Surviving Bye-mageddon: Top Options Range From Old (Flacco) to New (Monangai)
The seventh Sunday of the NFL season witnessed a historic fourth-quarter comeback by the Denver Broncos against the New York Giants. Broncos QB Bo Nix exploded for 39.96 PPR points, virtually all in the final quarter. Meanwhile, Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor continued his scoring spree with another three touchdowns, and the Philadelphia Eagles’ WR duo combined for a staggering 304 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 61.4 PPR points. To cap it off, San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey delivered his best performance of the season in the Sunday night game.
As we approach Week 8, the focus shifts to the availability of Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (hamstring) and the challenges posed by "bye-mageddon," with six teams taking a break.
Each week, before the current NFL week concludes, we’ll identify players available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues who warrant your attention, catering to various fantasy formats. Remember, the NFL is a dynamic league where player values and roles constantly evolve.
Quarterback
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J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings (28.2%): The Vikings are struggling in the NFC North after their loss to the Eagles, with backup QB Carson Wentz throwing costly interceptions. If healthy, McCarthy (ankle), who hasn’t played since Week 2, is expected to start this Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers. While the Chargers are a tough matchup for QBs, McCarthy is a valuable addition in SuperFlex formats.
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Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (4.9%): Flacco’s resurgence is undeniable. In his second start for the Bengals, he scored 25.98 PPR points in a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing for 342 yards and 3 TDs. He reignited the fantasy value of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown. Facing the New York Jets this week makes Flacco a solid short-term option.
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Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders (1.8%): With Daniels likely to miss time, Mariota becomes relevant. He scored 36.52 PPR points in Weeks 3 and 4 due to his rushing ability. However, tough matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions make him a less appealing choice than Flacco.
Running Back
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Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears (4.1%): The Bears dominated the New Orleans Saints, with D’Andre Swift scoring 20.8 PPR points. Monangai added 17.4 points with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown. While Swift is the lead back, Monangai could see continued volume in favorable game scripts against the Bengals and Ravens.
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Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (29.9%): Spears had limited production against the New England Patriots, but Tony Pollard’s struggles could lead to Spears getting a longer look.
Wide Receiver
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Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (16.2%): The Ravens are coming off a bye, and with Lamar Jackson returning, Bateman could see an increased role. Zay Flowers is the top WR, but Bateman has shown potential in the past.
