What an incredible week of football! Week 8 was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with unforgettable moments and surprising performances. The Detroit Lions lit up the scoreboard, dropping a staggering 50 points, all while QB Jared Goff surprisingly threw for under 100 yards. It's a testament to the unpredictable nature of the game, especially considering that nine games were decided by seven points or fewer. This was truly a week for the ages, showcasing just how competitive the league has become.
We also witnessed some remarkable performances from rookie quarterbacks. Denver QB Bo Nix shined with a spectacular three-touchdown game, helping the Broncos secure a solid 5-3 record. Meanwhile, Washington rookie signal caller Jayden Daniels delivered a jaw-dropping Hail Mary as time expired, clinching a dramatic victory over fellow rookie QB Caleb Williams in a fashion that felt straight out of a dream. As we look ahead, it's clear that the second half of the season promises to be just as thrilling, if not more so. Buckle up, because this journey is far from over!
Starts
QB - Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars (@Phi)
Coming off his best game of the year, Jags QB Trevor Lawrence seems to have found his groove. The Jags can’t seem to get wins (2-6) but Lawrence is turning into a reliable streamer QB. In his last 4 starts he’s combined for 1,106 yards, 8 TDs, and 3 INTs. To further cement how good he's been, Lawrence also has double-digit TDs in 4 of his last 5 games. His floor is what you can trust, and with 14 or more fantasy points in 5 straight games, he's back to being a solid option at the QB position. He's been so good over the last month that right now he almost looks like a safer play than Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. The Jags are going to Philly to play the Eagles in Week 9, which isn’t as scary as it used to be, as Philly is in middle of the pack defensively and that secondary is beatable. Available in over 60% of leagues, Lawrence is your guy if you're in need of QB help for Week 9.
RB - Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@KC)
It's rare to see a split backfield where both running backs are viable starters, but that’s exactly the case in Tampa, where RB Bucky Irving is on a hot streak and deserves a spot in your lineup. It's surprising he's still available in over 30% of leagues, especially considering his performance alongside fellow RB Rashaad White. Despite the timeshare, Bucky has scored double digit fantasy points in five of the last six games.
Initially, I was concerned about his limited carries, which has maxed out at 8-12 per game. However, he has become increasingly involved in passing situations, especially since the Bucs have lost their top two receivers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) to injury. In his last two contests, Irving has accumulated 18 carries to go with 10 receptions. Despite the tough upcoming matchup against the Chiefs, that level of involvement is hard to ignore, as he's in a great position to get plenty of work. Make sure he's in your lineup.
WR - Ladd McConkey - Los Angeles Chargers (@Cle)
Overall, Week 8 was fantastic for rookies, and while much of the focus was on the QBs, we shouldn't overlook the wide receivers. Chargers WR Ladd McConkey was one of the many who had a standout performance, recording his first 100-yard game to go along with multiple touchdowns. Although we shouldn't base our decisions on a single week, McConkey has quietly been impressive the whole year. In fact, he's been so good that he’s currently ranked as a top-25 fantasy wide receiver.
To put things in perspective, over the last five games he has consistently gained at least 40 receiving yards to go along with four or more receptions. As the clear alpha in the Los Angeles passing attack, he stands to benefit the most from QB Justin Herbert's continued improvement. With the Chargers facing a Cleveland defense that's allowed the fourth-most points to wide receivers on the year, McConkey is a strong candidate to be in your lineup for Week 9. Play him with confidence!
TE - Zach Ertz - Washington Commanders (@ NYG)
Week 8 was dubbed “TE Day,” showcasing an incredible performance by tight ends, all of whom combined to set a new all-time record for touchdowns in a single day. As a fan, I can’t help but say, “About time!” That said, one veteran tight end you should consider starting in Week 9 is Washington's Zach Ertz. Surprisingly, Ertz has received steady volume over the course of the season (29 targets over his last four games, more than fantasy stalwart Mark Andrews), and has made the most of those opportunities, accumulating 185 yards and a touchdown in three of those contests. He currently ranks as a top-12 tight end and is still available in about 50% of leagues. If you need help at the TE position for Week 9, don’t hesitate to go get and start the veteran.
Defense - Washington Commanders (@ NYG)
Washington is going to be my top streamer for this week, as they have looked good against bad offenses. For perspective, this defense has held the Panthers, Bears, Browns and Cardinals to 15 points or fewer in all of those matchups. Additionally, in their last 2 weeks they’ve allowed a total of just 22 points while forcing 3 turnovers and adding 4 sacks. One other note: In Week 2 the Commanders and Giants played and the Giants were held to just 18 points. While it most likely won't be pretty, this defense has taken strides in the right direction, and are an easy start against the struggling New York offense.
Sits
QB - Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts (@Min)
Typically, I would recommend starting any quarterback facing a defense that's allowed the third-most passing yards. However, don’t be fooled by this favorable matchup when it comes to Colts QB Anthony Richardson. This season has been challenging for the young signal caller, and it’s surprising that he’s still owned in nearly 70% of leagues.
In his six starts, he’s averaging just 159 passing yards per game, and his performance is further marred by seven interceptions and two fumbles. His rushing numbers are also disappointing, averaging less than 50 yards per game with only one rushing touchdown. Given these struggles, Richardson should not be in any lineups this week or in the near future.
***Editor's Note: As of the Wednesday before Week 9, the Colts have benched Richardson and have handed the starting job to veteran QB Joe Flacco. Flacco deserves starting consideration as he has looked good in limited duty. Richardson, however, can be avoided and dropped all together unless you have the bench space or are in a dynasty league with deep rosters.***
RB - Javonte Williams - Denver Broncos (@Bal)
A simple rule of thumb is to avoid starting running backs against Baltimore—unless they’re elite. That’s why Denver RB Javonte Williams finds himself on the sit list this week. Despite a strong performance in Week 7 against the Saints, where he excelled, it's been just a mediocre year for him overall. Additionally, heading into last week's game against the Panthers expectations remained high, but he managed only 44 yards on 17 carries. To make matters worse this marks the fifth time this year he has rushed for fewer than 50 yards, and his touchdown against the Saints remains his only one to date. On the flip side, while he has been used in the passing game, it hasn’t been enough to offset his lackluster rushing performances. Now facing a Ravens defense that allows a league-low 70 rushing yards per game, it's best to leave Williams on the bench in Week 9.
WR - Jordan Addison - Minnesota Vikings (Ind)
Given the performance of QB Sam Darnold and the Vikings offense, one would expect all players to be thriving. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for WR Jordan Addison. Despite the fact his QB has thrown 14 TD's, Addison so far has managed to catch only one, which is....not good.
Additionally, Addison's struggles currently extend beyond just touchdowns, as he also hasn't been productive in terms of receptions. In five starts, he has caught three or fewer passes, totaling just 14 catches for 231 yards and that lone touchdown. With the current state of the offense showing little promise for improvement, it's wise to keep Addison on the bench until further notice.
TE - Hunter Henry - New England Patriots (@Ten)
After an impressive “TE Day,” it’s challenging to find a tight end to sit, as many are on the upswing. However, this week I’m keeping veteran Hunter Henry on the bench. While he has been a reliable starter so far (posting over 40 yards in three consecutive games and adding a touchdown), he faces a tough contest against the Titans in Week 9. Their secondary is formidable, allowing just 151 passing yards per game—an astonishing statistic.
To make matters worse, Henry has also struggled at times, having three games in which he recorded fewer than 20 yards. Given this trend and the difficult matchup, it’s likely he’ll have another tough outing. There are better options available this week (such as Zach Ertz), making it wise to sit Henry for now.
Defense - New York Jets (Hou)
The Jets started out the year dominating, having allowed just 17 or fewer points in 4 of their first five games. However, things have changed just a bit since then. For example, in Week 8, New York took on the Patriots (who have one of the worst offenses in the league), and New England put up 25 points in that contest. Additionally, in their last 3 games the Jets have given up 85 points while forcing 0 turnovers to go along with only 5 sacks. This is a middle of the road matchup with Houston but it feels like a get right game for QB CJ Stroud. Stream a better defense this week.
In summary, Week 8 delivered an exhilarating display of football that highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NFL. With remarkable performances from both seasoned players and exciting rookies, fans were treated to thrilling moments, such as the Lions’ explosive scoring and the dramatic finishes involving rookie quarterbacks. The landscape of the league is evolving, and as we transition into the second half of the season, the competition is bound to intensify. This week’s action serves as a reminder that anything can happen, making every game a must-watch.
Looking ahead to Week 9, strategic decisions regarding lineups will be crucial. Whether you’re considering starting rising stars like Ladd McConkey and Bucky Irving or deciding to bench players struggling to find their rhythm, staying informed will be key to navigating this unpredictable season. As we prepare for another round of games, keep an eye on matchups and player performances, as they will be pivotal in determining fantasy success. The journey continues, and the excitement is only just beginning!
