Fantasy Football: Titans Players For Your Lineup Tonight
By Sean Maczko
Tonight marks the kickoff of Week 8 in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans taking on AFC South rival Jacksonville Jaguars in Thursday Night Football’s edition of the Color Rush matchup.
The Tennessee Titans are coming off a heartbreaking 8-point loss to another AFC South rival, the Indianapolis Colts. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are coming off a loss to the surging Oakland Raiders who more than doubled them up in a final score of 33-16.
I want to focus on some key Titans players to get into your lineups this week for fantasy football.
If you are looking for some good reads on the actual matchup check out this article by fellow TitanSized writer Cody Milholen and this article with TitanSized.com’s editor Will Lomas where he went one on one with Black and Teal’s Daniel Lago.
DeMarco Murray (RB) – MUST START
The Titans major offseason acquisition via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, DeMarco Murray, is a must start tonight. He has been on an absolute tear this season as I predicted (pats self on back).
Murray is playing like a man possessed after his forgetful 2015 campaign with the Eagles. Murray is one of five players with three 100 yard rushing games this season.
Murray is the 2nd highest scoring player at the RB position. Murray faces the Jaguars 18th ranked rush defense and I believe he will feast tonight.
Prediction: 110 rushing yards, 1 TD and 4 receptions 30 receiving yards
Delanie Walker (TE) – MUST START
The Titans TE Delanie Walker, has been a little inconsistent this season but is still the 5th highest scoring player at his position despite missing a matchup earlier this year against the Oakland Raiders.
The Titans receivers have been pretty inconsistent the last couple weeks and Walker is QB Marcus Mariota’s best friend in those situations.
The Jaguars have allowed the 5th fewest points to TE’s this season but Walker is certainly in the upper echelon of TE talent.
Walker had a chest injury but was not on the Titans injury report and is locked, loaded, and ready to roll. Despite some inconsistency this year there is not a TE I would play over him.
Prediction: 6 receptions 75 yards 1 TD
Marcus Mariota (QB) – Matchup Based Start
The Titans QB, Marcus Mariota, has started to find his stride the last couple weeks. The damage he can do to defenses with his legs makes for great fantasy points. Mariota also has the highest QBR in the redzone since entering the league last year, where he has 24 TDs and 0 INT’s.
For my particular team I have decided to start Mariota over Philip Rivers vs DEN. I wouldn’t start Mariota over the likes of Brady, Brees or Rodgers obviously but if you have a guy like Rivers in a tough matchup I would take the flyer on Mariota.
Prediction: 240 pass yards, 2 TDs, 40 rush yards
Titans DEF – Matchup Based Start
The Titans defense has come alive behind the mastermind and NFL veteran, Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau. Brian Orakpo (7), Derrick Morgan (4.5), and Jurrell Casey (3) have nearly 15 sacks combined this season.
The Jaguars offensive line is not impressive and Blake Bortles has thrown 9 INTs and 2 lost fumbles through 6 games this season.
The Titans get a rare primetime spot at home and are coming off a loss that left the team really disappointed – I think the defense is going to show up tonight. I’m coming off a week where the Buffalo Bills defense got me ZERO, ZILCH, NADA for points so I am going to take the Titans in a matchup based spot here.
The Jaguars have scored over 20 points only in 2 games this season and I don’t think it will happen tonight either.
Prediction: 3 sacks, 1 INT, and hold Jaguars to 17 points.