The New York Giants will match up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. Coming off their first win of the season against the Minnesota Vikings, the 1-6 Giants are playing better and figure to give the 3-4 Eagles a competitive game. The Eagles are expected to have their quarterback Michael Vick (hamstring) back under center.
Fantasy football start/sit advice Week 8: Giants vs. Eagles
The New York Giants are lacking in strong fantasy options heading into their Week 8 match up against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Giants
Start: Eli Manning, Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle
Giants quarterback Eli Manning has had a poor season, to say the least. Manning has 15 interceptions on the year and only 10 touchdowns. His completion percentage of 54.4 percent is concerning for a 10-year veteran. However, the Giants seem to have found some stability in recent weeks. Showing improved offensive line play and a commitment to the running game, New York is trying to get back to playing Tom Coughlin football. Going up against the Philadelphia’s weak secondary, Eli Manning is a recommended play this week.
Wide receiver Victor Cruz has been the Giants’ only consistent offensive weapon all year. While even a star receiver like Cruz is bound to have some down games on an 1-6 team, he has three 100-yard games on the season so far. Although he hasn’t found the endzone since Week 4, Cruz remains a WR1.
Receiver Rueben Randle has come on in recent weeks. The second-round pick has racked up four touchdowns over the last three weeks and has continued to flash big-play ability all year. Randle is a solid WR3/Flex option against the Eagles.
Running back Brandon Jacobs is doubtful for Sunday, which will leave Hillis as the teams starter. While Hillis is a good bet for 15-20 carries, his lack of big-play ability will limit his value. The most likely source of production for him will come from hitting the endzone as he did last week. Hillis is no more than a low-end flex play. Tight end Brandon Myers has been completely irrelevant since Week 2 and owners can surely do better on the waiver wire.
As talented as wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is, his struggles this year simply can’t be ignored. He only managed to haul in two catches for 28 yards on 10 targets against the Minnesota Vikings last week. He dropped three well-delivered passes from Manning, which has been the ongoing issue with him throughout the year. Normally a reliable endzone threat, Nicks doesn’t have a single touchdown on the entire year. He remains a WR3 but if owners have a better play, they shouldn’t hesitate to send Nicks to the bench.
Eagles
Start: Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson
Quarterback Michael Vick will make his return in this game, and fantasy owners need to immediately plug him back into their starting lineups in Week 8. The Giants haven't been able to slow down passing attacks all year with the exception of Josh Freeman in his first start with the team after being signed two weeks earlier.
Running back LeSean McCoy has always had a habit of getting the better of the Giants defense and there’s no reason to believe that the stud won’t continue his elite RB1 campaign in Week 8. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson also figures to be heavily involved in the passing game as the team’s best weapon. Owners should start McCoy and Jackson with confindence.
Sit: Riley Cooper, Brent Celek
Wide receiver Riley Cooper has actually turned in a couple of good games in the last two weeks. However, his role hasn't changed and he was a complete non-factor in the first five weeks of the season. He's a high-risk, low-reward flex play at best. Tight end Brent Celek's role has been gradually reduced in favor of rookie second round pick Zach Ertz. Both are weak fantasy plays.
• Week 8 fantasy football rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
• Week 8 fantasy football waiver wire: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
