Fantasy Football Week 8 Start 'Em Sit 'Em

Sportz Nation Staff
3 hours ago
8 min read

by Zak Drapeau 10/23/2025 Sportz Nation

Start 'Em (Matt Hylen)

Quarterback

Bo Nix vs DAL

Though the first three and a half quarters were not great, Nix ended Week 7 with a stellar passing line. Having thrown for 279 yards, rushed for 48 yards, while tallying 4 total TDs makes me extremely confident in Bo heading into Week 8. Nix also plays the worst defense in the NFL in the Dallas Cowboys, who give up the most passing yards (276.9 per game according to Yahoo) and the most fantasy points to QBs (25.53 per game according to Yahoo).

Joe Flacco vs NYJ

It is crazy to be saying this in 2025, but Joe Flacco will likely be a safe start this week. Coming off a 342-yard and 3 TD day against the Steelers, Flacco will likely keep the momentum going against a poor Jets defense that allows the 12th most fantasy points to QBs according to Yahoo (18). Flacco has all the weapons he needs tp prodice a great fantasy week once again.

Michael Penix Jr. vs MIA

Michael Penix Jr. was solid last week, posting 241 passing yards along with a TD and a lost fumble. Bijan Robinson stole the show in week 7, but that was mostly due to the fact San Francisco's pass defense is above average. Penix Jr. will have a much easier matchup this week against a Dolphins defense that allows the 6th most fantasy points per game (20.51 according to Yahoo) to QBs.

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Running Back

D'Andre Swift at BAL

D'Andre Swift has quietly put together a consistent string of games since his bye week in Week 5. Averaging 116 rushing yards on 18 touches over the past two games has been nothing short of elite. Swift will head to Baltimore to face a Ravens defense that allows the 2nd most fantasy points to RBs (26.52 according to Yahoo).

Alvin Kamara vs TB

Alvin Kamara has been extremely underwhelming this season, but he could have a great opportunity to turn it around. He is averaging 17 touches a game this season in the pass and run game combined, so his usage has not been a problem. I have a feeling Kamara could break a couple of big plays against a bad Tampa Bay defense that allows the 7th most fantasy points a game to RBs (22.64 according to Yahoo).

Jordan Mason at LAC

Though it is likely that the Vikings will gain RB Aaron Jones Sr. back, it should not hinder Jordan Mason's workhorse role within Minnesota's offense. He proved at the beginning of the season that he is the RB1 and Jones Sr. is a complementary passing back, so I expect nothing to change this week. Mason matches up against an Eagles defense that allows nearly 130 rushing yards a game and the 8th most fantasy points to RBs (21.6 according to Yahoo).

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Wide Receiver

Credit to Matt Harmon via receptionperception.com

Michael Pittman Jr. vs TEN

Michael Pittman Jr. finally looks like the wide receiver we knew him to be. After posting a 7 catch (on 9 targets), 58-yard, and 1 TD day last week, Pittman can surely be considered a valuable part of a historically good Colts offense thus far. If he found ways to get open against a top 10 pass defense in the Chargers, he should have no problem getting open against a worse Titans pass defense (27.5 points allowed per game to WRs according to Yahoo).

Courtland Sutton vs DAL

Courtland Sutton returned to his WR1 form last week against the Giants, catching 6 of his 10 targets for 87 yards. Sutton has been very consistent this season, scoring double-digit points in all but two games this season (in PPR formats) while dominating the target share and routes-run percentage among his team. Sutton has the ability to produce WR1 caliber numbers against the worst defense in the NFL in the Dallas Cowboys.

Xavier Worthy vs WAS

Xavier Worthy took a back seat last week with the return of Rashee Rice, but I am feeling a bounce-back game from the speedster. Worthy is a multi-threat WR that the Chiefs can utilize in a variety of ways. So, with their opponents' defense, the Washington Commanders, being the 10th worst defense in fantasy points allowed to WRs, Worthy should have little problem getting open.

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Tight End

Pat Freiermuth vs GB

I am choosing to hop on the Pat Freiermuth hype train after his performance last week. The Steelers' TE finally broke onto the 2023 scene last week, catching 5 of his 6 targets for 111 yards and 2 TDs. Granted, this was against a Bengals team that allows the most fantasy points to TEs (18.84 according to Yahoo), but Freiermuth matches up against the 2nd-worst this week in the Packers. Start Freiermuth this week, who presents a huge RedZone threat to a Packers team that allows 15.42 points a game to TEs (according to Yahoo).

Dalton Kincaid at CAR

If all goes to plan, Dalton Kincaid should make his return for the Bills after a one-game absence. Kincaid got an extra week of rest as a result of Buffalo's bye, so the expectation is for him to suit up in Week 8. If he does, Kincaid will have a fantastic opportunity to ball out against a Panthers defense that gives up the 5th most fantasy points to TEs (13.07 according to Yahoo).

Kyle Pitts Sr. vs MIA

Atlanta's offense should feast against the Dolphins this week, meaning Kyle Pitts Sr. will likely be involved early and often. Coming off his best game of 2025 in terms of involvement, where he caught 7 of his 10 targets for 62 yards, Pitts Sr. is facing a horrific Dolphins defense that allows the 10th most fantasy points to TEs (11.69 according to Yahoo). Pitts has only been targeted under five times in one game this season, which also provides some extra promise in a game Atlanta should dominate.

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Sit 'Em (Zak Drapeau)

Quarterback

Jaxson Dart at PHI

This goes for all Giants this week: STAY AWAY. After getting embarrassed two weeks ago, I really believe the Eagles are looking to dominate the Giants, and I can easily see it happening. Dart has been one of the best QBs for fantasy since coming on the scene, but this will probably be the worst game of his season by far.

Justin Herbert vs MIN

Herbert may have started the season as one of the top QBs in the league, and truth be told, I believe he still is, but his O-line may currently be the worst. Injuries have taken his top two tackles, a starting guard, and two of his backup tackles as well. Herbert may have some serious options to help him out, but it'll be hard to have any fantasy value when you're running for your life again against this good Vikings pass rush.

Drake Maye vs CLE

Okay hear me out, I know that Drake Maye has been on a great season but I believe he's being overhyped just a little bit ESPECIALLY in New England. Maye is good for an efficient statline and has been the #4 QB for Fantasy this year but he faces the best defense he's seen all season this week. The Browns are the 4th best defense against Fantasy QBs this season and I can really see a few turnovers for the first time this year for Maye.

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Running Backs

Saquon Barkley vs Giants

I spoke earlier about how the Eagles will dominate this week, but I have to say, Barkley is becoming a real threat for the "Bust" category this season. The Eagles just aren't giving him any touches, and if things get weird and the Eagles trail again, look for Barkley to completely disappear in the second half.

De'Von Achane at ATL

Achane has been the only good thing about the Dolphins' offense this year, but against a Falcons defense that has been superior so far this year, that should come to a screeching halt. In Atlanta, the Falcons' entire game plan will center around Achane and should limit the outstanding back to his worst game of the season.

Cam Skattebo at PHI

Same thing as Dart earlier, I just see the Eagles coming out hot in this game and not letting their foot off the gas. If the Eagles can limit Skattebo's receiving, which they did last time, they should be able to stop him from repeating his Week 6 rushing performance, thus giving him a very slow day at the office.

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Wide Receivers

George Pickens at DEN

Pickens had a good few weeks with CeeDee Lamb injured, but now that he's back, look for Pickens' role to be smaller and his fantasy value to tank. Pickens will still have an occasional TD, but I'm guessing he will average 4 catches for 50 yards for the rest of the season.

DK Metcalf vs GB

Metcalf has had an up-and-down season, but mostly positive. He will be facing the Packers' defense this week and should be limited. Aaron Rodgers had one of his best games of the season last week, but odds are Mike Tomlin will want to continue running the ball. Metcalf is good for the long ball once or twice a week, but with Xavier McKinney back there, his upside is limited this week.

Jaylen Waddle at ATL

Waddle is still estimated at an 81% start across fantasy football leagues this season, and I don't know how. Granted, he had a good game 3 weeks ago, but this upcoming week in Atlanta is not the time to press your luck again. Waddle's inept quarterback and coaching are the reason, and truth be told, if he gets traded, he probably will not be on this list again.

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Tight Ends

Hunter Henry vs CLE

The upcoming CLE@NE game this week is very interesting to me. I believe the Patriots will squeak out a low-scoring win, but Drake Maye will continue to spread the ball around, and you can argue that not one receiver/tight end is worth starting. That being said, Henry ranks the highest for his position of any Patriot, so he was included here. Without the possible TD in a defensive game, Henry's fantasy value is bad.

Mark Andrews vs CHI

Lamar Jackson may be out AGAIN, and if he is, this "Sit 'Em" hasn't changed. I've preached that Andrews shouldn't start for weeks, and even if Jackson were to come back this week, he would have to prove that he can get catches or touchdowns with any regularity before I'd feel comfortable starting him.

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