We might be getting some good news for Week 8 after some difficult injuries in Week 7. You'll want to keep checking the injury report -- and this column -- before setting your lineup.
Week 7 was tough with season-ending injuries to Chris Godwin (ankle), Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Deshaun Watson (Achilles), and Mike Evans (hamstring) is going to miss several weeks. But help might be on the way, and we already know Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) are going to return for the Rams on Thursday night.
Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is also expected to play for the first time since Week 2, and his return is fantastic news for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. There's also a chance Jonathan Taylor (ankle), Chris Olave (concussion) and Jakobi Meyers (ankle) might return after extended absences. And Deebo Samuel (illness) and Jauan Jennings (hip) will hopefully get good news as the week goes on, which would be a huge boost for the 49ers after losing Aiyuk.
Hopefully we won't have any more serious injuries in Week 8, but with the way this season has gone, that's not realistic. That said, it will be great to get guys like Kupp, Tagovailoa, Taylor, Olave and Meyers back on the field because Fantasy managers need something positive after all the tough injuries that happened in Week 7.
Start of the Week
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Stroud just had a miserable game in Week 7 at Green Bay with 5.3 Fantasy points. He was 10-of-21 passing for 86 yards and no touchdowns, and he added five carries for 19 yards. It was tough to watch, and he has now scored fewer than 18 Fantasy points in four games this season. But he should bounce back this week against the Colts, even with Nico Collins (hamstring) still out. Stroud has dominated Indianapolis in his brief career with at least 22.7 Fantasy points in each of his three meetings with the Colts, and he passed for 234 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 13 yards at Indianapolis in Week 1. The Colts are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and four quarterbacks have scored at least 21.3 Fantasy points against this defense. While it may seem tough to trust Stroud after what happened in Week 7, I'm going right back to him as a top-10 quarterback in all leagues in Week 8.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
QBs to Start
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Goff is dialed in right now, scoring at least 22.8 Fantasy points in three games in a row, with at least 280 passing yards and two touchdowns in each outing. The Titans pass defense has improved this season but just allowed Josh Allen to pass for 323 yards and two touchdowns in Week 7. Standout cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (thigh) missed the Bills game, but even if he returns in Week 8, I still like Goff as a top-10 Fantasy quarterback in all leagues.
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Prescott is awesome after his bye week, and I hope history holds true in Week 8 against the 49ers. In seven career games after a bye, Prescott is averaging 28.1 Fantasy points, and he only has one outing over that span with fewer than 22.3 points. The last time we saw Prescott he was awful against Detroit with 3.2 Fantasy points, but he scored at least 20.4 points in each of his three games prior to Week 6. San Francisco isn't an easy matchup, allowing just 17.0 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, but I'll take my chances with Prescott this week since he's coming off his bye.
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I hope the bye in Week 7 doesn't slow down Williams, who scored at least 27.6 Fantasy points in each of his past two starts against Carolina and Jacksonville. Those were two favorable matchups, but the Commanders have also allowed four quarterbacks this season to score at least 20.9 Fantasy points. Williams has top-10 upside this week, and it's great to see him using all of his weapons. That should continue against Washington on the road.
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Cousins was a bust as the Start of the Week in Week 7 against Seattle with 9.2 Fantasy points, but I'll go right back to him again in Week 8 against Tampa Bay. We all remember the last time he faced the Buccaneers in Week 5 when he scored 42.4 Fantasy points with 509 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception, and he should have the chance to be productive again in the rematch. Tampa Bay just allowed Lamar Jackson to pass for 281 yards and five touchdowns in Week 7, and hopefully Cousins can get back on track against this secondary.
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The last time Rodgers faced the Patriots he scored a season-high 25 Fantasy points, and he didn't have Davante Adams for that Week 3 game. Adams didn't help Rodgers in Week 7 at Pittsburgh since he scored just 15 Fantasy points, but the Steelers pass defense is tough. I'm counting on Rodgers and Adams to have more success this week at New England, and I would use Rodgers as a low-end No. 1 quarterback in Week 8.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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We don't know if Seattle will have DK Metcalf (knee) for this game, but Smith is still worth using as a starter in deeper leagues even if Metcalf is out. Smith leads the NFL in passing yards and has scored at least 21.8 Fantasy points in three of his past four games. He's also averaging 39.9 pass attempts a game for the season, so there should be a lot of volume here against the Bills in a potential shootout.
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Nix is worth starting in deeper leagues in Week 8 against the Panthers, who are No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Nix has emerged as one of the better running quarterbacks this season, and he has at least 61 rushing yards in each of his past two games against the Chargers and Saints. He also scored at least 19.3 Fantasy points in three of his past five games. Only two quarterbacks this season have failed to score at least 20 Fantasy points against Carolina's defense.
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Let's see if Wilson can cook again in Week 8 against the Giants after he just scored 28.9 Fantasy points against the Jets in Week 7 in his Steelers debut. The Giants allow an average of 20.4 Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, and five quarterbacks in a row have scored at least 19.8 Fantasy points against New York coming into Week 8. I like Wilson as a starting Fantasy option in deeper leagues given this matchup.
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QBs to Sit
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Things are looking up for Mahomes after the Chiefs traded for DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans on Wednesday, but we don't know if Hopkins will play in Week 8 against the Raiders. Mahomes needs help from his receivers since he's failed to throw a touchdown in consecutive games against the Saints and 49ers, and he now has more interceptions (eight) than touchdown passes (six) on the season. At some point, Mahomes will hopefully start producing at a high level, but until we see it, keep him reserved for Superflex and two-quarterback leagues only.
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I love what Maye has done in his first two NFL starts against the Texans and Jaguars, scoring at least 24.8 Fantasy points in each outing. But I expect a little regression to kick in against the Jets, who should get a boost in their pass rush with Haason Reddick ready to make his 2024 debut. Now, Josh Allen and Russell Wilson have each scored at least 28.4 Fantasy points against the Jets in consecutive games, but I'm not expecting that from Maye. He's only worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Richardson scored 30.1 Fantasy points in Week 1 against Houston. Since then he's combined for 34.6 Fantasy points in three healthy games. He's looking like a bust heading into a Week 8 rematch with the Texans, and he's only worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. I hope I'm wrong about Richardson, and he can turn his season around. But we need to see it first, and scoring fewer than 12 Fantasy points a week isn't going to inspire much confidence from Fantasy managers.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Mayfield won't have Chris Godwin (ankle) for the rest of the season or Mike Evans (hamstring) until Week 12 at the earliest. That makes him tough to trust as a starter in one-quarterback leagues, which stinks because he's the No. 2 quarterback for the season behind only Lamar Jackson. I'm hopeful Cade Otton, Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard and Trey Palmer can help elevate Mayfield, along with the running backs out of the backfield. But losing Godwin and Evans is crushing, and I would only start Mayfield in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues until we see the other guys step up in place of Tampa Bay's top two receivers.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
RBs to Start
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Williams picked a great time to have a good game in Week 7 at New Orleans when he scored 26.1 PPR points, and now Fantasy managers can trust him heading into Week 8 against the Panthers. Carolina is No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and 11 running backs have scored at least 12.1 PPR points against the Panthers this season. I like Williams as a borderline starter in all leagues, and Jaleel McLaughlin can be used as a flex given this matchup.
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In two games as the starter for the Chiefs, Hunt has scored at least 18.7 PPR points in each outing against the Saints and 49ers. He has 49 carries over that span and three touchdowns, and the only thing lacking is his role in the passing game where he has just five catches on six targets. That said, the Raiders are No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and one running back has scored at least 15.5 PPR points against Las Vegas in every game this season. I like Hunt as a top-15 Fantasy running back in all leagues in Week 8.
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I'm hopeful that Swift stays hot coming off his bye in Week 7, and he's worth starting as a No. 2 running back in all leagues. Prior to his bye, Swift had scored at least 20 PPR points in three games in a row against the Rams, Panthers and Jaguars. He had at least 21 total touches in each outing, and he scored a touchdown in each game, with a combined 13 catches on 13 targets. The Commanders have allowed five running backs to score at least 16.5 PPR points this season, and Washington has allowed three rushing touchdowns to Derrick Henry (two) and Chuba Hubbard in the past two weeks.
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This could be the last time we see Mason in a featured role, and he's worth using as a No. 2 running back in all leagues against Dallas. San Francisco has a bye in Week 9, and Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) could return in Week 10. Let's hope that motivates Mason to have a dominant performance against the Cowboys, who are No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Four running backs have scored at least 18.9 PPR points against Dallas this season, and Mason will hopefully have his fourth game this year with at least 17.4 PPR points.
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White is part of a three-headed backfield with the Buccaneers now that Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker are sharing touches, but White's role in the passing game should be solidified -- and needed. With Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring) injured, White should be a go-to option out of the backfield for Baker Mayfield. We saw that in Week 7 against Baltimore when Evans and Godwin were hurt, and White had six catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns on six targets. He also scored at least 15.9 PPR points in two games against the Falcons last year, and he had 10 carries for 72 yards and three catches for minus-6 yards against the Falcons in Week 5. In PPR, White should be used as a No. 2 running back in all leagues, and he's a flex in other formats as long as Irving and Tucker continue to get carries.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Brown had a down game in Week 7 at Cleveland with just 7.3 PPR points, but prior to that he scored at least 14.4 PPR points in three outings in a row. He played more snaps than Zack Moss the past two games, and that should continue against the Eagles. Philadelphia's run defense has looked better in the past three games against Tampa Bay, Cleveland and the Giants, but four running backs this season have scored at least 12.5 PPR points. I like Brown as a high-end flex in Week 8.
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The Dolphins offense should improve dramatically with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) expected to return in Week 8, and that should benefit all of the main skill players. Mostert ran well in his past two games against the Patriots and Colts with a combined 30 carries for 130 yards and two catches for 18 yards on two targets over that span, although he lost a fumble in Week 7 at Indianapolis. De'Von Achane is a must-start running back in all leagues against the Cardinals, who have allowed seven running backs to score at least 12.0 PPR points this season, and Mostert is worth using as a flex.
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Allen could be a flex in Week 8 against the Patriots if the Jets have the chance to play with a lead. In Week 3 against New England, Allen had a season-high 11 carries, and he finished with 55 yards and three catches for 13 yards on three targets. Allen only has nine total touches in his past two games against Minnesota and Buffalo since Breece Hall is dominating the workload, but I can see Allen doing more in this matchup. The Patriots are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and a pair of running backs have scored at least 10.0 PPR points in each of the past two games against the Texans (Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce) and Jaguars (Tank Bigsby and D'Ernest Johnson).
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Najee Harris is establishing himself as a quality No. 2 running back in all leagues with his performance in the past two games against the Raiders and Jets, but Warren is worth using as a flex option against the Giants in Week 8. Warren had a solid outing in Week 7 against the Jets with 12 carries for 44 yards and two catches for 15 yards on three targets, and he appears finally over the knee injury that knocked him out for two games prior to Week 6. Harris also should benefit with Russell Wilson starting for the Steelers, and the Giants have allowed six running backs to score at least 13.1 PPR points this season.
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If Travis Etienne (hamstring) is out again in Week 8 against the Packers then I like Johnson as a flex option in PPR. If the Packers are playing with a lead against Jacksonville then Johnson should get more work in the passing game then Tank Bigsby, who only has two targets this season. Johnson has nine targets in his past three games, and he had seven catches over that span. He also had 10.0 PPR points in Week 7 against New England with nine carries for 38 yards and three catches for 32 yards on four targets.
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RBs to Sit
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Dowdle has taken over as the lead running back for the Cowboys, and he scored at least 10.5 PPR points in each of his past three games against the Giants, Steelers and Lions. He caught two touchdowns over that span, but otherwise he's been held to 61 total yards or less in all but one game this season. The 49ers aren't a lockdown run defense, but I would only use him as a flex in Week 8 in the majority of leagues.
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It was great to have Chubb back in Week 7 against the Bengals, and he scored a touchdown in his 2024 debut. But he only had 11 carries for 22 yards and the score and one catch for 10 yards on three targets. We'll see how things go with Jameis Winston under center for the Browns, but this is a brutal matchup against the Ravens in Week 8. Baltimore hasn't allowed a running back to gain more than 46 yards on the ground, and only four running backs have scored rushing touchdowns this season. If Chubb doesn't score a touchdown in this game then his production will be minimal.
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Stevenson was terrible in a great matchup in Week 7 at Jacksonville with seven carries for 18 yards and two catches for 7 yards on three targets. He's now scored 8.2 PPR points in three of his past four games, and he was limited to six carries for 23 yards and a fumble in the first game against the Jets in Week 3. The Jets have struggled with Ray Davis and Najee Harris in the past two games, but they are still No. 10 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. I would only use Stevenson as a flex option in Week 8.
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Tracy dominated snaps for the Giants in Week 7 against Philadelphia compared to Devin Singletary, 39-12. We'll see if that continues in Week 8 against the Steelers, but I would sit both Giants in Week 8 in the majority of leagues. Against the Eagles, Tracy had six carries for 23 yards and three catches for 9 yards on three targets, and it will be tough to trust him against the Steelers. Pittsburgh is No. 9 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and this Giants offensive line is a mess without left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot).
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Mattison was excellent in Week 7 at the Rams with 23 carries for 92 yards and three catches for 31 yards on three targets, and he scored 15.3 PPR points. He also scored 17.5 PPR points in Week 6, and he's worth using as a flex option in most weeks. But it will be tough to trust him in Week 8 against the Chiefs, who are No. 1 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. No running back has gained more than 58 rushing yards against Kansas City, including matchups with Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, J.K. Dobbins, Alvin Kamara and Jordan Mason. I would avoid Mattison in most lineups in Week 8.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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It will be tough to trust Hubbard with Bryce Young starting for the injured Andy Dalton (thumb). In two starts with Young, Hubbard failed to score a touchdown or top 76 total yards, and his best game was 11.6 PPR points in Week 2 against the Chargers. By comparison, Hubbard scored at least 15.3 PPR points in four of five starts with Dalton. The Broncos are No. 12 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs and just held Alvin Kamara to 24 total yards and 8.4 PPR points. I would only use Hubbard as a flex option in Week 8 in the majority of leagues.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receivers
WRs to Start
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Pickens was awesome in his first start with Russell Wilson in Week 7 against the Jets, with five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. He's had at least seven targets in five games in a row, but that was just his second game with more than 10.7 PPR points over that span. I expect Wilson to continue to lean on Pickens in Week 8 against the Giants, and I like Pickens as a top-10 Fantasy receiver in all leagues in Week 8.
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Cooper only played 19 snaps in his debut with the Bills in Week 7 against Tennessee, but he made the most of them. He had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown on five targets, and he should continue to be more involved moving forward as he gets more comfortable with Josh Allen in Buffalo's offense. Seattle's defense is banged up in the secondary, and Cooper should be considered a top-15 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues in Week 15.
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Mooney's best game of the season was Week 5 against Tampa Bay when he caught nine passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets for 31.5 PPR points. It's doubtful he gets that many targets again in the rematch in Week 8, but Mooney does have three games in his past five outings with at least eight targets. The Buccaneers are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and Mooney should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues for this week.
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The Dolphins are expected to get Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) back in Week 8 against the Cardinals, which is great news for Tyreek Hill and Waddle. Hill is a must-start Fantasy receiver in all leagues, and I like Waddle as a No. 2 receiver in all formats as well. Including the Week 2 game when Tagovailoa was injured, Waddle has scored 8.6 PPR points or less in five games in a row. But he had 16.2 PPR points in Week 1 against Jacksonville with a healthy Tagovailoa, and that's what Waddle is capable of now that his quarterback is back. Arizona is also No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, so this is a fantastic matchup.
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I'll use Smith-Njigba as a low-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver this week if DK Metcalf (knee) is out as expected. And I also like Tyler Lockett as a high-end No. 3 receiver as well. Smith-Njigba has scored 13.1 PPR points in two of his past four games, and Lockett has scored at least 11.1 PPR points in three of his past four outings. But both should benefit if Metcalf can't play, even in a tough matchup against Buffalo. Seattle leads the NFL in pass attempts, and Geno Smith should lean on Smith-Njigba and Lockett a lot in Week 8.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Doubs has scored at least 17.4 PPR points in each of his past two games, and I like him as a borderline starter in all leagues against the Jaguars in Week 8. Jacksonville is No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and Doubs just had 10 targets in Week 7 against Houston for eight catches and 94 yards. Jayden Reed is a must-start receiver for the Packers in all leagues, but Doubs is right behind him. Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks are boom-or-bust receivers, but this is a great matchup to consider all of Green Bay's passing options in Week 8.
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I'm going back to Dell as a No. 3 receiver in all leagues in Week 8 against the Colts, and Dell should rebound from his disappointing performance in Week 7 at Green Bay when he had no catches on four targets. Prior to that, Dell had seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown on nine targets at New England, and he should be heavily involved with Nico Collins (hamstring) still out. Stefon Diggs is a must-start Fantasy receiver in all leagues in Week 8, but Dell should be productive for C.J. Stroud as well.
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Sutton had no targets in Week 7 at New Orleans, but he should be involved in the game plan in Week 8 against Carolina. Prior to Week 7, Sutton had scored at least 13.8 PPR points in three of his previous four games. The Panthers have allowed eight receivers to score at least 15.8 PPR points this season, and Sutton is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 8, given the matchup.
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