Week eight of the 2011 NFL season gets going in just a little bit, which means fantasy football owners are likely scrambling for a few last minute lineup suggestions. Depending on the rules of your league, the running back position is arguably the most important in fantasy football. Bye weeks are a huge deal and it can be difficult to find bye week options further and further into the season.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Advice: Sit/Start Projections For RBs
Week eight is the fourth bye week with Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Oakland, the New York Jets and Tampa Bay all on the sidelines. This set of byes means running backs like Matt Forte, Darren McFadden and Michael Turner are all sidelined. The Packers send out James Starks and Ryan Grant, the Jets send out Shonn Greene and the Tampa Bay is looking for any bodies they can, so those absences are not quite as bad.
SLEEPERS
Phillip Tanner, Cowboys: This is a DEEP sleeper. The Dallas Cowboys released Tashard Choice on Saturday, which leaves them with DeMarco Murray starting, Phillip Tanner backing him up, and nothing else. The Eagles have had a fairly atrocious run defense and it is possible even a backup running back could grab some decent yards against them. Again, it is more of a deeper sleeper play.
Bernard Scott, Bengals: He is starting for the Cincinnati Bengals in place of a suspended Cedric Benson. He doesn't have a particularly great matchup against a solid Seattle rush defense, but he will get a lot of carries. He is probably already owned in your league, but double-check.
Keiland Williams, Lions: Maurice Morris will get the start, but Williams will get a fair share of carries with Jahvid Best sidelined. He is a deeper sleeper, but could be a decent option if you're desperate.
Ben Tate, Texans: It's all about the backups this week. Arian Foster at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars is a decent enough matchup. If Houston can get a nice sized lead, Tate could get some decent carries. I would argue of these four players, he is one of the bigger rolls of the dice because he is behind Foster.
Here are the top 15 running back projections for today. You can view all the projections at numberFire.com. For more on fantasy football, check out Fake Teams. Follow us on twitter@sbnationfantasy.
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