Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Jaxson Dart NYG
Jaxson Dart continues to cement his status as one of the most dynamic young quarterbacks in the league. In his last outing, he faced the top-ranked defense in football on the road and still delivered 283 passing yards with four total touchdowns, finishing as the QB2 for the week. Since taking over as the Giants’ starter, he’s averaged 21.9 fantasy points per game while improving in nearly every statistical category. His rushing production has been a major catalyst, with 50 or more yards in three of his last four starts and three rushing touchdowns over that stretch. Dart’s blend of athleticism and confidence has transformed New York’s offense, and his playmaking ability on the move keeps defenses guessing on every snap.
From a fantasy football perspective, Dart should be started in Week 8 lineups despite another tough matchup on paper. He’s been the QB4 in fantasy points per game since Week 4 and already finished as the QB3 in his first matchup against Philadelphia. Dart ranks fifth among 38 qualifying quarterbacks in fantasy points per dropback, showing elite efficiency even while still refining his accuracy and decision-making. Averaging 8.8 rushing attempts per game with elite red-zone involvement, Dart has the skill set to overcome even the toughest defenses in football. He’s earned every bit of the hype, and I am going to start him with confidence this week in fantasy football.
Caleb Williams CHI
The Bears’ offense has evolved around a balanced rushing attack, which at times has overshadowed Caleb Williams’ production through the air. He’s coming off one of his lowest output of the season, finishing with 4.7 points and 0 touchdowns. Despite that, Williams remains an efficient passer when given time, and Chicago’s offensive line has made major strides in protection this season. Baltimore poses a challenge, but they also give up explosive plays through the air, ranking among the league’s worst in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. The Ravens’ secondary has been inconsistent, especially against QBs capable of extending plays, and Williams fits that mold perfectly.
Williams remains a solid start in Week 8 as a low-end QB1 with legitimate bounce-back potential. He’s scored over 17 fantasy points in four of six games this season, including two strong road performances. Baltimore has surrendered the second-most fantasy points and passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. Williams ranks as the QB13 in fantasy points per game, but that number undersells his ceiling given his rushing upside and struggles through the air this year. With the Ravens generating pressure at the fifth-lowest rate, Williams should have time to make plays from the pocket and on designed rollouts. Expect him to rebound in Week 8 and re-establish himself as a must-start option in fantasy football.
Bo Nix DEN
Bo Nix’s Week 7 performance told the story of a quarterback capable of turning chaos into production. After three quiet quarters against the Giants, Nix exploded in the fourth, becoming the first player in NFL history to score two rushing and two passing touchdowns in a single quarter. He’s showcased tremendous dual-threat ability all season, recording at least 20 rushing yards in five games, a mark only two other quarterbacks have reached this season. Despite some statistical regression from his rookie campaign, Nix continues to elevate his play when trailing this season, which bodes well for this week’s matchup in what should be a high-scoring affair.
This week, fantasy managers should confidently start Nix in all formats. He enters Week 8 as the QB9 in fantasy points per game and draws an elite matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed the most fantasy points, passing yards, and rushing yards to quarterbacks this season. Dallas has surrendered 17 or more fantasy points to every opposing QB, making it a dream matchup. Despite ranking near the bottom in completion percentage over expected (CPOE) and off-target rate, this matchup mitigates those concerns entirely. The Cowboys’ secondary simply can’t contain quarterbacks this season. Expect Nix to deliver another top-five fantasy performance this week.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Jordan Love GB
Jordan Love’s season has been a roller coaster, with flashes of big-play ability overshadowed by long stretches of mediocrity. He’s topped 20 fantasy points just twice all year while failing to reach 16 points in four separate outings. Green Bay’s offensive philosophy hasn’t helped; nearly 57 percent of their red-zone plays over the past month have been runs, limiting Love’s passing touchdown upside. Despite solid underlying metrics (ranking fifth in yards per attempt and seventh in passer rating), his fantasy production hasn’t matched his efficiency. Love remains poised in the pocket but hasn’t been asked to carry the offense, leading to limited opportunity and capped fantasy ceilings.
Even with a favorable matchup against Pittsburgh, Love is a sit in standard fantasy football leagues for Week 8. The Steelers’ defense has been vulnerable through the air, allowing the most passing yards per game, but Love’s low passing volume keeps him in QB2 territory. He’s attempted more than 30 passes just twice all season and is averaging under 28 attempts over his last two games. Without rushing upside or high touchdown equity, his fantasy outlook remains limited. While the matchup may look appealing on paper, Love has struggled to convert opportunity into fantasy value. He’s a serviceable option only in Superflex formats; otherwise, fantasy managers should look elsewhere.
Marcus Mariota WAS
Marcus Mariota returns to the starting role in Washington as Jayden Daniels recovers from a hamstring injury. In his previous two starts, Mariota showed flashes of the dynamic dual-threat skill set that once made him a top fantasy streamer, averaging 18 points in those games. His ability to create with his legs remains a strength, averaging 30 rushing yards per start and scoring a touchdown on the ground. However, his passing metrics paint a less promising picture, as he ranks 27th in highly accurate throw rate and dead last in catchable target rate among qualified passers. With both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel battling injuries, Mariota’s supporting cast could be limited against one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses.
This week, Mariota is a clear sit in Week 8 outside of deep or Superflex formats. The Chiefs have allowed the third-fewest passing yards and second-fewest touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season. Only one quarterback since Week 2 has finished inside the top 15 against Kansas City, and the Chiefs’ disciplined zone coverage forces checkdowns rather than big plays. While Mariota’s rushing ability offers a baseline of safety, the lack of reliable receiving options and a tough road environment caps his upside. Kansas City’s defense ranks inside the top five in both total and fantasy points allowed, making this a brutal matchup. Fantasy managers should resist chasing Mariota’s rushing production and keep him on the bench for Week 8.
Michael Penix Jr. ATL
Michael Penix Jr. is a talented passer, but his fantasy football value has taken a dive since Week 4. Averaging just 13.1 fantasy points this season, he has just topped 18.7 points once in his last five outings. Penix has been plagued by accuracy issues and now faces a foot injury that could limit him further. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Penix ranks near the bottom in catchable target rate and off-target throws, signaling the ongoing struggles the second-year quarterback is facing this season. With many bye weeks and a matchup against the Dolphins on deck, many are slotting Penix into their lineups with confidence this week.
The matchup against Miami looks tempting on paper, but the Dolphins’ defense has quietly improved against the pass, and Atlanta’s offensive plan will involve a run-heavy approach with Bijan Robinson leading the way. Miami has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, but that number is skewed by early-season blowups; recent performances suggest a much stingier unit. With a lingering foot issue and inconsistent production, Penix offers a lot of risk despite the favorable matchup this week. Unless desperation strikes in Superflex leagues, Penix is a firm sit for Week 8 with a wide range of outcomes expected.
