Five Situations to Watch Coming Out of the Week 8 Bye

Oct 29, 2011

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It’s that time of year. Fantasy Football owners are scrambling to fill holes in their lineup as Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Oakland, NY Jets, and Tampa Bay are on bye. Here are some things to keep an eye on from the bye teams when they get back to action.
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1. Will the Packers shut it down early?
It is a likely that the Packers wrap up the division fairly quickly. The have a two game lead and Detroit is trending in the wrong direction. Their offense is playing as well as any offense in recent memory. If their defense can return to form I don’t see anybody challenging them. If the Packers have home field clinched by Week 15 that could lead to an interesting situation in fantasy leagues as they head into the championship. I’m not saying to trade away your Packer players, but it is something to keep in mind.
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2. Will Carson Palmer be a serviceable fantasy option?
I know his Raider debut was a disaster of epic proportions. Cut the guy a little slack. He probably shouldn’t even have been thrown to the wolves with so little prep time. They bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only does it allow Palmer extra time to get familiar with the offense and his players, but it gives Darren McFadden time to heal. Carson Palmer’s glory days are probably behind him, but he could still have some moments.
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3. What is Atlanta’s identity?
It seems the Falcons are confused. When they drafted Julio Jones to pair with Roddy White it looked like they wanted to establish an offense that can run with the likes of Green Bay and New Orleans. Matt Ryan averaged 260.4 passing yards through the first five games. Michael Turner averaged 72 yards. 214 of those yards came in the first two weeks. They found themselves 2-3. They got back to basics and running the football in the two games leading up to the break. Ryan averaged 190.5 yards. Turner averaged 130.5. They walked away with a “W” in both games. Going forward I see this as a team that tries to have a balanced attack. Julio Jones should return after the bye, which will make Matt Ryan’s life easier. It won’t, however, mean that Michaerl Turner will be a forgotten man. It’s important that he gets his looks.
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4. Can Shonn Greene continue to improve?
After a terrible start that saw him average 39.3 rushing yards in the first four games at a brutal 3.1 ypc clip he has averaged 89.7 ypg at a much better 4.3 ypc clip. Rex Ryan was serious about running the football more as Greene has had at least 20 carries in each of those games. The Jets have two games against Buffalo, one against Denver, and another against Philly in their remaining games. There should be some nice days ahead for Greene.
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5. Will Tampa Bay’s offense wake up?
When you look at some of the biggest disappointments this year Josh Freeman and Mike Williams have to be included. Freeman has four more interceptions than he had all of last season. The good news is that even though he threw four picks the last time out he has throw for multiple touchdowns in his past two games. Though he has just one touchdown and is averaging a little over 45 yards per game, Williams has been better of late. LeGarrette Blount should return after the bye to give the offense some balance.
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Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: Fantasy Football, NFL | Tagged: Fantasy Football, fantasy football byes, fantasy football week 8 byes, NFL |

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6 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

Phanatical1
October 29th, 2011 at 4:14 pm #

I have a problem this week. I start 2 wr’s on my squad, i have Jennings on bye. My others are Austin, Lloyd, Demaryius Thomas & Nate Washington. Who would you use?
LestersLegends
October 29th, 2011 at 5:07 pm #

I like austin and lloyd
tack10101
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:27 pm #

PPR league: Need to pick 2 rb’s this week. I have Ray Rice, Fred Jackson, Steven Jackson, Darren Sproles & Tolbert. I’m thinking Fred Jax and Sproles
LestersLegends
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:34 pm #

I would look to make a trade. With you on fjax. I would go rice but all are good options
tack1010
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:41 pm #

Sounds good. Rice did beast Pitt in Game 1. Hard to stay off my #1 pick but Sproles is a PPR monster week in and week out. Currently have a trade pending SJax for Colston. Site is great and usually on point. Keep up the great work.
LestersLegends
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:50 pm #

Thanks. Like the deal. I can see Tolbert over Rice. All are great options.