With week 8 of the NFL season in full swing, we have multiple high-scoring performances from Thursday night football. With the number of injuries this week, fantasy managers might be tasked with digging deep to find the right starters this week in fantasy football. Last week the start/sit list hit on 73.5% of players. Below are my favorite start/sits for week 8.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Bo Nix DEN
Nix might have my favorite matchup for a streamer quarterback this week. The Panthers are allowing the 7th most points to quarterbacks this season and Nix has been a viable option in fantasy over the last five weeks. In that stretch, he has gone over 19 points three times. The main reason I love his upside this week is his rushing upside against the Panthers. This season he ranked 4th among quarterbacks in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns while receiving 10 red zone carries this season. Nix should be viewed as a top 12 option this week for quarterbacks.
Jordan Love GB
In five games this season, Jordan Love has 15 passing touchdowns and no games under 18 points in fantasy football. The Packers face the Jaguars this week, who have been the best matchup for opposing quarterbacks this season. This season the Jags are allowing 303.6 passing yards per game providing a great opportunity for Love to continue his hot start to 2024. He should be viewed as a top 3 quarterback in week eight.
Caleb Williams CHI
Before the bye week, Williams was on a heater throwing for 6 touchdown passes and having 2 performances over 23 fantasy points. His play has only improved down the stretch this season and has another favorable matchup against the Commanders. The Commanders rank in the middle of the pack in terms of quarterback points allowed due to the fact they have played Andy Dalton, Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray, and Daniel Jones. Against Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson each guy went for over 20 fantasy points. I expect Caleb Williams to continue his hot streak this week.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Kyler Murray ARI
Murray has been better the last three weeks with the increased opportunities on the ground that have resulted in two rushing touchdowns. Despite 2 performances over 20 points in that stretch, he is still averaging under 200 passing yards per game while only throwing for more than 1 touchdown once this season. The Dolphins this season have been the toughest matchup for opposing quarterbacks holding them to 9 points per game. With the release of Call of Duty this week as well, Murray’s production in fantasy football has decreased during release week (LOL graphic below). It is hard to trust Murray this week in your starting lineups.
Trevor Lawrence JAX
Lawrence and the Jaguars have been playing better football as of late but that still has not resulted in much fantasy production for Lawrence. He now has only one performance this season over 20 fantasy points and has turnovers in 2 of the last 3 games. The Packers this season have been one of the best at limiting opposing quarterbacks as they only average 14.2 points per game against them. This is not the week I expect Lawrence to get his second 20-point game of the season.
Dak Prescott DAL
It has been a mixed bag for Dak and the Cowboys’ offense this season. This year Dak is the QB20 and has two performances on the season over 20 points but is coming off of a 4-point performance against the Lions. The lack of weapons outside of CeeDee Lamb hurts Dak, who has no rushing upside at this point in his career. The 49ers have been stingy to opposing quarterbacks only allowing 15.9 points per game this season. Dak will be another tough week in fantasy football in week eight.
Running backs to Start
D’Andre Swift CHI
Swift was on a hot streak before the Bears’ bye as he has three straight performances over 20 points. It has been a tale of two halves for Swift as he only scored 19.4 points in three weeks before his hot streak. He holds a lot of value due to him never playing below 65% of snaps in a game this season while receiving no less than 20 touches in the last three games. I’m buying into Swift having another good day in fantasy against the Commanders this week who are allowing 131.6 rushing yards per game this season. Swift should be viewed as a top 15 RB in week eight.
Javonte Williams DEN
Williams is another guy who has come on as of late after a slow start to the season. 2 of the last 3 weeks he has over 16 fantasy points in favorable matchups. We have also seen him start to maintain a weekly snap share of around 65% providing him with the volume to be more consistent in fantasy football. This week the Broncos face the Panthers who are allowing 30.2 points per game to opposing running backs. In an expected blowout expect 18-22 touches for Williams in what should result in an RB1 performance.
Jordan Mason SF
Mason has been struggling as of last, not scoring over 10 points in the last three weeks while dealing with a shoulder injury. There is no reason to overthink starting Mason in week eight as the 49ers face the Cowboys who are the 4th worst against running backs this season. Mason is likely to get another 1-2 more games as the lead back in San Francisco before Christian McCaffrey returns. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity while you have the chance.
Running backs to Sit
Alexander Mattison LV
Mattison has won the running back competition in Vegas resulting in three straight games over 10 fantasy points. On the season he has been inefficient only averaging 3.6 yards per carry and relies on his receiving work to increase his weekly floor in fantasy. This week the Raiders face the Chiefs who have been the toughest matchup for opposing running backs this season. It would be smart to leave him out of your lineup this week.
Tony Pollard TEN
Pollard has dominated 81% of the snaps for the Titans this season and is currently the RB20 in fantasy football. Despite the high workload, he currently ranks 53rd among running backs in fantasy points per opportunity this season. This can be attributed to 40.4% of his carries this season have come against stacked boxes which have resulted in an average of 0 yards a carry before contact. The Lions will stack the box again this week and provide the 3rd hardest matchup for opposing running backs. It is a bad matchup and despite the volume, I am leaving him on my bench this week.
Chuba Hubbard CAR
Hubbard has been a pleasant surprise this season only scoring less than 10 points in one game while averaging 5.2 yards per carry this season. Week eight might be Hubbard’s toughest battle of the season without Andy Dalton and Diontae Johnson healthy. The Denver Broncos have been the 9th best at limiting running backs in fantasy and will stack the box to stop Hubbard this week with Bryce Young at quarterback. Despite how good Hubbard has been this year, he has bust written all over him this week.
Wide Receivers to Start
Romeo Doubs GB
Since returning from his team suspension, he has led the team with a 21.5% target share, a 35.2% air yard share, and a 24.4% first-read share. In the last two weeks, he has caught 11 passes for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns producing two straight 20-point performances. Although Packers receivers have been inconsistent this season, it is hard not to trust them and Doubs against the Jaguars this week. The Jags are currently the 4th friendliest matchup for receivers this season while Jordan Love has the easiest matchup. Expect Doubs to continue his hot streak this week.
George Pickens PIT
The connection between Russell Wilson and George Pickens skillsets might be the perfect match. Wilson excels at throwing deep balls while Pickens excels at hauling in those deep passes. Last week Pickens went for 5 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, seeing his highest first read percentage of the season. The Giants play single high on 60% of plays and against single high, Pickens target share increases to 33% while receiving a 43.1%. Expect him to be in for another big day against the Giants on Monday Night.
Jalen McMillan TB
McMillian might be one of the riskier plays this week considering he has no track record of success in the NFL. Last week he played his highest snap share % of the season while getting 8 targets as the Bucs had to air it out early in the blowout loss to the Ravens. With Evans and Godwin down, there are targets to go around. The Falcons are allowing the 2nd highest points per target to outside receivers and that is the role that McMillian played 80% of his snaps last week. McMillian is risky but has a high upside against an elite matchup that should find his way into many FLEX spots this week.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Marvin Harrison Jr. ARI
Harrison Jr. has been outshined by other rookies this season despite being the highest-drafted receiver in April. He is currently the WR43 and over the last three games he has 5 catches. Not all of the problems can be attributed to Harrison. Murray is currently averaging under 200 passing yards per game while Harrison ranks 101st in target separation. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is doing this duo no favors this season with very few schemed open throws in the passing game. In week eight the Cardinals play the Dolphins, who are allowing the least number of points to opposing wide receivers. Nothing is suggesting that he should be in starting lineups this week.
Michael Pittman Jr. IND
Until Joe Flacco returns as the Colts quarterback expect Pittman and other Colts receivers to continue to struggle in fantasy football. This season the numbers are there for Pittman to produce as an elite receiver as he has a 22% target share, 23.7% air-yard share, and a 23.8% first-read share. Despite this, he has not passed 63 yards in a week with Anthony Richardson at quarterback resulting in 0 finishes over WR37. It is hard to trust Pittman due to his situation and should be considered a low-end WR3.
Christian Kirk JAX
Kirk had a nice stretch of three performances over 12.8 fantasy points without Evan Engram in the lineup. Since Engram has returned, Kirk has regressed to the 4th option in the passing game for the Jaguars and it has resulted in 4 catches in the last two weeks. Trusting the 4th option in the 16th-ranked pass offense seems like a recipe for disaster each week. On top of the lack of volume, Green Bay has been the 2nd best at limiting slot receivers’ fantasy points this season. Avoid starting Kirk at all costs this week.
Tight Ends to Start
David Njoku CLE
In the first week without Amari Cooper, Njoku caught 10 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets establishing himself as the go-to passing option in Cleveland. Going forward, Njoku should be considered a top 5 option in PPR formats considering his target share in this offense without Cooper. Expect him to follow up on his big performance last week with another one this week. This season the Ravens are the 7th worst at limiting tight ends in fantasy.
Cade Otton TB
Otton will be the biggest beneficiary in the passing game from the Mike Evans and Chris Godwin injuries. Since week three he has been averaging 7.3 targets per game which puts him top 5 among all tight ends during that stretch. Last week was his best game of the season posting 8 catches for 100 yards in the loss to the Ravens. The Falcons are not a great matchup but expect Baker Mayfield to find him early as he starts to build trust with his new receivers.
Kyle Pitts ATL
I mentioned early this week that Kyle Pitts is starting to earn trust from fantasy managers after three straight performances over 10 points with no less than 65 receiving yards. He has established himself as a vertical threat in the Falcons offense as he currently ranks 8th among tight ends in yards per target. Three weeks ago, against the Bucs he finished with 7 catches for 88 yards. Expect him to have another 10+ point performance this week against them as well.
Tight Ends to Sit
Pat Freiermuth PIT
Freiermuth comes in at the TE11 midway through the season despite only seeing no more than 3 targets in the last three weeks. On the season he currently boasts an 18.7% target rate which ranks 25th among tight ends and an average ADOT of 5.2. With a lack of volume and rare down-the-field passes thrown his way, he holds little upside in fantasy. Against a tough matchup this week against the Giants it is best to avoid Freiermuth in your starting lineups.
Sam LaPorta DETL
To say LaPorta has been disappointing this season might be an understatement. In the last two weeks he has 2 targets while having a 9.8% target share and 7.3% air yards share. Both of those metrics rank behind some team’s backup tight ends. With James Williams suspended for 2 weeks better days might be ahead for LaPorta. I’m not buying that in week eight with the Titans allowing the 2nd least points to tight ends this season.
Mark Andrews BAL
Mark Andrews has had a resurgent last three weeks, posting 9.5, 15.6, and 20.1-point performances during that stretch. Despite the fantasy numbers looking better he still only has a 53.9% snap share with a 55.8% route participation and 11.6% target share. These numbers suggest that Mark Andrews is touchdown-dependent going forward in fantasy football. The Browns this season are the 4th best at limiting tight ends and it would be best to avoid Andrews in your starting lineup this week.
Kickers to Start
Cameron Dicker LAC
Dicker has been a stud this year in fantasy posting four games over 10 points this season. This week the Chargers face the Saints who have allowed an average of 12 points per game against kickers this season. Expect Dicker the kicker to finish within the top 5 this week.
Chad Ryland ARI
Despite two Cardinals making the sit list, it is smart to start Ryland at kicker this week. The Dolphins have been limiting opposing offenses from scoring touchdowns this season and it has resulted in them allowing an average of 10.5 points per game to kickers this season. Expect 2-3 field goals from Ryland as this will be a tight matchup with two teams that have playoff aspirations.
Ka’imi Fairbairn HOU
Fairbairn is on a hot streak right now, posting 3 straight 10-point games, and is now the 3rd ranked kicker this season. Against the Colts this week expect him to continue his hot streak and post another 10-point performance.
Kickers to Sit
Blake Grupe NO
Grupe comes into this week as the 11th-best kicker and has posted two games over 10 points. This weak it’s best to avoid him in a tough matchup with the Chargers who are allowing the 2nd least points to kickers. With Spencer Rattler at quarterback and a tough matchup, I’m all out on Grupe.
Cam Little JAX
Little is having a good season for the Jaguars as he has only missed 1 kick this year. It’s best to avoid him in a matchup where points will be hard to come by for the Jaguars. The Packers are also the 4th best at limiting kickers this season.
DEF to Start
Detroit Lions DEF
The Lions are due for their 2nd 10+ point outing this season against the Titans this week. The Titans are allowing defenses to average 12 points per game against them this season. The Titans also moved on from DeAndre Hopkins this week, losing a valuable asset to the passing game. Regardless of who is at quarterback for the Titans on Sunday, expect the Lions defense to have a big day.
Denver Broncos DEF
The Broncos defense has to be excited for their matchup against the Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers will be without Andy Dalton and Diontae Johnson this week, making the matchup even better for one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Broncos biggest concern will be limiting Chuba Hubbard on the ground. If they can do that, expect them to put up 12+ points this week.
Los Angeles Chargers DEF
I mentioned the Chargers as one of my favorite waiver wire pickups of the week with their upcoming favorable schedule. They start that schedule off against the Saints who have allowed the most points to fantasy defenses the last two weeks. The Chargers defense currently ranks 11th heading into this week, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are in the top 5 in a few weeks.
DEF to Sit
Philadelphia Eagles DEF
In a week with many good matchups for defenses, it is best to avoid the Philadelphia Eagles this week. The Eagles come in as the 19th-ranked defense in fantasy and face the Bengals, who are the 7th toughest matchup for fantasy defenses. Expect them to produce little to no points in week eight.
New York Giants DEF
The Giants are currently the 7th ranked defense in fantasy football behind their elite pass rush. Despite their strong start, they have only gone over 10+ points twice this season. They face the Steelers this week who have been surprisingly troublesome for opposing fantasy defenses, ranking as the 4th hardest matchup. Sit the Giants defense in week eight.
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