With bye weeks in full swing, fantasy managers have plenty to weigh before setting their Week 8 lineups. From quarterbacks facing stingy defenses to running backs in perfect spots to bounce back, this week’s slate is full of boom-or-bust opportunities. We’ve broken down the best and worst matchups to help you maximize points and avoid costly mistakes.
Quarterbacks
Best: QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Broncos QB Bo Nix has been up and down in his sophomore season after lighting it up as a rookie. In three of seven games this year, he’s finished with fewer than 13 fantasy points, but he exploded against the Giants last week with two passing and two rushing touchdowns, totaling 39.96 fantasy points. Now, he faces the most favorable matchup possible in Week 8 against a Cowboys defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Outside of last week, Nix had just one rushing touchdown while averaging 20.7 yards on the ground over his previous six starts, so managers shouldn’t expect gaudy rushing totals—but another strong fantasy performance is likely against Dallas’ 32nd-ranked pass defense.
Worst: QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott has been nearly flawless over the past month, throwing at least three touchdown passes in four straight games while keeping the turnover column clean. He enters Week 8 ranked near the top of the league in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion rate — but this trip to Denver could finally slow him down.
The Broncos have been a nightmare matchup for opposing quarterbacks, allowing just 179.9 passing yards per game (sixth-fewest) and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the position. Sure, the Broncos just let rookie QB Jaxson Dart rip off 28.42 fantasy points, but I’d bet on that being an anomaly for Denver’s defense rather than a repeat performance.
Running Backs
Best: RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara’s rushing production has been stuck in neutral, failing to top 31 yards in three straight games, but Week 8 sets up as a get-right spot. The veteran remains locked in as the Saints’ lead back, and with Kendre Miller lost for the season, Kamara’s workload should be as stable as ever. He’ll face a Tampa Bay defense that’s quietly been generous to running backs, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game (22.6).
If game script gets out of hand, expect Kamara to finally get more involved in the passing game as well, with the Bucs likely focused on blanketing WR Chris Olave. Kamara is a strong bounce-back candidate in what projects to be a favorable matchup on the ground and through the air.
Worst: RB Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
I had Pollard in this slot last week, and I was wrong. But, I’m doubling down. Pollard finished Week 7 with 9.2 fantasy points, but that mostly had to do with his 6 receptions for 43 yards. On the ground, Pollard had a paltry 6 carries for 18 yards. I expect Tyjae Spears to take on more of the team’s third-down duties with each passing week, so I’m betting on Pollard to have a decreased role through the air.
The Titans‘ offense looks atrocious, and they now have a road matchup against the surging Indianapolis Colts. The Colts allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, and allow the third-fewest rushing touchdown percentage in the league.
While Pollard’s Week 7 receiving surge was encouraging, it’s unlikely to become a consistent part of his weekly production. With Tennessee’s offense sputtering and the backfield split tightening, Pollard’s fantasy appeal is diminishing week by week.
Wide Receivers
Best: WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Fantasy managers waited six weeks for Rashee Rice’s return, and he wasted no time reminding everyone why the hype was justified. In his first game back, the Chiefs wideout caught 7 of 10 targets for 42 yards and two touchdowns — all while playing just 41% of the snaps in a blowout. That snap share should climb fast, likely back toward his usual 80% range as soon as this week.
Now Rice gets a prime-time matchup on Monday night against Washington, a defense surrendering the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. It’s an ideal setup for him to build on last week’s statement and reassert himself as Patrick Mahomes’ top weapon in the passing game.
Worst: WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle remains Miami’s top receiving option, but Week 8 brings a tough test on the road in Atlanta. His one-catch, 15-yard outing in Week 7 looked ugly, though poor weather played a big role in Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles.
Waddle’s early-season usage without Tyreek Hill shows he can still handle a heavy target load, but the Falcons’ defense makes this a low-ceiling spot. Atlanta has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and hasn’t yielded 200 passing yards to any QB, making it hard to rely on Waddle for a big fantasy day.
Tight Ends
Best: TE Mason Taylor, New York Jets
Mason Taylor has had a rough stretch in the Jets’ inconsistent passing game, totaling just 33 yards on six targets over the last two weeks after encouraging performances in Weeks 4 and 5. Last week’s struggles were compounded by Justin Fields’ quarterback play and WR Garrett Wilson’s absence — though Wilson’s status for this Sunday could open things up for Taylor if defenses stay focused on the star wideout.
The Jets’ quarterback situation has been messy, but Taylor couldn’t ask for a better matchup to get on track. Cincinnati has allowed nine touchdowns and 76.6 receiving yards per game to tight ends this season, and the most fantasy points per game to the position (18.8). With many teams on bye, Taylor presents clear TE1 upside, making him a strong streaming option in Week 8.
Worst: TE Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
Ertz continues to defy Father Time, as he is the TE9 in his age-34 season. Regardless, he has a tough primetime matchup this week against the Chiefs in Arrowhead. The Chiefs are allowing the 3rd fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends (6.0), and the fourth-fewest passing yards (174.6) per game to opposing offenses.
With Jayden Daniels now nursing a hamstring injury, Marcus Mariota could be under center. Ertz had 2 of his 3 worst performances of the year in Weeks 3 and 4 with Mariota starting. Add in the potential returns of Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin, and Ertz’s target share could drop even further, matchup or not.
