Fantasy football managers face a challenging Week 8 with four teams on bye weeks, ongoing injuries reshaping lineups, and several high-profile players drawing difficult matchups. CBS Sports analyst Dave Richard has released his comprehensive start/sit breakdown and top-150 rankings to help managers navigate the midpoint of the fantasy regular season.
Quarterback Spotlight
Geno Smith headlines the must-start quarterbacks with a favorable matchup against his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders. The Seattle Seahawks signal-caller is projected for a strong performance against a Raiders pass rush that has managed just eight sacks since Week 3. Conversely, Patrick Mahomes faces a daunting test against the Denver Broncos' stout defense, which has held opposing running backs to under 3 yards per carry in recent weeks. Jared Goff also draws a tough assignment against a Minnesota Vikings defense that blitzed on 85.2% of dropbacks last week.
Key Skill Position Decisions
At running back, Quinshon Judkins faces a Pittsburgh Steelers run defense ranking in the top seven in yards per rush allowed, while Rhamondre Stevenson benefits from a Miami Dolphins run defense that has allowed six consecutive backs to score 15.8+ PPR points. Wide receiver Michael Wilson could bounce back against a Dallas Cowboys secondary that plays the seventh-most single-high safety coverage. Tight end Sam LaPorta remains a reliable option despite inconsistent volume, with his target rate spiking when Goff faces pressure.
Notable Game-by-Game Breakdowns
Richard's analysis covers all 14 games, highlighting defensive schemes, pass-rush pressure, backfield workloads, and target distribution. Standout recommendations include starting Chuba Hubbard and Christian Watson against Green Bay, trusting Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson in the Bills-Ravens showdown, and fading both defenses in the Chiefs-Broncos game due to low over/under. The article also identifies flex-worthy players like KC Concepcion and Harold Fannin Jr. against Pittsburgh's zone-heavy scheme.
