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We have made it to Week 8 of the NFL season, and for now, all 11 games on the main slate are still on track to play this week. We have some interesting weather in the Northern part of the country that can definitely affect some games. There are at least five games with 50 or more totals, and the most popular game will likely be the Titans and Bengals game. Many injuries have opened up a lot of value this week, more than what will be mentioned in this article.
When looking at the Week 8 slate, there is a lot of value; if you have any questions, do not hesitate to chat it up with me on Twitter @bdentrek. When looking at the quarterback position, you can target the value names in the article, or you should have some more money to spend up if you need to. The running back position is all about paying up this week, at least for Derrick Henry, Kareem Hunt, and possibly Dalvin Cook or Aaron Jones if they are cleared to play. The real value lies at the wide receiver and tight end position. There are many wide receivers in cash games that in the $5K and below that bring solid cash game floors into action, and at the tight end position, play Albert O with Fant out with an ankle injury.
This article will take a look at some of the value plays for each week of the NFL. However, when you look at value plays for GPP, you are swinging for the fences somewhat. Here I will be focusing on cash games and the necessity for slightly more safety as you are just looking to finish in the top half or so of the competition. Therefore, we are looking for cheaper players who should see a decent workload, pass attempts, targets, or carriers. Let's take a look at the cash value plays for Week 8 of the 2020 NFL season.
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Week 8 Quarterback Cash Game Value Plays
Derek Carr, LV at CLE | DK: $5,500, FD: $7,300
Ewwwww!!!! Derek Carr in cash? Yep, this is not a typo. Carr has been very sneaky of late, especially when it comes to a solid cash game floor. Carr has put up 20 or more fantasy points in three straight games and four of six games this season. He will face the league's 26th ranked defense versus the pass this Sunday in the Cleveland Browns. The Browns Defense allows over 300 passing yards per game, over two passing touchdowns per game, and over 20 fantasy points per game this season. This game's biggest concern is one of the weather concerns listed above and should see winds well into the 25+ MPH range. Keep an eye on this situation as it is a great spot for Carr and a great value for cash games if the weather cooperates. If you want to stay in this price range for cash, you can look into Jimmy Garapolo versus the Seahawks as well.
Joe Burrow, CIN vs TEN | DK: $6,200, FD: $7,600
Just another week working on cash game values and just another week suggesting Burrow as a strong value. Burrow was insanely low owned last week and managed to put up well over 30 fantasy points. He gets a bit of a price bump this week but still comes in as a solid play with a 20+ point weekly fantasy floor. We always love Burrow because of his workload, which has resulted in at least 30 pass attempts every week this season and 36 or more pass attempts in three of the last four games. He faces a Tennesee defense this week that ranks 23rd against the pass, allowing over 280 passing yards and 2.5 touchdown passes per game. Look for Burrow to feast again on Sunday in a game as a six-point underdog and an implied team total of 24.
Week 8 Running Back Cash Game Value Plays
Giovani Bernard, CIN vs TEN | DK: $5,800, FD: $5,900
First, this is strictly a play if Joe Mixon is out again this week, and there is a strong chance he sits again since the Bengals have a bye week in Week 9. Last week, as the featured back for the Bengals, Bernard was everything we expected him to be with 18 total touches. He gets a matchup this week versus the Titans Defense that allows nearly 110 rushing yards per game, over 3 receptions to running backs each game, and over 20 fantasy points per game to the running back position. The Titans defense also allows 8% more fantasy points to running backs when favored, most likely due to more dump-offs. Gio should be the main man in the backfield yet again and will be in line for many check downs from Burrow as the Bengals try and keep up with the Titans.
Melvin Gordon III, DEN vs LAC | DK: $5,600 FD: $6,700
Gordon returned from his one-game suspension for a DUI and picked up as the workhorse back for the Broncos. He had 17 carries and two receptions on his way to a double-digit fantasy game. It would have been an even bigger game if he had not lost two fumbles, his first two fumbles on the season. Gordon now has 19 or more touches in three of four games this season. He will be in line for another heavy workload this weekend versus his former team, the Chargers, as Phillip Lindsay is still in concussion protocol and will likely miss or be limited this weekend. The Chargers Defense is 21 in the league versus running backs and gets hurt in the passing game, allowing over seven receptions a game to opposing backs. Gordon should be in line for a heavy workload while looking to get some vengeance versus his former team. Enjoy the cash value this week.
Myles Gaskin, MIA vs LAR | DK: $5,200, FD: $5,700
Gaskin is a pure volume that meets a strong rush defense tough play this week. What makes Gaskin cash viable is the price point and the fact Tua Tagovalloa will be making his first career start and will likely need some dump-off passes with the pressure up from Aaron Donald and the other Rams. Gaskin has had 21 or more touches in three of his last four games, and in those four games, he has at least four receptions and double-digit fantasy production. Gaskin has had five red-zone targets in the last three games as well. The Rams Defense has allowed 85 rushing yards per game to opposing backs, but more importantly, they have allowed over six receptions per game to backs, and that should be the cash game bread and butter we are looking for this week.
Week 8 Wide Receiver Cash Game Value Plays
Keenan Allen, LAC at DEN | DK: $6,200, FD: $7,400
There is a lot of value at the wide receiver position this week, but paying a little more for Allen is always a good thing. Since Justin Herbert has taken over, Allen has 10 or more targets, and seven or more catches in the four games he has been healthy. Allen is the go-to target for Herbert, and that won't change anytime soon. The Chargers have an implied team total near 24 this week, and there's a good chance Allen's five red-zone targets will grow by a couple this weekend. He is everything we look for in cash gameplay, and the discount in price is what we have been enjoying with Terry McLaurin in recent weeks.
Brandon Aiyuk, SF at SEA | DK: $5,800, FD: $5,900
The Niners drafted Aiyuk early in the 2020 draft, and it is now time for him to take over as the lead wide receiver. With Deebo Samuel dealing with an injured hamstring and not much else at the receiving position, it is all about Aiyuk. He has seen five or more targets in four of the last five games, including a monster six catches for 115 yards this past week versus the Patriots. This week the Niners will have one of the best matchups a passing attack can ask for when they face the Seahawks. The Seahawks Defense ranks last in the NFL versus the pass, allowing two receiving touchdowns per game over the last for games. The Niners have a 25.3 point implied team total and should be moving up the field at a regular clip. Aiyuk will be a big factor this week and makes for great cash gameplay.
A.J. Green, CIN vs TEN | DK: $4,500, FD: $5,800
There is a lot of value at the wide receiver position, and Green is one of the main targets. Targets may be the right word as Joe Burrow has found a liking to the veteran receiver over recent weeks targeting Green 11 and 13 times in the last two weeks. Green hauled in seven and eight of those balls and has brought a strong double-digit fantasy floor to the game. The Bengals will be facing a Titans defense that ranks 29 versus the pass and will have trouble with Green, Tyler Boyd, and Tee Higgins. We know the Bengals will be throwing it around, regardless of the windy situations, and Green should see plenty of volume for a value wide receiver.
Rashard Higgins, CLE vs LV | DK: $4,200, FD: $5,500
The weather may be downright nasty in this game, but at the price point, Higgins may still be in play. Higgins is now the top wide receiver option, if not the top option for Baker Mayfield with the season-ending injury to Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry battling injury. Higgins stepped up last week, catching all six of his targets for 110 yards. He will be going up against a Raiders defense that ranks 24 in the NFL versus the pass over the four games allowing 1.5 receiving touchdowns per game. Higgins's price point and volume are too good to pass up in cash, weather permitting.
Denzel Mims, NYJ at KC | DK: $3,200, FD: $4,900
Like I said in the intro, there is a ton of wide receiver value this week. If ever, I will rarely write this many receivers up, but I couldn't miss some of these options. Mims jumps off the page as a major cash game value this week with Jamison Crowder officially out for Sunday's game. Mims made his debut last week and balled out with seven targets, hauling in four catches for 42 yards. That may not seem like a ton, but at his price point, that is outstanding. In Mims's favor, the other thing is that the Jets are nearly three-touchdown underdogs to the Chiefs on Sunday. Mims was a top draft pick with insane talent, and this could be a week where he shines. Enjoy the savings while you can.
Week 8 Tight End Cash Game Value Plays
Jonnu Smith, TEN at CIN | DK: $4,100, FD: $6,100
Usually, I look for a punt at tight end, but they aren't pretty at this moment, and for Smith's price, he is still a strong value. Smith is coming off back-to-back tough games (one he left injured), but the time is now for him to break out again. The Bengals secondary is the team you love to see if you are a tight end. Over the last four weeks, they are ranked 32 versus the tight end, allowing nearly six receptions, 1.5 touchdowns, and over 20 fantasy points per game. The Titans offense has been clicking in a big way, and with a team total near 30, Smith and company should have a big Sunday in Cincinnati.
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