Week 8 marked the halfway point of the 2020 NFL season. What a season it’s been so far! The Steelers are still undefeated, the Jets are still winless, and the post season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent football memory. Including an extra team per conference, the playoffs this year should be an exciting run with teams headed for the playoffs that are continuously snubbed. However, someone should explain to fantasy teams that the expanded playoffs don’t apply to them also. The race to the end of this season will quickly answer which NFL and fantasy teams will conquer their conferences. How will your team do? Will you conquer your fantasy conference? Take a look at the projections this week to try and clinch your own team’s playoff berth!
Thursday, 5 November 2020
8:20 p.m. EST
Green Bay Packers (5-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
Fresh off a Week 8 loss to the Vikings at home, the Packers are looking to forget their sad performance at Lambeau Field. However, in the wake of the Pack’s lackluster performance last week, fans can’t help but remember a loss that stings much more. The 2019 NFC rematch looms larger this week for their Thursday night bout with the 49ers. While the 9ers are coming off of a loss the Seahawks, this game should shape up to be interesting to say the least. Both the Packers and the 49ers are struggling with big injuries right now. Packers are struggling at the RB position with Aaron Jones still injured and now Jamaal Williams in Coronavirus protocol. Look for a big performance by TE Robert Tonyan and WR Davonte Adams to make up for the struggling run game this week. 49ers have their starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo and fantasy team powerhouse and fan favorite TE George Kittle injured, potentially out for the season. Along with RB Tevin Coleman and WR Deebo Samuel, key defensive players, and the closing of their practice facility the day before their Thursday night game, the 49ers may have more to worry about this week than a pandemic and a closed practice facility. Coronavirus has also tried to keep this game from happening this week, but according to the NFL, the game Thursday night will proceed as scheduled, even with three more 9ers being added to Coronavirus protocol since neither team has had more staff or players test positive during Wednesday’s tests.
Sunday, 8 November 2020
1:00 p.m. EST
Baltimore Ravens (5-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (5-2)
The Ravens lost to the Steelers in Week 8 in a close game that they lost by only four points. Even with RB Mark Ingram out for the Ravens, they managed to stay in the game against the only undefeated team, and they made it fun to watch. The Ravens are looking to have a good road game in Indianapolis this week, but according to The New York Times, “Indianapolis has been nearly as effective as Baltimore on offense and has a defense that is equally adept at defending the pass and the run.” They are citing this game as a tossup, but CELEB believes a hot Colts QB Philip Rivers can lead his team to a gritty victory at home this week.
New York Giants (1-7) @ Washington Football Team (2-5)
Don’t wait for this to be a talked about game. According to The New York Times, “Neither team is averaging even 20 points a game and both are giving up more than 23 a game.” The Giants seem to lose spectacularly every week. That, or they look like they are going to pull out a win only to lose spectacularly at the last second. CELEB hopes none of you have any Giants on your fantasy teams. This week the Giants face a Washington Football Team at home, but they bested them when they met earlier this season. The Giants are going to come by their second win on the season this week, on the road no less.
Chicago Bears (5-3) @ Tennessee Titans (5-2)
This week the Bears travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans. According to The New York Times, “The defensive woes of the Titans limit the team’s ability to compete against top teams, but the offense of Chicago is so bad that people are speculating about Coach Matt Nagy’s job security.” CELEB’s fantasy pick for this game is the Bears defense…? We guess. We also pick the Titans this week for a W if they can pick up the pieces of their defense long enough to stop Chicago from scoring. (What, like it’s hard?)
Detroit Lions (3-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-5)
Last week RB Dalvin Cook put up huge fantasy points in the Vikings upset win over the Packers at home no less. He should be poised to do the same this week. He and the Vikes are looking to continue that momentum in another NFC North matchup, but at home for them. On the other side of the ball, the Vikings need to find some momentum on defense. The ‘purple people eaters’ are looking a little rusty these days. But we will agree with CBS, “Vikings win another.”
Carolina Panthers (3-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (7-1)
Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes “remains an elite quarterback”, according to Sportsnaut. This week should be an easy win at home with big points for fantasy favorite TE Travis Kelce. However, their division title is still up for debate as the QB and his team face the Panthers in an AFC with some impressive records this season. Look at Panther’s QB Teddy Bridgewater to perform poorly in fantasy this week, just like the Panthers defense will. The Panthers are a much less complete team than the Chiefs after losing three straight.
Houston Texans (1-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
According to Sportsnaut, “Two of the worst teams in the NFL going up against one another.” These teams have the exact same records on the season, but to say the Jags have the ‘advantage’ playing at home would be laughable. This game is a complete tossup and will be, “an absolute dumpster fire,” according to Sportsnaut.
Seattle Seahawks (6-1) @ Buffalo Bills (6-2)
Both QBs Russell Wilson (Seattle) and Josh Allen (Buffalo) should put up big fantasy numbers in this high scoring game. According to CBS, “This is a long trip for Seattle to face a good Buffalo team.” While Buffalo’s defense has been struggling, the Seahawks are hoping Russ uses that to his advantage to make big plays in the secondary. The Seahawks will take home an important road win this week.
Denver Broncos (3-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (2-6)
The Broncos found another win last week against the Chargers when they came from behind in the fourth quarter. They are looking to solidify a floundering defense and find a way to put up points this week. According to CBS, “The Falcons have won two of threre under interim Coach Raheem Morris and have been rejuvenated a bit.” Falcons QB Matt Ryan should be able to score points on this floundering defense for the Falcons to get a win at home this week.
4:05 p.m. EST
Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) @ Los Angeles Chargers (2-5)
The Raiders took home a W last week over the Browns in less than ideal conditions. They are thinking their record is good enough to get them to the playoffs. They may be right, but there are few Raiders CELEB would want on their fantasy team. But the Chargers are trying to turn things around this week and get another win to showcase the talent of their exceptional QB. According to Sportsnaut, “Justin Herbert continues to play out of his mind. He’s accounted for 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions in six starts.” He should put up more crazy fantasy points this week, and hopefully also a win at home.
4:25 p.m. EST
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-6)
The New York Times has wondered, “just how much uglier things can get” this week for the Dallas Cowboys. A team riddled with injuries and scarce on talent and wins has to go up against the only undefeated team left this season. Look to the Steelers to get another win on the road against a Cowboys team that lets their opponents flaunt all their weaknesses. According to The New York Times, “It was a given that this game would have an enormous point spread since the Steelers have matched the longest unbeaten streak to start a season in franchise history.” They are looking to capitalize on that momentum heading to Dallas this week. Look for the Steelers D/ST to put up big points in fantasy this week.
Miami Dolphins (4-3) @ Arizona Cardinals (5-2)
Fantasy pros take note that, “the Dolphins have the top-scoring defense in the league,” according to CBS. While the Cardinals are coming off a bye, all signs point to experience being the winner here. Arizona QB Kyler Murray will perform well this week and beat Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa with more experience, a ‘fresh’ team from the bye, and homefield advantage. If Tua can find a way to give more to the Miami offense and find the look of a seasoned QB, the Dolphins could squeeze out a win with a solid defense to put pressure on Murray.
8:20 p.m. EST
New Orleans Saints (5-2) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
The Saints and QB Drew Brees are looking to score big this week in order to improve their record on the road. They have several key fantasy players returning on offense; WR Michael Thomas, WR Emmanuel Sanders and WR Marquez Callaway. The Buccs should be able to do just enough on offense with QB Tom Brady that they can hold the Saints off this week. Their game doesn’t have a glaring weakness, so they should be able to protect Brady and put points on the board at home this week.
Monday, 9 November 2020
8:15 p.m. EST
New England Patriots (2-5) @ New York Jets (0-8)
According to Sportsnaut, “The Patriots must find a way to get better on the offensive side of the ball.” Not a critique the Pats are used to after years with Tom Brady at the helm. Their new QB, Cam Newton, continues to struggle on offense, especially now with injuries like seasoned WR Julian Edelman and a late fumble in Week 8 against the Bills. That being said, the Patriots should secure a win Monday night against a Jets team that has struggled to find any momentum and has not found a single W this season. According to The New York Times, “The Jets have truly earned their spot at the bottom of the NFL. The team is 32nd in points scored and 28th in points allowed.” Jets fans don’t hold your breath.
Games of the Week
Teams on Bye: Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1), Cleveland Browns (5-3), Los Angeles Rams (5-3), and Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1)
