The Buffalo Bills will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding RB James Cook.
Is James Cook Playing in Week 8?
Cook is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he is on track to play this weekend.
We’ll continue to monitor the Bills’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit James Cook in Week 8?
After Ray Davis impressed in Week 6 with Cook (toe) sidelined, there were some whispers about a committee situation. That, however, didn’t look like the plan as Cook closed out Buffalo’s fourth possession last week with an 11-yard score and he was the only player on the team with a rushing attempt up to that point.
The knock on Cook entering this season was his limitations as a scoring option, but with six TDs over his past five games, those concerns no longer exist. Buffalo has an implied total of 25 points in this game, and I’m going to bet them to go over that number – if my bet cashes, Cook could finish the week as a top-10 performer at the position.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 8 Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
James Cook’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 8
Cook is projected to score 16 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 17 rushing attempts for 88.5 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. It also includes 1.5 receptions for 31.4 yards and 0.2 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
James Cook’s Week 8 Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 11:45 PM ET on Saturday, January 25.Â
Conference Championship RB PPR Rankings
1) Saquon Barkley | PHI (vs. WAS)
2) James Cook | BUF (at KC)
3) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (at PHI)
4) Isiah Pacheco | KC (vs. BUF)
5) Kareem Hunt | KC (vs. BUF)
6) Austin Ekeler | WAS (at PHI)
7) Ray Davis | BUF (at KC)
8) Ty Johnson | BUF (at KC)
9) Samaje Perine | KC (vs. BUF)
10) Kenneth Gainwell | PHI (vs. WAS)
11) Jeremy McNichols | WAS (at PHI)
12) Will Shipley | PHI (vs. WAS)
13) Carson Steele | KC (vs. BUF)
14) Reggie Gilliam | BUF (at KC)
15) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | WAS (at PHI)
Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks Insights
Buffalo Bills
Team: This is an important stretch for the Bills. They have the Seahawks this week, the Dolphins in Week 9, and the Colts in Week 10. After that, they play three Super Bowl contenders in their next four games (Chiefs, 49ers, and Lions).
QB: Josh Allen has thrown 12 TD with 0 interceptions this season. He’s the second QB to throw at least 12 TD with no picks through seven games in NFL history (Alex Smith had 15 TDs and 0 Int in 2017 on the Kansas City Chiefs).
Offense: The Bills have the best turnover differential in the league through seven weeks (+1.43 per game).
Defense: The Bills allow just 4.2 yards per fourth-quarter pass, the second-lowest rate in the league (Cowboys).
Fantasy: Amari Cooper was targeted on five of his 12 routes (41.7%), which is easily the highest target rate by any Bills player in a game this season. It’s also the highest target rate in any game of Cooper’s career (min. 5 routes run).
Betting: #BillsMafia might travel well, but the offense hasn’t of late – unders are 15-5 in Buffalo’s past 20 road regular season games.
Seattle Seahawks
Team: Seattle has a pair of home games before its Week 10 bye. It comes out of the bye with three divisional games in a four-game stretch.
QB: Geno Smith’s in-pocket touchdown rate is trending down for a second consecutive season, while his interception rate is ticking up again.
Offense: The Seahawks are averaging 4.9 offensive penalties per game (only the Browns average more).
Defense: The Seahawks allowed a league-low 5.4 yards per pass to the slot this season (NFL average: 7.7 yards).
Fantasy: Kenneth Walker III has been a top-15 running back (PPR) in every game he has played this season.
Betting: The Seahawks are just 1-5-1 ATS in their past seven home games under Geno Smith.
