It’s Week 8 already. Halfway home. If you haven’t realized it, simply playing Matchups can win you some serious cash in any of the Fantazzle formats. However, some Fantazzle players are so set on filling their rosters with superstars that they ignore the fact that some of these so called superstars have horrible matchups (sorry guys, but starting A.P. and L.T. every week is not always a smart play). If you want to get some bang for your buck, then forget some of the sexy players and pick up some underdogs that are going to actually win you some games. Here are some examples of guys that may not be in your Top 5 on a regular basis, but who are unheralded stars who have great matchups in Week 8:

• Matt Schaub – You were ready to write him off a few weeks ago, but the offense has really found itself. Schaub is at home against Cincinnati. That is great news for all Texan skill players, but it’s especially good news for Schaub. Cincinnati has given up 8 TD passes to QB’s over the last four weeks. Schaub vaults over a lot of bigger names this week (Schaub can even be considered in the Fantazzle Pick Em and Fantazzle Confidence formats).
• Donovan Mcnabb – Donovan has not been a popular Fantazzle selection this season because of the inconsistency of the offense and the obvious injury issues that the Eagles have had at the skill positions (Curtis, Brown, Westbrook, Smith to name a few). However, Mcnabb has all of his weapons back this week, including the sorely missed Kevin Curtis. With a full compliment of skill players and an Atlanta Defense that allows above average fantasy production, you have to consider selecting Mcnabb this week.
• Jake Delhomme – Sorry but this guy is not Top 5 material. But this week, he really is. He gets Zona at home and that means points. A lot of points. Zona gives up more fantasy points to Quarterbacks than ANY team in the league (they have given up 12 TD passes in just the last 3 games). Yummy.  Any quarterback that does not throw at least 2-3 TD’s against Arizona should retire, effective immediately.
• Chris Johnson – We all know this guy is a sexy pick, but he’s not necessarily in your Top 5. The main problem with CJ is that he splits time with Lendale White. Not only that, Lendale vultures almost all the redzone carries. But CJ gets to play Indy this week and that could make for a couple breakout runs. Indy has been pretty horrible against the run as illustrated by the re-emergence of Ryan Grant last week.  CJ could go off.
• Maurice Jones Drew – Jacksonville has Cleveland at home this week. MJD is assuming a lot carries these days and he’s running well. Cleveland has allowed four of their six opponents to post over 150 yards rushing this year. Add that to the fact that Jacksonville is likely to be playing with a lead for a majority of the game (and therefore running the ball) and MJD should see a lot of production.
• Thomas Jones – This guy can’t seem to find the endzone (with the exception of his 3 TD explosion two weeks ago) so he’s not necessarily in your Top 5.  But as I explain below, every player should be considered when K.C. is your opponent.  The Jets are a little banged up at WR so Jones may be relied on more than usual.  Last week he rushed 24 times for 159 yards.  Not too shabby.  He finds the endzone this week for sure.
• Lee Evans – I kind of hate endorsing this kid because he’s a deep threat only and really does not catch a lot of balls (a poor man’s Santana Moss if you will). But anytime a Number 1 WR is going against the Dolphins I make some exceptions. The Dolphins secondary is very bad, and yet, they haven’t been exposed as much as I would have expected. I don’t anticipate Trent & Co. throwing the ball around all day, but the fact is, a WR has scored a TD in every game against the Dolphins this year. I don’t suspect that trend will change this week.
• Lavernues Coles – The Jets get Kansas City this week and that is great timing since they’re coming off a somewhat embarrassing loss to the Raiders. Look for Favre to regain his confidence against the clear cut worst team in the NFL. Both Cotchery and Coles are questionable for this game, but if either of them are slotted to start, it’s go time. There’s enough TD’s for everyone in this one. It’s a free for all.
• Owen Daniels – Because he’s not a flashy name, he may not have been in your Top 5 the last few weeks. Big mistake. This kid can play. Not only that, the offense is starting to really click. At this point, it’s pretty clear that Daniels is Schaub’s second favorite target behind Andre Johnson. Factor in that the Texans get Cincinnati at home and you’ve got a recipe for success.
• Chris Cooley – Hard to say if Cooley deserves to be in your Top 3 at this point (remember, the Fantazzle Challenge format allows you to select 3 TE’s, but obviously there are many other Fantazzle formats to choose from including the increasingly popular Fantazzle Salary Cap format). Cooley gets the Lions this week and that is a perfect time for him to make a statement. The Lions allow the most TE fantasy points in the league and that fact alone should be enough information for you to consider Cooley.

So take it off of auto-pilot and give these underdogs a shot in Week 8.  Thank me later.  PouringReign.

Share on Facebook