Fantasy football advice, Week 8: Who to start/sit for Seahawks vs. Panthers

Two NFC teams disappointed to be at .500 on the season face off Sunday. The Carolina Panthers lead the NFC South despite a 3-3-1 record after starting 2-0. Meanwhile, the defending champion Seattle Seahawks have lost two straight to fall to 3-3, third place in the NFC West. A matchup that looked like a huge clash when the schedule came out is now is just a battle to avoid a losing record.

The Seahawks will be largely healthy for Sunday. Tight ends Zach Miller and Luke Willson remain on the injury report. Willson is expected back Sunday, while Miller is out. And running back Marshawn Lynch appeared on the injury report, though that appeared to be more for general maintenance than for any real problem. For Carolina, the question is as always the team's running backs. DeAngelo Williams will miss yet another game with an ankle injury, while Fozzy Whittaker looks doubtful with a quad injury.

Start 'em: Pump the brakes just a little on the Russell Wilson train and remember his 10-point outing between his huge Weeks 5 and 7. He's great, but he won't keep running at this rate. ... Forgive Marshawn Lynch his two subpar games, and keep him in your lineup. ... Steven Hauschka has only kicked for fewer than seven points once all year. He's still a must-start. ... The Seahawks' defense isn't the super-elite unit we expected, but it still gets slotted in the top 10.

Start 'em?: It was a great start to being the featured receiver for Doug Baldwin, but he's only a mid-range flex play until he can show some more consistency.

Sit 'em: The likely return of Luke Willson robs Cooper Helfet of whatever value he might have had after last week, and Willson doesn't have any in his own right.

Start 'em: After his great Week 6, Cam Newton went right back down in Week 7. He is running again, so he's a starting quarterback, but he might not be consistent enough to really carry a team. ... Kelvin Benjamin finds the end zone every week, it feels like -- he has five scores in seven games. ... Greg Olsen has played himself into the very top tier of tight ends.

Start 'em?: There haven't been any goose-eggs for Graham Gano, who has kicked for at least four points every game, though he lacks the theoretical upside of some kickers.

Sit 'em: There's just no way to use any Carolina running back, be it Jonathan Stewart or Darrin Reaves or Chris Ogbonnaya, with anyone even remotely approaching confidence. ... How can you trust the Panthers' defense the way things have gone?

Start in every league: Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Steven Hauschka, Seattle defense, Cam Newton, Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olsen
Start if you're desperate: Doug Baldwin, Graham Gano
Bench: Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet, Jonathan Stewart, Darrin Reaves, Chris Ogbonnaya, Carolina defense