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Lamar Miller Poised for a Fantasy Breakout

 

(AP Photo/Bill Feig)
(AP Photo/Bill Feig)

Here are my top fantasy match-ups for week 8 of the NFL season.

RB Lamar Miller vs. Patriots run defense

The loss of Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo has made an already vulnerable run defense even more susceptible to big plays from opposing running backs. The Patriots allowed their first 100 yard rusher of the year last week against the Jets, but are currently second only to the Jaguars for most rush yards allowed per game. The Patriots do not give up many rushing touchdowns (4 total), but Wilfork’s absence, that trend could change. Miller has not had a 100 yard rush game this season, but has proven he has big play ability with runs of 20, 30, and 49 yards this year. This game looks like a great one for Miller to finally breakout. The Dolphins are fading fast in the AFC East and need a signature win against a division rival to keep their season afloat. I like Miller as an RB2 option versus the Patriots.

QB Robert Griffin III vs Broncos defense

The Broncos are one of the best teams in the league at making opposing quarterbacks look good. The narrative on the Bronco secondary was that their embarrassingly high numbers in their pass defense was due to the fact that teams were airing it out to catch up from deep deficits, but the Colts proved this past Sunday, their pass defense is still lacking when teams are beating them. Even outside of RG3’s hail mary throws, the second year quarterback has proven that he can consistently put up good fantasy numbers. This matchup against the Broncos aims to pay dividends for those who start him.

Cardinals D/ST vs Atlanta Offense

The Cardinals were a pretty good defense with Daryl Washington out of the lineup serving a 4 game suspension. However, over the last three weeks with Washington in the lineup, the Cardinals have racked up 12 sacks, 16 TFL’s. The Cardinals have had a rough past 3 weeks in terms of points per game with 24, and yards per game with 311, but they face and Atlanta team who have not been able to find a solid rushing attack and are without Julio Jones and possibly Roddy White. The Falcons offensive line has been solid so far, only allowing 9 sacks and 31 QB hits all year, but have given up 5 of those sacks and 10 QB hits against 3-4 defensive fronts.

WR Desean Jackson vs Giants secondary

Chip Kelly likes to go fast and he likes to go big and the Giants are a team that has allowed their season slip through their fingers fast in a big way. Last week versus the Cowboys, Nick Foles threw balls over 20 yards 6 times last week against Dallas, and almost hit Jackson with a 30 yard bomb that was tipped away at the last second. Jackson was also wide open downfield on several plays, but Foles, too focused on pressure, has his eyes focused on shorter routes. With Michael Vick expected to start, I do not expect the Eagles to let off the gas with the deep ball, which should be set up by the shifty running of LeSean McCoy. While Jackson is always a threat with the deep ball, he has proven to be a boom/bust fantasy prospect, which is why I like him as a WR2 option against the Giants.

 

 

–Daniel Jonsson–
@HighDesertScout

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