It’s that time of year when bye weeks and injuries are in full swing. Fantasy managers are having to dig deeper into their rosters and scour the waiver wire to fill holes in their starting lineups. Here are some of the best and worst matchups for Week 8 to help you set your lineup with a bit more confidence.
Quarterback
Best: QB Geno Smith, NY Jets (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Geno Smith has been a low-end fantasy option this season, ranking QB24 with 15.3 points per game, but a matchup against his former team offers streaming appeal. The Raiders have been one of the league’s worst defenses against quarterbacks, allowing 20.8 fantasy points per game (fifth-most), 7.7 yards per pass attempt (28th) and a 51.1% dropback success rate (29th). Smith has thrown at least 30 passes in three straight games, and the Jets could be forced to keep throwing to keep up with a Raiders offense that quietly ranks seventh in overall scoring.
Smith’s efficiency offers further upside. He’s completing 70% of his passes for 1,623 yards with a 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 105.2 passer rating. His 61% completion rate on deep throws leads the league, and rookie Omar Cooper Jr. has averaged 109 receiving yards over his last two games. With a vulnerable defense and an improving passing attack, Smith has a path to a strong fantasy outing.
Worst: QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (@ Seattle Seahawks)
Caleb Williams has looked sharp since returning from his hamstring injury, throwing for 308 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday’s win over New England. However, he faces a much tougher test in Week 8 against Seattle. The Seahawks just held Patrick Mahomes to 165 passing yards and three total points of offense, continuing a dominant season in which they’ve allowed the fewest passing yards (144.4) and total yards(233.9) per game.
They’ve also surrendered fewer than 12 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, ranking second in the league. Williams has shown enough upside to remain in the QB1 conversation, but this matchup puts a dent in his ceiling. Consider him a low-end QB1 this week rather than expecting another big performance.
Running Back
Best: RB Jeremiah Love, Arizona Cardinals (@ Dallas Cowboys)
Jeremiyah Love has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but a potential return to practice Wednesday offers hope he’ll be available in Week 8. The rookie would land in an appealing spot against Dallas, which has struggled to contain opposing ground games. The Cowboys gave up 121 rushing yards to Philadelphia on Monday and are allowing 4.7 yards per carry and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
They’ve also struggled to limit explosive runs, giving up a 9.8% explosive run rate. Love has yet to show off the game-breaking speed that made him an exciting prospect, but this matchup offers plenty of upside if he’s healthy enough to play. Monitor his practice status before locking him into lineups.
Worst: RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Chicago Bears)
Zach Charbonnet’s potential return gives Seattle another option in the backfield, but his workload remains a concern after missing significant time with a knee injury. Emanuel Wilson is coming off a 100-yard performance against Kansas City and should still factor into the rotation, limiting Charbonnet’s fantasy appeal.
The matchup against Chicago doesn’t help, either. The Bears have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season and are giving up just 87.6 rushing yards per game. They also held Kenneth Walker III to 36 rushing yards in their most recent meeting. Between the uncertain workload and a defense that has been tough against the run, Charbonnet is a risky start in Week 8, even if he’s cleared to play.
Wide Receiver
Best: WR KC Concepcion, Cleveland Browns (@ Pittsburgh Steelers)
KC Concepcion is quickly becoming a focal point of Cleveland’s passing game after a quiet stretch to start the season. The rookie has converted 16 targets into 12 catches and five carries over his last two games, including a breakout performance against Tennessee with 129 receiving yards and 23.2 fantasy points. His role is expanding, too, with a 29% target share last week and more downfield opportunities.
Concepcion has averaged a 10.3-yard depth of target over his last two games, up from 6.1 over his first five, and has a 17.6% red-zone target share. He’s currently running 58% of his routes from the slot as well, setting up potential one-on-one matchups with Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey has allowed 24 receptions and a 126.7 passer rating when targeted in the slot, giving Concepcion a huge avenue to produce against an otherwise solid Pittsburgh pass defense.
Worst: WR Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
Jaylen Waddle’s chest injury could open up more opportunities for Courtland Sutton, but fantasy managers shouldn’t rush to plug him into their lineups. Denver’s offense showed some improvement against Arizona, yet Sutton managed just three catches for 45 yards and has failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in any game this season.
The matchup against Kansas City makes it tough to trust him, even if Waddle misses time. The Chiefs have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, and Sutton scored just 3.1 fantasy points the last time these division rivals met. Until Denver’s passing game becomes more consistent, Sutton remains a risky play regardless of Waddle’s availability.
Tight End
Best: TE T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (@ Detroit Lions)
T.J. Hockenson is back on the fantasy radar after putting together two strong performances around a concussion-shortened outing in Week 5. Outside of that one-catch game, he’s totaled 17 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown across his last two appearances. He’s established a reliable connection with Kyler Murray, typically seeing four or five targets per game, with room for more volume.
Week 8 brings a favorable matchup against Detroit, which has allowed the most catches (56), receiving yards (602) and touchdowns (10) to tight ends this season. The Lions are getting safety Brian Branch back, but that will likely mean extra attention on Justin Jefferson and create more opportunities for Hockenson underneath. Detroit has allowed four touchdowns to tight ends over its last two games, making Hockenson a viable TE1 option.
Worst: TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Sam LaPorta faces a difficult assignment in Week 8 against a Vikings defense that has been suffocating opposing offenses. Minnesota leads the league in scoring defense at 12.3 points allowed per game and has given up the fewest PPR points to tight ends. The Vikings have also limited opponents to 6.1 yards per pass attempt, backed by a relentless pass rush that leads the NFL with a 39.1% pressure rate.
Their aggressive blitzing creates another challenge for Detroit’s passing game, as Minnesota sent extra rushers on 77.8% of dropbacks in Week 7. LaPorta remains in the low-end TE1 conversation based on his role, but Minnesota has consistently shut down the position, leaving little margin for error in this matchup.
