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Fantasy Football Week 8 Matchups to Exploit: Welcome Jaylen Waddle back into your lineups!
Set your fantasy football lineups up for success with these favorable matchups to target in Week 8.
Cedric Tillman vs. BAL
Cedric Tillman is the Browns’ second-year receiver who had a big game in Week 7. In his first game without Amari Cooper, Tillman led the Browns with eight receptions for 81 yards on a team-high 11 targets. Tillman was a productive college receiver but had his college career cut short due to injury. He enters Week 8 as a top option for the Browns’ new starting quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Tillman is a strong fit with Winston’s skillset. Tillman is a big receiver at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds with quality speed and burst according to PlayerProfiler. He wins downfieldm, and this skillset complements Winston’s willingness and ability to attack the deep parts of the field. Tillman will take on the Ravens this week, currently allowing the most passing yards per game this season. Start Tillman if you were able to add him this past week.
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Javonte Williams vs. CAR
Javonte Williams is coming off the best game of not only this season, but his entire career. In Week 7, he took advantage of a poor Saints defense by totaling 111 yards and two touchdowns on his team-high 17 touches. Over the past four games, Javonte has averaged 16.5 opportunities per game and an elite 17% target share.
This week, Williams finds himself in another strong matchup against the Panthers. Carolina has been a run funnel all season for opposing offenses. Last week, Brian Robinson was able to gain 71 yards and a touchdown in basically one half against Carolina. The week before, it was Bijan Robinson breaking out for 105 total yards and two touchdowns. Start Williams against this Panthers team that allows the most rushing yards per game.
Jaylen Waddle vs. ARI
Last week was supposed to be the bounce back game for Waddle. He was coming out of his bye week, having an extra seven days to prepare for a poor Colts defense that allows the eight most passing yards per play this season. So, surely Waddle had a big game, right? Well, not quite.
Waddle totaled just one catch for 11 yards on two targets. It was a brutal showing by the Dolphins passing game that lost QB Tyler Huntley midway through Week 7. But the good news for Waddle is Tua Tagovailoa is due back in Week 8.
Waddle has completed one game with Tagovailoa this year, all the way back in Week 1, and in this contest Waddle produced over 100 yards on five receptions. This week, Waddle takes on a Cardinals defense that allows the second most passing yards per play, having just given up 349 yards to Justin Herbert and the run-first Los Angeles Chargers. Start Waddle this week.
Najee Harris vs. NYG
Harris is coming off back-to-back strong performances of 100+ yards and a touchdown. He’s taken advantage of some solid matchups against the Raiders and Jets, and he’s looked good doing it. In the past two games, Harris leads the NFL with seven runs of 10+ yards. Through his first five games, he had zero runs go for 10+ yards according to PFF.
Harris is heating up and so is the Steelers offense. Pittsburgh scored 37 points in their first game with Russell Wilson at QB in Week 7. If they continue to move the ball under Wilson, Harris will have plenty of upside each week. This week he’ll take on the Giants who allow the most rushing yards per play according to NFL Pro. Start Harris again this week.
Jordan Mason vs. DAL
Mason has had a frustrating past few weeks. In Week 5, he posted 98 total yards but failed to find the end zone after a red-zone fumble. In Week 6, he was on his way to a huge day. Mason had over 70 yards in the second quarter of Week 6, before injuring his shoulder and only playing one more snap the rest of the game. In Week 7, Mason returned from his shoulder injury and quietly earned a season-high 86% of the snaps while seeing 14 of the teams 15 RB carries — an elite role.
But it’s now been a month since Mason produced more than 10 fantasy points. His fantasy managers are getting frustrated, especially with reports that Christian McCaffrey could return in Week 10. But here’s some good news, Mason faces the Cowboys this week. Dallas allows the most EPA per rushing play this season according to NFL pro. It’s a great spot for Mason, who still leads the NFL in carries and should be leaned on more this week as the 49ers battle injuries and illness at their WR position.