Fantasy Football Focus: Week 8: Injuries Injuries Injuries

***Opening rant with New York Nick***

As Halloween approaches, I’m stuck with deciding what scares me more. Michael Myers walking down a dark hallway as he stutter steps to the door on the left...just to violently break it down? No,he doesn't compare to what we all fear. Please allow me to introduce the most hated evil the fantasy world has ever known, the grim reaper himself, ladies and gentlemen; I give you, “injury”. Injury has now plagued us all. From the top rb picks of the draft, to the top wr picks of the draft, each week we sit more and more players. We hit the FA pool only to find left over’s from last year’s Thanksgiving feast, crammed in the back of the fridge with green stuff growing out the gravy. Yes, I’m referring to the likes of Brandon Jacobs and Willis McGhee. My solution isn't pretty and it probably won’t get the job done on a consistent basis, but it’s simple. Glue as many players you can find and hopefully create a monster that can get you through the rest of the month until the reaper passes you bye. ~ New York Nick

Whatup football family?!? Welcome to week 8 of the fantasy football season. New York Nick was dead on (no pun intended). Injuries are starting to take their toll on our respective teams. Players like Matt Forte, Arian Foster, Ray Rice, Chris Johnson, and Ryan Matthews being on bye doesn't help either. If you have multiple injury / bye week decisions to make, then you've come to the right place. The Boys are back with that news you can use for week 8.

So LETS...GET...STARTED!!!!

LeVeon Bell: RB, Pittsburgh

Bell got a late start to the 2013 season, but has quickly entrenched himself as the number one rb in the Steel City. Last week, Bell accounted for 99 total yards. That just happens to be the Raiders...this week's opponent...average yards allowed on the ground this year (99.1). You can reasonably expect similar numbers this week.

***Big Mike's Match Ups***

Harry Douglas: WR, Atlanta

Julio Jones? Out. Roddy White? Eh...might as well be. Enter...Harry Douglas. Last week Douglas put up 7 catches for 149 yards and a td in place of the injured starters. This week Douglas draws a Cardinals defense that's giving up over 250 yards through the air.

Joseph Fauria: TE, Detroit

Fauria, who's sitting on many waiver wires as we speak, has quietly amassed 5 td's already this season. He will get opportunities to increase that total this week against Dallas, and their 30th ranked pass defense. 

***Going Deep with DP***

Jordan Reed: WR, Washington

Reed lit up the Bears last week for 9/134/1. Starter Fred Davis stays hurt, and Reed's role is steadily increasing. This week Reed has an excellent match up against Denver and their dead last (no pun intended) pass defense. Washington is terrible on defense as well, and a shootout will certainly bode well for Reed again this week.

Mike James: RB, Tampa Bay

With starter Doug Martin lost for the season, back up Mike James filled in and combined for 53 total yards. His 14 carries were impressive, and he's set to get the start this week against Carolina. If you owned Marin, you need to pick up James...like right now.

***Homer Alert***

If you are down Philip Rivers or Jay Cutler, and was looking to replace them with Alex Smith, then you...my friend...are on homer alert. Yes, the Chiefs are undefeated, and the Browns aren't a household name. But please beware...the Browns have one of the pass defenses in the league, lead by arguably one of the best corners. Smith is solid, but a lil too safe for starter consideration this week. The Chiefs have a stout defense, so Smith may only have to hand the ball off, and move the chains only when necessary. And Smith is ok with that......which is not ok for us.

***Make sure you check out Big Mike's College Picks of the Week this Saturday morning***

Life is a sport, so always play to win! Good luck!

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