Jason Witten Fantasy Football Week 8 Projection

By Kelly Anderson on October 23, 2014

The problem with Jason Witten being one of the most complete tight ends in NFL history is that it gives fantasy football owners headaches when it comes to them expecting big games from him every time he steps on the field. Witten is just as good of a blocker as he is a route runner and pass catcher in the Dallas Cowboys’ offense, and believe me when I say that that’s saying something. So depending on the team’s game plan for that week, Witten can play any role needed in the offense and still have a huge impact on the game.

The kind of impact fantasy owners love is when Witten is Tony Romo’s BFF and security blanket in the passing game. That’s when you see him putting up seasons like he had two years ago where he ended up with 110 receptions, 150 targets, 1,039 yards and three total touchdowns. If you are in a PPR league, then you absolutely destroyed it that year with him at the tight end position because he basically performed like he was a No. 1 wide receiver.

But the flip side of that is when the Cowboys have injuries on the offensive line or go into a matchup with a run-heavy game plan. They will then keep Witten in to help in pass protection or pave the way for Demarco Murray so that he can plow his way through defenders. He is just as big of an asset in that regard as he is in the passing attack; so many big plays occur when he’s setting a key block on that play, which usually goes unnoticed by the normal NFL fan.

This season, the Cowboys are relying more on Murray and the running game to control the clock and to keep their defense off the field; and they just recently had an injury to their starting right tackle Doug Free. So while Witten has still had a decent season to this point, his numbers are nowhere near what you were hoping for from him because of the Cowboys’ needs offensively. And I would expect to see this trend continue this week as the Cowboys will have him to stay in and provide support for Jeremy Parnell, who is replacing Free.

The Washington Redskins‘ defense statistically isn’t that bad when it comes to yards per game given up against the run or the pass, however that is a bit misleading as their offense turns the ball over so many times that teams are often set up with a short field to work with. Teams have been able to move the ball at will against the Redskins’ defense and I don’t expect that to change much this week. But don’t expect Witten to be a part of the statistical party as he will contribute in other ways.

Owners should look for Witten to have three receptions for 36 yards.

Kelly Anderson is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bgipp01 or add him to your network on Google.