Newton propels Carolina offense
These players saw their fantasy values increase or decrease most based on their performances in Week 8:
Sizzlers
QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: Against a tough Baltimore Ravens defense, Newton had a balanced day both passing and rushing, scoring twice through the air and once on the ground.
RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals: Mixon had his best game of the year (123 rushing yards, 15 receiving), scoring multiple touchdowns for the first time this season.
QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders: The fantasy community had declared Carr droppable, so how did he respond? He completed 75 percent of his passes and accounted for four TDs (one on the ground).
WR Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs: Targeted nine times, he caught eight of them with two going for touchdowns. If Tyreek Hill’s groin injury lingers, Watkins shoots up the Week 9 rankings.
WR Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions: Just when Jones looked to be leapfrogged by talented Kenny Golladay, he explodes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. It was by far his best production of the season.
Fizzlers
TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns: Njoku was a TE1 over the last four weeks, so his nonusage against the questionable Pittsburgh Steelers pass defense came as a major surprise.
QB Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: After throwing four interceptions, Winston was benched in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick, who almost led a miracle comeback and will get the start this week.
WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks: Baldwin was targeted eight times before the Seahawks’ bye week. Against the Lions, however, he had just two receptions while QB Russell Wilson threw for three TDs.
WR John Brown, Baltimore Ravens: Brown has had seven targets in consecutive games. In Week 7, he caught all seven for 134 yards. This week? Three receptions for 28.
RB Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers: With Matt Breida ailing and the Niners facing the Raiders’ 27th-ranked run defense, Mostert could only muster two carries for 18 yards.