Last week was brutal for fantasy football, with a rash of injuries and six teams on bye. Week 8 should be much better with every team in action and not many new injuries through which to navigate for our fantasy start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
Of course, that also means there's a wider pool of talent available and some tougher lineup decisions based on having several options vs. not having many players from which to choose. Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is back to help with another week of "The Decider", his columnized combination of rankings and recommendations across all positions in convenient start 'em sit 'em style.
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Fantasy Football Week 8 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at ARI)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at DEN)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at WAS)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. CHI)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. TB)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (at SF)
Stronger starts
8. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. LV). The whole team tanked in Baltimore, and Goff wasn't immune. He'll come back for some good home cookin' vs. a bad Raiders secondary on Monday night.
9. C.J. Stroud, Texans (at CAR). Stroud should be comfortable in the pocket and up for the challenge of dueling Bryce Young while facing the weaker defense on the road.
10. Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at GB). He's proved he can't be sat often with his high volume, and with limited pressure in his face, he'll deliver again without Justin Jefferson (hamstring).
11. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at PiT). Lawrence is starting to put it all together at midseason again, and the Steelers' secondary has proved to be beatable everywhere.
12. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. LAR). Prescott is headed to higher volume and getting more comfortable with multiple targets in the new offense. He'll show out opposite the Rams' pass-happiness.
13. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. MIN). It's been hard to love him of late without the TDs and more mistakes, but he should resettle at home opposite Kirk Cousins vs. a more favorable defense.
14. Derek Carr, Saints (at IND). Take him out for a spin against a weak secondary without fear of the elements in a great overall matchup for New Orleans' passing game.
15. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. BAL). There's a sudden realchance he goes here after practicing in full on Thursday and that would mean he could go without limitations in a running and passing duel vs. Jackson.
DFS picks
Kenny Pickett, Steelers (vs. JAX, $4,900 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel). Pickett has looked better with most of his key weapons back, and he can run and pass his way to a viable cash-game plug-and-play with higher-priced assets at other positions.
Mac Jones, Patriots (at MIA, $5,000 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel). Jones came up with a strong rebound game against the Bills out of nowhere, and he should need to throw plenty opposite Tua and a reeling, injury-marred defense.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 8 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
17. Sam Howell, Commanders (vs. PHI). He put up big numbers in the first meeting this year, but he's now not playing well.
18. Matthew Stafford, Rams (at DAL). This could be rough against another strong pass-rushing team that thwarts QBs often.
19. Bryce Young, Panthers (vs. HOU). He's tempting, but this is actually tricky at home. Carolina will need to run well here to get its first win.
20. Gardner Minshew, Colts (vs. NO). He came through against the Browns' mighty defense last week, but don't expect a repeat against the Saints' pass defense.
21. Sam Darnold or Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. CIN). Yes, the system is great and the weapons are too, but it's hard to trust a struggling and dinged-up Purdy (concussion) or Darnold as a plug-and-play vs. a decent pass defense.
22. Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs. KC). He put up a clunker against them just recently and also didn't look great vs. the Packers last week.
23. Geno Smith, Seahawks (vs. CLE). He's been underwhelming all season, and he's worth it vs. Myles Garrett.
24. Desmond Ridder, Falcons (at TEN). Ridder me this: Do you really want him in a revenge game for Smith and Smith?
25. Tyson Bagent, Bears (at LAC). The numbers say "yes," but the rookie nature on the road in prime time says "no."
WEEK 8 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections
Fantasy Football Week 8 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. CIN)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. PIT)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. CHI)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at IND)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. LAR)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at BAL)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at NYG)
- D'Andre Swift, Eagles (at WAS)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. NYJ)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at TEN)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. NO)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. ATL)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. MIN)
- Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (vs. CLE)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at DET)
- Alexander Mattison, Vikings (at GB)
Stronger starts
16. Gus Edwards, Ravens (at ARI). The Bus came alive to drive through a tough Lions' run defense, and he even made a big play in the passing game. He should stay hot in the desert vs. the folding Cards.
17. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at MIA). Stevenson is getting going with the entire offense, and the Dolphins aren't anything special vs. the run.
18. Joe Mixon, Bengals (at SF). It's not the greatest spot, but he's overdue to score and can be OK as an RB2 with volume.
19. James Cook, Bills (vs. TB). The Bucs' run defense is stout, but they can give up big scrimmage numbers, as the Falcons showed last week.
20. Roschon Johnson and D'Onta Foreman, Bears (at LAC). The rookie is set to come back from his concussion and the negative game script should mean good immediate usage. Foreman has a good shot to score at least once again.
21. Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at BUF). The Bills' run defense has fallen apart, and even more important, they can't cover backs as well sans Matt Milano.
22. Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. KC). He ran well on them two weeks ago and looked good vs. the Packers, so he should earn the key volume again.
23. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. HOU). Check on Miles Sanders (shoulder), but the committee on the ground can actually do well at home.
DFS Picks
Alvin Kamara, Saints (at IND, $7,300 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel). He can get 3X return at this price, as evidenced last week. The Colts will not be able to cover him based on what they did vs. the Browns' backs.
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at DEN, $6,100 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel). Pacheco let down in the juicy matchup the first time, but the Chiefs' offense is revving up, putting him in better position to close with a flourish.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 8 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
24. Dameon Pierce, Texans (at CAR). Devin Singletary is on track to get a bump in work after the bye, so despite the great matchup, Pierce is hard to trust.
25. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (vs. PHI). The Eagles can keep erasing talented running backs.
26. Darrell Henderson, Rams (at DAL). The Cowboys should shut down the run and force high volume from Stafford with Royce Freeman being better in pass pro.
27. Kareem Hunt, Browns (at SEA). Their offensive overachieving ends on the road against an improving defense.
28. Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. JAX). The Jaguars are stout up front vs. the run.
29. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. JAX). The Jaguars also have good quickness vs. the run.
30. Craig Reynolds, Lions (vs. LV). This should be a massive Jahmyr Gibbs breakout, finally.
31. Devin Singletary, Texans (at CAR). He's getting favored over Pierce, but his role is still unknown.
32. Zack Moss, Colts (vs. NO). This was fun while it lasted, but JT time is here.
33. Emari Demercado, Cardinals (vs. BAL). The matchup stinks, and they could easily pivot off him again.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. NE)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. WAS)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. TB)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. CHI)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at SF)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. LV)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (at DAL)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. LAR)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. CIN)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (at DET)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (at DAL)
- Adam Thielen, Panthers (vs. HOU)
- Chris Olave, Saints (at IND)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (at ARI)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. PIT)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at WAS)
- D.J. Moore, Bears (at LAC)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at BUF)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (at NYG)
- Nico Collins, Texans (at CAR)
- Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at DET)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. PHI)
- Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at PIT)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. CLE)
- Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. GB)
- Josh Downs, Colts (vs. NO)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. KC)
Stronger starts
29. Drake London, Falcons (at TEN). We see London having a rebound big game, as Ridder will need to put it up a lot again.
30. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. MIN). Christian Watson (knee) isn't 100 percent, and Doubs keeps looking like Jordan Love's No. 1.
31. Marquise Brown, Cardinals (vs. BAL). Hollywood might be traded after disappointing in this revenge game because of a downward Dobbs or a green Kyler Murray.
32. Amari Cooper, Browns (at SEA). It's not great without Deshaun Watson, but the Seahawks are giving it up to wide receivers.
33. Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. TB). He has been too quiet the past two games, and the Bills should know it outside vs. this secondary.
34. George Pickens, Steelers (vs. JAX). Kenny Pickett is locked in with him, and the Jaguars have Tyson Campbell (hamstring) hurting.
35. Josh Palmer, Chargers (vs. CHI). The Bears' secondary is healthier and better, but he can keep delivering playing off Keenan Allen.
36. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. JAX). Diontae is back and a solid play with the key targets along with Pickens minus Pat Freiermuth (hamstring).
37. Tee Higgins, Bengals (at SF). It's hard to get Higgy with it given his body of work, but they can move him around to the right matchup away from Charvarius Ward.
DFS picks
Garrett Wilson, Jets (at NYG, $6,300 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel). Wilson should be schemed open well after the bye and have his biggest game of the season, so it's a perfect time to strike in this home road
Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at PIT, $5,800 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel). Ridley is being faded hard now, and that's why he has contrarian appeal against a shaky secondary.
Zay Flowers, Ravens (at ARI, $5,600 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel). Flowers was fantastic last week and gets a terrific matchup to blow up even more this week.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
38. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. CLE) Lockett was faded by his own team without DK Metcalf with youngsters getting more key run, and it's clear he might be finally slowing down.
39. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at BUF). Godwin draws a really tough spot here inside vs. Taron Johnson.
40. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. NO). Pittman can see Marshon Lattimore, so this is a Downs game.
41. Tank Dell, Texans (at CAR). It's hard to know how effective he'll be, and Nico Collins can blow up here for C.J. Stroud.
42. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at DEN). The Broncos' secondary is struggling, but Pat Surtain II can make it tough on the rookie.
43. Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (vs. KC). Jeudy is quickly losing punch and might be traded after this game.
44. Michael Thomas, Saints (at IND). He is kind of not helpful unless he gets in the end zone.
45. Jayden Reed, Packers (at MIN). The idea's not bad without Watson (knee), but now isn't the time.
46. Tutu Atwell, Rams (at DAL). He needs a TD to have any value now with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua dominating the targets.
47. DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. ATL). He should draw A.J. Terrell, and that's not good in this offense with perhaps a QB change.
48. Kendrick Bourne, Patriots (at MIA). He could do something for a third straight week, but check on Jalen Ramsey playing. This feels like a spread-around game.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at DEN)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (at ARI)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at GB)
- George Kittle, 49ers (vs. CIN)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. LV)
- Darren Waller, Giants (vs. NYJ)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at WAS)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at TEN)
- Evan Engram, Jaguars (at NO)
Stronger starts
9. Taysom Hill, Saints (at IND). Hill is doing everything, and it's adding up to nice points, especially given his more consistent pass-catching role.
10. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at TB). No Dawson Knox (wrist) means another start-able outing for the first-round rookie.
11. Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. CHI). He's key in their passing game of late, and the Bears can give it up to the position.
12. Dalton Schultz, Texans (at CAR). He's been critical for C.J. Stroud all over the field in recent games, and it will continue after the bye.
13. Logan Thomas, Commanders (vs. PHI). The Eagles can still leak vs. the tight end, and he figures to be busy for Sam Howell.
14. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. LAR). Ferguson is a matchup-based play at home with a good shot at a TD.
15. Tyler Conklin, Jets (at NYG). He was so involved before the bye, and the Giants are so-so covering the position.
DFS pick
Taysom Hill, Saints (at IND, $4,000 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel). Here we go again. This is a nice price for someone used as a goal-line back often, and he's delivering on his targets, too.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
16. Jonnu Smith, Falcons (at TEN). Here's another clunker of a revenge game.
17. Michael Mayer, Raiders (at DET). They need to get him more involved again, but that's not a guarantee given the QB situation and work to the wideouts.
18. David Njoku, Browns (at SEA). Why is he still rostered in fantasy?
19. Tyler Higbee, Rams (at DAL). Why is he still rostered in fantasy?
20. Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. MIN). He has disappeared without Justin Fields.
21. Hunter Henry, Patriots (at MIA). They are involving too many other tight ends now.
22. Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. BAL). Sure, there's no Zach Ertz (quad), but the Ravens are the toughest tight end matchup in fantasy.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Eagles (at WAS)
- Ravens (at ARI)
- Jets (at NYG)
- Bills (vs. TB)
- Cowboys (vs. LAR)
- Chiefs (at. DEN)
- Jaguars (at PIT)
- Browns (at SEA)
9. Lions (vs. LV). It was brutal in Baltimore, but the rebound will be real on Monday night.
10. 49ers (vs. CIN). They went sack-less in Minnesota, but the line in front of Burrow can be giving.
11. Chargers (vs. CHI). Give them the emotional prime-time bump, and it's also a Khalil Mack revenge game vs. undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent on the road.
12. Seahawks (vs. CLE). They came through vs. a weak offense with a backup QB and can do it again.
13. Falcons and 14. Titans (at TEN, vs. ATL). Ridder and maybe Malik Willis in the same game can lead to a lot of ugliness.
DFS picks
Titans (vs. ATL, $3,100 DraftKings) and Saints (at IND $4,000 FanDuel). Tennessee gets Ridder at home after stopping the run and getting a chance to tee off. New Orleans gets Minshew on the road after a sloppy game by the Colts.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
15. Dolphins (vs. NE). Not against a revamped hot Patriots offense.
16. Giants (vs. NYJ). This is a trap in a "home" game.
17. Steelers (at JAX). Turn down Watt here vs. Lawrence.
18. Texans (at CAR). This is a trap in a road game.
18. Packers (vs. MIN). It's hard to go here when Cousins isn't getting sacked.
20. Vikings (at GB). It's hard to go here despite the active MNF.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
