just five total touches for only 19 yards. Regardless, the matchup this week is daunting as the Steelers allow just 3.57 YPC and 66 yards on the ground, and just 3.5 receptions and 20 yards through the air. Chubb remains a low-end RB2 based on volume while Johnson is a risky flex start.

Other Matchups:

Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT)
Roethlisberger has yet to throw for less than 250 yards in a game and has four games with 330 yards, including a 452-yard outing against the Chiefs. He also has at least one touchdown in all games and three touchdowns in three of those. The Browns are not the easiest of matchups, though they are allowing close to 300 yards per game. In Week 1, on the road, Roethlisberger put up 335 yards but had only one touchdown versus three interceptions. He should be better at home this Week and is an easy QB1 start.

Vance McDonald (TE, PIT)
In his four healthy games, McDonald has 17 catches for 248 yards and one score. He's in a good spot this week as the Browns are allowing the sixth-most receptions to the position and the 14th most yards. McDonald is a fringe TE1 start and is worth a stream if you are lacking at the position.

Redskins at Giants

Matchups We Love:

Adrian Peterson (RB, WAS)
On paper, this looks like a tough matchup for Peterson as the Giants give up just 3.87 YPC and only 81 yards on the ground, but they just traded away Damon Harrison for a bag of rocks. All Harrison has done is rank first in run stops every year since 2015 according to Pro Football Focus. He was also leading the league in run-stops this year. This is a huge hole the Giants can't fill and Peterson should take advantage. He is an upside RB2 play this week.

Matchups We Hate:

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)
Despite being healthy all year, and having check-down extraordinaire Alex Smith under center, Reed has just 21 receptions for 252 yards with only one score. Now he must face a Giants defense allowing the 10th fewest receptions to tight ends and barely 50 yards, all while allowing just one touchdown. Reed can justifiably be benched this week if you have other options.

Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG)
The Redskins secondary is not an elite unit that you think needs to be avoided, but they do very well against slot receivers, holding them to the fifth fewest yards in the league. Shepard is having a good year, but in this matchup, he may take a back seat and can't be considered more than a flex.

Evan Engram (TE, NYG)
Engram returned from injury in Week 7 but had only four targets (11% share) catching two for 16 yards. Now he will face a Redskins defense that allows less than five catches and fewer than 50 yards per game to the position. Players may want to wait a bit to plug Engram back in their lineups.

Other Matchups:

Alex Smith (QB, WAS)
You think Smith misses Tyreek Hill? Having yet to throw for 300 yards in any game, and going touchdown-less in two, Smith has returned to his average ways. He does get a boost with the Giants defense being down nose tackle Damon Harrison and corner Eli Apple via trade, but the run-first Redskins are limiting his ceiling. He can't be considered more than a QB2 at this point.

Josh Doctson (WR, WAS)
With Paul Richardson out in Week 7, Doctson led the Redskins with six targets and a 24% share but caught only three for 42 yards. Richardson is trending towards being out again and Doctson will be facing a Giants defense that just traded away corner Eli Apple. While Doctson is always a risk, he is worth a flex start if you're desperate in what should be a good matchup.

Eli Manning (QB, NYG)
Predicting Manning is one of the biggest weekly headaches you can have, and if possible you should just avoid him. However, you may not be able to so just in case...he gets an OK matchup against a Redskins defense allowing 250 yards and 1.67 touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. So basically he will be average. Pencil him in as a low-end QB2.

Saquon Barkley (RB, NYG)
Barkley has exceeded expectations in his rookie campaign, as he has 905 scrimmage yards and 7 touchdowns in his first seven games. He will be put to the test this week, however, as the underrated Redskins run defense has shut down everyone they faced. They have yet to allow a run over 20 yards and held Ezekiel Elliott to just 33 yards on 15 carries last week. You can't bench Barkley, but players should temper expectations.

Odell Beckham Jr (WR, NYG),
Despite the poor play of his quarterback, Beckham has four 100-yard games and has a 30% target share which is tied for most in the league. The Redskins are middle-of-the-pack in terms of receptions allowed to receivers, but give up the seventh most yards on the outside. Beckham has had many great performances against them and should do so once again.

Seahawks at Lions

Matchups We Love:

None

Matchups We Hate:

Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA)
Since Doug Baldwin's return, Lockett has just 15 targets and 11 receptions in three games. Now he must face a Lions secondary allowing the fewest receptions to receivers and the fourth fewest yards to players lining up outside. With Baldwin taking the majority of slot snaps, Lockett will contend with the strong corners of the Lions. He is best left on benches if possible.

Matthew Stafford (QB, DET)
After a hot start to the year, Stafford has cooled off with just 400 yards over his last two. He does have at least two touchdowns in five straight, however, but will be tested against a Seahawks defense holding opposing passers to just 223 yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game. Being at home helps but Stafford can't be considered more than a fringe QB1 this week.

Golden Tate (WR, DET), Kenny Golladay (WR, DET), Marvin Jones (WR, DET)
Tate leads the Lions with 57 targets and a 24% team share while Golladay is second with 43 targets and a 20% share. Jones, meanwhile, has fallen off the map with just 37 targets and a 17% share. All are in a tough spot against a Seahawks secondary giving up just 13 catches and 143 yards to receivers. Tate can be considered a WR2, while Golladay is a WR3. Jones is nothing more than a touchdown-dependent flex.

Other Matchups:

Russell Wilson (QB, SEA)
Wilson has yet to throw for 300 yards this year, but has two or more touchdowns in every game but one and has three touchdowns in three games. The Lions only allow 245 yards to quarterbacks but are giving up two touchdowns per game. Wilson remains a QB1 albeit toward the back-end.

Chris Carson (RB, SEA), Mike Davis (RB, SEA)
On paper, this looks like a dream matchup for Carson and Davis. The Lions give up a ridiculous 6.02 YPC and 135 yards on the ground, but they just added nose tackle Damon Harrison formerly of the Giants via trade. Harrison ranks first in run stops and has ranked first every year since 2015. The Giants with Harrison were allowing just 3.87 YPC. Carson is still worth a start as a RB2 while Davis is better left on benches.

Doug Baldwin (WR, SEA)
Baldwin looked all the way back in Week 7, turning seven targets into five catches for 89 yards. On paper the Lions look like a bad matchup for receivers, giving up the fewest receptions, but they can be had from the slot were Baldwin lines up 65% of the time. Despite giving up the eighth-fewest yards to receivers, they are allowing the 11th most to slot receivers. Baldwin should have a fine game and can be considered a WR2.

Kerryon Johnson (RB, DET)
With Theo Riddick out in Week 7, Johnson carried the ball 19 times for 158 yards and caught another two passes for 21 yards. Riddick looks doubtful to play again which will leave Johnson handling the majority of running back work against a Seahawks defense giving up 4 YPC and 88 yards on the ground. If Riddick indeed misses Johnson is a high-end RB2 play.

Buccaneers at Bengals

Matchups We Love:

Jameis Winston (QB, TAM)
In his two starts so far Winston has 890 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 89 rushing yards. Unfortunately, he also has four turnovers but that's what you get with Winston. He should once again put up gaudy numbers against a Bengals defense allowing 310 yards and more than two touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. If not for turnovers, Winston would be a top-5 option but still is an easy start and has tremendous upside.

Mike Evans (WR, TAM)
In two starts with Jameis Winston, Evans leads the Buccaneers in targets with 16 and has 11 catches for 165 yards, but has yet to find the end zone. The Bengals allow the 10th most receptions to receivers and 180 yards per game. Evans should be highly involved and is a WR1 start.

O.J. Howard (TE, TAM)
Howard has 12 targets, nine receptions, 129 yards, and one touchdown in two games with Jameis Winston this season and gets a Bengals defense allowing the second most receptions to the position. He is a solid start and a TE1 for Week 8.

Andy Dalton (QB, CIN)
Dalton struggled against a terrible Chiefs defense Sunday night, throwing for just 148 yards with one touchdown and one interception. It was only his second game with less than two touchdowns and his first with less than 229 yards. He is in a bounce-back spot this week, however, against the league's worst pass defense. Prior to last week the Buccaneers had allowed a 300-yard passer in every game, and have allowed two or more touchdowns in every game but one. Dalton is a solid start this week and is in QB1 territory.

A.J. Green (WR, CIN), Tyler Boyd (WR, CIN)
During the first four weeks of the season, Boyd had 23.4% of Andy Dalton's targets while Green had 21.4%. Over the last three weeks, Green has had 35.3% of targets while Boyd has seen just 19.6%. Both are in good spots, however, against a Buccaneers defense that allows the second most receptions to receivers, 190 yards, and almost two touchdowns. Boyd gets an even bigger boost as the Buccaneers have given up the most yards out of the slot where he lines up on 71% of his snaps. Green is a weekly WR1 while Boyd can be considered a WR2 with upside.

C.J. Uzomah (TE, CIN)
Over the last two weeks, Uzomah has just nine targets, but he's caught eight passes for 67 yards and a score. He could once again find the end zone against a Buccaneers defense that allows the fourth most receptions to the position and just under one touchdown per game. If you need a streamer, Uzomah is a great choice.

Matchups We Hate:

None

Other Matchups:

Peyton Barber (RB, TAM)
Barber was mysteriously absent late in the game in Week 7 but was back at practice Thursday and appears ready to play. The matchup against the Bengals is a good one as they allow 5.07 YPC and 108 yards per game. With the presence of Ronald Jones and the Buccaneers lack of commitment to the run, Barber can't be considered more than an RB2 in a good matchup.

DeSean Jackson (WR, TAM), Chris Godwin (WR, TAM)
Godwin has 15 targets since Jameis Winston became the starter while Jackson has 14, second and third on the team respectively over that stretch. Both are in play this week against a Buccaneers defense allowing the second most receptions to receivers and close to 200 yards. Both can be considered high-upside WR3 starts.

Joe Mixon (RB, CIN)
Mixon disappointed in a great spot Sunday night, totaling just 51 yards on 16 touches against a Chiefs defense allowing 174 yards to backs. For as bad as the Buccaneers defense is, they actually do quite well against the run holding backs to just 3.56 YPC and 68 yards. They do allow almost six receptions and 60 yards through the air, however, and that could save Mixon's day, but players should temper expectations.

Jets at Bears

Matchups We Love:

Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ)
There is a chance Anderson sits this game out with an ankle injury, but if he plays he is in a great spot. After seeing nine targets a week ago, Anderson gets a Bears defense allowing the fifth most receptions to receivers and the fifth most yards to the outside. If Anderson is unable to play, none of the Jets pass catchers are worth a start.

Allen Robinson (WR, CHI), Taylor Gabriel (WR, CHI), Anthony Miller (WR, CHI)
Over the last three games, the target distribution for the Bears receivers is Gabriel 16, Robinson 15 and Miller 11. Gabriel has caught 15 of those for 204 yards and two touchdowns, while Robinson has 8/91/2 and Miller just 3/64/1. The Jets are a great spot for all three, however, as they allow the most receptions to receivers, 200 yards per game, and more than one touchdown per game. Miller has an especially good matchup out of the slot were the Jets allow the third most yards in the league. If he saw more volume he'd be an easy WR2. As it is, Gabriel is the safest of the bunch and all can be considered upside WR3s.

Matchups We Hate:

Sam Darnold (QB, NYJ)
After five touchdowns over his previous two games, Darnold took a big step back against the Vikings in Week 7 throwing for just 206 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Surprisingly, the Bears have not been strong against passers giving up over 270 yards in four of six games and two or more touchdowns in all but one. Still, Darnold could be without his top weapon in Robby Anderson and comes with considerable risk. We'd prefer to sit him this week.

Isaiah Crowell (RB, NYJ), Trenton Cannon (RB, NYJ)
Bilal Powell suffered a neck injury in Week 7 and has been placed on IR, which will leave the backfield to Isaiah Crowell and Trenton Cannon for this week. With Powell out most of the game last week, Crowell had 11 carries and one catch for just 50 total yards, while Cannon had two carries and four catches for 73 yards. The Bears are allowing just 3.75 YPC and 76 yards on the ground, and only 4.5 receptions and 33 yards through the air, so neither Crowell or Cannon are in a great spot. Crowell should get the bulk of the carries and can be considered a volume based flex play, while Cannon should be benched if possible.

Chris Herndon IV (TE, NYJ)
Herndon has come out of nowhere to haul in six catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns over the last two games and is starting to garner buzz as a viable streamer. Players should be warned, however, that the Bears allow the fifth fewest catches and just 33 yards to tight ends. Herndon will need to find the end zone to pay off this week.

Other Matchups:

Mitch Trubisky (QB, CHI)
Trubisky has been on fire of late, throwing for over 1,000 yards and rushing for another 181 in his last three games. He also has 11 total touchdowns over that stretch. The Jets are allowing 285 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game, but with the way Trubisky is playing, he can't be benched. Pencil him in as a top-10 option with upside this week.

Tarik Cohen (RB, CHI), Jordan Howard (RB, CHI)
Speaking of being on fire, Cohen has 22 receptions, 378 total yards, and three touchdowns over his last three games. Howard, meanwhile, has taken a backseat with just 37 carries for 133 yards and one touchdown over that stretch. The Jets are not a tough spot, allowing 4.2 YPC and 87 yards per game while also giving up over five receptions and close to 50 yards through the air. Cohen is in RB2 territory especially in PPR, while Howard can't be considered more than an RB3/flex play.

Trey Burton (TE, CHI)
Over the last three games, Burton leads the Bears with 19 targets and has 15 receptions, 235 yards, and three touchdowns over that stretch. He will have to face a tough Jets defense this week that allows the second fewest receptions to tight ends and just 40 yards per game. Still, Burton is too involved to leave on the bench and remains a weekly TE1.

Ravens at Panthers

Matchups We Love:

None

Matchups We Hate:

Javorius Allen (RB, BAL)
Allen has three or more receptions in all but one game but has just four carries over the last two. He faces a tough test against a Panthers unit that allows only 3.8 receptions per game and less than 30 yards through the air. He should be benched in all formats.

Willie Snead (WR, BAL)
Snead ranks third on the Ravens with 51 targets and second with 34 receptions, but draws a tough matchup against a Panthers secondary allowing the 11th fewest yards to slot receivers. The Panthers can be attacked on the outside which may leave Snead as more of an afterthought. He can't be considered more than a desperation flex start.

Christian McCaffrey (RB, CAR)
After his 28 carries, 184 yard game in Week 3, McCaffrey has just 32 carries over the last three games and 108 yards. He does have at least five receptions in each one, however. He'll face a tough test against a Ravens defense allowing just 3.5 YPC and 71 yards per game while giving up less than four catches and 20 yards through the air. McCaffrey can't be benched but he has to be considered more of a high-end RB2.

Devin Funchess (WR, CAR)
Funchess leads the Panthers with 47 targets and three touchdowns but faces a tough matchup against a Ravens secondary allowing the seventh-fewest receptions to receivers while also allowing the fewest yards on the outside. Funchess will need a touchdown to save his day and can't be considered more than a WR3.

Other Matchups:

Joe Flacco (QB, BAL)
Flacco has thrown for 236 yards or more in every game, and has at least one touchdown in all but one game, and will face off against a Panthers defense giving up 265 yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game. This isn't the best spot in the world, but Flacco can be considered a mid-to-low QB2 start.

Alex Collins (RB, BAL)
Collins did absolutely nothing against an underrated Saints run defense, totaling just 48 yards on 14 touches in Week 7. Things should get better this week against a Panthers defense allowing 4.6 YPC and 86 yards per game. Collins is always a threat to score and can be considered an RB3/flex play.

Michael Crabtree (WR, BAL), John Brown (WR, BAL)
If you just look at fantasy points you may think Brown is the Ravens number one receiver, but Crabtree leads the team in targets and receptions. Brown is the big-play guy, however, and leads in yards and touchdowns. Regardless, both are in a good spot against a Panthers secondary that allows over 13 receptions per game (13th most) and the 10th most yards on the outside. Crabtree is safer but Brown has the higher ceiling. Both can be considered WR2 plays.

Cam Newton (QB, CAR)
Newton still only has one game over 300 passing yards but has two or more passing touchdowns in all but one game and at least 42 rushing yards in four of six games. The Ravens are a tough defense allowing just 214 yards to quarterbacks and barely more than one touchdown per game. But Newton's legs keep him out of the "hate" range and he is still a weekly QB1 regardless of matchup.

Greg Olsen (TE, CAR)
Since returning from his foot injury in Week 6, Olsen has 12 targets (16% share) with six catches, 53 yards, and one touchdown. The Ravens allow the ninth most receptions and just under 60 yards to tight ends, and Olsen is back in the fringe TE1 discussion.