Here are my Week 8 fantasy football notes. It’s a week with no byes, so most managers should err on the side of upside plays when compiling starting lineups.
Minnesota at Los Angeles Rams
The Rams do get Cooper Kupp back this week and they have Kyren Williams to hand the ball off to. That would seem like a matchup one doesn’t want to start a D/ST against, but the Vikings D/ST has faced tough matchups and has scored fewer than 10 points only once. Don’t overthink this one – start this D/ST even in a short week road game.
Philadelphia at Cincinnati
Don’t overthink starting DeVonta Smith this week following last week’s atrocious 0.8 PPR points. The Bengals rush defense is strong and that will cause the Eagles to go more pass-centric than they did last week. Smith had scored 15+ PPR points in every game prior and should return to that level this week.
Baltimore at Cleveland
Roster Rashod Bateman. He’s scored 11+ PPR points in four of the past five games and thus is becoming a bigger part of the most powerful offense in the NFL. He’s also rostered in only 18.4 percent of ESPN leagues, and thus should be available just about everywhere.
Tennessee at Detroit
Don’t underestimate the Titans defense based on last week, as this platoon has been playing at a high level of late. It’s a factor that doesn’t impact the automatic start status of Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and David Montgomery. It does impact the start status of Jared Goff and Sam LaPorta. Goff is someone that can be readily replaced in most leagues, but you may be stuck starting LaPorta given the dearth of solid TE candidates this year.
The rest of KC Joyner’s Week 8 fantasy football notes are available exclusively for Pickwatch Pro subscribers.
Indianapolis at Houston
Strongly consider starting Joe Mixon in best ball fantasy leagues this week. The Texans showed no signs of splitting the workload even after Mixon’s missed time due to injury and this is one of the most favorable rush defense matchups of the week.
Green Bay at Jacksonville
Every Packers receiver has notable upside potential due to this matchup. The Jaguars rate as the most favorable pass defense matchup in Week 8, and both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs both have perfect 100 matchup points totals this week. If you need an upside play and are on the fence as to if to start a Green Bay wideout, this is the week to do so.
Arizona at Miami
Don’t think of Marvin Harrison Jr.’s scoring issues as an anomaly. Kyler Murray was the worst vertical pass QB in fantasy in 2022 and 2023. Those woes are returning this year, and they are currently crippling Harrison’s value. Miami has been superb at coverage of late, so it might be a week to bench Harrison.
New York Jets at New England
Don’t hesitate for a moment to start the Jets D/ST this week. This group had an abysmal minus five points last week, but that was as much due to Pittsburgh’s offense hitting its stride as it is anything else. This is arguably the most favorable matchup on the D/ST board this week, so be sure to get the Jets into starting lineups.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
Start as many Falcons pass game players as is viable, as this matchup is about as favorable as one can get. Atlanta may also want to go full speed early to get the Buccaneers to have to go pass-first with both of their elite wide receivers out.
New Orleans at Los Angeles Chargers
The Saints rush defense has played much worse of late than the New Orleans pass defense. That’s a recipe for a heavy rush volume versus a Jim Harbaugh-coached team. That means start J.K. Dobbins in all leagues and sit the Los Angeles wide receivers in this one.
Buffalo at Seattle
Keon Coleman is the most likely candidate to lose target and reception volume to Amari Cooper. That’s something to keep in mind versus what might look at first glance like a favorable matchup. In reality, this is a sit week for Coleman in most leagues.
Carolina at Denver
Bo Nix has 136 rush yards over the past two weeks and 19+ points in three of the past five weeks, yet still remains available in over 70 percent of ESPN leagues. It only takes roughly 6-7 rush points per game to make it very easy for a QB to hit QB1 status and Nix is getting that on a regular basis. Roster him if you haven’t already.
Kansas City at Las Vegas
Don’t expect another strong day from Raiders running back Alexander Mattison. He’s been one of the best backs in the league on a fantasy points per play basis, but the Chiefs defense may be the best in the league versus the run right now. Figure him for low ceiling flex status and adjust starting lineups accordingly.
Chicago at Washington
Chicago has scored five offensive touchdowns in consecutive games for the first time since the 1950s. As impressive as that is, don’t forget that the Washington secondary has been playing much better of late. The Commanders rush defense cannot say the same, so the Bears will likely rely on the ground game today.
D’Andre Swift is the obvious must start, as is DJ Moore in most leagues, but be wary of starting Keenan Allen even after Allen had a great Week 6.
Dallas at San Francisco
The Dallas rush defense is incredibly error prone, especially versus the rush. That’s something to keep in mind when considering whether to start Jordan Mason, who is on a three-game streak with fewer than 10 PPR points. This is just what Mason needs to bounce back to RB1 status, so be sure to put him into starting lineups.
New York Giants at Pittsburgh
The Steelers offense is a top 10 platoon right now and isn’t far from top five status. That makes Russell Wilson a good bench stash player. Jaylen Warren is another in that category, as he is now healthy and starting to rack up solid work volumes behind Najee Harris.