After winning their season-opening game, the New York Jets have lost six in a row to fall to 1-6. The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, have had a much more up-and-down season, with stops at 2-2 and 3-3 before reaching 4-3 in Week 7. As it stands, the Jets are in last in the AFC East, while the Bills are in second place heading into Sunday's matchup between the two teams.
Fantasy football advice, Week 8: Who to start/sit for Bills vs. Jets
The Bills have been up and down. The Jets have been just down.
Christian Petersen
The Bills were ravaged by injuries a week ago, with both the team's top two running backs -- C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson -- going down to injury. The team's top wide receiver, Sammy Watkins, was also on the week's injury report, with a groin injury. For the Jets, running back Chris Johnson and wide receiver Eric Decker appeared on the injury report, though both are expected to be fine for Sunday.
The Jets host Sunday’s game at 1 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy performers to watch in the game:
BILLS
Start ‘em: With that New York defense, Sammy Watkins looks like a perfectly fine WR2. ... The Bills’ defense is already a good unit, and now gets to go against that Jets offense.
Start 'em?: Against an awful Jets' pass defense, Kyle Orton -- who has averaged better than 15 fantasy points a game as the starter -- makes a lot of sense as a mid-range QB2 or a waiver fill-in for Colin Kaepernick or Eli Manning. ... The Bills have seemed to indicate that Anthony DIxon will start out as the lead running back over Bryce Brown, though from here Brown is the better player. Both are flex plays with a lot of risk. ... Scott Chandler is a mid-range TE2, though he has limited upside.
Sit 'em: Since starting the season hot, Dan Carpenter has put up more than five fantasy points only once since Week 2.
JETS
Start ‘em: Even as he’s played through injury Eric Decker has had plenty of targets; he appears to be healthy enough now to capitalize on those targets.
Start 'em?: He struggled for a few weeks, but Chris Ivory bounced back in Week 7. He's a fine flex option. ... Nick Folk had a big game in Week 7, though he's only a few weeks removed from a goose-egg. It all depends on which version of the New York offense shows up.
Sit 'em: Since bottoming out, Geno Smith has at least performed at a mediocre level the last couple weeks. Still, he's a stay-away. ... Chris Johnson just hasn't shown enough to count on this season. ... In his first game with the Jets, Percy Harvin shouldn't be in fantasy lineups. Let's see how he performs for a week. ... Jace Amaro and Jeff Cumberland might combine to make one good tight end, but we don't get to play that one. ... The last three weeks, the Jets' defense has two total fantasy points. You can't use them.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Sammy Watkins, Buffalo defense, Eric Decker
Start if you're desperate: Kyle Orton, Anthony Dixon, Bryce Brown, Scott Chandler, Chris Ivory, Nick Folk
Bench: Dan Carpenter, Geno Smith, Chris Johnson, Percy Harvin, Jace Amaro, Jeff Cumberland, New York defense
