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Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 8

Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports

SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our weekly rankings.

Start

Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals

vs. Eagles

Palmer has produced strong fantasy numbers in all three of his starts this season and the veteran promises to deliver again in a potential shootout at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles shut down Eli Manning, but every other quarterback they've faced this season finished the week with QB1 numbers. Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown will find holes in the defense, and Andre Ellington can produce through the air, too. 

Fearless prediction: 296 yards passing, 3 TDs

Jerick McKinnon, RB, Vikings

at Buccaneers

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer challenged his running backs to average three yards per carry in Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills - after contact, that is. It was a ridiculously tall order (the NFL's leader in the category is well under three yards), but McKinnon somehow delivered, registering the first 100-yard day the Bills have allowed all season. If the rookie runs like he did against the Bills again this week, he's in for a monster game.

Fearless prediction: 141 yards rushing, TD

Andre Johnson, WR, Texans

at Titans

Ryan Fitzpatrick admitted he didn't throw enough passes to Johnson in Monday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The squeaky wheel will get the grease this weekend. The Tennessee Titans don't have a cornerback who can match up to Johnson's physicality. Expect at least 100 yards and a touchdown and hope for the possibility of much more. 

Fearless prediction: 113 yards receiving, TD

Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles

at Cardinals

Ertz's production has been anything but consistent this season. Though, he's set up for a big week with the Eagles coming off a bye and the Arizona Cardinals allowing big points to opposing tight ends. Ertz burned the Cardinals for 68 yards and two touchdowns last season and it's not unrealistic to think he could match those numbers this year. 

Fearless prediction: 69 yards receiving, 2 TDs

Sit

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons

vs. Lions (in London, UK)

Don't bother setting your alarm and waking up early to watch Ryan's Atlanta Falcons take on the the NFL's top-ranked defense in a 9:30 a.m. ET game. Instead, find a better option under center for your fantasy team this week. Even though this contest is technically a home game for the Falcons, Ryan performs much worse on the road and Wembley Stadium won't feel like the Georgia Dome.

Chris Ivory, RB, Jets

vs. Bills 

Ivory shredded the New England Patriots' Swiss cheese rush defense last week, but the Buffalo Bills are more like Parmesan or Romano - they're hard (to run on). The Bills have surrendered just over 11 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, second-best in the NFL. Cut Ivory out of your starting lineup like you would a moldy butt end on a brick of extra sharp cheddar.

Percy Harvin, WR, Jets

vs. Bills

Harvin simply hasn't had enough time to learn and be integrated into the New York Jets' offense to be trusted as a fantasy starter this week. The Jets have been upfront about this, with Rex Ryan saying it's unrealistic to expect Harvin to play starter's snaps against the Bills. The wideout may be a factor on punt and kick returns, but most fantasy leagues don't award points for return yardage.

Delanie Walker, TE, Titans

vs. Texans

Walker was producing like a TE1 earlier this season, scoring touchdowns in three of four games in September, but that was a different era for the Titans. The team has now benched Jake Locker in favor of Zach Mettenberger in a forward-thinking move. The rookie will be welcomed to the pros with a start against J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Good luck, rook.

Stash

Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers

Doug Martin has been an utter disaster as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' starter and Bobby Rainey isn't a realistic replacement option. The team spent a third-round pick on Sims this spring with the intent to use him as a receiving back, but he was injured in the preseason and placed on IR-recall. Sims is nearing a return to the field and he could assume a feature back role almost immediately. Grab him before others in your league realize his potential. 

Quit

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals

Dalton finished as a top-five fantasy quarterback last season, but there's no hope of him repeating that feat, especially not with Tyler Eifert still sidelined and A.J. Green likely to battle a toe injury all season. Don't waste a roster spot on Dalton as a backup quarterback. If you're relying on him as a starter, you're better off moving on to a player with upside, like Ryan Tannehill, Mike Glennon or Blake Bortles. 

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