5 Daily Fantasy Football Matchups to Exploit in Week 8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rushing Offense

As mentioned before, Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers' passing offense (waddup, Mike Evans?) are in a really solid spot this week. But whether you're playing in cash or tournies, Jacquizz Rodgers' matchup on the ground is drool-worthy.

The Raiders have plenty of issues defensively, but you could argue that their issues against the run are more profound than those against the pass. They currently rank 31st against the rush, based on numberFire's metrics, ahead of just the Saints. That's it. That's not great company to hold.

This has allowed opposing backs to unleash a fury upon them. The Raiders have allowed three separate runners to have at least 110 rushing yards against them, and an additional guy hit 93 yards on the ground. Given Rodgers' volume the past few weeks, he's a solid bet to join that list in Week 8.

In two weeks as the Bucs' lead back, Rodgers has racked up 56 carries and 6 receptions, totaling at least 129 yards from scrimmage in both. He's yet to find the end zone, but with an implied team total of 25.5, he should get his chances to change that against this defense.

A potential concern for Rodgers could be his loss of carries to rookie Peyton Barber in Week 7. Barber burst on the scene with 12 carries, turning them into 84 yards and a touchdown in that game. Rodgers still had 26 carries, but it's a smaller gap than you'd ideally like for a guy who figures to be the chalk. Can we still trust Rodgers here?

Based on when each player got their respective carries in Week 7, it would seem as if Rodgers fully deserves our trust. At the end of the third quarter in that game, Rodgers had out-carried Barber, 23-6. Most of Barber's work came in the fourth quarter after the Buccaneers had largely salted away a victory. Barber's going to be involved on Sunday, but this is still Rodgers' job until further notice.

If you pair Rodgers with Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (the fill-in with C.J. Anderson likely out due to injury), you're going to have abundant flexibility to pay up elsewhere on your roster. That will allow you to differentiate from the pack at other positions, making the disappointment of swimming in chalk at running back a bit less suffocating.