Cam Newton, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers
In a Week 8 disappointing fantasy performance for Newton, he only passed for 171 yards, didn’t score a single touchdown, fumbled and was intercepted once. For this sad outing, Newton rewarded his fantasy owners 2.24 points. Unfortunately, the Panthers attempted more of a run game, where Newton offered up only 24 rush yards on 12 touches. In a low-scoring loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Newton’s tiny handful of fantasy points likely didn’t do much to help his owners win either in Week 8. Let’s hope Newton pulls it together next week with the Panthers face the New Orleans Saints.
Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
Flacco put up one of his worst performances this season in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. Trending two weeks ago with five touchdown passes had those in need of a quarterback improvement starting Flacco in their lineups, hoping for more of his Kool-Aid. Sadly, all Flacco who has since been on a downhill slide, offered his fantasy owners in Week 8 was 195 passing yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. If his 4.00 fantasy points from this week helps anyone win, I’d be shocked. Next up for Flacco is a road game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Marshawn Lynch, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks
In Week 8, Lynch didn’t exactly take advantage of his friendly matchup and the fact that the Carolina Panthers have given up the third most fantasy points to per week to opposing running backs this season. If he had, fantasy owners would have seen a whole lot more than the disappointing 7.40 fantasy points Lynch finished up with in Week 8. Unfortunately, all Lynch could manage this week was 62 rushing yards off of 14 carries and a failure to find the end zone for the third week in a row. Hopefully, Lynch will be able to gain more momentum in Week 9 when the Seahawks play a winless Oakland Raiders.
Tre Mason, Running Back, St. Louis Rams
Hot off the waiver wire was Mason last week, whom everyone surely started hoping for another high-yardage, touchdown performance in Week 8. Well, that didn’t happen, because I’m certain that the Rams’ main goal for fantasy football players is to fool them each week when it comes to playing their running backs. Going with a running back committee in Week 8 had those who trusted Mason in their lineups rushing for only 32 yards with zero touchdowns, earning just 4.30 fantasy points. If you dare start Mason in your Week 9 lineup, he faces San Francisco again where two weeks ago he only scrounged up 40 yards with no score.
Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears
Marshall, who only caught three of his intended 10 targets in Week 8 rewarded another disappointing performance to his fantasy owners. Of his three catches, Marshall, who faced difficult coverage by Patriots corner Darrelle Revis tallied up just 35 yards, and not a touchdowns in site, resulting in was 6.50 fantasy points. It has been since Week 4 that Marshall has even scored, and his lowly three catches are somewhat cause for concern for those who continue to start the Bears’ No. 1 wideout each week. Week 9 has the Bears on their bye week, where they need to do some serious regrouping. We’ll see Marshall back in Week 10 when Chicago hosts Green Bay.
Jordy Nelson, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
Always a solid start so far this season had those who started their trusted Packers’ No. 1 wide receiver producing single-digit fantasy points for the first time in 2014. Coming of his worst fantasy performance, Nelson only had three catches off of five targets for a meager 25 yards. Surely, Nelson’s 5.50 fantasy points threw a major monkey wrench into your Week 8 game plan, due to the fact he’s been incredibly reliable all year. We’ll give him a pass for one stinker week and hope that Nelson the stud resurfaces in Week 10 when the Packers play the Bears.
Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
Week 8 had Edelman’s quarterback Tom Brady throwing for 354 yards all over the field with five touchdowns along the way. What did Edelman end up with from all of Brady's generosity at the end of the day? A lowly 14 yards from one catch, equating to 2.40 fantasy points. Edelman, who’s been on a down-tick the past couple of weeks, had his season-low worst performance in Week 8. Maybe he and Brady will spark things up again in Week 9 versus Denver, however expectations for Edelman should be tempered with how much the Patriots spread the ball around.
Wes Welker, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
Welker has evolved into a risky fantasy option the past few weeks, putting up another disappointing fantasy outing in Denver’s Week 8 win against the San Diego Chargers. Catching his only two targets of the night for a mere total of five yards had those who started Welker in their lineups receiving just 2.50 fantasy points. Welker’s targets have dramatically decreased from nine in Week 5 to a total of only six over the past three weeks. If you must start Welker in Week 9, he’s got a tough matchup against the New England Patriots, who’ve allowed opposing wide receivers the second-least fantasy points throughout this season.
Julius Thomas, Tight End, Denver Broncos
Week 8 brings more disappointment for fantasy owners of Thomas, who had his worst performance of the season against the San Diego Chargers. Two quiet weeks in a row have surely got owners of Thomas a bit concerned. While his targets have been consistent at six per game over the past few weeks, Thomas’ yardage and receptions have been dwindling and he hasn’t scored since Week 6. Let’s be optimistic that Thomas’ action will increase in Week 9 when the team travels to take on New England Patriots.
Greg Olsen, Tight End, Carolina Panthers
What on earth happened to Olsen, who went from stud tight end to a major dud in Week 8? With Olsen only catching one pass from three intended targets totaling 16 yards, had the veteran tight end finishing up Week 8 with his worst performance of the season offering just 2.60 fantasy points to his owners. The past few games prior, Olsen has been a beast, however, Week 8 just wasn’t meant to be with the Seahawks defense shutting him down.. The Panthers host the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, so with any luck, Olsen will rebound and begin catching his quarterback’s eye again.