Fantasy football managers entering Week 8 face critical lineup decisions as four teams — Houston, New Orleans, the Giants, and San Francisco — are on bye, removing significant star power. With the fantasy playoffs approaching, analysts recommend targeting players with high ceilings for teams in contention, while those with losing records should prioritize immediate production. Key matchups and recent trends highlight several quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and tight ends with favorable outlooks.
Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) is projected as the top quarterback play this week, with a projected 25.1 points against the Colts, who traded defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and have allowed three quarterbacks to score at least 26.9 fantasy points. Lawrence has scored at least 23.1 points in each of his last three meetings with Indianapolis. Jayden Daniels (Commanders) returns from a bye after scoring 25+ points in two straight games and averages 27.2 points in three career games against the Eagles. Jordan Love (Packers) offers a safe floor with 20+ points in 21 of 32 career games with 30+ pass attempts, facing a Panthers defense that has allowed two of the last four opposing quarterbacks to score 22.5+ points. Matthew Stafford (Rams) has scored 20.9+ points in five of his last six games, though the Chargers have allowed only one quarterback to top 20 points this season. Kirk Cousins (Raiders) has scored 22.5+ points in five of his last six games and faces a Jets defense that has allowed three of the last five opposing quarterbacks to reach 23.4 points. Sleepers include Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals) against a Cowboys defense allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and Geno Smith (Jets) in a revenge game against the Raiders, who have allowed five straight quarterbacks to score 21+ points. Kyler Murray (Vikings) gets a favorable matchup against the Lions, who have allowed every opposing quarterback at least 20.9 points. Sit candidates include Caleb Williams (Bears) against the Seahawks, who rank second in fewest fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks; Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), who has combined for 16.5 points in his last two games and faces a Broncos defense holding opponents to 18.5 points or less in three straight; Bo Nix (Broncos), who scored only 7.4 points against the Chiefs in Week 1; and Jared Goff (Lions), who faces a Vikings defense allowing the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and just four touchdowns in the last 15 games.
Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots) leads the start list with a projected 15.7 points against the Dolphins, who rank fourth in most fantasy points allowed to running backs and have allowed a back to score 15.8+ PPR points in every game. Bhayshul Tuten (Jaguars) benefits from the Colts' trade of Buckner and has scored 11.1+ PPR points in five straight games, while Indianapolis has allowed three backs to score 23.8+ PPR points. Ollie Gordon II (Dolphins) has scored 14.5+ PPR points in four straight games with four touchdowns, facing a Patriots defense that has allowed six backs to score 10.7+ PPR points in their last five games. Jordan Mason (Vikings) could see an increased workload if Aaron Jones (knee) is out, averaging 13.5 PPR points in five games without Jones in 2025. Sleepers include Rachaad White (Commanders) as the lead back with Jacory Croskey-Merritt out, facing an Eagles defense allowing a back to score 10.8+ PPR points in five straight games; Blake Corum (Rams), who has scored 14+ PPR points in three straight games with a touchdown in each; and Jonah Coleman (Broncos), who led Denver's backs with nine carries for 54 yards in Week 7 and was urged by coach Sean Payton to get more touches. Sit candidates include Omarion Hampton (Chargers), who has scored 7.9 PPR points or less in three of his last four games and shares touches; J.K. Dobbins (Broncos), who faces a reduced role with Coleman emerging and was held to eight catches for 36 yards in Week 1 against the Chiefs; Emanuel Wilson (Seahawks), whose workload may shrink with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price potentially returning; and Tony Pollard (Titans), who faces a Bengals defense ranking third in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs and held Derrick Henry to 5.9 PPR points in Week 7.
Wide Receivers
Parker Washington (Jaguars) is a top start against the Colts, who have allowed seven receivers to score 11.7+ PPR points, and Washington had eight catches for 115 yards against them in Week 17 last season. Stefon Diggs (Commanders) becomes the clear No. 1 receiver with Terry McLaurin on IR and faces an Eagles defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to receivers, with 10 receivers scoring 14.6+ PPR points. DK Metcalf (Steelers) had five catches for 115 yards in the first meeting with the Browns and faces a defense allowing eight receivers to score 11.9+ PPR points. Michael Wilson (Cardinals) gets a favorable matchup against the Cowboys, who rank 10th in most fantasy points allowed to receivers and have allowed a receiver to score 12.9+ PPR points in every game. Tre Tucker (Raiders) has scored 21.3+ PPR points in each of his last two games and faces a Jets defense allowing a receiver to score 13.6+ PPR points in four straight games. Sleepers include Omar Cooper Jr. (Jets), who has thrived with 11 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games against a Raiders defense allowing multiple receivers to score 11+ PPR points in three of their last four games; KC Concepcion (Browns), who had eight catches for 129 yards in Week 7 and had 11.4 PPR points in the first meeting with the Steelers; Keenan Allen (Colts), who faces a Jaguars defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers; and Makai Lemon (Eagles), who had seven catches for 67 yards and a touchdown in Week 7 and could see an expanded role if DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks remain out. Sit candidates include Denzel Boston (Browns), who has combined for just 8.2 PPR points in his last two games and faces a Steelers defense allowing no receiver more than 57 yards in their last three games; Rome Odunze (Bears), who faces a Seahawks defense allowing the fewest fantasy points to receivers with only two double-digit PPR games allowed; Xavier Worthy (Chiefs), whose target share may shrink with Rashee Rice potentially returning and who had only three catches for 18 yards in Week 1 against Denver; and Caleb Douglas (Dolphins), who could draw tough coverage from Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Jameson Williams (Lions) is a bust alert despite three straight games with 16.2+ PPR points, as he faces a Vikings defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to receivers and has a poor history against Minnesota.
Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts (Falcons) is a top-five option with 13.2+ PPR points in three straight games and four touchdowns, facing a Buccaneers defense allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends and against whom Pitts has scored 12.9+ PPR points in five straight meetings. Hunter Henry (Patriots) has scored 11.2+ PPR points in four straight games and faces a Dolphins defense ranking third in most fantasy points allowed to tight ends. T.J. Hockenson (Vikings) has the best matchup against the Lions, who allow the most fantasy points to tight ends with eight scoring 13.3+ PPR points and 10 touchdowns. Sleepers include Chigoziem Okonkwo (Commanders), who has scored 10+ PPR points in his last two games and faces an Eagles defense that has allowed three tight ends to score 11.7+ PPR points in the last four games; Brenton Strange (Jaguars), who has scored 9.4+ PPR points in three straight games and faces a Colts defense that allowed Pat Freiermuth and Hockenson to score 13.5+ PPR points in recent weeks; and Michael Mayer (Raiders), who faces a Jets defense allowing three tight ends to score 11.7+ PPR points in the last four games. Sit candidates include Tyler Higbee (Rams), who has been out-targeted by Colby Parkinson in the last two games; Pat Freiermuth (Steelers), who has not cleared 46 yards in any game and faces competition from Darnell Washington; Jake Ferguson (Cowboys), who has not scored since Week 3 and had zero catches on one target in Week 7; and Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns), who faces a Steelers defense that has allowed only two tight end touchdowns all season and none in the last three games.
Defense/Special Teams and Kickers
The Jaguars DST is a top streamer against a Colts offense that has allowed 10 sacks and four turnovers in the last two games. Sleeper defenses include the Bengals (vs. Titans), Chiefs (at Broncos), and Buccaneers (vs. Falcons). The Ravens DST is a sit against a Bills offense scoring 33+ points in four of six games. Among kickers, Cam Little (Jaguars) has top-five upside against a Colts defense allowing six kickers to make multiple field goals this season. Chris Boswell (Steelers), Chase McLaughlin (Buccaneers), and Matt Gay (Raiders) are sleeper options. Jake Bates (Lions) is a sit against a Vikings defense allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to kickers, with only two kickers making multiple field goals all season.
