Fantasy football sit/start advice, Week 8: Lions vs. Falcons

Say, remember when the Atlanta Falcons were 2-1? Memories. The Falcons now sit at 2-5, and lose a home game Sunday by becoming the nominal host team in the season's second London game, with the NFC Central-leading Detroit Lions the nominal road team in the game.

The Lions come into the game dealing with a whole host of injuries. The biggest name is obviously Calvin Johnson, who made the trip to London, but is squarely a game-time decision; there might be only a brief period Sunday morning where we know his status. The team could be without running back Reggie Bush, who was downgraded late in the week, but Theo Riddick will be active after dealing with a hamstring injury, as will healthy running back Joique Bell. And the Lions are running low on tight ends, with Eric Ebron, Joseph Fauria and Brandon Pettigrew all likely out. It looks like Kellen Davis will be Detroit's top tight end. On the Falcons' side, there aren't any fantasy-relevant injuries to note.

Start 'em: Considering the injury status of seemingly everyone else in the Detroit offense, Joique Bell looks like a great option against a porous Atlanta run defense. ... Golden Tate has been really good with Johnson hurt and/or out, and that should continue Sunday. ... The Lions' defense struggled in Week 7, but it's still an elite unit going against a woefully struggling offense.

Start 'em?: That's now three straight very underwhelming games for Matthew Stafford, and five of six since his big Week 1. He's firmly in the mid-range territory of quarterbacks -- say, QB8 to QB15 -- who could start, but by no means have to. ... In a desperate situation, if Bush misses Sunday, Theo Riddick could be a reasonable low-end flex play.

Sit 'em: At this point, even if Reggie Bush does play, it's hard to imagine trusting him enough to have him in your lineup. ... I'm done with the "if Calvin Johnson plays, you have to use him" mindset after being burned so many times. Wait until after the bye. ... Didn't even realize Kellen Davis was on the Lions until I started writing this. ... Matt Prater has done better than the other Detroit kickers this year, which is saying almost nothing.

Start 'em: It's been a less-elite-than-normal stretch for Julio Jones, who has 7.3 points a game in his last four, but it is still Julio Jones; you're starting him.

Start 'em?: In six games, Roddy White has 13-plus fantasy points three times, and four or fewer three. He's as ceiling/floor as they come.

Sit 'em: Since having 23-plus points twice through Week 3, Matt Ryan has averaged 14 fantasy points a game, including 12.3 in his last three. How can you use him? ... Still waiting for any kind of big game from Steven Jackson, who has put up exactly two fantasy points in back-to-back games. ... Levine Toilolo had seven points in Week 1. He has seven total since. ... Matt Bryant has become a victim of the team's offense; there's nothing for him to kick. ... The Falcons' defense put up 28 in Week 3; it has negative-8 outside of that for the season.

Start in every league: Joique Bell, Golden Tate, Detroit defense, Julio Jones
Start if you're desperate: Matthew Stafford, Theo Riddick, Roddy White
Bench: Reggie Bush, Calvin Johnson, Kellen Davis, Matt Prater, Matt Ryan, Steven Jackson, Levine Toilolo, Matt Bryant, Atlanta defense