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

The Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys were both discussed as possible Super Bowl contenders entering the season. Instead, seven weeks into the season, the Seahawks are 3-4, in third place in the NFC West, and the Cowboys are 2-4, last in the NFC East. If either team wants to stay relevant for the season, it needs a win Sunday, yet only one can, as the two teams face one another.

Seattle’s top two running backs, Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls, were both on the weekly injury report, though both are expected to be a full go for Sunday. Dallas will be without running back Joseph Randle as he deals with a back injury and rumors of a possible suspension. Meanwhile, the team expects to get wide receiver Dez Bryant back for the first time since Week 1, though officially he’s questionable.

The Cowboys will host the Seahawks Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:

Start ‘em: It seems like Marshawn Lynch is back on track, despite a bad offensive line, and needs to be in every lineup. ... Jimmy Graham has been an unquestionable disappointment this year, but at a position without much upside, he still has his, and he’s still a starter. ... Steven Hauschka has been a monster all season. ... The Seahawks’ defense has been strong, and now draws a No. 3 quarterback.

Start ‘em?: Remember elite Russell Wilson? He hasn’t reached 20 fantasy points since Week 2, and has only 14.2 since. He’s a QB2.

Sit ‘em: The wide receivers in Seattle are basically the same from a fantasy angle. Doug Baldwin is the best of the group, but he, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett and Ricardo Lockette are all close to equally likely to being the best in a given game, and it’s too questionable to use any of them.

Start ‘em: This looks like a good Jason Witten game, especially with Matt Cassel having looked his way more than Brandon Weeden had in Week 7. ... Dan Bailey still doesn’t have a game of more than nine fantasy points, but he only has one of fewer than eight. He’s still a good option.

Start ‘em?: After a monster Week 7, and with Randle and Lance Dunbar out, Darren McFadden is a fine flex play, but it’s a really tough matchup.

Sit ‘em: With Tony Romo still hurt, the Cowboys don’t have much choice but sticking with Matt Cassel. “No choice” isn’t what you want to hear in fantasy. ... As the Dallas running backs keep dropping, and given McFadden’s injury history, Christine Michael is still relevant, but not on a weekly basis. ... Dez Bryant is great, and it’s good to have him back, but he’s likely to be back on a limited basis. Give him a week before putting him back in lineups. ... Terrance Williams didn’t do much when he was the best option; with Bryant back, he’s a sure bench candidate. ... The Cowboys’ defense has two total fantasy points since Week 2, and five on the season other than that Eagles game.

Start in every league: Marshawn Lynch, Jimmy Graham, Steven Hauschka, Seattle defense, Jason Witten, Dan Bailey
Start if you’re desperate: Russell Wilson, Darren McFadden
Bench: Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette, Matt Cassel, Christine Michael, Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Dallas defense