WEEK 8 PICKS!

I might do a bit of a deep dive into the league tomorrow or Thursday so keep a look so keep a look out for bonus blog content!

The big bye week is upon us so we had some movement on the waiver wire but nothing really all that expensive. Unless something crazy happens, I’m not sure the people who saved their FA money are going to have anything to spend it on. But you never know!

GAME OF THE WEEK

BERNIE vs ELI
Can Bernie knock Eli from the ranks of the undefeated? The first look at the matchups doesn’t bode well for Bernie. I think Tennessee’s QB ranking is inflated, but the biggest beneficiary of that matchup will be Jonathon Taylor. Derrick Henry is due for a bounceback game. And what gamesmanship by Eli - SIRVOCEA DENNIS REVENGE GAME! That nerd is probably spilling all of Bernie’s secrets as we speak! Eli truly rules with an iron fist; benching Jaylen Waddle after he put up just two points last week. I feel like the What Have You Done For Me Lately attitude could wear on his players and hurt him later in the season but, for now, it’s led to smooth sailing.
WINNER: ELI

BRENDAN vs RAHUL
While not quite Game of the Week status, this game could have playoff implications for both squads. Rahul was able to finally win a game without Lamar but I’m not sure he’ll be able to repeat that feat this week. But this game really hinges on Brendan’s QB - the Dak/CeeDee stack is facing what one would assume is an embarrassed Broncos defense that underestimated the Giants’ offense. James Cook is back but is facing an underrated Carolina defense that has held Achane, Javonte, and Breece to under 40 yards rushing the last few weeks. I’d love to not pick the winner and instead bet on the Under for this game but, alas, that is not an option. I’m going to make a conditional pick for this one.
WINNER (IF LAMAR PLAYS) - RAHUL
WINNER (IF LAMAR IS OUT) - BRENDAN

PLAYER #14 vs JOHNNY
This is another Game of the Week option, a primetime matchup between to 5 - 2 squads. Player #14’s team was beaten up worst than the East Wing of the White House this week; injuries and bye weeks have decimated the roster, leaving The Veep to start both Carolina running backs. The one thing going for him is that the Vikings are playing the suddenly horrific Chargers defense. Johnny has Emeka Egbuka back on the bench but I feel like that’s a bad call. Still, I think Baker, Sutton, and Swift should be able to pace the Sneaker Pimps to victory.
PICK: JOHNNY

THE GENTLEMAN vs MARK
This was always circled as a plus matchup for the Corner Boys because Mark’s top players all are on bye this week. On top of that, my guys have great matchups this week but I’m nervous that they could be TOO good of matchups. ATL taking on Miami feels like it’s a Tyler Allgeier game and the Falcons could try to feed Drake Maye a bit more since he was ignored a bit last week. Denver should lean on JK Dobbins against Dallas but if that game becomes a shootout, they could abandon the run again like last week.And then there’s the curious case of Breece Hall. I think the odds are that the Jets wait until after their game this week to make trades - they have a bye next week so they can make trades and then have an extra week for guys like Isaiah Davis to get comfortable in their new role, however, the Chargers play on Thursday and I wouldn’t be stunned if they pushed for a trade on Friday, so they could give Breece more time to learn the playbook so he can hit the ground running. In that case, Breece would likely be off the board for me on Sunday. Still, I think I should have enough to beat McBarge’s backups.
PICK: THE GENTLEMAN

JUSTIN vs DEREK
Derek only has three guys who are even predicted to score double-digits this week. That number will jump to four if Deebo Samuel is healthy but there are a lot of bench-worthy guys getting run on a team that only has one player on bye. At least, Rashee Rice and Rome Odunze have plus matchups.
As for The Champ, The Gentleman is obviously hoping that Michael Penix’s bone bruise is worse than expected so we can see the glorious return of KIRK COUSINS! Beyond the QB issues, there’s a lot not to like here. CMC vs, Houston, DK vs GB, Jake Ferguson vs. Denver. If Derek can get a couple of guys to step up, he has a chance but, again, the problem is that his supporting cast is so weak that a step up still leaves them a step below Justin’s players.
PICK: JUSTIN

COLIN vs DANA
Even I can’t underestimate Colin enough in the Battle of Buffalo. Dana’s team is struggling and has three players on bye. Needless to say, the bench of a 1 - 6 team isn’t resplendent with replacement options. Colin’s matchups aren’t great but they don’t need to be this week.
PICK: COLIN

ANDY vs BRETT
Quick! Everyone take a screengrab of this matchup because Andy is favored! Of course, that moment in the sun will only last until Brett picks up another IDP player to fill out his roster but we’re looking for anything to perk up our favorite podcaster. We like Curmudgeon Andy but this season has taken the Woo out of Wooster and, if we’re being honest, there’s not much stirring either. One Shady Motha’s season, however, has already been turned into a movie. They replaced running a fantasy team with raising a child to make it more appealing but Rose Byrne is basically playing Andy in this one. Conan O’Brien plays Eli.

Andy arrives just at the right time for Brett, who has Kyren Williams on bye and no real great replacement option (although I feel like he has better options than Nick Chubb and possibly even better than Kenneth Gainwell.) Still, I.feel like the Hurts/Smith stack should be enough to win the week. I’m surprised that Brett and his $78 dollars allowed himself to be outbid for Breshard Smith but maybe his KC RB fetish has passed. We’re also all still waiting for a report on Brandi Mae’s Booty Slap event.
PICK: BRETT