Khalil Shakir or Keenan Allen: Who to Start in Week 8?

INGLEWOOD, California – As Week 8 approaches in the NFL, fantasy football managers are weighing the choices between Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir and Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen. Both players are facing key matchups that could determine their fantasy output this week.

Keenan Allen is coming off a standout performance in Week 7, where he caught 11 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite struggling earlier in the season with two games under 40 receiving yards, Allen now faces a Minnesota Vikings‘ secondary that has allowed the seventh fewest passing yards this season. However, the Vikings’ recent games show they have given up significant yardage to opposing wide receivers, raising questions about whether Allen can capitalize on this opportunity.

Meanwhile, Khalil Shakir has experienced disappointing outings in his past two games, totaling just nine receptions for 88 yards. In Week 7, he recorded only three receptions for 33 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are known for their strong secondary, but Shakir will likely face a slightly easier challenge against the Carolina Panthers, who rank 10th in passing yards allowed. Notably, the Panthers’ defense has struggled to contain opposing WR1s, suggesting that Shakir may have a better chance for success this week.

Factors to consider for Allen include the rising prominence of Chargers WR Ladd McConkey, who has gathered a high number of targets recently, potentially affecting Allen’s opportunities. On the other hand, Shakir, as the WR1 for the Bills in a game where they are expected to control the play, could see increased targets and potentially break out of his slump.

Given the current dynamics of both players’ teams and opponents, the recommendation is to start Khalil Shakir and sit Keenan Allen in Week 8. Shakir’s circumstances indicate a higher probability of a productive fantasy performance compared to Allen, whose path is clouded by the Chargers’ depth at the wide receiver position.

As the kickoff approaches, players are encouraged to monitor the latest updates to make informed decisions for their fantasy lineups.