Good morning and happy Halloween eve. For the third time this season, NFL Sunday kicks off a few hours earlier than usual with yet another London game.
The Broncos and Jaguars get the action underway across the pond soon enough. Let’s get into what you need to know before that happens.
In today’s Winners Club you’ll find:
Who’s In, Out and Still Questionable
It’s a relatively light injury week at quarterback and running back, though byes for the Chiefs and Chargers certainly sting. The same can’t be said at wide receiver, with two of the top players at the position ruled out and a few more still carrying questionable designations heading into Sunday.
Keep reading for the latest injury reports and remember to keep checking for updates on your players’ status as kickoff approaches.
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill, Titans: OUT (ankle)
Running backs
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys: DOUBTFUL (knee/thigh)
D’Andre Swift, Lions: ACTIVE (shoulder)
James Conner, Cardinals: OUT (ribs)
Chuba Hubbard, Panthers: OUT (ankle)
Cam Akers, Rams: OUT (personal)
Wide receivers
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals: OUT (hip)
Davante Adams, Raiders: QUESTIONABLE (illness), expected to play
Deebo Samuel, 49ers: OUT (hamstring)
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: QUESTIONABLE (concussion), will play
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks: QUESTIONABLE (hamstring/ribs), game-time decision
DK Metcalf, Seahawks: QUESTIONABLE (knee), expected to play
Brandin Cooks, Texans: QUESTIONABLE (wrist), expected to play
Michael Thomas, Saints: OUT (foot)
Jarvis Landry, Saints: OUT (ankle)
Noah Brown, Cowboys: QUESTIONABLE (foot)
Mack Hollins, Raiders: QUESTIONABLE (heel)
Van Jefferson, Rams: ACTIVE (knee)
Corey Davis, Jets: OUT (knee)
Jahan Dotson, Commanders: OUT (hamstring)
Tight ends
David Njoku, Browns: OUT (ankle)
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys: QUESTIONABLE (knee), expected to play
Darren Waller, Raiders: QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
Juwan Johnson, Saints: QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
Daniel Bellinger, Giants: OUT (eye)
Week 8 NFL Game Lines
There’s a few heavy favorites this week giving more than a touchdown—Cowboys, Eagles, Bills—though most contests have a spread somewhere in the range of a field goal. And overall, it’s supposed to be a bit of a low-scoring slate. Dolphins-Lions is projected to go over 50 points, but most of the games on tap are much closer to the 40-point mark, and Commanders-Colts is even below that.
49ers-Rams is perhaps the best matchup of the day. San Francisco has dominated Los Angeles in the regular season in the recent series history of these NFC West rivals, and the Niners were my best bet for the SI Sportsbook Perfect 10 Contest. Get the full breakdown of the games and see the explanation for my pick as well as my colleagues’ and participate in the contest for a shot at a $10,000 prize—just make 10 picks against the spread to enter.
And if player props are more your speed, we’ve got you covered there as well with seven to choose from across Sunday’s games.
9:30 a.m. ET (ESPN+): Broncos vs. Jaguars (-1.5) | Total: 40.5
1 p.m. ET (FOX): Panthers vs. Falcons (-4.5) | Total: 41
1 p.m. ET (FOX): Bears vs. Cowboys (-9.5) | Total: 42.5
1 p.m. ET (CBS): Dolphins (-3.5) vs. Lions | Total: 51.5
1 p.m. ET (FOX): Cardinals vs. Vikings (-3.5) | Total: 48.5
1 p.m. ET (CBS): Raiders (-1.5) vs. Saints | Total: 49.5
1 p.m. ET (CBS): Patriots (-2.5) vs. Jets | Total: 40
1 p.m. ET (CBS): Steelers vs. Eagles (-10.5) | Total: 42.5
4:05 p.m. ET (CBS): Titans (-1.5) vs. Texans | Total: 39
4:25 p.m. ET (FOX): Commanders vs. Colts (-2.5) | Total: 39.5
4:25 p.m. ET (FOX): 49ers (-1.5) vs. Rams | Total: 42
4:25 p.m. ET (FOX): Giants vs. Seahawks (-3.5) | Total: 44.5
8:20 p.m. ET (NBC): Packers vs. Bills (-10.5) | Total: 46.5
8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN): Bengals (-3.5) vs. Browns | Total: 45.5*
*Monday
Two of the most fantasy friendly teams in football are on bye this week and a long list of injured wide receivers only makes matters more difficult when it comes to finalizing your lineup.
We’re here to help make those tough calls. To prepare for Sunday of Week 8, consult the handy cheat sheet (which sings the praises of Justin Fields), check out the recommended DFS plays—both bargains and top-dollar options—and use all the fancy new tools at your disposal at si.com/fantasy, all of which are linked below.
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: QB | RB | WR | TE | K & D/ST
Defense vs. Position Matchup Info
For further last-minute fantasy advice, you have two options: Check out the weekly Twitter Spaces at noon ET on the @SINow and @SI_Fantasy accounts or send me your start/sit questions to the @SI_Fantasy account or my personal account, @Kkylewood.
Astros Draw Even as World Series Shifts to Philly
Houston got off to another five-run lead at home Saturday night and hung on this time around for a 5-2 Game 2 win to draw even with Philadelphia. Astros starter Framber Valdez allowed just one earned one and struck out nine across 6.1 innings while Jose Altuve broke out of his postseason slump with a three-hit night.
The series odds have shifted slightly at SI Sportsbook after two games: Houston is a -175 favorite to win the series and Philadelphia sits at +150. At +280 odds, a 4-2 Astros win is now the most likely series result.
The teams have Sunday off before action picks back up Monday in Pennsylvania where the next three games will be played.
Monday
8:03 p.m. ET (FOX): Astros (-125) vs. Phillies | World Series tied, 1-1
In Other News
First Impressions of NBA Rookies: Many top draft picks have been quick to make an impact, perhaps no more than No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero. Pacers first-year pro Bennedict Mathurin has showcased his scoring chops early and a handful of second-round selections have flashed already.
NBA Spreads for Sunday Slate: There’s eight games on the docket for the day. Get the odds for all the top matchups, which include Pelicans-Clippers, Knicks-Cavaliers and Nuggets-Lakers.
SI’s College Football Top 10: Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee—the top three teams in order—all handled business on Saturday to improve to 8-0 on the year. A week 10 bout between the Bulldogs and Volunteers is shaping up to be one of the best matchups of the year.
Thanks for reading Winners Club! Here’s hoping you bring home the W in all of your fantasy leagues this week. I’ll be back in your inbox Tuesday. Until then.
