Here are the winners and losers from Week 8, a week in which some players put together MVP-like performances and others suffered through disappointing clunkers. Indianapolis Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor was spectacular in his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans. He ended up scoring three touchdowns and scoring over 32 fantasy points! Older San Francisco 49ers acquired Christian McCaffrey was basically a non-factor his very first week. He ended up with a paltry 8 carries for 23 yards and 3 receptions for 43 yards.
Assembling the three pieces of data above, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye really lit the world on fire this week with his performance against a study Browns D. He had a monster 26.28 fp! Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a rough outing in the Cowboys game against the Broncos. He finished with a season-low 6.62 fantasy points in that defeat. Atlanta Falcons’ first-round rookie Bijan Robinson scored just 5.8 fantasy points, adding to the woes of his fantasy squad. Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles exited the Week 6 matchup against the New York Giants with a hamstring injury. This leaves a lot of questions about his ability to play in upcoming games.
Jonathan Taylor’s Dominance
Jonathan Taylor proved he’s an elite running back before his third straight game, the TNF matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The new Colts’ star didn’t just lock up three touchdowns, he racked up a dazzling total of more than 32 fantasy points. This performance secures Taylor’s spot once again as one of the best running backs in this league.
Taylor’s ability to find the end zone consistently demonstrates his effectiveness in both rushing and receiving roles within the Colts’ offense. No one has had more success against the Titans than he’s had. In fact he’s netted in all of their last three meetings! Coaches and fans just have a hard time not getting excited by Taylor’s production, particularly with the Colts battling for the final wildcard spot in the playoffs.
Beyond his scoring ability, Taylor’s impact extends further than just putting points on the scoreboard. Though often overlooked, his presence opened up unique opportunities for his teammates, making the Colts’ offense much more dynamic. The team certainly hopes to continue this momentum as they make their playoff push in the latter part of the season.
Struggles of Christian McCaffrey
The case was no different for Christian McCaffrey in his week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots. He was the other end of Week 8’s performance spectrum. As a linchpin to the San Francisco 49ers, he floundered on the gridiron. He only made 8 carries for 23 yards with 3 receptions for 43 yards. While this performance was a brutally disappointing day at the office for McCaffrey, it leaves us wondering about his current state of play.
The 49ers have used McCaffrey in a variety of ways so far, but it would be necessary for him to come back in Week 3, and possibly beyond. His failure to be consistently productive at such a high level this week has left a lot of concern in Washington about his consistency ability moving forward. Coaches will need to assess how best to utilize McCaffrey to maximize his potential and support the team’s offensive efforts.
As the season progresses, McCaffrey’s performance will be pivotal not only for his fantasy owners but for the 49ers’ quest for playoff contention. The players need to learn how to alter their overall game plan, and most importantly allow their sometimes-camper, sometimes-dynamo star running back to help lead them there.
Quarterback Performances
Drake Maye really rose to the occasion for the Patriots, putting together an impressive display against a solid Cleveland Browns defense. With 26.28 fantasy points, Maye’s ability to navigate a challenging defense showed his growth as a quarterback in the league. His success is especially important as the Patriots claw to get their season back on track.
In comparison, Dak Prescott’s season-low effort against the Denver Broncos netted just 6.62 fantasy points. As quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Prescott’s issues have sent every fan and expert into hand-wringing overdrive. The Cowboys will require Prescott to return to form if they want any chance at competing in their own division.
The Atlanta Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson lost yards with his last carry. He ultimately scored just 5.8 fantasy points, disappointing anyone who rolled the dice on him. No doubt Robinson’s potential to make an impact has been questioned as he’s exhibited moments of greatness throughout the course of this season. The Falcons should take great care to establish a better approach on offense that’s better designed to tap into Robinson’s unique talents going forward.
Injury Concerns
Adding to the drama of Week 8, Saquon Barkley left his game against the Giants due to a hamstring injury. As a running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley’s health is key to his team’s fortunes. Fantasy owners are counting on him to keep his touch as an explosive playmaker this year, too.
Barkley’s injury could significantly affect the Eagles’ offensive dynamics as they navigate through key upcoming games. First, the coaching staff needs to figure out how serious Barkley’s condition is. Now, they must determine whether he will be sidelined for the long haul.
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