“Often, in the real world, it’s not the smart that get ahead but the bold.”
-Robert Kiyosaki
Now that draft season is over and we’re into the regular season, it’s time for weekly bold predictions.
The point here is that if you follow the consensus, you’re probably going to have a good team. But in order to go from good to great, you have to take some chances. You have to do your homework and figure out where you can zig when the rest of your league (or at least your opponent this week) zags. In short, you need to know how and when to be bold.
We asked our analysts to provide a bold prediction for Week 8. Their answers and justifications are below.
Check out all of our Week 8 fantasy football content
Week 8 Bold Predictions
Sam Ehlinger finishes Week 8 as a top-10 fantasy QB
Washington has faced two mobile QBs this season in Jalen Hurts and Justin Fields. Those QBs finished as QB2 and QB8, respectively, in the weeks they faced the Commanders. The Colts’ second-year QB rushed for nearly 2,500 yards at Texas (58 rushing yards per game), with more than half of his yardage coming after contact (1,352). The former sixth-round pick fights for every single yard, especially near the goal line. He scored 33 rushing touchdowns, 18 of which came on goal-line carries. The Washington defense is also allowing the league’s highest passing TD rate.
– Andrew Erickson
Tony Pollard finishes as a top 3 RB in Week 8
With Ezekiel Elliott banged up and Dak Prescott looking rusty last week in his first start since returning from a thumb injury, the Cowboys will lean heavily on Tony Pollard and the run game. The Bears have struggled versus opposing running backs, and Rhamondre Stevenson caught eight balls against them last Monday. Pollard looked explosive last week against the Lions, totaling 83 rushing yards on 12 carries.
– Joe Pisapia
D’Onta Foreman will post RB1 numbers in Week 8
With Chuba Hubbard ruled out, Foreman will take over the lead share of the Panthers’ rushing attack with 25 touch upside. Last year Foreman was 15th in yards after contact per attempt, 12th in breakaway rate, and 19th in PFF elusive rating (minimum 100 carries). Last week Foreman played 54% of the snaps with 17 touches and 145 total yards as the RB17. Now with the starter’s chair vacated, he can crush a Falcons’ run defense that’s allowed the second-highest rush success rate while also sitting at 29th and 22nd in adjusted line yards and second-level yards.
– Derek Brown
D.J. Moore will post his first 100-yard game of the season vs. Atlanta and score at least one touchdown
The slumbering Carolina offense awoke in a Week 7 upset of Tampa Bay, and WR D.J. Moore posted season highs in catches (7) and receiving yards (69). Moore is poised for another strong performance this week against the Falcons and their injury-depleted secondary. Atlanta has given up the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, and its best cornerback, A.J. Terrell, went down with a hamstring injury last week. With no Terrell and no Casey Hayward, the Panthers will be powerless to stop Moore from producing his first 100-yard game of the season and tacking on at least one touchdown.
– Pat Fitzmaurice
Cooper Kupp will have 10 receptions, 150 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers
In general, it’s not all that bold to say — in a vacuum — that Kupp will have a big game. But he’s going against the 49ers, who have one of the NFL’s best defenses, so it would be reasonable to expect him to have a modest performance (for him). But in his four games against the 49ers with QB Matthew Stafford, he has flashed with 520 yards and three touchdowns on 53 targets, 43 receptions and two carries. Coming out of the bye week with a disappointing 3-3 record, the Rams will likely prioritize getting the ball to their top playmaker against a divisional rival, and the 49ers are without CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee, IR). As a home underdog (+1.5), Kupp could benefit from a pass-leaning game script in a dome. Even with the tough matchup, Kupp has an ideal setup to smash.
– Matthew Freedman
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