FanDuel Dimes- Week 8

Week 8 marks the beginning of a complicated 3-week stretch in daily fantasy games. The NFL has scheduled 12 teams to have their bye in Weeks 9 and 10. This weekend we are missing fantasy powerhouses in Denver and San Diego due to Thursday Night Football, as well as, San Francisco and the New York Giants who are on their bye. The one added nuance is that the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons are playing in London at 9:30am EST on Sunday morning.  Players on those teams are not eligible for the 'Sunday/Monday Only' games. So, you'll have to play Thursday-Monday games in order to be able to utilize your favorite Lions and Falcons. Hopefully, that helps you save time searching for Golden Tate.

***Note: The following picks are for 'Sunday/Monday Only' games

Bargain Buys

RB Mark Ingram ($6,100)- Ingram was a popular choice by many as a sleeper last week. After totaling only 3.9 fantasy points on 29 total yards, he's a much less popular choice this week. However, I see a comeback this week. He hadn't played in the 4 weeks prior to last week with a hand injury and New Orleans' bye week. Now he's the healthy one and the other Saints backs are banged up. Pierre Thomas is out this week and Khiry Robinson is questionable with a forearm issue. Even if Khiry plays, his recent fumbling problems will give Ingram the edge. Green Bay and their 31st ranked rush defense is coming to New Orleans in the highest over/under game of the week. Points will be a plenty, Ingram should benefit.

TE Jordan Reed ($5,200)- Value is through the roof. He's cheaper than guys like Jace Amaro, Jermaine Gresham, and Tim Wright. Yes, TIM WRIGHT! A third string QB's best friends are a running game and a tight end. Colt McCoy will be looking for his big tight end often on Monday Night in Dallas. The Cowboys defense has been playing above their talent level, however they have struggled with tight ends thus far. No team has given up more receptions to tight ends (50) and only the Bengals have given up more yards (541) to them. He's a great play on a week with Jimmy Graham recovering and Julius Thomas playing on Thursday.

WR Mike Evans ($5,900)- Keep an eye on him suiting up. The Bucs are coming off their bye week to face the struggling Vikings. For Evans the bye week couldn't have come at a better time since it has allowed his groin injury to heal. There will be a ton of points on the board in this match-up and the 6'5" Evans will be the likely recipient of QB Mike Glennon's redzone targets. He's sitting at $600 cheaper than his teammate Louis Murphy who replaced him in the lineup while injured. Roll with Evans if he's on the field.

RB Jerick McKinnon ($5,800)- I'm a contrarian so I didn't want to include McKinnon but he's just too good to pass up. McKinnon has break-away ability like not many backs in this league have. We got a taste of that with his 19 carry, 103 yard performance against the best rush defense in the league (at the time) in Buffalo. This week the Vikings get one of the worst in Tampa Bay. If Minnesota wants to win the game they know they have to feed McKinnon. With all things considered, I'd imagine he'd be on 25% of the teams on FanDuel. Split half your teams between Mark Ingram and McKinnon to splurge on another RB.

Kansas City Defense ($4,800)- Last week I whiffed big on Seattle's defense. That's the only reason I'm hesitant in picking KC. At $4,800, Kansas City is in the middle of the value pack. The Chiefs get the Rams in a home game and we know their defense shows up at home. It's a good time to get the Rams who could be on their "Super Bowl" hangover after beating the Seahawks last week. Austin Davis will be brought back down to earth after facing this #2 pass defense.

Star Splurges

RB Jamaal Charles ($8,700)- He'll be the #1 fantasy RB in Week 8. Don't worry about the controversy surrounding his concussion reporting. If he's on the field he's going to be used, and used often. The Chiefs get the 28th ranked rush defense at home against St. Louis this week. He's the fourth most expensive RB but $900 cheaper than #1 ranked RB DeMarco Murray. I'm rolling the dice on Charles blowing up this week.

WR TY Hilton ($7,900)- His price tag is finally catching up to his production. On weeks he's not blowing up the stat sheet he's still being consistent. Hilton is the 5th most targeted WR, and with Reggie Wayne out I'd imagine those targets won't see any drop-off, if not any increase. Luck is rolling right now and he gets a sub-par, aged Pittsburgh secondary on a short week. Hilton should be able to get behind their defense with ease. Hilton is the 7th most expensive WR but will be in the Top 5 in points.

WR Dez Bryant ($8,800)- The Burgundy and Gold in me won't allow me to make this smart business decision for my teams but I can't help but give you the advice you need to win. Dez shines in the spotlight of primetime and the Redskins do not have DeAngelo Hall to make it his mission to stop him. I see the Redskins investing extra eyes and bodies on DeMarco Murray so Tony Romo should see open field to work with. It pains me to say but Dez could be in for a big night.

Must Avoid

RB DeMarco Murray ($9,600)- He's got the record, time to save him for when it counts. Murray is on an unprecedented tear. He gets the Redskins this week in a chance to extend that streak. The Redskins are not a frightening match-up even though they're a top 12 rush defense. The real threat to Murray will be Romo's ability to take everything the Redskins' secondary will give him. It's hard to bet against Murray at this point but I'm staying away from the most expensive RB against a solid run defense.

TE Jimmy Graham ($7,000)- Don't fall for the cheap price. Drew Brees is too good at making the most of what is out there for him. Graham was active last week and went without a catch. I'm not trusting him until I see him back in form. Maybe hoping for him to be a full participant in a Wednesday practice is wishful thinking but until that happens or until he starts to show me something on Sunday will I feel safe in rolling with him.