Fantasy Football Week 8 Starts and Sits

Alright guys. Four teams have byes this week, so we have to get creative with our fantasy lineups. The Houston Texans, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and the San Francisco 49ers players are all unavailable this week because of the bye week in Week 8. So our heavy hitters like the resurging Cam Skattebo, Texans WR Nico Collins (despite bombing out last week), and Saints WR Chris Olave are all out, so make sure they aren’t in your lineups.

Week 8 Starts and Sits

Quarterbacks

Starts

Jacoby Brissett vs. DAL

We can be honest here, right? The Dallas Cowboys defense looked improved against the Philadelphia Eagles. But let’s keep in mind that the Eagles were without SEVERAL starting players on the offense. The Cowboys are allowing the 11th-most passing yards heading into Week 8, giving up 228 passing yards per game, per Pro-Football-Reference. Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett ranks second in the league among quarterbacks in pass attempts per game but averages just 5.7 yards per attempt. The Cowboys defense is allowing 20.5 fantasy points per game, making this a plus matchup for Brissett to have a bigger fantasy game this week.

Kirk Cousins vs. NYJ

Kirk Cousins has been playing better than expected this season, and despite the Raiders’ underwhelming defense, people still want to replace him with Fernando Mendoza. Cousins is averaging 18.8 fantasy points per game and faces off against a Jets defense that has allowed just 16.8 FPPG. While the Jets have been a bit tougher on quarterbacks this season, they did get cooked by *checks notes* Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis for two touchdowns, 208 passing yards, and 26 fantasy points. Cousins profiles as a much better quarterback than Malik Willis, without the rushing upside.

Sits

Justin Herbert vs. LAR

It feels like we’re bullying with this one, but Justin Herbert shouldn’t be in lineups until he and the Chargers offense turn a corner. Herbert is averaging 10.4 FPPG this season (tragic), and the Chargers offense is averaging just 15 points per game (32nd in the NFL). Even in a game that usually showcases as a “LA Shootout” with the Los Angeles Rams in town, this looks more like a one-sided butt-whooping. The lack of offensive identity with the Chargers offense and the lack of production from Herbert makes him a non-starter in fantasy football until further notice.

Daniel Jones vs. JAX

Speaking of non-starters. Daniel Jones has been a major disappointment this season. Jones’s numbers across the board have fallen in comparison to his 2025 season. What is worse is that fantasy managers can’t rely on Jones’ rushing upside, as that has evaporated too. Jones heads into Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 4:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 3.6 fantasy point performance last week against the Minnesota Vikings. The Jaguars are allowing nearly 18 FPPG, but Jones hasn’t shown that he can take advantage of easier matchups. Leave him either on the bench or on the waiver wire.

Honorable Mentions:

Running Backs

Starts

Chase Brown vs. TEN

This could be a bounce-back game for the Bengals running back. The Titans traded away stud DT Jeffrey Simmons to the Chicago Bears, and created a void in the middle of their defensive line. Chase Brown has to take advantage of the situation now, as he hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown since Week 1. The Titans are allowing 22.6 fantasy points per game. This could be a solid game for Brown to return to form, as he’s averaging 12.5 FPPG.

Rachaad White vs. PHI

The Commanders have a chance to do something really funny in Week 8. The Eagles gave up 155 rushing yards to the Dallas Cowboys, who were one of the worst rushing units in the league before Week 7 kicked off. Now the Commanders will have a chance to run the ball on the Eagles in Week 8 with Rachaad White leading the way. White gets the start for Jacory Croskey-Merritt who’s on injured reserve and will miss the next few games. White had a solid game before the bye week against the 49ers and should see even more work as the Eagles offense continues to struggle putting up points. The Eagles rank 17th in fantasy points allowed to running backs.

Sits

Ollie Gordon vs. NE

Ollie Gordon has been one of the better fantasy surprises off the waiver wire this season. Gordon is ranked as the RB27 heading into Week 8. He’s averaging just 10.8 fantasy points per game so far this season, but from weeks 3-7, he ranks as the RB18, averaging 16.2 fantasy points per game. Gordon is also averaging just over 17 carries per game as the lead back for the Dolphins. But Gordon takes on a tough Patriots defense, allowing 95 rushing yards per game over the season so far. The Patriots also rank 12th-fewest in fantasy points allowed to running backs this season. Gordon doesn’t offer much receiving upside either. This could be a tougher matchup on the ground for Gordon this week.

Saquon Barkley vs. WAS

We should be talking about Elijah Mitchell taking over the backfield for the Eagles this week, but instead we’re conversing about Saquon Barkley limping into another week of football at less than 100%. Despite Barkley re-aggravating his hamstring injury that has forced him to miss games, but he’s also dealing with a back injury on top of that. Barkley even stated that he would have to manage his injuries during the game if he can play. Barkley also doesn’t have an injury designation heading into the game against the Commanders. The Commanders are allowing 19.9 FPPG, ranking ninth-fewest among fantasy defenses. Barkley is too risky to play this week even if he’s cleared for action.

Wide Receivers

Starts

Keenan Allen vs. JAX

Someone has to catch the ball in Indy, right? Keenan Allen has been one of the more reliable options for fantasy from the Colts this season. Allen is averaging seven targets per game and leads all Colts receivers in this category. Allen is also averaging 10.1 fantasy points per game. The Jaguars are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, so this is a matchup that Allen has to take advantage of. With Josh Downs looking to be traded, and trade rumors around Jonathan Taylor gaining steam by the minute, it might just be the Keenan Allen show for Week 8.

D.K. Metcalf vs. CLE

I have my gripes with Metcalf this season. Aaron Rodgers has said that he wants to get Metcalf the ball more. But Metcalf has to come down with the ball more than he has. Metcalf has about a 55% catch rate this season while seeing 58 targets. But Metcalf has a chance to take it to the Browns in Week 8. In their last game, Metcalf finished with 16.5 fantasy points on nine targets. The Browns are allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game at 33.1 FPPG. This looks like a good rematch for Metcalf to take advantage of again.

Sits

Chris Godwin vs. ATL

I was hoping that the targets would be flowing to Chris Godwin now that Mike Evans left the Bucs. Whatever is going on with Baker Mayfield this season is not helping Godwin’s case. Godwin has just 39 targets this season and is averaging 4.9 targets per game. In an offense that is usually pass-heavy, Godwin continues to get short-changed in the offense. The Falcons head into Week 8 as the team allowing the 11th-most fantasy points to the position. But with Godwin hardly involved as a primary target, even with Emeka Egbuka out with a concussion, Godwin is a desperate play this week.

Courtland Sutton vs. KC

Sutton hasn’t been on the up and up this season. Sutton has not cracked double-digit fantasy points this season, and the Broncos offense has gotten off to a slow start. Sutton is averaging just 5.5 FPPG heading into the game, and the Broncos’ passing attack isn’t reliable this season, even with Sean Payton calling the plays. The Chiefs are a tough customer against fantasy receivers, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Sutton is to stay on the bench until the Broncos offense gets their bearings.

Tight Ends

Start

Travis Kelce vs. DEN

Travis Kelce is looking to bounce back after a poor performance in Week 7. Kelce scored just 8.4 fantasy points against the Seattle Seahawks. Over the last three games, Kelce has averaged just 7.1 fantasy points. The Chiefs will need more from him against the Denver Broncos this week. In his last matchup against the Broncos, Kelce finished with 10 fantasy points. The Broncos are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points at 16.2 FPPG. Kelce and the Chiefs will look to get back on track this week.

Sit

Tyler Higbee vs. LAC

The Chargers defense heads into Week 8 allowing the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends. The Rams may have lost Davante Adams for a reported 6-10 weeks, and the expectation was the tight end position would take on more work. Unfortunately, that didn’t mean Tyler Higbee. Higbee finished Week 7 with just 3.4 fantasy points against the Las Vegas Raiders. Higbee can’t be trusted in fantasy lineups as he averages just 7.7 fantasy points per game this season.