Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 8: Advice for Fringe Flex Fantasy Football Starters

It might seem hard to believe, but Week 8 of the 2016 season is just around the corner. For most of you, this means you’re about to enter the home stretch of your fantasy regular seasons.

With so much on the line—and for many, a rough start to overcome—this is a critical time in the fantasy year. Making the wrong decisions now can have you playing in the dreaded consolation bracket at the end of the season.

The hardest decisions are likely to come from the back end of your roster, your bench or off the waiver wire. This is especially true with six teams—the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers—on bye. Determining which fringe players you can use to replace the likes of Le’Veon Bell or Odell Beckham Jr. can make or break your week.

We’re here to help with a little advice about some of the fringe starters available in Week 8. We’re not here to tell you to start Ezekiel Elliott, Julio Jones or Rob Gronkowski. If you have those guys, you start them. We’re here to help make decisions on those players who have you riding the proverbial fence.

Our start ’em and sit ’em decisions will be based on factors such as past performance, projected role and matchup. Injuries will also be considered where applicable.

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Start ‘Em: Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is usually one of those guys in fantasy whom you rarely rely on. However, he can be a nice spot-starter because he takes care of the football (just seven interceptions last season), and he can be a decent option when facing the right matchup.

Well, this week brings the right matchup for Smith. 

The Chiefs will be facing the Indianapolis Colts, who might have the worst overall defense in the NFL. Indianapolis is allowing an average of 28.6 points and 399.7 yards per game. The team is rated dead last in overall defense and pass coverage by Pro Football Focus, too.

The fact that the Colts also possess a potent offense works in favor of Smith owners. Indianapolis averages 27.7 points per game, fourth-most in the NFL. While the Chiefs don’t typically lean on the pass, they may have to in order to keep pace on the scoreboard.

The Chiefs fell behind early in Week 1 against the San Diego Chargers, and Smith finished that game with 363 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Don’t expect an elite fantasy day from Smith, but he should be good for a solid outing. If you’re in need of a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger or Eli Manning, feel free to start Smith and expect somewhere in the 300-yard, two-score range.

Sit ‘Em: Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver Broncos

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