We are almost halfway through the fantasy football season, and the matchups to watch are more important than ever as you try to navigate your team to the playoffs. Week 8 begins tonight when the 3-3 Carolina Panthers take on the 4-3 Green Bay Packers.
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WR Jalen Coker | CB Keisean Nixon
Coke heads, this game will be the most telling for what to do with Jalen Coker ahead of trade deadlines in your leagues. Coker had a hot start with the Carolina Panthers but has since been injured and had a rough game last week, catching just one pass for nine yards.
The Green Bay Packers rank 23rd in points allowed to WRS (35.4). Keisean Nixon will cover Coker for most of the game, and Nixon ranks 37th out of 102 qualified CBs on PFF. Nixon has also allowed 37 receptions for 316 yards through seven games.
Start Jalen Coker
WR Michael Wilson | CB Joey Porter Jr.
Michael Wilson hasn’t been the WR I expected after the Arizona Cardinals traded away Marvin Harrison Jr.; that said, Wilson has a great opportunity this week against one of the NFL’s worst defenses. Wilson is currently WR23 and has three straight games under 11 points. Will it be four straight? *Note: Michael Wilson is currently listed as questionable.*
The Dallas Cowboys rank 24th in points allowed to opposing WRs (35.7), which is surprising considering how good Joey Porter Jr. is. However, Porter Jr. has played only a handful of games this season in Dallas because of an injury and starting the season in Pittsburgh. In three games, Porter Jr. has allowed just two receptions for ten yards—an incredible start to the season on his new team.
This is where I would say either to start or bench the WR, but man, this is the toughest one yet. Either the worst defense in points allowed or the WR facing one of the NFL’s best CBs. I’m leaning toward starting Michael Wilson because he’s had seven or more targets in every game, and he hasn’t scored a TD since week three, so he’s due for one.
WR Khalil Shakir | S Kyle Hamilton
Buffalo Bills WR D.J. Moore is listed as questionable and wore a no-contact jersey in practice yesterday. I’m getting confident he will miss Week 8, giving Shakir another great opportunity. Shakir has been very consistent when Moore is off the field; over the last few weeks, Shakir has been averaging around 13 points per game. Nothing crazy, but certainly good enough to start in the flex based on matchups.
Baltimore Ravens S Kyle Hamilton is one of the NFL’s best, ranking seventh among 94 qualified safeties, so why are the Ravens 25th in points per game to WRs (35.8)? Well, they’ve been inconsistent on third down and have collapsed in coverage in the second half all season. I wouldn’t be surprised if Shakir had one or two receptions in the first half and finished with seven or eight by the end of the game.
If D.J. Moore is inactive: Start Khalil Shakir. If D.J. Moore is active: Bench Khalil Shakir.
WR Jameson Williams | CB Isaiah Rodgers Sr.
Last week I said to start Jameson Williams, and he had his best game of the season with 2 TDs and 91 yards; this week, Williams faces a much tougher matchup. Will his speed be enough to exploit the Vikings’ defense?
Minnesota Vikings CB Isaiah Rodgers Sr. has had a great season so far, allowing just 115 receiving yards and no TDs. Rodgers ranks third on PFF, marking him as one of the best CBs this season, and nobody is talking about it! It’s no surprise the Vikings are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs (25.3), given Rodgers’ performances and the Vikings’ strong defense this season.
Bench Jameson Williams
WR Luther Burden III | S Nick Emmanwori
Luther Burden has been on a tear the past couple of weeks, averaging over 22 points with 225 receiving yards and a TD. This matchup could be game of the year, with the best young defensive mind and the best young offensive mind going head-to-head.
The Seattle Seahawks rank first in points allowed to WRs (21.5). They have been on an absolute tear shutting down passing games this season. Second-year safety Nick Emmanwori will cover Burden most of the game in the slot, and Emmanwori is following a sensational rookie season with perhaps a “sophomore slump.” Emmanwori ranks 63rd on PFF but has only allowed two receptions for 26 yards. He ranks much higher in coverage (44th).
Bench Luther Burden III
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