Fantasy football projections, Week 8: Jets-Browns featuring Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Isaiah Crowell, more

The Week 8 matchup between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns features two teams struggling to compete. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.

It looks like the Jets have no choice but to start Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback after Geno Smith tore his ACL in Week 7. Even with shaky play under center, wide receiver Brandon Marshall is still a top fantasy option. He was however limited against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens held him to just three catches for 39 yards. It’s rare that the Jets win games let alone win when Marshall doesn’t have big numbers. However, he and fantasy owners should be able to walk all over the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns pass defense is allowing 286 yards against through the air. That’s the third-worst total in the NFL. Marshall should see double-digit targets in Cleveland in Week 8. It’ll be hard not to surpass his projections with that kind of volume. Hopefully running back Matt Forte can assist Marshall and the Jets via the running game. He totaled 151 yards on 34 touches against the Ravens. His yards per carry average certainly isn’t what it used to be.

That said, it looks like his days as a top fantasy option may not be done just yet. With poor quarterback play basically ruining the season, Forte should see a lot of touches the rest of the way. Cleveland is very generous to running backs — their defense is one of the softest in the league. Forte should impress in two straight weeks for the first time this season.

Wide receiver Terrelle Pryor played hurt in Week 7 and it showed. He caught just two passes on four targets for just 18 yards. He’s been the team’s No. 1 receiver all year long and the Browns are considering rewarding him with a contract extension. Fantasy owners have benefited from his outstanding play. If Pryor can get close to 100 percent healthy in time for Week 8, he could go off.

Only one team in the NFL has given up more points to wide receivers than the New York Jets. Add to that the fact Corey Coleman still isn’t practicing and tight end Gary Barnidge doesn’t have a touchdown yet this year and Pryor should still be the go-to guy in Week 8. Running back Isaiah Crowell will run things both literally and figuratively on the ground for the Browns.

Crowell rushed 12 times for 63 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. He benefited from the fact the Browns were getting smoked. Crowell’s production was meaningless within the flow of the game. Fantasy owners shouldn’t care. It’s going to be a long season in Cleveland anyway. The good news is the Jets are giving up points to everyone these days, so Crowell should surpass his totals as a result.