Set your fantasy football lineups for success with these favorable matchups to target in Week 8.
Cedric Tillman vs. BAL
Cedric Tillman is a second-year receiver for the Browns and had a big day 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 an excellent receiver in college, but injuries cut his college career short. He enters Week 8 as the top option for the Browns’ new starting quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Tillman is a great fit for Winston’s skill set. According to PlayerProfiler, Tillman is a big receiver who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 215 pounds with quality speed and burst. He wins downfield, and this skillset complements Winston’s willingness and ability to attack deep down the field. Tillman is scheduled to play this week against the Ravens and currently has the most passing yards per game this season. If you were able to add him last week, start Tillman.
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Javonte Williams vs. CAR
Javonte Williams is coming off the best game not only of this season, but of his entire career. In Week 7, he took advantage of the Saints’ poor defense by totaling 111 yards and two touchdowns on a team-high 17 touches. Over the past four games, Javonte has averaged 16.5 chances per game with an elite goal share of 17%.
Williams will have a strong matchup against the Panthers this week. Carolina has been a run funnel for opposing offenses all season. Last week, Brian Robinson was able to gain 71 yards and a touchdown in the first half against Carolina. Last week, Bejan Robinson totaled 105 yards and two touchdowns. Williams will start against a Panthers team that allows the most rushing yards per game.
Jaylen Waddle vs. ARI
Last week was supposed to be a bounce-back game for Waddle. He was coming off a bye week and had seven extra days to prepare against a poor Colts defense that allowed the most passing yards per play this season. So, surely Waddle had a big match? Well, not completely.
Waddle had just one catch for a total of 11 yards on two targets. The Dolphins lost QB Tyler Huntley midway through Week 7, and the Dolphins’ passing game was in turmoil. But the good news for Waddle is that Tua Tagovailoa is scheduled to return in Week 8.
Waddle has one game against Tagovailoa this year dating back to Week 1, a contest in which he had five receptions for over 100 yards. This week, Waddle will take on a Cardinals defense that is allowing the second-most passing yards per play after allowing 349 yards to Justin Herbert and the run-first Los Angeles Chargers. I’m starting waddle this week.
Najee Harris vs. NYG
Harris has been on a roll with consecutive runs of over 100 yards and a touchdown. He took advantage of solid matchups against the Raiders and Jets and seemed to be doing well with it. In the past two games, Harris leads the NFL with seven runs of 10 yards or more. According to PFF, there were zero runs of 10 yards or more through the first five games.
Harris is heating up, and so is the Steelers offense. Pittsburgh scored 37 points in Week 7, the first game with quarterback Russell Wilson. Harris should have plenty of upside each week if he continues to move the ball under Wilson. This week, he will play against the Giants, who allow the most rushing yards per play, according to NFL pros. I’m starting Harris again this week.
Jordan Mason vs. DAL
Mason has had a frustrating few weeks. In Week 5, he gained 98 total yards, but was unable to find the end zone due to a fumble in the red zone. In Week 6, he was about to have a great day. Mason had over 70 yards in the second quarter of Week 6, but then injured his shoulder and played just one snap the rest of the game. In Week 7, Mason returned from a shoulder injury and quietly earned a season-high 86% of the snaps, playing an elite role with 14 of the team’s 15 running backs.
But it’s been a month since Mason produced more than 10 fantasy points. His fantasy managers are especially frustrated with reports that Christian McCaffrey could return in Week 10. But there’s some good news here. Mason will play this week against the Cowboys. According to NFL Pros, Dallas is allowing the most EPA per rushing play this season. It’s a great spot for Mason, who leads the NFL in carries and should be relied on even more this week as the 49ers battle injuries and illnesses at the wide receiver position.
