Welcome to Week 8! Two games jumped off the screen in Week 7, and they ended with almost identical scores (33-31, 33-32). The first was an epic shootout on Thursday night between the two oldest quarterbacks in the league, and the second featured one of the most improbable fourth-quarter comebacks in decades. But was it all that improbable? Fans of the New York Football Giants — and this site is chock full of them — will tell you otherwise. More on these games in the Stats of the Week.
In case you haven’t heard, six NFL teams have their Bye this week. For fantasy football, that’s a problem and especially with the rash of injuries we’ve experienced. The good news is that this is the only week of the season with six teams resting. I’ll try to help you patch together a decent starting lineup. This is a week where a lower score can definitely win.
Stats of the Week:
- On Thursday night, Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco became just the second pair of quarterbacks aged 40 or older to start against each other. Tom Brady and Drew Brees squared off three times in the 2020-21 season. The Bengals and Steelers face off again in Week 11, so we should get a greybeard rematch.
- In his last two Thursday night games, Ja’Marr Chase has 27 catches for 425 yards and four TDs.
- Rodgers’s Hail Mary attempt on the Steelers’ final play travelled 69.8 yards in the air – the longest measured throw in the NFL since 2017.
- The 23 targets Chase garnered on Thursday is tied for third most all-time. The record for targets in a game is 28, held by Brandon Marshall.
- Jonathan Taylor has three 3-TD games through seven weeks of the season.
- Through seven games, the Colts are averaging 3.5 points per possession. No team has averaged that many points per possession for a full season this century.
- Stop me if you’ve heard this one already: Before the Giant (pun intended) collapse on Sunday, NFL teams had won 1,602 straight times when leading by 18 or more points with under six minutes remaining in regulation.
- The Broncos scored 33 fourth-quarter points, one shy of the all-time NFL record. Bo Nix became the first QB to rush and throw for two TDs in a fourth quarter.
- In the LV@KC game, the Chiefs scored more points (31) than the Raiders ran plays (30), and the Raiders only recorded one first down after the first quarter.
- The Jets have not scored a TD in the first three quarters in five straight contests.
- Brandon Aubrey has kicked five 60+ yard FGs in his career – the most of any kicker, all-time. This is Aubrey’s third season.
Week 8, here we go!
Bye Weeks: ARI, DET, JAC, LV, LAR, SEA
Week 8 Rides, Fades and Sleepers
For those who are familiar with this column, you know the drill. For everyone else: The Rides, Fades, and Sleepers is an analysis of players that I think are primed for an especially strong or poor performance, often as compared to consensus expectations. This isn’t a straight-up Start/Sit exercise. As a general rule, start your studs. I’ll rarely list the most obvious names at a position as “Rides” because those players are almost always expected to have strong performances. You don’t need me or anyone else telling you to start Patrick Mahomes, Jonathan Taylor, or CeeDee Lamb. While this analysis is intended for season-long play, it works for DFS formats too. Half PPR scoring and Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) are used for the column.
Each week, I’m picking a Ride, Fade,and Sleeper of the Week. The rules: The Ride of the Week can’t be a truly elite option, the Fade can’t be someone who nobody is starting anyway, and the Sleeper must be an actual sleeper, from down in the rankings.
My calls were mostly good last week, although I missed on each of my Ride, Fade, and Sleeper of the Week. We can’t have that. But I’ve been very solid the last month, so stick with me! You can check my work here: Week 7.
Ride of the Week: Emeka Egbuka (@NO). Egbuka was a game-time decision on Monday night, but he and his sore hamstring made it through the contest and I’ll assume he’s fine this week. Injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have opened the door and Egbuka has sprinted through it. Expect that to continue this week in a plus-matchup against a middling defense, on a fast track. Baker Mayfield is among the NFL’s leaders in pass attempts, and I don’t see that slowing down anytime soon, as the Bucs have struggled to run the ball. Egbuka is a Top-10 play this week.
Fade of the Week: George Kittle (@HOU). I’m hesitant with this one, as Kittle has almost always bounced back from sub-par games, plus Sunday is National Tight Ends Day, which I think maybe he invented. Anyway, Kittle was a Fade for me last week, and if you looked at the box score, you wouldn’t know he played on Sunday night vs. the Falcons. For the second straight week, he’s got a brutal positional matchup against a top defense, and unless and until Brock Purdy is back under center, he’s not the auto-start he’s always been and especially as he ramps up from the torn hamstring that cost him five games. The Texans are one of five teams that has allowed just one touchdown to a TE, and they’ve allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) to the position. If you’ve got another decent option, consider sitting Kittle. And don’t worry, he’ll be fine soon enough.
Sleeper of the Week: Michael Penix, Jr. (@MIA). Penix struggled mightily on Sunday night, as Robert Saleh’s banged-up defense pressured him all night while holding the Falcons to a measly ten points. Atlanta returns home this week, where they’ve been a very tough out (just ask the Bills), and the matchup has to have them drooling. Miami was not competitive last week, and the wheels are falling off on both sides of the ball. The one concern here is that Penix won’t need to throw much, and that’s valid, but I still like his chances against Miami’s matador defense. The Dolphins have allowed the fifth most FPPG to opposing QBs. With so many teams on Bye, Penix is an excellent QB2 choice in a Superflex, and a decent streamer in 1-QB leagues.
Quarterback:
Elite options this week – Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Dak Prescott, and Patrick Mahomes; the analysis starts below them.
Rides:
Bo Nix (vs. DAL). The Denver offense was impotent for three quarters against the Giants on Sunday, and then Nix turned into 2015 Cam Newton. Nix has been inconsistent and pretty disappointing all season, but I’ll ride his hot fourth quarter into a home matchup with Dallas’s porous defense. They’re the gift that gives, and then gives some more. The Cowboys have allowed the most yards, TD passes (16), and FPPG to opposing quarterbacks. Giddyup, and don’t nix Nix! It’s the ultimate smash spot for Bo, in the mile high air.
Justin Herbert (vs. MIN). Remember last season, when the prevailing wisdom was that Herbert wouldn’t throw enough (for fantasy) in a Jim Harbaugh offense? Well, guess who leads the NFL in pass attempts? It’s Herbert, and with the team on its third-string running back and the defense faltering, he’s targeting his excellent weapons early and often. The Vikings had been one of the toughest matchups for quarterbacks until last week, when Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith carved them up in a big way. The Chargers got smacked around by the Colts last week and need a home win badly.
Other QBs ranked inside the Top-15 this week who I think can beat their weekly ranking include Baker Mayfield (@NO), Daniel Jones (vs. TEN), Jordan Love (@PIT), and Joe Flacco (vs. NYJ).
Sleepers:
If you need a second quarterback in a Superflex, or a Bye-Week streamer for one of the quarterbacks who is injured or on a Bye, there aren’t many decent options in Week 8, beyond Penix. Aaron Rodgers (vs. GB) has a tough matchup against his old team, but he’s playing well, is at home, and might have some extra motivation. Spencer Rattler (vs. TB) should be serviceable at home against a middle-of-the-pack pass defense, and a pair of fill-ins could be adequate as streamers if you’re really stuck: Tyrod Taylor (@CIN) and Andy Dalton (vs. BUF).
Fades:
Caleb Williams (@BAL) reminded everyone last week that he’s very hard to trust, even in favorable spots. The Ravens are a great matchup on paper – their defense has allowed the second most FPPG to opposing QBs and has been victimized all season. But I’ll go against that trend for several reasons. The 1-5 Ravens absolutely must have this game, they’ll have some key pieces of their banged-up defense back, they’re coming off a Bye, and despite the four-game winning streak, Williams is struggling as a thrower. He hasn’t completed 60% or more of his passes in three straight games, and outside of the Dallas game his passing numbers have been pedestrian all season long. This is a tough road spot for him and his team.
Keep starting Drake Maye (vs. CLE). He’s playing as well as any signal-caller. But temper expectations against the Browns. They’ve allowed the third fewest FPPG to opposing quarterbacks and for the season they’ve allowed a league-low 47 rushing yards to the position, and zero rushing TDs. They also get pressure, which Maye hasn’t seen a lot of in recent weeks.
Others: Lower-ranked quarterbacks that you might be considering, but who I’d try to avoid in Superflex this week, include Tua Tagovailoa (@ATL, and hopefully you aren’t actually considering him), 49ers QBs (@HOU), and in the same game, C.J. Stroud (vs. SF), and Marcus Mariota (@KC).
Running back:
Elite options this week – Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, and Josh Jacobs; the analysis starts below them.
Rides:
Saquon Barkley (vs. NYG). What is wrong with Barkley? I’ve removed last year’s No. 1 running back from the elite group, as he has yet to top 100 rushing yards in a game this season and is averaging a paltry 3.3 yards per carry. That’s 2.5 fewer YPC than last season. 2.5! What the…Where are the breakaway runs and huge chunk plays that dazzled us on a weekly basis last season? Hmm. On the flip side, I don’t know what to expect from Shane Bowen’s defense after last week’s historic collapse, but I wonder if they can rebound. Barkley had 11 100-yard rushing games last season, and I like him to get his first one of the 2025 campaign this Sunday. The Giants have been pretty good against the run and handled Barkley two weeks ago, but they led that game for the entire second half. I don’t see that repeating this week, at Philly.
Ride Derrick Henry (vs. CHI). It’s been tough sledding for the King, and his last game before the Bye was his first with more than 50 rushing yards since Week 1. Assuming Lamar Jackson plays (which is not a certainty), I can see the Ravens coming out of the Bye and putting it on the Bears. And that starts with Henry. Chicago’s defense has been improving, but they’ve still allowed the ninth most FPPG to opposing running backs.
Breece Hall (@CIN). It’s so hard to recommend anyone on the Jets. They can’t move the ball, or score. It looks like Tyrod Taylor will get the start this week, and maybe that’ll help shake things up. It can’t get any worse. Hall is facing the league’s most RB-friendly defense, and I’ll ride that matchup. The Bengals have allowed the second most rushing yards, most receiving TDs, and most FPPG to opposing running backs, and I can see Hall being busy in the passing game.
Others ranked inside the Top-25 this week who I think have a good chance to outperform their rankings are Rachaad White (@NO), Rico Dowdle (vs. BUF, who has been terrible against the run), J.K. Dobbins (vs. DAL), and Chase Brown (vs. NYJ).
Sleepers:
Tyler Allgeier (vs. MIA) was in the running for Sleeper of the Week. He’s got three TDs in six games and gets enough of the work to be a Flex consideration when the matchup is neutral. When it’s this tasty? He’s a borderline RB2 and especially with so many backs out this week. This game could get out of hand which would mean a lot of Allgeier in the second half. The Dolphins have allowed the most rushing yards and fifth most FPPG to opposing running backs. In the last three weeks they allowed 200+ rushing yards to Rico Dowdle, a 100-yard game to Kimani Vidal, and a TD hat-trick to Quinshon Judkins.
Brashard Smith (vs. WAS) could be in line for more work if Kareem Hunt misses time, and even if he doesn’t, he’s got the most juice of anyone in the KC backfield and the rookie’s role appears to be expanding. He saw a whopping 14 carries and caught a season-high five passes last week in a blowout, and there could be more garbage time for him to enjoy this week.
Other RBs ranked outside the Top-25 who I think are potential Flexes if you need them this week: Kyle Monangai (@BAL), Woody Marks (vs. SF), and Chuba Hubbard (vs. BUF).
Fades:
Jaylen Warren (vs. GB) is coming off his best game of the season, but that was against the defense that’s been the most fantasy-friendly for the position. This week, he goes from No. 32 to No. 1. The Packers have allowed the fewest total yards and FPPG to running backs, and just two total TDs to opposing backs in six games. You probably don’t have a better option, but don’t expect a repeat of last week.
Quinshon Judkins (vs. CLE) was among the easiest Ride calls of the season last week, and he delivered with three TDs against Miami’s soft front. Like Warren, the running lanes will be much tougher for him to find this week, and while I’m not saying bench him (do NOT do that), I do think he’ll struggle to have a Top-15 week against New England’s stout run defense. The Patriots have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game and fifth fewest FPPG to opposing RBs.
In the same game, it’s a challenging matchup for Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. CLE, who has allowed the fourth fewest FPPG and second fewest receiving yards to opposing running backs), but as is the case with Judkins, he’s getting so much volume, you can’t bench him just because of a tougher matchup and especially this week.
Other Fades (of running backs ranked in the Top-25 for the week): Tony Pollard (@ IND), “Bill” Merritt (@KC), and with Aaron Jones likely back, Jordan Mason (@LAC).
Wide receiver:
Elite options this week – Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Nico Collins (note: he is in the concussion protocol), and Drake London. The analysis starts below them.
Rides:
You know what to do with Rashee Rice (vs. WAS). I recommended not waiting to plug him in last week and it paid off, even in a game where the Chiefs didn’t need to throw. I think he’ll be a fringe WR1 the rest of the way, including again this week. He’s the clear top target in a high-octane offense.
You also know what to do with Courtland Sutton (vs.DAL), facing a defense that hasn’t been able to cover anyone all year. The Cowboys have allowed the most TD receptions (12) and FPPG to opposing wide receivers, and their offensive proficiency has forced other teams to try to keep up with them. Meanwhile, Sutton has mostly been his usual consistent self.
I think A.J. Brown (assuming he plays) and DeVonta Smith will keep it going against the Giants, who’ve allowed the third most FPPG to opposing wide receivers. I don’t know if last week signaled an end to Philadelphia’s passing game woes, but it was a big step in the right direction. If Brown misses the game, Smith is an absolute smash (and so is TE Dallas Goedert).
Other WRs ranked inside the Top-25 this week who have favorable matchups, and/or who I’m just high on for the week include Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston (vs. MIN), Zay Flowers (vs. CHI, and that’s assuming Lamar Jackson plays), Tet McMillan (vs. BUF), Michael Pittman, Jr. (vs. TEN), Chris Olave (vs. TB), Wan’Dale Robinson (@PHI), and Tee Higgins (vs. NYJ).
Sleepers:
Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden (@ARI) are both ranked outside the Top-25 WRs this week and I think one or maybe even both will put up solid numbers for fantasy. The Steelers have struggled vs. the pass and can be had, as the Bengals showed last week. Pittsburgh’s secondary is a Bottom-10 unit in terms of FPPG allowed to wide receivers.
In a similar vein, one of Troy Franklin or Marvin Mims, Jr. (vs. DAL) is going to score a TD against that generous Dallas secondary. In a week with limited options, I think you can take a swing with either one.
Other WRs ranked outside the top-30 this week that I think you can plug into lineups if you’re in need include Kayshon Boutte (vs. CLE), Alec Pierce (vs. TEN), Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard (@NO), and Rashid Shaheed (vs. NO).
Deeper sleepers (ranked outside the Top-50 for the week) who could be worthwhile DFS dart throws: Luther Burden III (@BAL), Josh Reynolds (@CIN), Chimere Dike (@IND), and Rashod Bateman (vs. CHI, and again, that’s if Lamar Jackson plays).
Fades:
George Pickens (@DEN).CeeDee Lamb’s return went as expected, with Pickens returning to low-end WR2 production. Pickens’s best weekly finish in the three games Lamb has started and finished is WR14, and that’s his only Top-25 weekly finish in those games. He also has five or fewer catches in all three of those games. It’s a small sample size, but with Lamb and Ferguson healthy, Pickens profiles as a spike-week type and not a consistent high-end producer. A spike is less likely against the Broncos, who’ve only allowed one TD catch to a receiver all season, and the fewest FPPG to the position.
Jaylen Waddle (@ATL) should see significant volume with Darren Waller now joining Tyreek Hill on IR, but the Miami downfield passing game might be beyond repair at the moment, and especially in tough road matchups like they had last week at Cleveland, and this week at Atlanta. The weather was partly to blame last week, but come on! One catch on four targets, in a blowout loss? Good god. A repeat dud this week is possible. The Falcons have yielded the fewest yards and second fewest FPPG to opposing WRs, and they’ll be able to pressure Tua, who is seeing ghosts. Waddle will hopefully get enough volume to be serviceable, but that’s about it.
Other WRs ranked inside the Top-35 who I’m lower than consensus on this week include Jerry Jeudy (@NE), Kendrick Bourne (@HOU), and Keon Coleman (@CAR).
Tight end: Sunday is National Tight Ends Day. Do with that information what you want. I vaguely recall a bunch of TEs going off on this day, either last season or the one before.
Elite options this week – Tyler Warren, Tucker Kraft, and Jake Ferguson. The analysis starts below them.
Rides:
Dalton Kincaid (@CAR). Kincaid (oblique) had the Bye week to recover and is expected back this week. Assuming that’s the case, I like him to pick up where he left off before he got hurt, in an excellent matchup. The Panthers have been very tough on WRs, but TEs have had their way. They’ve yielded the fourth most FPPG to the position, and four scores.
It’s hard to recommend anyone on the Jets, but Mason Taylor (@CIN) is ranked as the TE9 this week for a reason. Well, two reasons. The Jets might again be without Garrett Wilson, and the Bengals have been, by far, the best matchup for TEs (most FPPG allowed). Last week’s barrage from the Steelers (three different tight ends combined for four TD catches) skews the numbers a bit, but even without that, their five TDs yielded to TEs would be second most in the league. Taylor is in a good spot to produce, and especially if Tyrod Taylor starts as expected. Taylor to Taylor – make it happen!
With Rashee Rice back, there are a lot of mouths to feed in the KC passing game, but I still like Travis Kelce (vs. WAS) on Monday night. He tends to score touchdowns when the entire nation is watching, and it’s a plus-matchup (WAS has allowed the seventh most FPPG to opposing tight ends). Oh, and it’s the day after National Tight Ends Day.
Other TEs in the Top-12 who I think have a good shot to outperform their weekly ranking this week: Dallas Goedert (vs. NYG, assuming he is good to go), Kyle Pitts, Sr. (vs. MIA), and Oronde Gadsden II (vs. MIN).
Sleepers:
Cade Otton (@NO) is ranked as the TE15 this week and that’s too low. He was a solid producer last season when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were both out. And guess what? Both are out, again. He led the Bucs in catches (7) and targets (9) on Monday night, and was especially busy after Evans exited the game in the second quarter. Trust me on this one: That’s a sign of things to come.
Others to consider (outside the Top-15): Pat Freiermuth (vs. GB), Evan Engram (vs. DAL), and Noah Fant (vs. NYJ).
Fades:
I’ll keep fading T.J. Hockenson (@LAC) each week, unless and until his performance changes my mind. He has yet to top six catches or 50 yards in a game, and currently sits as the TE22 for the season, at 6.4 points per contest. Pass.
Hunter Henry (vs. CLE) has cooled off considerably after a torrid start to the season, and he hasn’t topped six fantasy points in any of his past three contests. Maybe that means he’s due for a good one, but the receivers have really stepped up, so I’m skeptical.
Mark Andrews (vs. CHI) has had just one good game all season. Outside of his 24-point outburst in Week 3, he hasn’t topped 6.5 fantasy points in any contest. The return of Isaiah Likely to full health probably won’t help things. Maybe a Lamar Jackson return is just what he needs on National Tight Ends Day, but if I’ve got a lesser-known name who is playing better right now, that’s where I’m going.
PK and D/ST Streamers (ranked outside the top-15 for the week): See my Week 8 Waiver Wire column.
Good luck in Week 8!
***This column appears each Thursday right here at Big Blue View. Each Monday, my Waiver Wire column appears here, and on Fridays you can find my weekly Prop bets of the week for the Giants, also right here. ***
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