Week 8 is upon us and I have never seen so many injuries this season. Good news? Bye weeks are almost complete. Some big names such as Dez Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger and Jeremy Maclin should all return from injuries soon if not this week.
Here is your Start Em' or Sit Em' for Week 8 with a look back at the results of Week 7.
Week 7 Recap:
Quarterbacks
1. Andrew Luck (IND) – 333 yards, 3 touchdowns
2. Brian Hoyer (HOU) - 273 yards, 3 touchdowns
3. Philip Rivers (SD) - 336 yards, 3 touchdown
Bust
Matt Ryan (ATL) - 251 yards, 1 touchdown
Sleeper
Matt Cassel (DAL) - 227 yards, 1 touchdown
Running Backs
1. Lesean McCoy (BUF) - 68 yards
2. Marshawn Lynch (SEA) - 122 yards, 1 touchdown
3. Davonte Freeman (ATL) – 116 yards
Bust
Doug Martin (TB) - 136 yards total
Sleeper
LeVeon Bell (PIT) - 121 yards
Wide Receivers
1. T.Y. Hilton (IND) - 4 catches, 150 yards, 2 touchdown
2. DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) - 6 catches, 50 yards
3. Brandon Marshall (NYJ) - 4 catches, 67 yards
Bust
Calvin Johnson (DET) - 5 catches, 86 yards
Sleeper
Jordan Matthews (PHI) - 3 catches, 14 yards
Tight Ends
1. Charles Clay (BUF) - 3 catches, 26 yards
2. Greg Olsen (CAR) - 5 catches, 88 yards
3. Antonio Gates (SD) – Did Not Play
Bust
Gary Barnidge (CLE) - 6 catches, 101 yards
Sleeper
Jason Witten (DAL) - 6 catches, 73 yards
Kickers
1. Steven Hauschka (SEA) - 2/2 field goals, 8 points
2. Josh Lambo (SD) - 2/2 field goals, 7 points
3. Chris Boswell (PIT) - 2/2 field goals, 7 points
Bust
Kai Forbath (NO) - 4 points
Sleeper
Dan Bailey (DAL) - 2/2 field goals, 8 points
Defense
1. St. Louis - 6 points allowed, 4 sacks, 4 turnovers and a touchdown
2. Pittsburgh – 23 points allowed, 2 sacks
3. San Diego - 37 points allowed, 1 sack
Bust
Buffalo - 34 points allowed, 2 sack, 1 turnovers and a touchdown
Sleeper
Dallas - 27 points allowed, 2 sacks
Week 8's Start Em' or Sit Em':
Quarterbacks
1. Carson Palmer (ARI) – Even at an old age, he is getting it done.
2. Drew Brees (NO) – Brees doesn't have the big-name targets to throw to anymore, and is still putting up 300 yards a game.
3. Andy Dalton (CIN) – Putting together his best season as a pro. With a big game Sunday, his team would be in full control of the AFC North.
Bust
Andrew Luck (IND) – Carolina's defense is the real deal. Luck is turnover prone in his career so he could struggle Monday night.
Sleeper
Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) – Fitzpatrick has played well this season. He has great weapons in Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. 250 passing yards, 2 touchdowns is promising against a bad Oakland secondary.
Running Backs
1. Todd Gurley (STL) – Jeff Fisher loves to pound the ball. Gurley looks 100 percent healthy and will be a reliable play every week.
2. Jonathan Stewart (CAR) – Carolina's big offensive line against an undersized Indy line could mean a big day for Stewart.
3. Chris Johnson (ARI) – With Arizona's ability to put up points this year, this could be one of those games where everyone scores big.
Bust
Lamar Miller (MIA) – New England does well against the run and will try to make Miami throw the ball in the game.
Sleeper
Danny Woodhead (SD) – Melvin Gordan hasn't been able to take over the running back position. Rivers loves to check down to Woodhead if nothing is open and he runs hard when he carries the ball.
Wide Receivers
1. Mike Evans (TB) – After a slow start due to injury, Evans had his best game of the year last week. Seems to be on the same page as Jameis Winston and with injuries to other receivers, could lead to another big week.
2. DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) – He has the most targets through 7 weeks off football, so, to me, targets equals production.
3. Alshon Jeffrey (CHI) – He is Cutler's go-to guy and is back from injury. He should be able to put together a good game this week.
Bust
T.Y Hilton (IND) – Had two long touchdowns last week, and I don't see that happening Monday night. With Andrew Luck struggling to get him the ball, you may want to look elsewhere.
Sleeper
John Brown (ARI) – Emerging as Carson Palmer's favorite target, Brown has that home run speed.
Tight Ends
1. Travis Kelce (KC) – Jamaal Charles is out for the year, Jeremy Maclin is coming back from a concussion. Kelce should get plenty of looks from Alex Smith.
2. Larry Donnell (NYG) – A mismatch from any team, Donnell seems to have an expanded role this year in the Giants offense.
3. Kyle Rudolph (MIN) – Unless Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are back playing for Chicago's defense, I'll take a shot with Rudolph this week.
Bust
Martellus Bennett (CHI) – Hasn't had a great year, so it's hard to make him a play when he isn't consistent.
Sleeper
Richard Rodgers (GB) – Aaron Rodgers loves to use the tight end and has that option once again this year. Denver has a tough defense so expect Rodgers to check down to Rodgers in this Sunday night thriller.
Kickers
1. Matt Bryant (ATL) – Should get plenty of opportunities against a bad Tampa defense.
2. Justin Tucker (BAL) – Mr. Automatic, Baltimore should move the ball plenty this week.
3. Mike Nugent (CIN) – Anytime Cincinnati and Pittsburgh get together, every point matter.
Bust
Travis Coons (CLE)- Josh McCown could miss the game, enter Johnny Manziel. Could be a long day against a stingy Arizona defense.
Sleeper
Robbie Gould (CHI) – NFC North divisional games always seem to be shootouts, and Gould has been impressive all season.
Defense
1. Arizona – Quarterback questions for Cleveland. Regardless on who starts, Arizona should shut it down.
2. Seattle – Speaking of backup quarterbacks, Matt Cassel showed signs of rust last week. Seattle needs a good showing from the defense this week to save the season.
3. Carolina – Made a statement on national TV last week against the Eagles. New week same result? Right time, right place. Indy is struggling on offense as Luck isn't moving the ball and the offensive line struggles to protect.
Bust
New York Giants – Gave up 20 points to a Dallas offense without Tony Romo or Dez Bryant. Drew Brees is one of the greats and should feast on a struggling defense.
Sleeper
Houston Texans – I'm aware that this same defense gave up 42 in the first half last week. Every team has a clunker and usually when a team has been embarrassed like they did, they bounce back the next week.
Michael Scott is a contributing writer for Eagledelphia.