At 4-3, the New York Giants are a game better than the 3-4 New Orleans Saints, though the Giants sit in first place as a virtue of the rest of the NFC East struggling. The Saints, meanwhile, are well behind the two leaders of the NFC South, though a win Sunday could get them moving in the right direction for a shot at a Wild Card berth. They play each other Sunday.
Fantasy football advice, Week 8: Who to start/sit for Giants vs. Saints
Two teams who have turned their fortunes around in recent weeks look to keep things going against one another Sunday.
New York wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is again on the week’s injury report, as he deals with a hamstring injury, but he should be fine for Sunday’s game. On the New Orleans side, the Saints should have basically all their fantasy contributors active for Sunday; the only one on the injury report is wide receiver Marques Colston, and he’s listed as “not injury related.”
The Saints will host the Giants Sunday. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
GIANTS
Start ‘em: One thing we know about Eli Manning is that he’s up and down as a fantasy performer. After two awful weeks in a row, I’m giving him one more week to show the “up” before I start cutting bait. ... People keep acting like this is a bad season for Odell Beckham Jr., and sure, it’s not as good as 2014, but he’s put up 12 or more fantasy points in four of his last six, and that’s not terrible at all. ... Josh Brown has literally alternated double- and single-digit fantasy days all season, which would make Sunday a single-digit day if it continues. But against a subpar defense, I’m betting the trend breaks.
Start ‘em?: Since his hot two-game stretch in Weeks 3 and 4, Rueben Randle has cooled, with 14 fantasy points the last three weeks combined. He’s a low-end flex option. ... The Giants’ defense has outperformed expectations, mostly because of the special teams side of things.
Sit ‘em: If you know how the New York running situation will shake out, you’re ahead of me. Rashad Jennings is still the most talented runner there (I think), and Shane Vereen is the pass-catching back. Meanwhile, Orleans Darkwa was the guy in Week 7, out of nowhere. For now, assume all of them are unusable, even though the only one we know won’t get the touches is Andre Williams. ... Larry Donnell offers little upside beyond a chance at a score, and he’s not even scoring much.
SAINTS
Start ‘em: Find a reason to be down on Mark Ingram so far this year. Go ahead. I dare you.
Start ‘em?: I’m tired of saying it, but Drew Brees just doesn’t offer upside. He’s gone above 16 fantasy points once all year, and (I’ve said this so many times) it’s almost entirely because of one unlikely-to-repeat busted coverage by Dallas. He’s probably still a fantasy starter, but just barely. ... If you’re using a New Orleans receiver, it’s Brandin Cooks or Willie Snead, but none of the team’s wide receivers are doing a whole lot. ... The last three weeks, Benjamin Watson has averaged 10.7 fantasy points a game. He’s looked good, but I haven’t shaken his “seven fantasy points through Week 4” yet. ... The Saints’ defense has improved of late, but still has awful downside.
Sit ‘em: After a two-touchdown game, it might be tempting to use Khiry Robinson, though his usage is still too sporadic. And C.J. Spiller seems to have very little upside. ... Behind Cooks and Snead, Marques Colston and Brandon Coleman don’t seem to have much value anymore. ... Kai Forbath didn’t do a whole lot last week in his New Orleans debut.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., Josh Brown, Mark Ingram
Start if you’re desperate: Rueben Randle, New York defense, Drew Brees, Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, Benjamin Watson, New Orleans defense
Bench: Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, Andre Williams, Larry Donnell, Khiry Robinson, C.J. Spiller, Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Kai Forbath
