Fantasy Football Fix: Week 8 Mailbag

 

Week 8 of the 2012 NFL season kicks off tonight, as the Minnesota Vikings host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football.

Not only does tonight start Week 8, but it also means we are halfway through the Fantasy Football season. Many owners have questions that they need answered, as every matchup is crucial.

Feel free to tweet me your questions throughout the week @aPfeiferRS.

Here we go.

 

@apfeiferrs should I keep Peterson starting rb on my team or attempt to trade him?

— Nick Guerrini (@NickGuerrini) October 24, 2012

 

Look, I absolutely love Adrian Peterson as much as the next guy. What he has accomplished after coming back from an ACL tear is truly remarkable. However, if you can get good value for him, I’d actually look to trade him. He is having a nice year thus far, but has an extremely difficult slate of games ahead of him. Peterson still has to face teams like Chicago (twice), Houston, Seattle, Green Bay (twice). Those are some of the best run defenses in football. If you have depth at the running back position, trading AP may be a good option for you.

 

@apfeiferrs Is Stephens-Howling going to have another good week? Or was that a one time thing? Cuz I have him on my bench right now.

— Laura Ludlum (@BrownEyedNJGirl) October 25, 2012

 

What a running back carousel the Arizona Cardinals are dealing with. First it was William Powell as the featured back, now it appears to be LaRod Stephens-Howling. He is coming off a very nice game against the Vikings on Sunday, tallying 104 yards on 20 carries and a score. However, it is way too difficult to trust anyone in this backfield, especially since they face the vaunted San Francisco 49ers defense on Monday night. LSH is a small back, coming in at only 5″7′, 185 lbs. The 49ers defense is one of the biggest and most physical in football. The Cardinals offensive line is one of the worst in football. Having said all of this, I don’t like LSH this week, unless you are desperate.

 

@apfeiferrs I have the Vikings D/ST.. do i use doug martin, randall cobb, titus young, or rudolph at my flex?

— Thomas Kwalwasser (@Tkwal30) October 24, 2012

 

Fantasy owners have absolutely fell in love with Randall Cobb. However, no one has fallen for him harder than his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The Green Bay Packer’s signal caller referred to Cobb as a “star in the making.” Is that enough to convince you? Anyway, I like Cobb a lot this week, especially since he faces one of the worst teams in football in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Keep rolling with Cobb.

 

@apfeiferrs would u play Vick Ballard or Steve Smith as flex in PPR? Thx as always!

— Graham Honeycutt (@JD_Honeycutt) October 24, 2012

 

Who would have ever thought a discussion like this would occur. However, I’d actually prefer Vick Ballard. He is coming off a game where he saw 40 snaps and eclipsed 100 all purpose yards. With starting running back Donald Brown possibly returning next week, Ballard will want to showcase his skills before he becomes a backup again. Also, the matchup is very favorable, as his opponent, the Tennessee Titans. have allowed the third-most fantasy points to runners. Steve Smith, on the other hand, has been quiet all year, not even scoring a touchdown. He faces the Bears this week, and after watching Charles Tillman shut down Calvin Johnson on Monday night, I’d stay away.

 

@apfeiferrs So Brady has been very reliable this year but he goes against good Rams pass D in London. Do I start Big Ben vs bad Skins pass D

— Shmanky13 (@shmanky13) October 25, 2012

 

First off, I don’t think playing overseas has any impact in fantasy. However, if you are worried about it, Tom Brady played in Wembley Stadium three years ago. His stat line? 308 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Having said that, you have to stick with your stud. While Big Ben has one of the best matchups among all quarterbacks this week, you would feel awfully foolish having Brady on your bench. I can see why you would consider this, but odds are you used a very high draft pick on him, so keep Brady in your lineup.

 

Thanks for your questions and good luck in Week 8!