Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call: Tough Decisions. In this article I will breakdown players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.

Since this piece does come out on Fridays, injury news may pop up after posting time. Make sure you’re checking all your sources so you have up to date information regarding injuries, playing status, etc. Once again, if you want your lineup question featured in this piece, just hit me up on Twitter and your question could be featured. Anyways, let’s get into it.

Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 8:

QUARTERBACKS

Dak Prescott (vs. PHI) or Ryan Fitzpatrick (@CLE)

The Case for Prescott: In what could be his final start, expect Prescott to go out there and ball out against a division rival. He’s scored nine touchdowns in his past four games, scoring at least 17 fantasy points in each game during that stretch. The Eagles have been stingy against quarterbacks this season, allowing just six passing touchdowns. However, all six of those scores have come in the past three weeks. Prescott will likely have Dez Bryant back on the field, so there is no reason why the rookie won’t put up QB1 numbers this week, despite a tougher matchup.

The Case for Fitzpatrick: The Browns are allowing the second most points to opposing quarterbacks, aided by the fact that opposing signal callers have thrown for multiple touchdowns against the Browns in every game this season. Even with Joe Haden, this defense is nothing to fear. Perhaps the benching lit a fire under Fitzpatrick’s ass and he goes out there and looks like the 2015 version of himself. If that is going to happen, it would surely make sense to come against the Cleveland Browns. He’s a risky play, but he does have upside this week.

The Verdict: Prescott. Fitzpatrick is the easy choice, but I see more fantasy points from Prescott in Week 8.

RUNNING BACKS

Ty Montgomery (@ATL) or Isaiah Crowell (vs. NYJ)

The Case for Montgomery: Montgomery has caught 10 passes in each of the past two weeks, as well as totaling 12 carries over the last two games. He also has eligibility at wide receiver and running back, so his fantasy value receives a nice bump from that lone. He received 19 touches against the Bears last week, totaling 126 yards. Montgomery will once again be on the field almost all of the time in Week 8, which makes him a low-end RB2 or WR2. He matches up against an Atlanta defense that is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, so in others words, he has an excellent matchup on Sunday. Expect no less than 15 touches for Montgomery in Week 8.

The Case for Crowell: After two rough outings, Crowell came back to earth in Week 7, scoring his fourth rushing touchdown on the season. It’s not a good matchup for Crowell, but he continues to dominate the early-down work in the Cleveland offense. He also doesn’t do anything in the passing game, but when the team gets to the red zone and the goal line, Crowell is going to be the one getting the touches. He’s only tallied less than 10 carries in a game once this season, so at the very least, you can expect 10 touches for Crowell on Sunday. I think this game is closer than many think, so don’t be surprised when Crowell gets close to 15-18 touches on Sunday. The Jets defense is only allowing 3.7 yards per carry to opposing running backs, but Crowell will exceed that mark.

The Verdict: Montgomery. He gets it done in both the running game and the aerial assault.

Ryan Mathews (@DAL) or Jamaal Charles (@IND)

The Case for Mathews: I can’t stand Ryan Mathews, but these two guys had similar projections for the week, so that’s why this guy is on here. He’s received 40 touches over the last three weeks, but he’s only been able to find the end zone one time since the team’s bye. He actually ran pretty well against a stout Minnesota defense, but this week, I think Sproles gets more snaps and touches then Mathews. He’s an RB3 for me against this Dallas defense that is allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

The Case for Charles: Despite carrying a questionable tag, Charles is going to play on Sunday, but his workload is still in jeopardy. Luckily for the Chiefs, but not fantasy owners, Spencer Ware has been exceptional in filling in for the shifty veteran, so there’s really no need for Kansas City to rush Charles back. It’s another plus matchup on Sunday, but at this point, it’s hard to take a chance on Charles. He got just one touch last week and has yet to receive more than 11 touches in a game this season. Then, when he did get 11 touches against Oakland, his knees swelled up pretty damn bad. At this moment in time, it’s recommended that you just sit Charles until he’s actually healthy.

The Verdict: Mathews. It’s simply too hard to trust Charles’ knees right now.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Michael Crabtree (@TB) or Julian Edelman (@BUF)

The Case for Crabtree: Other for a touchdown grab in Week 5, Crabtree had been silent since his three-touchdowns outburst against the Raves in Week 4. Well, they couldn’t keep him down for long, because he caught eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown last week on 11 targets. Crabtree is only six targets behind team leader Amari Cooper and they both have a great opportunity to produce in Week 8 against an average Tampa Bay secondary. A receiver hasn’t scored since Week 4 against this defense, but come on, they faced Derek Andersen and Blaine Gabbert. Derek Carr will likely throw at least two touchdowns in this one, and you can bank on the fact that Crabtree will be on the receiving end of one of those.

The Case for Edelman: Despite receiving at least seven targets in every game since Tom Brady’s return, the fantasy production just hasn’t been there for Edelman. He’s a PPR golden boy, but even in that scoring system he only has one double-digit outing since Brady’s return. However, seeing as he continues to get a steady workload, he should be able to maintain low-end WR2 status this week against Buffalo. In 2015, he shredded that defense for 11 receptions on 19 targets for 97 yards and two touchdowns. He’s a reliable chain-mover, but except in PPR formats, his fantasy ceiling is capped until he and Brady can get things going again.

The Verdict: Crabtree. I like him for a touchdown this week.

Will Fuller (vs. DET) or Willie Snead (vs. SEA)

The Case for Fuller: Fuller’s 47 targets are second most on the team, but brutal play from quarterback Brock Osweiler has really hurt Fuller and teammate DeAndre Hopkins. This week is a good matchup on paper—Detroit allows the seventh-most fantasy points per game to receivers—but when you play Fuller, you’re putting a lot of confidence in Osweiler. As a Texans fan, even I’m telling you that it’s going to be a risky maneuver. You also have to worry about Fuller’s hands, seeing as he already has quite a few drops on the season. However, this optimism could be solely on the fact that I’m a Houston fan, but I think Osweiler breaks through this week and Fuller is the recipient of a 40+ yard touchdown. He’s a WR3 for me this week.

The Case for Snead: On paper, Snead’s matchup is tough against the Seattle defense. However, it is a home game, which means Drew Brees is going to put on a clinic, regardless of what defense tries to slow him down. Snead is coming off a nine reception game and he likely won’t be matched up with cornerback Richard Sherman for the entire outing. Snead is averaging just under 14 yards per reception this season and his 7.2 targets per game are third most on the team. Lock him in as a WR3 this week.

The Verdict: Fuller. I wavered on this one, but for me, it’s the speedy rookie.

TIGHT ENDS

Zach Miller (vs. MIN) or Charles Clay (vs. NE)

The Case for Miller: Jay Cutler is back under center and seeing how the first two games of the season went, Miller could be in some trouble moving forward. In the two games he played with Cutler this season, he caught seven passes for 47 yards. He saw just nine targets in those two games. Once Cutler went down with an injury, Miller amassed 35 targets with Brian Hoyer. While that doesn’t necessarily bode well for Miller, it’s hard to argue that his role in the offense has grown since the opening weeks of the season. Cutler will likely look more to Miller than he did in those two starts. However, Miller has to go up against a Minnesota defense that hasn’t allowed a touchdown to an opposing tight end all season. Consider Miller a TE2 in Week 8.

The Case for Clay: For starters, Clay may carry a questionable designation all week, but barring anything crazy, he’s going to be out there on Sunday. He hasn’t scored all season and he caught just two passes last week against the Miami Dolphins. However, there is some optimism for Clay in Week 8. He’s seen at least five targets in four straight games and quarterback Tyrod Taylor is going to throw the ball more this week than he has in recent contests. New England is going to put up some points and Buffalo is going to have to find a way to strike quick. Clay has the second most receptions on the team and in this matchup, I like Clay for no less than six receptions. New England hasn’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end since Week 2, but that streak will break this Sunday.

The Verdict: Clay. Buffalo will throw more than normal in this one, and Clay will be one of the main beneficiaries of it.

You can find me on Twitter: @colbyrconway