Fantasy Football Week 8 Start/Sit: Giants Edition

The New York Giants (4-2) host the winless Miami Dolphins (0-6) this week, meaning it should be a good week for Fantasy Football players who have members of the Giants on their rosters. Let's look at how good. As always, we turn to numberFire for projections that will help us make Start/Sit decisions.

START

Eli Manning (QB)
numberFire Projection: 20.64 completions, 241.72 yards, 1.72 TDs, 1.08 INTs, 15.70 Fantasy Points

Analysis: Unless Eli is the second QB on your roster to New England's Tom Brady you need to be playing him. He is performing at a Pro Bowl level, and the Dolphins are a bad team.

Ahmad Bradshaw (RB)
numberFire Projection: 16.47 carries, 70.29 yards, 0.52 TDs, 3.68 catches, 29.91 yards, 0.08 TDs, 13.64 Fantasy Points

Analysis: Bradshaw is coming off his best game of the season and the Giants might be getting their running game figured out. Plus, Miami is bad. 

Hakeem Nicks (WR)
numberFire Projection: 5.56 catches, 84.73 yards, 0.72 TDs, 12.86 Fantasy Points

Analysis: Only two receivers are projected higher. Play him, unless you are crazy and like to lose.

Mario Manningham (WR)
numberFire Projection: 3.61 catches, 42.32 yards, 0.28 TDs, 5.97 Fantasy Points

Analysis: The projection doesn't look great, but I say play him. In fact, pick him up off the waiver wire if he is available and you need a receiver. I did. Manningham had several 100+ yard receiving games a season ago, but has not had a game better than 56 yards receiving yet in 2011. He is due for a breakout game -- and the Dolphins are bad.

Jake Ballard (TE)
numberFire Projection: 3.80 catches, 44.30 yards, 0.37 TDs, 6.67 Fantasy Points

Analysis: Hooray! Ballard is finally included in numberFire's projections. If you need a player he isn't a bad gamble.

Lawrence Tynes (PK)
numberfire Projection: 1.58 FGs, 3.16 EPs, 8.53 Fantasy Points

Analysis: Tynes is an average kicker -- no more, no less. I keep saying this, but the Dolphins are bad and the Giants should put up points. Which means lots of opportunities for Tynes.

Giants Defense
numberFire Projection: 8.59 Fantasy Points

Analysis: Need a defense this week? The Giants are a good gamble. They create turnovers, and the Dolphins are winless. 

SIT

Brandon Jacobs (RB)
numberFire Projection: 3.45 carries, 13.49 yards, 0.10 TDs, 0.66 catches, 4.91 yards, 0.02 TDs, 2.52 Fantasy Points

Analysis: Jacobs missed the last two games with a knee injury. He should play this week, but you shouldn't play him. Too many questions, and too few carries available.

Victor Cruz (WR)
numberFire Projection: 1.08 catches, 16.62 yards, 0.08 TDs, 2.15 Fantasy Points

Analysis: If Manningham and Nicks have big days and the Giants are winning they will pound the ball. Which means fewer opportunities for Cruz.