Bo Nix (QB - DEN) vs Dallas Cowboys
In one of my favorite player matchups, Nix takes on the Cowboys. The Cowboys allow the most points to quarterbacks. They’re allowing 29.43 fantasy points to QBs. Expect Nix to have a similar game to last week, where he dropped 42 points.
Joe Flacco (QB - CIN) vs New York Jets
Flacco has surprised us all by having a spectacular game against the Bengals on TNF last week. He’s averaged 24.7 fantasy points with the Bengals. Start him with confidence against a terrible Jets defense.
Caleb Williams (QB - CHI) vs Baltimore Ravens
Williams is set to have another softer matchup against a dilapidated Ravens defense. They’ve allowed the second-most points to fantasy quarterbacks. With Williams' upside in the rushing department, especially in rushing touchdowns, he’s a solid QB1 start this week.
Jaxson Dart (QB - NYG) vs Philadelphia Eagles
Dart is turning into a must-start every week despite his matchup. All we have to do is go back to TNF in Week 6, when he scored 25 points against the Eagles. After last week’s heartbreaking loss to the Broncos, Dart will look to beat the Eagles again.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB - ATL) vs Miami Dolphins
If he’s fully healthy, this is a fantastic opportunity for Penix Jr. to boost his numbers. Turnovers have been an issue for the sophomore quarterback, but with Miami allowing 22.91 points per game to QBs, it’s a great start this week.
Sit 'Em
Marcus Mariota (QB - WSH) vs Kansas City Chiefs
Mariota will get the start against a difficult Chiefs defense and secondary. They’ve only allowed 182 yards on average per game and 26 yards rushing on average per game. With most of his wide receivers battling injury, this will be someone I’m looking to avoid.
Brock Purdy (QB - SF) vs Houston Texans
This is a HARD game to come back from injury. This Texans defensive line is game-changing. The Texans have only given up 13.3 points to quarterbacks all year. Purdy’s turnover rate is a concern, and the matchup all makes me wary of him this week.
Jordan Love (QB - GB) vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Jordan Love just hasn’t been able to get it going this season. Lacking a wide receiver, he’s struggled to establish a solid pass game. He’s only scored over 20 points twice this season and lacks rushing upside. I would fade him in this matchup.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB - MIA) vs Atlanta Falcons
What a fall from grace Tua has had. He’s only scored above 20 points in 2 games. He’s going up against one of the toughest defenses that hasn’t allowed more than 180 yards to a quarterback.
Tyrod Taylor (QB - NYJ) vs Cincinnati Bengals
I know the Bengals defense is terrible, but no offense to Taylor; so is this offense that’s without its best receiver and is struggling to score more than 10 points a game.
By Alex Percey
Start 'Em
Breece Hall (RB - NYJ) vs Cincinnati Bengals
It’s been tough sledding starting Breece Hall in fantasy this year. But forget about all of that this week and put him in your lineup against the worst rush defense in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals.
D’Andre Swift (RB - CHI) vs Baltimore Ravens
Swift is quickly approaching fantasy RB1 territory. I’m not convinced that he is as good as he is performing, but still, ride the train while it’s hot. The Ravens are a great matchup for him to continue his hot streak against.
Alvin Kamara (RB - NO) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kamara’s fantasy output was suffering a bit in the last few weeks due to Kendre Miller’s involvement in the offense. With Miller now out for the season, Kamara will be force-fed and the only safety valve for Spencer Rattler.
Rico Dowdle (RB - CAR) vs Buffalo Bills
Even with Hubbard returning last week, Dowdle still put up 79 rushing yards in a low-scoring affair. This week, they play a better offense and a worse defense, which will give Dowdle much better odds of getting into the end zone.
Isaiah Pacheco (RB - KC) vs Washington Commanders
Everyone wants to talk about Brashard Smith, the rookie who had a great receiving game last week out of the Chiefs' backfield. Still, Pacheco controls the starting role and just had his best game of the season as well. They will lean on him when they need to control the ball this week.
Sit 'Em
Chuba Hubbard (RB - CAR) vs Buffalo Bills
To put it simply: The Panthers' offense isn’t strong enough to support two starting fantasy running backs. Dowdle is carrying his load better than Hubbard is as of now, and I expect Hubbard to take a back seat as the weeks progress.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB - NE) vs Cleveland Browns
I expected a lot more from Henderson this season, and he has been an outright fantasy disappointment. This week’s matchup doesn’t do him any favors either, playing against the stout Cleveland defense.
Nick Chubb (RB - HOU) vs San Francisco 49ers
It’s Woody Marks' season in Houston. Chubb only had five carries last week, a season low. I’m not even sure that he’s worth a roster spot at this point, but ESPN still has him ranked in their top 30 running backs for this week. Don’t start him.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB - PHI) vs Green Bay Packers
Gainwell had a great week a few games ago, but has since declined in usage. He now faces a team allowing only 14 points per game to running backs. Gainwell should be benched in all leagues.
Quinshon Judkins (RB - CLE) vs New England Patriots
The Patriots' rush defense has been improving as the season has progressed. Judkins just tore through the Miami defense and is having a promising rookie campaign, but Cleveland will need to throw the ball much more in this game to keep up with Drake Maye and the Pats' passing attack. I love Quinshon, but his week he won’t see as many opportunities.
By Alex Percey
Start 'Em
Courtland Sutton (WR - DEN) vs Dallas Cowboys
Sutton has been a pretty good fantasy option this year, putting up five top-20 performances and reaching 10 targets in two of his last three games. This week, he plays the worst defense against receivers this season, and should have his best performance yet.
Deebo Samuel (WR - WSH) vs Kansas City Chiefs
Deebo looks to return from injury this week to face Kansas City in what should be a shootout. The Commanders will need to throw the ball to keep pace with KC’s improved offense, and Deebo has been a big part of that passing attack when healthy.
Calvin Ridley (WR - TEN) vs Indianapolis Colts
Ridley was out last week with an injury, but is trending towards playing in week 8. If he starts, he will be force-fed. Tyler Lockett was just released by Tennessee, making room for even more targets for Ridley. He’s been disappointing this season so far, but the Colts allow over 33 fantasy points a game to receivers, so a breakout in this contest is possible.
DJ Moore (WR - CHI) vs Baltimore Ravens
I’m not sure there’s been a more disappointing receiver in fantasy than DJ Moore this season. That can only continue for so long, and Baltimore is the perfect chance to turn things around. The Ravens are the fourth-worst defense against receivers this season.
Tee Higgins (WR - CIN) vs New York Jets
Last week, we saw Xavier Legette eat against the Jets in the Y receiver role, as Sauce blanketed Tet all afternoon. This week, Higgins will be the one to feast. Flacco looks very capable of running the Bengals' passing attack last week, and if that continues, I expect a big day for Higgins.
Sit 'Em
Jaylen Waddle (WR - MIA) vs Atlanta Falcons
When Tyreek Hill went down, I considered trading for Waddle in most of my leagues, excited about the targets he would receive. However, Tua has been awful this season, and there are no signs of improvement for Waddle’s situation.
Quintin Johnston (WR - LAC) vs Minnesota Vikings
Johnston had his worst performance of the season by far in week seven, and I don’t think it’s a fluke. Orande Gadsden had a breakout game, playing a similar role to what Johnston had earlier in the season. I think it’s Ladd McConkey’s turn to be the top-performing receiver in the LAC offense.
Khalil Shakir (WR - BUF) vs Carolina Panthers
Most of Shakir’s fantasy points this season have come from a few explosive YAC plays, and outside of that, he has been a non-factor. The Bills' receiving core is a mess, and I would stay away from a Carolina defense that allows the third-fewest points to receivers.
Darnell Mooney (WR - ATL) vs Miami Dolphins
Just two weeks ago, Michael Penix Jr. completed zero passes to receivers not named Drake London. It’s a two-way offense right now: Bijan and Drake. Plus, Penix hasn’t been getting the ball downfield, where Mooney thrives.
Terry McLaurin (WR - WSH) vs Kansas City Chiefs
McLaurin’s quad injury must be way worse than we all expected, as it has kept him sidelined for four whole weeks. If he is back this week, I don’t trust him to be 100%, and Kansas City is a tough matchup.
By Logan Lazarczyk
Start 'Em
Cade Otton (TE - TB) vs New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay's pass-catching options have been depleted with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out of the picture. Otton has drawn 20 targets over the last weeks, and with a favorable matchup with limited options in the passing attack, the veteran tight end should supply a high floor in Week 8.
Tucker Kraft (TE - GB) vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Kraft has not surpassed 60 yards in each of the last two weeks following the bye, but he has scored a touchdown in each of those contests. In addition, Kraft is coming off a 10-target performance and faces a Steelers defense that has allowed the third-most points per game to tight ends this season.
T.J. Hockenson (TE - MIN) vs Los Angeles Chargers
Hockenson was targeted a season-high nine times in Minnesota's Week 7 loss to Philadelphia. This week, he faces a Chargers defense that has allowed a touchdown to its opponent's tight end in three of the last four weeks.
Kyle Pitts (TE - ATL) vs Miami Dolphins
Pitts finally saw a healthy amount of targets last week with 10 against the 49ers. In Week 8, the 25-year-old tight end goes up against the Dolphins, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2025.
Evan Engram (TE - DEN) vs Dallas Cowboys
Engram has caught at least five passes for 42 yards over the last two weeks, providing an extremely safe floor during that span. In Week 8, the 31-year-old tight end faces a pedestrian Cowboys defense, which is one of the worst units in the league. This game has barnburner written all over it, and Engram could be a sneaky start at the tight end position.
Sit 'Em
Theo Johnson (TE - NYG) vs Phillips Eagles
Johnson has developed a strong connection with Jaxson Dart, scoring four touchdowns in as many games. However, the Eagles' defense is one of the units against tight ends, allowing the fourth-fewest points against the position this season.
Jake Ferguson (TE - DAL) vs Denver Broncos
Ferguson produced 18.4 fantasy points last week against the Washington Commanders, but that came off of seven receptions for 29 yards and two touchdowns. That's not exactly a stat worth writing home about. In addition, Denver's secondary is not a favorable matchup for tight ends.
Juwan Johnson (TE - NO) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Johnson is coming off a season-high 79 yards against the Chicago Bears last week. However, Johnson failed to surpass 30 yards in the last three outings. This is a classic trap game. Don't fall for it.
George Kittle (TE - SF) vs Houston Texans
This is not a reactionary suggestion based on Kittle's zero-catch performance against the Atlanta Falcons last week. This is more about the Texans' defense, which has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season.
David Njoku/Harold Fannin Jr. (TE - CLE) vs New England Patriots
Njoku has practiced this week and looks primed to return. However, stay away from the Browns' pass catchers this week against an underrated Patriots defense. If Njoku sits, Fannin Jr. should still be avoided.
By Dominic Orrico
Start 'Em
Chase McLaughlin (K - TB) vs New Orleans Saints
McLaughlin is 76% with field goals and 14 for 15 in extra points. He’s going up against a Saints team that gives up the 8th most points to kickers.
Harrison Butker (K - KC) vs Washington Commanders
Butker has been on fire recently. He hasn’t missed a kick since Week 4, and against a Commanders team that is allowing the 29th most points to Kickers.
Sit 'Em
Nick Folk (K - NYJ) vs Cincinnati Bengals
Folk has a knack for missing, and being on the Jets, who struggle to score points regularly, it’s tough to trust the absence of offensive efficiency.
Riley Patterson (K - MIA) vs Atlanta Falcons
Another terrible team's quarterback who has trouble scoring points, and Patterson’s inconsistency leaves him sitting with much better options available.
