The Thursday Night Football showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers brings plenty of intrigue for fantasy managers in Week 8. Both teams are on similar paths as they both have struggled in recent weeks and look to return to the playoffs this year. As of writing this article, it looks like Aaron Jones is set to return for the Vikings, while Joe Alt is trending in the right direction. We have to be a bit less picky this week as well, with the number of bye weeks. Below, I’ll explain who you can trust in your lineups, who should stay on the bench, and which players fall into that tricky gray area for Thursday night.
Lock Them into Your Lineup
- Justin Jefferson WR (MIN)
Strong Starts
Jordan Mason RB (MIN)
Jordan Mason deserves strong start consideration in Week 8 fantasy football lineups as he continues to emerge as Minnesota’s lead running back. With Aaron Jones likely returning, Mason’s role and matchup make him a safe RB2 with upside against the Chargers’ vulnerable run defense. Over the last four games, Mason has averaged 11.5 fantasy points per game while maintaining a 59% attempt share and 60% offensive snap rate. His 4.8% explosive run rate matches up well against a Los Angeles defense that allows the third-highest rate of explosive runs and has given up 27+ fantasy points to an RB in three straight contests.
Mason’s 83.3% inside-the-five carry share highlights his red-zone dominance, and his ability to break big plays gives him multiple paths to fantasy success this week. His role on early downs and in the red zone won’t change with Jones returning, as it was the same role he played with a healthy Jones earlier this season. The Chargers have surrendered 90+ scrimmage yards to opposing RB1s in four straight games, along with seven total TDs to the position over the last three. Mason’s combination of big-play ability and heavy goal-line usage makes him a strong play heading into Week 8.
Oronde Gadsden II TE (LAC)
Oronde Gadsden II has quickly played his way into start territory for fantasy football managers after his breakout 164-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 7. The rookie tight end has seen 17 targets across his last two games while running routes on over 78% of Justin Herbert’s dropbacks. He’s also seen at least seven targets in three of five games and ranks top-10 among tight ends in yards per route run over the last two weeks. His athleticism and expanding role in Greg Roman’s offense are translating to consistent usage, and he’s clearly developing chemistry with Herbert. His rookie emergence also includes scoring 29.4 fantasy points last week, tying for the highest by any tight end this season.
While the overall matchup won’t jump off on paper, the Vikings have allowed the 10th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to tight ends, making this a favorable Week 8 matchup. The combination of red-zone usage, volume, and athletic upside gives him a top-eight positional ceiling. In a thin position group, Gadsden offers both stability and big-play potential for Week 8.
Ladd McConkey WR (LAC)
Ladd McConkey deserves strong start consideration in Week 8 as he continues to cement his role as a key Chargers receiver. Coming off nine catches for 67 yards on 15 targets in Week 7, McConkey showed alpha-type volume leading the team for the second straight week. His season-long production includes 24 targets over the last two games, and he is leading the NFL in end-zone targets over the past three weeks. The Vikings’ defense sets up as a favorable matchup, allowing a 113.6 passer rating and 8.7 yards per attempt to slot receivers. Given his 71% slot snaps last week and his 22.9% 1st read share, more consistent production is ahead for Ladd.
While the Vikings rank fourth in fewest WR fantasy points allowed, they just got cooked by the Eagles’ secondary, and Ladd’s slot matchup is much more favorable than his counterparts. Averaging 17.9 FPPG since Week 5, McConkey projects for 70+ yards with touchdown potential. Fantasy managers should treat McConkey as a confident start, especially in PPR formats where his target share raises his floor. Fantasy football owners can expect McConkey to capitalize on the Chargers’ passing emphasis, making him a reliable option in Week 8 lineups.
Justin Herbert QB (LAC)
Justin Herbert deserves strong start consideration in Week 8 as he continues his hot start to the season. Coming off 420 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 31 rushing yards in Week 7, Herbert once again showcased his elite ceiling in a tough matchup. His season-long efficiency includes a 101.1 QB rating against zone coverage and averaging 22.0 FPPG over the last four weeks. Given his third game with 41+ attempts in five outings and 7.8 aDOT, Herbert’s weekly upside includes 300+ yards with multi-touchdown on a weekly basis. Fantasy managers should treat Herbert as a confident start, ranking as a low QB1.
While the Vikings hold opponents to 15.2 PPG, they have allowed five touchdown passes over the last two weeks. The volume will be there for Herbert as well as he ranks as the highest neutral pass rate in football. Herbert’s high attempt volume comes from chasing points, which could happen Thursday night. The matchup indicates top-5 upside for fantasy football purposes. Fantasy football owners can expect Herbert to thrive, making him a reliable option in Week 8 lineups.
Players to Sit
Carson Wentz QB (MIN)
Carson Wentz remains a sit in Week 8 fantasy football lineups after another underwhelming performance under center for the Vikings. He has topped 16 fantasy points just once in four starts, relying heavily on garbage-time production in a lopsided loss. Over his last two games, Wentz has thrown just one touchdown with two interceptions, struggling to move the offense efficiently. Minnesota’s offensive line has also been inconsistent, allowing frequent pressure that forces Wentz into poor decisions.
The Chargers present a difficult matchup, allowing the third-lowest passer rating to opposing quarterbacks and giving up only seven passing touchdowns all season. The Chargers’ defense generates pressure on 38.8% of dropbacks, and Wentz’s 51.6 passer rating versus man coverage suggests he’ll struggle against their aggressive pass rush. Wentz’s turnover issues, poor pocket awareness, and shoulder injury continue to limit his fantasy upside. His limited rushing upside and lack of big-play potential make him a low-end QB2 with an extremely low floor this week.
Kimani Vidal RB (LAC)
Kimani Vidal should be viewed as a sit in Week 8 lineups after failing to capitalize on a favorable matchup in Week 7. He followed up his 124-yard breakout performance with just 20 rushing yards on nine carries and 15 receiving yards on four catches against the Colts. The Chargers abandoned the run early, and Vidal struggled to find running lanes, averaging a poor 2.2 yards per carry. While he was productive two weeks ago against the Dolphins, they were also the worst-ranked defense in the NFL in EPA.
This week, he faces a Vikings defense allowing only 117.7 rushing yards per game, which recently limited Saquon Barkley to 44 yards on 18 carries. This season, the Vikings rank as the 22nd-most favorable matchup for running backs, giving up just 17.5 half-PPR points per game to the position. Without consistent red-zone usage or explosive runs (0.06 missed tackles forced per attempt), Vidal’s Week 8 ceiling appears capped.
Aaron Jones RB (MIN)
Aaron Jones is a risky start as he potentially returns from a hamstring injury with an unclear workload. After being designated to return from Injured Reserve, Jones may be active Thursday night, but reports suggest Minnesota will ease him back into the offense. In his two 2025 appearances, Jones totaled just 89 scrimmage yards on 16 touches, struggling to regain burst and efficiency. Before his injury, Jones was already losing valuable early down touches and red zone work in the offense, lowering his weekly floor.
The Chargers have allowed 123.6 rushing yards per game, but Jones’ expected 10–12 touches in a timeshare with Jordan Mason limit his upside. He was not hyper-efficient before the injury (-0.11 EPA per rush and only a 38.4% success rate), indicating there is a small stash he can cash in on a small workload. While Jones owners may be excited to get him back in their lineups, I would temper expectations this week.
TJ Hockenson TE (MIN)
T.J. Hockenson should be treated as a sit in Week 8 fantasy football lineups despite his name value and target volume. He posted six catches for 49 yards in Week 7, but an overturned touchdown robbed fantasy managers of a potential big day. On the season, Hockenson is averaging just 8.4 PPR points per game, with only one touchdown through six contests. While Hockenson’s 17.6% target share gives him some appeal in deeper PPR leagues, his ceiling remains low given Minnesota’s inconsistent quarterback play. With Carson Wentz struggling to push the ball downfield, Hockenson’s short-area usage (6.4-yard average depth of target) limits his upside.
The Chargers have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends and just one touchdown to the position all season. The Chargers’ linebackers and safeties have held players like Mark Andrews and Sam LaPorta under double-digit fantasy points, despite Tyler Warren having a nice game last week. Unless he scores, he’s unlikely to return top-10 tight end value. Consider streaming higher-upside options like Oronde Gadsden II or Mason Taylor instead in Week 8 fantasy lineups.
On the Fence
Jordan Addison WR (MIN)
Jordan Addison lands squarely on the fence for Week 8 fantasy football as a volatile WR2/WR3 option. Since returning from suspension, Addison has averaged 17.4 fantasy points per game, topping 110 yards in two of three contests and scoring in the other. He holds a 22% target share and leads the Vikings in red-zone looks, commanding a 36% air-yard share over that stretch. However, the Chargers have allowed the eighth-fewest passing yards this season (192.3 per game) and just one receiver to top 100 yards since Week 4. This matchup could limit explosive plays if the Vikings struggle to sustain drives under Carson Wentz.
Fantasy managers can start Addison if chasing upside, but should sit him in shallow leagues or risk-averse builds. His chemistry with Wentz has been solid, and his 28% first-read share suggests a safer floor than in years past. Still, Los Angeles’ coverage scheme is designed to limit big plays, which caps Addison’s ceiling. Expect WR3 production with the possibility of a long score if the game script turns pass-heavy. He’s a viable flex in PPR leagues but far from a must-start option.
Keenan Allen WR (LAC)
Keenan Allen remains a steady on-the-fence play for Week 8 fantasy football due to both volume and matchup concerns. The veteran receiver exploded for 11 catches, 119 yards, and a touchdown in Week 7, reasserting his status as a consistent fantasy weapon. Allen now ranks third in receptions and top-15 in receiving yards across the league. However, the Vikings’ secondary presents a much tougher test, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points and seventh-fewest receiving yards to opposing wide receivers. At age 33 and playing on short rest, Allen’s ceiling could be capped by defensive attention and fatigue.
Fantasy managers can start Allen with tempered expectations. His route-running precision and target share keep his floor stable in PPR leagues, but the matchup likely limits his yardage upside. The Chargers will continue to feature him on short-to-intermediate routes, providing solid volume even if big plays are scarce. He’s best viewed as a mid-tier WR2 with a safe floor but moderate ceiling this week. In DFS or shallow leagues, managers may consider pivoting to higher-upside plays like McConkey.
Quentin Johnston WR (LAC)
Quentin Johnston should remain on the fence play in Week 8 lineups after a disappointing return from injury. Despite Justin Herbert’s 420-yard performance in Week 7, Johnston managed only two catches for 30 yards on six targets, commanding just an 11% target share. The Vikings’ defense ranks fourth in fewest fantasy points allowed to wide receivers and seventh in passing yards allowed, presenting one of the worst matchups on the Chargers’ remaining schedule. Johnston’s inconsistent usage makes him difficult to trust as much as the other Chargers receivers.
The positives are that before his hamstring injury, Johnston had four straight performances of 70 yards and 4 touchdowns in four games. His skill set is vastly different from the other Chargers pass catchers, resulting in consistent usage around the red zone. While I am not as high on him as I am McConkey, there is a path to success for Johnston this week. Depending on your lineup situation, Johnston can be a strong WR2 play this week with a potential for a bust performance.
