Fantasy studs and duds: Lynch, Tate poised to succeed
There are plenty of players to choose from this week. Once again, only two teams are on bye. Still, be careful not to throw in your usual starters without checking their matchups.
STUDS
RB Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks: A pair of underwhelming games has Lynch owners concerned. But here's a cure: The Carolina Panthers continue to rank in the top three in fantasy points allowed to running backs. Seattle needs to break its losing streak, and they'll rely on their steadiest asset to do so.
RB Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns: Tate stunk it up on Sunday but has another fine opportunity to turn things around. The Oakland Raiders are a persistent punching bag for running backs. Elusive backs like Tate especially have plagued Oakland (including, most recently, Andre Ellington).
WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans: The Tennessee Titans have been burned by seasoned route-runners such as Dez Bryant, Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon. Johnson fits this class and could have his best day of the season.
QB Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals: Palmer's first two weeks back from his shoulder injury: 250 passing yards, two touchdowns; 253 yards, two TDs. There's room for more against a coast-hopping Eagles club that has given up at least two touchdowns in five of its six games this year — and 375-plus passing yards twice.
RB Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings: On the heels of his first 100-yard game, the rookie continues to steal carries from Matt Asiata. There's little doubt he'll sustain his momentum against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has allowed 4.8 yards per carry in the last three weeks.
DUDS
RB Chris Ivory, New York Jets: Remember how he rumbled over the New England Patriots last week? Don't expect that against a much stouter Bills front that has been the biggest brick wall for fantasy points against the position all year.
QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: A short turnaround from a disappointing outing, Rivers will be visiting a hot Broncos club that has stifled him in the past. He hasn't logged 300 aerial yards against them since 2008. Denver's defense and pass rush are probably at their best form in his time of playing them.
RB Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins: Morris has feasted on Dallas' front in his short career, averaging 121 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game in four games against them. But this is a different Cowboys dewfense than in years past — a RB-resistant unit that will challenge Colt McCoy to throw by stacking the box. And Morris doesn't catch many passes.
WR Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has a way of handcuffing his opponent's most dangerous asset. That could be Matt Forte, but the slumping Marshall is the likelier target to disappoint. The Pats have been one of the strongest clubs at suppressing wide receivers.
WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons: White enjoyed a nine-catch, 100-yard rebound effort with a touchdown in Week 7 but will be hard-pressed to repeat it. It's not a traditional "home game" for Matt Ryan — it's in London. The Detroit Lions have been one of the best in stopping quarterbacks not named Drew Brees this year and have yielded only three touchdowns all season to this position. Plus, Atlanta's offensive line is battered and befuddled.
SLEEPERS
WR Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs: Bowe quietly has logged no fewer than five targets per game this year, including seven in Week 7. He caught five for 84 yards. In the three games since their Week 4 bye, the St. Louis Rams have allowed six touchdowns and the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. More reason to pick up Bowe.
QB Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins: The Jacksonville Jaguars were lucky to face Brian Hoyer last week. Tannehill, who has averaged 266.3 passing yards over the last three games while tossing two TDs in each, will be a bigger challenge. He has found his groove lately in the midrange aerial game, and Jacksonville has been a weak pass defense for the balance of the season.
RB Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders: In his last two weeks, Run DMC rattled off 80 yards then, in Week 7, scored a touchdown. He's clearly the Raiders' No. 1 now. The Browns just let Denard Robinson and Storm Johnson trample them; they've been a safe haven for competent opposing ground games all year.
WR Eric Decker, New York Jets: Percy Harvin's arrival will help the overall passing game more than it will his own value. Decker should have more room to roam, and at home, Geno Smith actually could feature the Jets' best wideout against a top-10 positive fantasy matchup for receivers.
WR Hakeem Nicks, Indianapolis Colts: Reggie Wayne's elbow injury may cost him at least one game. Time for the largely ignored Nicks to step in against a Pittsburgh Steelers club that has been burned by competent passing teams. While Pittsburgh worries about T.Y. Hilton and Dwayne Allen, Nicks should sneak in a productive game, especially in PPR formats.
Follow Tim Heaney on Twitter @Tim_Heaney.