Brain Games: Big plays could be coming for Odell Beckham, a Chargers connection and more

I know that a lot has been written about the horrifying nature of having six teams on bye compounded by seemingly endless injuries last week, but there is also something sort of comforting about it. When you have no choice, you can’t choose wrong. If you’re like me, nothing burns more than going back and forth on two players, only to start the one who scores fewer fantasy points. We like to think of ourselves as connoisseurs of choice, but I have to admit that sometimes it’s a relief to see nothing but zeros next to my bench players.

So it’s a totally different scenario this week as most of us will once again be spoiled for choice and forced to make tough decisions. Hopefully they aren’t too hard. Even if (like me) you relied on Tyrod Taylor last week, it’s a no-brainer to slot Joe Burrow right back in that starting QB slot. Maybe it’s between Derrick Henry in a bad RB matchup with Atlanta or D’Onta Foreman coming off an epic game that helped you win your matchup — most of us would stick with Henry there. Suppose you only have room for one of Jakobi Meyers and Chris Olave. Can you stomach any more near misses between Olave and Derek Carr? I can’t. Ah, choices… in the end, it’s better to have them and work on making them in the most logical, unbiased way. If you’re still struggling, we’ll be here answering your sit/start questions Sunday morning. For now, a few players I wouldn’t want you to overthink for Week 8, and a few you can confidently mix into your lineups if needed.

Don’t overthink:

Justin Herbert, QB, LAC — Since before the bye, Herbert has been showing some concerning signs. He saved his Week 4 stat line with two rushing TDs but had only 167 passing yards with one passing touchdown and one interception. It was his lowest QBR of the season so far — against the Raiders. He wasn’t great against Dallas in Week 6 but declined further in Week 7 vs. Kansas City when he posted a measly 12.8 fantasy points. Herbert was the weak link in a bye-week decimated roster that lost me my Week 7 matchup by a narrow margin. It’s time to practice rapid forgetting and keep Herbert locked in for a Week 8 matchup with the Bears. Chicago has been the seventh-best QB and overall matchup for opponents this season. They are allowing the fifth-most points per game and the Chargers are big home favorites on prime-time TV. Look for a nice Herbert bounce-back game Sunday night.

Jacksonville D/ST — The Jaguars will travel to Pittsburgh this weekend for a game where they are 2.5-point favorites. Pittsburgh is the sixth-lowest scoring team in the league, with the second-lowest time of possession. Jacksonville has been terrific at applying pressure to opposing QBs, with an average of seven QB hits per game in their past four games (all wins). The Jags also rank at the top of the league in turnovers, with an average of 2.3 takeaways per game. They’re not one of the big-name defenses, but they’ve been better than average in all but one game (Week 3 in Houston).

Tinker with:

Romeo Doubs, WR, GB — With Christian Watson (knee) and Luke Musgrave (ankle) questionable, Doubs should be in sit/start decisions despite the lack of bye weeks. Even with both aforementioned players active, Doubs was the Packers’ leading receiver with 30 yards and a touchdown last week. Not the greatest numbers, I agree, but with a home game vs. Minnesota on tap we’ll hopefully see stronger pass numbers from Jordan Love. Love and the offense appeared to still be on bye for the first half of the loss to Denver last week, but showed signs of life eventually, with Love finishing the day 180/2/1 passing, along with 21 rushing yards. The Vikings are more susceptible through the air than on the ground, and Doubs has had two double-digit target games already this season. Expect a solid PPR game from him with touchdown upside in Week 8.

Donald Parham Jr., TE, LAC — When do we non-elite TE drafters ever feel great about our tight end streaming options? This tinker gets priority thanks to a hip injury that forced Gerald Everett to leave the field last week. Parham is known as a touchdown magnet with his 6-foot-8, 237-pound frame, which could be just what Herbert and the Chargers need in the sweet matchup with Chicago. Feel free to pick him up for a risk/reward option if Everett misses this game.

Odell Beckham Jr., WE, BAL — We’ve been hearing about how Baltimore wants Lamar Jackson to pass more often — and more effectively — for years now, and over the past couple weeks, he’s starting to show the patience to be that true double-threat QB. Jackson passed for 357 yards in the blowout win over Detroit in Week 7, and OBJ was his favorite target (seven targets). Although it’s been Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and, of course, Mark Andrews in the end zone these past two games, it seems inevitable that big plays are coming for Beckham as well. Facing the Cardinals this weekend is a good opportunity to fill an upside flex spot with Beckham given his usage is trending up and his matchup is the sixth best. Baltimore has one of the higher implied team totals of the week. Those seeking an even bigger thrill, one could consider Rashod Bateman, but his three targets per game leave him totally dependent on the big scoring play.

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