Fantasy Meanings

QB 1	Elite Starting Option		WR 1	Elite Starting Option		RB 1	Elite Starting Option		TE1	Strong Starting Option
High End QB 2	Great for SF/Sleeper QB1		WR 2	Strong Starting Option		RB 2	Strong Starting Option		Low End TE 1	Good Starting Option
Mid/Low QB 2	Decent/Sleeper for SuperFlex		WR 3	Good WR3/Strong Flex Option		High End RB 3	Good Starting Option/ Flex Play		High End TE 2	Decent Starting Option
QB 3	Risky Superflex Play/Sit		WR 4	Shakey Flex Option		Mid/Low RB 3	Flex Play/ 1B Option		Low end TE 2	Desperate Option
			WR 5	Desperate Flex Play/Deep Sleeper		RB 4	Back ups with upside/favorable matchup

Los Angles Rams vs Dallas Cowboys

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @ AT&T Stadium
• Weather – Indoors 🙂
• What Vegas is saying – Line (DAL -6.0) & Over/Under 45.5

Identifying the Game Script

The Rams and the Cowboys last played in 2022. The Cowboys would win easily 22-10 over the Rams on the road. The Cowboys last played in week six, winning a close one over the Chargers on MNF. The Rams are coming off a loss to the Steelers. The Cowboys are fresh off a bye as they last played on MNF, beating the Chargers. The Rams have an elite secondary that will challenge the Cowboys pass catchers in this game. Both teams have struggled against tight ends, so let’s see which tight end game steps up in this matchup. At the end of this game, whichever quarterback helps his team score more points will win.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford continues disappointing us in fantasy, as he has had two solid matchups but finished under 20 fantasy points. He has barely crossed over 20 fantasy points this year. Stafford is going to have a tough matchup against the Cowboys this week. While in the last two weeks, the Cowboys have allowed 245 passing yards and three touchdowns. They allowed 165 yards and half a touchdown per game in the prior four weeks. Stafford has the weapons to perform, but he hasn’t been able to do that. You could hope that the Cowboy’s defense’s recent letup is a sign of positive news for Stafford this week, but his lack of production is concerning. Stafford is the best mid-range QB2. 

Dak Prescott is coming off a solid week six performance with over 25 fantasy points. It is still a concern that he needs a rushing output to make his fantasy worth QB1 level. Prescott has been a consistent 240-yard passer with one touchdown. He produced as much on the ground in week six as in the first five weeks. Going into this matchup against the Rams, it’s not that easy. The Rams have been pretty good against passers and the passing game. There has been just one quarterback to throw over 260 yards this year, and they have only given up four passing touchdowns. The positive stat is that the Rams have given up four rushing touchdowns on the season. They have given up 40 rushing yards to a quarterback in three of the last four games. Hopefully, the offense will pick things up out of the bye, and Prescott can be a more reliable option. This week, Prescott should finish as a high-end QB2 with a potential rushing floor. 

Running Backs

The Rams backfield has completely changed over the last few weeks. Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers both headed to the IR. The world thought Zach Evans would be the next starter for the team. It ended up being two veteran running backs, Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman. These two were rotating drives all game, and Henderson could continue to see a more significant role. This backfield doesn’t have an easy matchup like in week seven. The Cowboys are a top-ten team against fantasy running backs this year. They have allowed only one rushing back over 70 yards. Backfields can run against the Cowboys but don’t expect elite numbers on the ground. I expect Henderson to lead this backfield as he has the most experience and Sean McVay’s trust in the offense. Henderson is a solid RB3/flex play in week eight. Royce Freeman will likely see work in the offense, but his usage is hard to pinpoint. Freeman is likely an RB4 in this matchup. Things could easily change when Freeman sees more, or Zach Evans gets an opportunity. Running back committees has been a scary thing in 2023. 

The Cowboys backfield has been led by Tony Pollard, who feels like a not-great investment this season. Granted, he has 13 fantasy points or more in four of six games, but many expect a breakout season for him as the primary starter. His matchup against the Rams is a decent one. They allow decent yardage with five rushers over 60 yards but only one over 80 yards this year. The Rams have yet to allow much passing work, as the highest pass-catching back produced 38 receiving yards. Pollard should continue to command his role in this offense and be able to put up respectful RB1 numbers. Pollard has shown he can do it on the ground or the air, even under challenging matchups. Pollard is a low-end RB1 in week eight.

Pass Catchers

The Rams pass catchers continue to shine for us in fantasy this year. Cooper Kupp took a backseat in week seven to allow Puka Nacua to shine against the Steelers. The Rams receivers have a tough matchup, as the Cowboys are a top-ten unit against receivers this year. They haven’t allowed big breakout games to receivers since they haven’t allowed one receiver over 90 yards. They have allowed three over 65 yards, but two were based on one big play that the Cowboys gave up, which brings me back to Cooper Kupp. Kupp should be able to bounce back and perform at a high level. Kupp is the type of player whose matchup doesn’t matter much. He should still be a WR1 in week eight. Puka Nacua is coming off his fifth game with double-digit targets. Seeing him put up elite stats with Cooper Kupp on the field gives full confidence in his game. He should be a high-end WR2 with upside in this game. 

Tutu Atwell caught another touchdown to have a fantasy-relevant day for us in week seven. Three targets over the last two weeks don’t offer much confidence to put him in starting lineups. In a hard matchup, it’s hard to trust Atwell in lineups. He is, at best, a WR5 that would be a risky flex option. For the tight end position, Tyler Higbee needs to step up. The Cowboys have given up a touchdown in back-to-back games to a tight end. They have allowed 50 yards to the position in three of the last five games. Higbee has been under three fantasy points since Cooper Kupp returned. If Higbee continues to see minimal targets in the offense, then he can’t be more than a low-end TE2. 

The Cowboys pass catchers have a very tough matchup in week eight. The Rams allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to receivers. At the same time, the yardage has been high, with three receivers over 100 yards against them. They haven’t given up a receiving touchdown since week one of the year. CeeDee Lamb has been a boom or bust with his fantasy points this year. He has three games over ten and three games under ten this season. This would be his down week based on his season pattern, especially with a tough matchup. Lamb is a beast but will need to see the targets to be elite. Lamb should be valued as a low-end WR1 in week eight. 

Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup have both been disappointments in fantasy this season. Between the two of them, they have combined for two games over ten fantasy points. Both of them are WR5s in this matchup. Neither one has shown that they stick out over the other regarding production. They both have some potential but desperate plays in fantasy in week eight. For the tight end position, Jake Ferguson has a good matchup. The Rams have given up at least 20 yards to a tight end each week. While that is not a lot, we’ve seen offenses that use their tight ends in the offense do better vs. the Rams. Ferguson has seen his playing time increase back to a full-time starting tight end. Unfortunately, after averaging six targets in the first four, Ferguson has only seen four targets in the last two games. Ferguson should be able to bounce back in a favorable matchup. He is a high-end TE2 in week eight. 

Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @ Lambeau Field
• Weather – Cloudy
• What Vegas is saying – Line (MIN -1.5) & Over/Under 42

Identifying the Game Script

In our first divisional game of the weekend, the Vikings and the Packers face off. In the previous five outings, these teams have combined for 50 points on average per game. In the last three games, the winning team would win in blowout fashion. The Vikings are coming off a big win at home over the 49ers. While the Packers lost to the Broncos, a team they should have beaten. Jordan Love and company need to get back on track in the passing game, as the Vikings secondary has been kind to opposing pass offenses. The Vikings need to figure out who their primary running back is since the matchup is favorable with a poor Packers run defense. Expect a battle between divisional rivalry.

Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins broke his primetime curse and had a great fantasy game. It seems like when Cousins throws 40-plus times, he’ll get you at least 20 fantasy points. In week eight, Cousins goes up against the Packers. The Packers are an elite secondary, as they haven’t allowed a passer over 240 yards or a quarterback to throw for more than one passing touchdown. While Cousins may be the best quarterback they will face, they are still challenging. Last year, Cousins had 205 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions when he played in Green Bay. It was surprising that Cousins did as well as he did last week. Cousins is still a shaky quarterback in fantasy at times. Cousins is a high-end QB2 in week eight.  

Jordan Love had a decent bounce-back game in week seven after a terrible week five outing. Love has been under 200 yards in three of six games now. He also has turned the ball over in four straight games. The Vikings are a decent matchup, but they don’t give up a ton of yardage. They have allowed three of seven quarterbacks over 210 passing yards this year. They have given up four games with two-plus touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. Numbers like these fit what Jordan Love has done all year. He doesn’t throw for big yardage but gets every chance to throw a passing touchdown. Love has a good shot at finishing a borderline QB1 in week eight at home. 

Running Backs

The Vikings backfield turned into more of a committee in week seven. Alexander Mattison started the game by playing the first 12 offensive snaps. After that, Cam Akers would see more carries than Mattison for the rest of the game. They nearly had a split role on early downs and the third down plays. This backfield is the only one in the league that hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown. The Packers allow the fourth most fantasy points per game to running backs. They have allowed a 60-yard rusher in four of the last five games. While they have given up five rushing touchdowns. They allow passing value to opposing backs, as they have given up at least six receptions in four games this year.

Alexander Mattison is still holding slightly to the starting job over Akers. He should be the first man up in the offense and hopefully receive some work. He does average four targets per game and has two receiving touchdowns. This would be a game to allow Mattison to run the ball more. Mattison is a borderline RB2 here. Cam Akers did see his highest share of the season, but he had mediocre rushing output outside of a big reception. The team could push for Akers to see more work, so this backfield could soon turn into a 50/50 split. Akers is just outside my top 50 running backs, but he has some deep sleeper appeal if he sees more work.

Pass Catchers

The Vikings pass catchers are now led by Jordan Addison, who had a big week seven game for fantasy. He had seven catches for 123 yards with two touchdowns. This matchup is going to be a bit tougher for fantasy. The Packers are in the top ten vs. fantasy receivers. They have allowed only one receiver to break 80 yards. While receivers don’t have big games against the Packers, they can have some decent games as they have allowed nine receivers over 50 yards. Addison is stepping up in a big way, but this will be a tough matchup. Addison should be a low-end WR3 in week eight. 

KJ Osborn has been a disappointment since Justin Jefferson has been out. He has had 40 yards in each game but no big moments. Osborn is hard to trust in the lineup, especially now with a difficult matchup ahead of him. He is, at best, a WR5 in week eight. Brandon Powell stepped up for 64 yards in week seven but hasn’t been too great this year. Someone to keep your eyes on in the slot moving forward but still outside the top 60 receivers in week eight. Since Justin Jefferson has been out, TJ Hockenson has been the prominent target leader for the tight end position. He is consistent for our starting lineup, with at least 50 yards each game. The Packers have been decent against tight ends, allowing three tight ends over 40 yards. Hockenson played the Packers once last year for seven receptions for 57 yards. Hockenson is a top-three option for week eight.

The Packers pass catchers may be without Christian Watson in week eight. He suffered a knee injury that got positive news, but there is pain he needs to deal with. The Vikings secondary, on paper, allows the fifth most fantasy points per game to receivers, but it is a tale of two sides. In the first three weeks, they allowed five receivers over 60 yards and five receiving touchdowns. Since week four, they have allowed one receiver over 60 yards and one receiving touchdown. Their secondary has stepped up recently, but they haven’t played any great receiver groups; you can argue that the Packers aren’t either. If Watson plays, he is a high-end WR4. He has all the talent, but the knee issue and lack of targets concern me. He does have potential upside, which makes him an exciting flex option.

Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed scored in week seven, but both have been limited in targets the last few weeks. Watson’s return had limited both these receivers’ upside in games. Doubs has been the leading receiver in red zone targets this year with nine, so I like his chance to score here. He is a low-end WR4 with touchdown upside. Jayden Reed in the slot continues to have a low target share but only needs one play to break a long one. He should be considered a low-end WR5 in week eight. If Watson were to miss, they would receive big bumps where Doubs is a WR3 and Reed is a WR4. The tight end position has given up 60 yards in two of the last three games. Those games were to Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Luke Musgrave isn’t them, at least not yet. Musgrave also suffered an ankle injury that has him day to day. I would say that if Musgrave plays, he could be limited in his snaps. I’d put Musgrave as a mid-range TE2 in week eight. 

Atlanta Falcons vs Tennessee Titans

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @ Nissan Stadium
• Weather – Potential Rain
• What Vegas is saying – Line (ATL -2.5) & Over/Under 35.5

Identifying the Game Script

The Titans and Falcons last faced off in 2019. The Titans would be on the road 24-10 over the Falcons. The Titans are coming off a bye after a trip to London, where they couldn’t get enough offense going and would lose the Ravens. The Falcons are coming off a big win on the road vs. the Bucs. The Falcons are on the road again, and we’ll see in an easier matchup if “on the road” Desmond Ridder can make this offense successful. The big matchup will be between the Falcon’s elite run defense vs. Derrick Henry and company and who can win that battle. The Titans will also have a new quarterback, so things could be bad for the Titans. I expect this to be a low-scoring game in week eight.

Quarterbacks

Desmond Ridder continues to fail on the road, where he only had 13 fantasy points, thanks to three fumbles lost. In week seven, Ridder’s rushing floor got his fantasy production. The Titans were very generous to fantasy quarterbacks in the first three weeks, allowing 300 yards and almost two touchdowns per game. In the last three games, they have allowed 225 passing yards per game and one passing touchdown overall. In week eight, it’s hard to trust Ridder on the road to be successful for fantasy. Ridder is just outside my top 24 quarterbacks in week eight.

Will Levis looks like he will get his first NFL start of his rookie year. Ryan Tannehill is injured and is likely to miss this game. Levis has seemingly been in a downward spiral since not being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. He didn’t look great for much of the preseason or in practices this year. He offers the arm strength to make every throw and has sneaky athletic ability in his game. He knows he has to play in a pro-style offense, and it likely won’t be hard to hand the ball to Derrick Henry. The Falcons are a good unit against fantasy quarterbacks. They just allowed the first opposing quarterback to throw over 250 yards. They have allowed a passing touchdown in each game, which could give Levis a floor play to score once. My concern is the sacks the Levis is going to have to take. Tannehill was getting sacked often, so Levis would have a lot of time to throw. Levis would be outside the top 24 in this game. 

Running Backs

The Falcons backfield is the most frustrating in fantasy football. We know Bijan Robinson has RB1 talent but is dealing with some type of headache, not on the injury report, but he played on six snaps. Tyler Allgeier saw the majority of the work and finished with 12 points. Back from the dead, Cordarrelle Patterson had ten carries in the game. It’s things like this that have made the Falcons backfield a mess. The Titans run defense was an elite unit, but they have not been as good over the last three weeks. After not allowing a 60-yard rusher in almost a year, they have given one up in two of the previous three games.

Bijan Robinson, we do not know if he is playing in week eight. We have to assume he will be back to normal but have to be concerned with his opportunity. His role in the passing game value provides much of his value this year, so as long as he has that, he is fine. Robinson sits as a borderline RB1 as his talent keeps him around the RB1 range, but recently, the situation has been elite for fantasy. Tyler Allgeier’s value will solely be based on what happens with Robinson in this game. Allgeier has better value if Robinson misses or is limited, like in week seven. Allgeier did not run well last week but caught three balls for 50 yards. Allgeier is typically a high-end RB4 but would jump into a high-end RB3 without Robinson on the field. Patterson looked horrible running the back and should remain a non-factor. 

The Titans backfield may see an increase in opportunity, with Will Levis starting on Sunday. The last time the Titans placed a rookie quarterback on the field, Derrick Henry had 32 carries in that game. Levis is further along as a passer than Malik Willis. It will be tough for this backfield since the Falcons are ranked fourth among stopping fantasy running backs this year. They have allowed some decent rushing with four running backs over 60 yards but have not let up a rushing touchdown this year. Besides last week, they have been great at not allowing the running backs to be a factor in the receiving game.

Derrick Henry should see 18-plus carries this game and be decent, but not great for fantasy. They are a tough run defense that will make it difficult. Henry is likely an RB2 due to the high volume he should receive. Tyjae Spears coming off a bye will be interesting to see if he sees more work in the offense. We know Henry is there, but Spear’s lighting style of running is hard to keep off the field. He has seen at least four targets in four of six games. Spears should likely end up as an RB4 in week eight. It will come down to opportunities and receiving work for Spears.

Pass Catchers

For the Falcons pass catchers, Drake London is the only one to worry about. Recently acquired Van Jefferson is getting his footing, but not enough to consider in starts and sits. The Titans are a good matchup for London as they rank in the bottom ten vs. fantasy receivers. They have allowed six receivers over 80 yards this year. London’s issue isn’t the matchup but his quarterback situation. He is not seeing high-quality targets with Desmond Ridder this year. He has four games over 50 yards but barely gets WR3 finishes in fantasy. London is a WR4 with an upside if Ridder can get the flow going in the offense. 

Ridder has focused much of the offense around the tight end position. Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith have split that role in the last three weeks. Kyle Pitts has been lining up out wide more often, and Smith has been used in the traditional tight end slot. Smith played more snaps than Pitts, but Pitts saw more targets in week seven. It will likely be a back-and-forth situation between these two all year. The Titans have been a solid team against tight ends this year. They have only allowed two tight ends over 40 yards and haven’t given up a touchdown to the position. I have both of them outside the TE1 territory. They are high-end TE2s, but the split role hurts their fantasy value. There has only been one game in which both have produced double-digit fantasy points.

The Titans pass catchers are not ones we have wanted to play in fantasy this year. The Falcons are a good secondary, but they have allowed a receiver over 80 yards in four of the last five games. It’s not a terrible matchup, but it’s not amazing either. The issue has been the Titans passing offense in general. DeAndre Hopkins is leading this team with 376 yards and zero touchdowns this season. He only had two games over ten fantasy points this year. I’m not sure if Will Levis is prepared to stand out in his first game of the season. I give Hopkins WR4 value since he is a risky play with Levis.

Treylon Burks did practice in full this week, so having him back is great. Coming off injury, it is hard to trust that Burks in this first game. He is outside my top 60 receivers. That also goes for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Kyle Philips, who saw increased playing time in the slot. The tight end position for the Titans doesn’t have a bad matchup. The Falcons have allowed five tight ends over 40 yards this year. It’s been hard to trust Chig Okonkwo in fantasy lineups. He has been under six points all season long. He is a stretch-tight end that goes deep, so I could see backups Trevon Wesco or Josh Whyle being effective in this game. I’d value all of them outside the 24 tight ends.

New Orleans Saints vs Indianapolis Colts

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @ Lucas Oil Stadium
• Weather – Indoors 🙂
• What Vegas is saying – Line (EVEN) & Over/Under 43.5

Identifying the Game Script

These two teams haven’t played each other since the 2019 season. The Saints at home would win big as they won 34-7 over the Colts. The Saints are coming off a close loss on TNF, as they were one catch away from potentially forcing an overtime game with the Jaguars. The Colts lost a shootout game in overtime to the Browns. The Saints should look to take advantage on the ground against a poor Colts run defense to move the game along. This should be the case since the passing game for the Saints does have concerns. The Colts may need to figure out another way to beat the Saints since the Saints are an elite run defense. This game will be necessary for both teams trying to rebound in their divisions.

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr has played pretty decent over the last three weeks. While it doesn’t feel that way, he has 19 fantasy points in the previous three games. Carr’s injuries are making an impact on his game overall. Carr does have 300 yards in back-to-back games. Unfortunately, he only throws one touchdown per game and has back-to-back interceptions. The Colts are an average defense for fantasy quarterbacks this year. Since week four, they have allowed opposing quarterbacks to average about 16 fantasy points per game. In an average matchup, it comes down to Carr’s health, and I can’t trust him as anything more than a mid-range QB2 for fantasy.  

Gardner Minshew is coming off a fantastic fantasy outing despite turning the ball over four times. Minshew will be that gunslinging quarterback where he will take shots that will work and not work in his favor. The Saints are a tough defense against fantasy quarterbacks this year. They still haven’t allowed a passer over 260 yards this year. They have only allowed two quarterbacks over one passing touchdown. An indoor matchup should make things easier for the offense but still challenging. Minshew has the weapons to produce, but it would likely need him to throw two touchdowns at least to be good. Minshew is a low-end QB2 in week eight. 

Running Backs

Alvin Kamara remains a dominant fantasy force for the Saints running backs. He has double-digit fantasy points in each game since his return. Kamara is on pace to crush his career-high targets with 136 targets over 14 games. Jamaal Williams returned from injury but only played 22% of the snaps, so it will be interesting to see how much more he gets. The Colts allow the fifth most fantasy points per game to running backs. They have given up eight rushing touchdowns over the last four games. They have allowed only three running backs over 70 yards this year. It won’t matter for Kamara’s rushing since he only averages 65 yards per game. In four games, Kamara has 39 receptions so far, so his value will come there. Kamara should finish as an RB1 and potentially the RB1. 

Jamaal Williams came back and saw only five carries in the game. As I mentioned, he only played 22% of the snaps, so I expect him to get closer to 40% this week. Williams should get closer to 10 carries in week eight. I’d say that Williams is an RB4 with a touchdown upside in this game to punch the ball. That is how Williams ends up having a good week. 

The Colts backfield was a 50/50 split in week seven. They both had 18 carries, but Jonathan Taylor saw two more targets than Zach Moss and did more with his opportunity. This could be the week we saw more of a 60/40 split that favors Taylor. We’ve seen over the three weeks that Taylor is creeping up in offensive plays. They have a difficult matchup, but they did well last week against an elite run defense. The Saints allowed their first rushing touchdown of the season in week seven. They continued to not allow a rusher over 60 yards this year. We hope Taylor takes another step in playing time, giving him more fantasy points even in a tough matchup. He may need value in the passing game to end up doing well. Taylor is a mid-range RB2. Zach Moss should continue to have a role, but how much is the question? His touches will likely fluctuate the rest of the season. Moss is a borderline RB3, but it could be a trap in week eight. 

Pass Catchers

The Saints pass catchers have been great fantasy options this year despite the struggles that Carr has given. Chris Olave has been good but not as great as we hoped. Michael Thomas has been consistent but just had his first great game. Rashid Shaheed has been a boom-or-bust third receiver all year. The Colts secondary has been beatable despite playing better the last two weeks. They are a team that has allowed six touchdowns to receivers and allowed four receivers to have blowup games this season. Despite a recent arrest for Chirs Olave, he does plan to play on Sunday, so there should be worries there, but be cautious. Olave should be in for a big game in week eight based on his play style for this game. He should be a high-end WR2 in this matchup.

Michael Thomas averages four receptions for 50 yards, a solid flex option. In a decent matchup, Thomas is a nice floor play with minimal upside value for lineups. He is a WR4 who is safe but would need a touchdown to be considered a great fantasy option. Rashid Shaheed is the opposite of him as more of a boom/bust receiver. Shaheed has two games over 16 fantasy points, but the rest are under seven points. This is a type of game that should be great for Shaheed but risky. He is a borderline WR4 who is a boom-or-bust type. For the Saints tight ends, opening day starter Juwan Johnson practiced for the first time in weeks as he has dealt with a calf injury. It is unknown if he will be back yet, but you likely wouldn’t want to play him. Taysom Hill, the Swiss army knife, has been solid the last two weeks for the tight end position. He has 13 targets in the previous two weeks, the most in any career stretch. As long as Juwan Johnson is out, Hill is a high-end TE2 with an upside. 

The Colts pass catchers have the easiest matchups among the Saints tough defense. While they are tough, the Saints secondary has allowed an 80-yard receiver in three of the last four games. This matchup screams another blowup game for Josh Downs. The slot is the weakness for this secondary, and Downs has played the most slot snaps in the league this year. Downs has been great under Minshew, and that should continue in week eight. Downs is a low-end WR3 that has an upside. The team’s WR1, Michael Pittman, likely has a tough matchup against Marshon Lattimore this week. Pittman’s would have been terrible in a high-scoring game without that big touchdown last week. Pittman is a WR 4 in week eight. 

Alec Pierce had his best game of the season but is still outside the top 60 receivers. The tight end position for the Colts can’t seem to find a reliable option, and Jelani Woods is not back yet. Sit all Colts tight ends for the season. 

New England Patriot vs Miami Dolphins

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @ Hard Rock Stadium
• Weather – Partly Cloudy – Maybe some rain?
• What Vegas is saying – Line (MIA -9.5) & Over/Under 47

Identifying the Game Script

Our next divisional game is the AFC East between the Patriots and the Dolphins. In the previous five outings, they have combined for a point total of 40.4 in each game. The Dolphins have won five of the last six games vs. the Patriots. The last time they played, the Dolphins would win 29-25. The Patriots are coming into this game off an impressive divisional win over the Bills. The Dolphins lost another big-time game to the Eagles, as their offense couldn’t get anything going. The Patriots could continue their streak of good play as the Dolphin’s defense is beatable as they are dealing with injuries. The last time the Dolphins played the Patriots, their offense cooled down, so can they rebound or risk losing another game?

Quarterbacks

Mac Jones had his best game of the season since week one. He threw 272 yards and two touchdowns against an injury-plagued Bills defense at home. The Dolphins, on paper, allow the fifth most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The defense has allowed just two quarterbacks to have over 20 fantasy points this season. Jones had 15 fantasy points as home last time he played the Dolphins this year. Jones is terrible on the road, as he averages 207 passing yards less than a touchdown per game over 18 road starts. Miami’s entire secondary could be back this week, including Jalen Ramsey. Jones will return to his struggling ways and finish outside the top 24 quarterbacks. 

Tua Tagovailoa continues to have his boom/bust fantasy season. He has three games over 25 fantasy points and three under 16 fantasy points. The last time Tua played the Patriots, he finished with 14 fantasy points. Since the last time they played, the Patriots have allowed two passers with two passing touchdowns and two passers with 260 yards. The Patriots have been good at stopping quarterbacks. Tua should be more of a low-end QB1. I have concerns he won’t have a boom game in week eight. 

Running Backs

In a favorable matchup last week, Rhamondre Stevenson and Zeke Elliott rotated drives against the Bills. After the week one lousy performance, the Dolphin’s run defense has been up and down all season. They have allowed a 60-yard rusher and a rushing touchdown in the last two weeks. The last time these teams played, Elliott did very little while Stevenson ran in for a touchdown to have a good fantasy day. This backfield will be determined based on their usage. If Stevenson can continue this usual role, he should be able to finish as a high-end RB3. He should see around 15 touches and hopefully find a way to score in this matchup. Elliott has been touchdown-dependent for his fantasy season. He is rushing at a 3.7 YPC and not seeing much passing volume in the offense. He is likely an RB4 who needs a touchdown or targets to have a day.

The backfields for the Dolphins continue to run through Rasheem Mostert. Mostert is dealing with an ankle injury, so that’s something to monitor during the week. The Patriots have given up a 50-yard rusher in the last three weeks. Even after a lousy week seven and some injury concerns, I’d still have to rank Mostert as a low-end RB1. He has been producing and is primarily involved in the passing game to boost his value. It helps when he can’t seem to stay out of the endzone with 11 total touchdowns this year. Jeff Wilson returned but only played minimally in his first game. I do expect that to rise in week eight. He would be valued as an RB4 who would likely need a touchdown to have a good day. If Mostert were to miss, Wilson would jump to a high-end RB3, with Salvon Ahmed seeing some RB3 value as well.

Pass Catchers

The pass catchers for the Patriots only come down to Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas. We weren’t talking about either one a month ago. Bourne has back-to-back double-digit fantasy point outings with Juju Smith-Schuster off the field. Juju’s return could affect both these receivers’ value in the offense. Over the last two weeks, the Dolphins have allowed a 100-yard receiver and a touchdown. Bourne didn’t do well the last time he played the Dolphins. This time, he is more involved in the offense and will likely be a low-end WR4 with boom/bust potential.

Douglas had an excellent game in week seven with 74 yards, but he was playing in the slot, which is Juju’s spot. He needs to be more involved in the offense, but we’ll see how both are used on the field. Devante Parker, against his old team, could come back from the dead to have an okay performance. Last time, Devante Parker went the way with six receptions for 57 yards. JuJu Smith-Schuster has been under 40 yards in every game this year. Neither Parker nor Smith-Schuster should be a top-60 receiver in week eight. 

The Dolphins have allowed 70-yard tight end in two of three games. Hunter Henry had a great game the last time he played the Dolphins, which was the last time he played well. Hunter also played his lowest offensive snaps of the season as he split with Mike Gesicki. It’s hard to trust Henry with his recent situation, or I’d name him a TE1. He is better valued as a low-end TE2 that has some upside. Mike Gesicki sits right outside the top 24 tight ends as he plays his former team again. 

The Dolphins pass catchers are only Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. There were reports Hill could miss, but he has already said he is playing. The Patriots have been good at limiting the yardage to opposing receivers. They have allowed only one receiver over 70 yards, Jaydeln Waddle, in week two. They have allowed a receiving touchdown in six of seven games this year. Last time, Tyreek Hill had his lowest yardage outing of the season. Hill has a massive upside of a WR1 for this matchup despite the Patriot’s defense playing well. Jaylen Waddle did find success, but he hasn’t been playing like the WR1 upside he showed last year. He is a high-end WR2 in hopes he can find WR1 value. Guys like Cedrick Wilson and Chase Claypool are outside the top 60. The tight end position is non-existent for the Dolphins, as Durham Smythe has just one catch this year. He is outside the top 24.

New York Jets vs New York Giants

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @ Metlife Stadium
• Weather – Potential Rain in the Afternoon
• What Vegas is saying – Line (NYJ -3.0) & Over/Under 36.5

Identifying the Game Script

Our next game is a home stadium rivalry between the Jets and the Giants. This is considered a home game for the Giants, but we know the Jets play in Metlife Stadium as well. The last time they faced off was back in 2019; The Jets would win a high-scoring game 34-31 over the Giants as they were considered the home team. The Jets are coming off their first week to the Eagles and are sitting at 3-3 with big hope to continue to do well. The Giants are coming off a solid win over the Commanders with their backup quarterback. The Jets need to continue to use their backfield as a focal point, as that is the Giants weak spot on defense. If the Giants offense can figure out their gameplay, it should be Darren Waller against the worst team at covering tight ends. It’s going to be a fun MetLife game for these teams.

Quarterbacks

Zach Wilson has not been a usable fantasy option at the quarterback. Coming off the bye, Wilson was coming in on back-to-back eight-point fantasy outings. The Jets found their run game, which didn’t force the ball into Wilson’s hands. Wilson has one game all season where he gained over 200 passing yards and more than one touchdown. This would be a decent game for Wilson if he were trustworthy for fantasy. The Giants have allowed four quarterbacks well over 225 passing yards. They also allowed two touchdown games in two of the last three outings. Wilson hasn’t been a fantasy factor all season, and I’m not expecting that to change this week. He is outside the top 24 quarterbacks in week eight.

Daniel Jones is out for week eight again. Tyrod Taylor will get his third start for the team. Taylor is coming off his best game with 25 fantasy points in a favorable matchup with the Commanders. Since Taylor has been the starter, the offense has looked better overall. Taylor is playing smart football right now with some big plays and no turnovers. The Jets are a decent team against fantasy quarterbacks this year. They aren’t a team to allow big passing yardage to opposing quarterbacks or big touchdown performances. You can do enough to be decent, as the Jets have allowed a QB1 in the last two weeks. Taylor has shown the ability to run with 20 yards in back-to-back games. The Jets have allowed 40-plus rushing yards to a quarterback in the last three games. Taylor could have a decent outing this week, even with the Jets getting their secondary healthy. He is a borderline QB2 in week eight.

Running Backs

The Jets backfield is turning back into a one-person role with Breece Hall at the top. Over the past few weeks, Hall has been seeing more snaps and getting more work. Hall got the short-yardage role in week six and more passing work. Since getting over 50% of the offensive snaps, Hall has produced over 15 fantasy points in each game. The Giants run defense is not very good, as they have allowed seven running backs to gain over 70 rushing yards this season. It doesn’t stop with rushing yards, as they also have given up a rushing touchdown in six of seven games. As Breece Hall continues to see more snaps in the offense, his fantasy value will continue to rise. Hall should see over 65% of the offensive snaps and finish as an RB1 in week eight. Neither Dalvin Cook nor Michael Carter are showing any fantasy value right now. Both are seeing limited touches and are not producing with such work. They should be ranked outside the top 50 in week eight.

The Giants backfield continues to be a one-person show with Saquon Barkley back on the field. Since his return, Barkley has averaged 25 touches and scored over ten fantasy points in both games. His backup, Matt Breida, has only seen a handful of touches in the last two weeks. The Jets are a favorable matchup for Barkley this week. The Jets have allowed a 60-yard rusher in four of six games this year. They are vulnerable to pass-catcher backs who have had some big production in the air. The only concern is the Jets have only allowed one rushing touchdown on the season. Barkley is a top-tier fantasy running back and will continue to see a significant workload in the offense to make up for the passing game. Barkley will be an RB1 in week eight. 

Pass Catchers

For the Jets pass catchers, their offense revolves around Garrett Wilson. Wilson has double the receptions targets and touchdowns over the next-best Jets receiver. Zack Wilson focuses heavily on Garrett Wilson when he looks at throwing the ball. For the Giants secondary, they have allowed three straight games of a 90-yard receiver. They also have allowed a receiving touchdown in five of seven games this year. Wilson has double-digit targets and two of the last three games. In a favorable matchup, Wilson should be able to get close to 100 receiving yards and finish as a high-end WR3 with upside.

No other Jets receiver has stood out this year, and they all should be outside the top 60 for week eight. Tyler Conklin has been solid this year, and he has another prime opportunity to do well against the Giants. The Giants have been better the last two weeks vs. tight ends, but they have allowed three tight ends over 50 yards this year. Conklin has been leading this tight end group all season and should be a mid-range TE2 in week eight. 

For the Giants pass catchers outside of Darren Waller, it isn’t easy to trust most of them. Not a single one of them is consistent for fantasy. This matchup is tough as the Jets have been good vs. receivers. They haven’t allowed a touchdown to a receiver since week one and are getting their secondary back. They have allowed three receivers over 60 yards (Stefon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, and AJ Brown), and the Giants don’t have a receiver like that on the team. The three starters are Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, and Wan’Dale Robinson. None of them are getting over ten fantasy points per game. I’d give Robinson the only shot as a low-end WR5, but everyone else is outside the top 60. 

Darren Waller should do well in this game for the tight end position. The Jets allow the most fantasy points per game to the tight ends. They have allowed five touchdowns to the position this year. Waller is coming off his best game of the season with 19 fantasy points. He has 80 yards in two of the last three games and 26 targets in the span with Taylor. Waller should remain a TE1 in week eight. 

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @ Acrisure Stadium
• Weather – Clouds with periods of rain
• What Vegas is saying – Line (NO -2.5) & Over/Under 41

Identifying the Game Script

The last time the Jaguars and the Steelers played each other was back in 2020. The Steelers would win easily 27-3 over the Jaguars. The Jaguars continue to play good football after their third straight win on TNF over the Saints. The Steelers are coming off a solid win over the LA Rams on the road. This game looks high scoring, as both teams should be able to pass on each other. The star of this game is in the Jaguars backfield going up against a Steelers run defense that has been beatable this year. We’ve been waiting for the Steelers pass attack to step up, and this could be the perfect matchup to do so. We should have an enjoyable game in Pittsburgh this weekend.

Quarterbacks

In week seven, Trevor Lawrence barely got over 20 fantasy points, the second time since week one. It’s surprising to see Lawrence play in this game despite having a knee injury. He played well enough to be a usable fantasy quarterback. The Steelers are a winnable matchup for Lawrence to do well. The lowest opposing passer against the Steelers has been 220 yards this year. They have allowed three quarterbacks to pass for two touchdowns in three of six games. Unfortunately for Lawrence, he has only passed for two touchdowns in two of seven games, but part of that has to do with Travis Etienne having a load of rushing touchdowns. Lawrence isn’t playing at the level we thought he would come into the season, but he should still be a low-end QB1. He needs to use his small rushing floor and a favorable matchup to show off his elite fantasy traits.

Kenny Pickett has a great matchup in week eight. The Jaguars allow the fourth most fantasy points per game vs. quarterbacks. They have allowed five passers to throw for over 280 yards in a game. They have given at least one passing touchdown to all seven opposing quarterbacks this year. This game will come down to Pickett, whether he’ll be one that can throw for 280 yards and get at least one touchdown or finish with 200 passing yards. Pickett still has not thrown for over 240 passing yards this year and just one game with two passing touchdowns. Pickett has the weapons, but it is tough to trust his play. I’d be willing to take the shot on him in this matchup in Superflex leagues. I have Pickett as a low-end QB2 in week eight. 

Running Backs

For the Jaguars running game, Travis Etienne has been a man on fire this season. He has three straight games with two rushing touchdowns. He has scored over 15 fantasy points in five of seven games this year. He is running a decent 4.0, but his touchdowns and usage in the passing game propel his great season. The Steelers have given up many rushing yards to backs this season. There have been seven running backs to run over 60 yards against the Steelers. Etienne should continue to see close to 20 touches and be in prime situations to run in for another touchdown. He is an RB1 in week eight. This is a one-person backfield, so no other backs are inside the top 50 right now.

We continue to see a close split between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren for the Steelers backfield. Week seven was the first time all year that Harris saw more targets than Warren in a game. This is going to be a challenging game, mainly for Harris. The Jaguars have allowed just three running backs over 50 rushing yards this year. Harris has just two games over seven fantasy points this year. He is likely a low-end RB3 unless he can find his way into the endzone. Jaylen Warren has a prime opportunity to have a good game, but it will depend on his usage. He has had his fewest touches since week one, and that came off a bye week, which is concerning. The Jaguars have allowed five-plus receptions to four different backs this year, so if Warren is used as a pass catcher, he may thrive in fantasy. He is also an RB3 in this game.

Pass Catchers

The Jaguars pass catchers we love and hate at the same time. Chrisitan Kirk remains a solid fantasy option in our lineups this season, while Calvin Ridley has fantasy owners ready to dump him off their teams. The group has a fantastic matchup in week eight against the Steelers. The Steelers allow the second most fantasy points per game to receivers. They have allowed seven receivers to gain over 70 receiving yards this year. This year, they have allowed three receivers in six games to have a multi-touchdown game. Chrisitan Kirk has been fantastic, averaging 14 fantasy points per game this year. It has helped that Zay Jones has been hurt, allowing Kirk to be on the outside. Jones is out this week, which will continue to enable Kirk to thrive. I like Kirk has a high-end WR2 in week eight.

Calvin Ridley is difficult to put in lineups since he has more games under six fantasy points than over that. He has been under five fantasy points in the last two games. Ridley falls to a WR3 value that you can flex, but he has become more of a boom/bust receiver this season. For the tight end position, Evan Engram has a tougher matchup. The Steelers have allowed three tight ends over 20 yards this year, which end up with at least 45 yards when they do. They also have given up only one touchdown in the position. Even in tough matchups, Engram has proven to be matchup-proof to some extent. He is still a TE1 in week eight.  

The Steelers pass catchers have a nice boost with Diontae Johnson returning and second-year receiver George Pickens rising. The Jaguars secondary is a favorable matchup for this duo to thrive in week eight. They have allowed at least one receiving touchdown to a receiver in each game. They have allowed five receivers to reach over 90 receiving yards through seven games. Pickens’ play style fits what the Jaguars seem unable to stop in the offense. He still saw eight targets in the game with Johnson on the field. Pickens is a WR3, but I hope the targets stay high. Johnson is dealing with an injury, so he may miss this game. Pickens would jump to a borderline WR2 if that were the case. 

Diontae Johnson returned to the field in week seven with five receptions for 79 yards. Johnson has always been a PPR machine, but seeing good yardage is encouraging. Johnson is dealing with an injury that had him sit out in Thursday’s practice. If he does play, Johnson should be a WR3 with a PPR value. For the tight end position, the Jaguars allow the position to be successful. The Jaguars allow the fourth most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They have allowed a tight end to produce over 50 yards in three of the last four games. Connor Heyward played in week seven as the TE1, having two catches for 23 yards. Heyward has sleeper potential in this game. I still have him outside my top 24 tight ends. If Johnson were to miss, Heyward would jump into a low-end TE2. 

Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @ FedEx Field
• Weather – Cloudy Skies
• What Vegas is saying – Line (PHI -7.0) & Over/Under 43.5

Identifying the Game Script

Our next divisional game is the second of two matches between the Eagles and the Commanders. A few weeks ago, the Eagles would get an overtime win, 34-31, over the Commanders. Now the Commanders are home, and we’ll have to see if we can get another high-scoring game. The Commanders are coming off a bad loss against the Giants, as their offense seems very out of sync right now. The Eagles showed defensive dominance over the Dolphins. That brotherly love 4th and one plays are stupid! The Eagles pass attack should be on full display against the Commanders, who have not been able to stop anyone in the air this year. This game also could help the Commanders get back on track in the air, but the Eagles have gotten healthy in the secondary. We may not see a high-scoring game like we did a few weeks ago.

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts torched the Commanders defense with 300 yards and two passing touchdowns the last time they faced off. The Commanders have allowed 270 passing yards and two touchdowns to each of the previous four opposing quarterbacks. Despite Hurts being banged up, Hurts should continue to be an elite fantasy option in week eight. He is a QB1 in my books.

Sam Howell may not last the season since he has been sacked 40 times in just seven games this year. Howell had his second-worst games of the season. It’s hard to pinpoint why and when Howell will have a good game. The last time Howell played the Eagles, he put up 21 fantasy points on the road. Howell is risky with that Eagles defense looking very healthy, but Howell may be forced to throw the ball a ton. He is a mid-range QB2 who is very risky to start.

Running Backs

The Eagles backfield continues to look more and more like D’Andre Swift to own. He had his most snaps among the offense of the season. Swift has seen his fantasy points slowly drop over each of the last four weeks of the season. He is still seeing 18-plus touches in each game, which makes him a safe running back. The last time Swift played the Commanders, he finished with 15 fantasy points in week four. Since that game, the Commanders have allowed a 70-yard rusher in two of the following three games but zero rushing touchdowns. Because this is such a good situation for the pass attack, it could leave the run game not being needed as much. Swift should still be a borderline RB1 in week eight. Kenny Gainwell got a touchdown in week seven, but he is outside my top 50 as he is not very effective in fantasy. 

For the Commanders backfield, Brian Robinson has been saved with a couple of touchdowns in the last three weeks. He has been under 40 rushing yards in the previous three games. The Eagles are an elite run defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. The Eagles have not allowed a rusher over 55 yards this season. The last time Robinson played the Eagles, he was saved with a rushing touchdown that made him fantasy day. The Commanders seem to abandon the run very fast when they are down. Robinson is a risky RB3 in week eight. It could be worse if this Chris Rodriguez situation continues, as he led the team in yards last week. Antonio Gibson would be interesting here, but he is not being used much, and his production is inconsistent for fantasy. Gibson and Rodriguez are outside the top 50 running backs in week eight.

Pass Catchers

For the Eagles pass catchers, they have another great matchup in week eight. AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 253 receiving yards the last time they played the Commanders. Since then, they have allowed 480 receiving yards to the top receiver in each opposing team in the following three games. AJ Brown has been unstoppable, with five straight games over 100 yards. He should be the top WR1 in week eight. DeVonta Smith has gone over ten fantasy points just once over the last five weeks. The one week was against the Commanders, in which he had 11.3 fantasy points. It’s hard to have complete confidence in Smith, but he should be a mid-range WR2. It would be nice to see a Julio Jones touchdown in this game!

For Dallas Goedert, he has been on a solid three-game streak of good fantasy production. Last time, Goedert only had 25 receiving yards against the Commanders. Since that game, the Commanders have allowed three games with a touchdown and 40 yards to opposing tight ends. Goedert should be a solid TE1 in week eight. 

For the Commander’s pass catchers, Terry McLaurin has been playing much better as of late. He has 80 yards in three of the last four games. This matchup against the Eagles is favorable as they allow the third most fantasy points per game to receivers. Last time, McLaurin had eight receptions for 80 yards. The Eagles have given up at least one 80-yard receiver in the following three weeks. McLaurin and Howell have found a connection, and we should continue to enjoy it. McLaurin should be a mid-range WR2 in week eight.

Curtis Samuel, for a while, was the most productive pass catcher, but he is coming off a bad game. The last time he played the Eagles, he put up 50 yards and a rushing touchdown. Samuel can still have value in this matchup and should be a low-end WR5 for fantasy. Jahan Dotson may have produced his most yards on the season in week seven, but he is still outside my top 60 receivers. For the tight end position, Logan Thomas has been the poster boy of a borderline TE1 in fantasy. He has had decent games most of the season. He had 40 yards last time against the Eagles. The Eagles haven’t allowed a touchdown in a while to the tight ends, but Thomas should be able to have a productive day for starting lineups. He is a borderline TE1 in week eight. 

Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 1:00 pm @Bank of America Stadium
• Weather – Sunny Day
• What Vegas is saying – Line (HOU -3.0) & Over/Under 43.5

Identifying the Game Script

The Texans and the Panthers last faced off back in 2021. The Panthers would win 24-9 over the Texans. Both teams are coming off byes, and we are getting the face off the 2023 NFL draft 1st and 2nd overall picks. Let’s see who made better adjustments during the bye. The Texans are coming off a good win over the Saints, as they are 3-3. The Panthers are looking to rebound after a blowout loss to the Dolphins in week six. The Texans will look to come out and establish the run, as they haven’t this year. There is no better way than against the Panthers terrible run defense. This will be a test of Byrce Young since the Texans are a tough secondary to throw again. Two teams are looking to find a spark in week eight.

Quarterbacks

CJ Stroud is coming off two mediocre performances after being red hot in weeks two to four. He has had tougher matchups, but the Panthers are a little easier. The Panthers have dealt with injuries in their secondary that have left them very vulnerable to passing offenses. The last two quarterbacks they faced threw for 230 yards and three passing touchdowns. Stroud will get his buddy Tank Dell back this week, too, which will help him. Their offensive line should be the healthiest it’s been since week one. Stroud should end up as a QB1 in week eight. 

Bryce Young has been playing a bit better in recent weeks but still managed to have only one game over 16 fantasy points. Coming off the bye week, I’m intrigued to see if they have more plays to help Young succeed in games. Young has a tough matchup for fantasy this week. The Texans have given up some high-yardage finishes over the last few weeks but only four passing touchdowns this year. Young isn’t trustworthy yet in fantasy to step up for a big challenge like the Texans secondary, who have gotten some players back over the last two weeks. Young sits outside the top 24 quarterbacks in week eight. 

Running Backs

The Texans backfield has been a big disappointment to many fantasy owners this year. Dameon Pierce has gotten over ten fantasy points twice but is running at a 2.9 YPC. In week six, before their bye week, Devin Singletary finished with more offensive snaps than Pierce in a close game. Singletary pushed in on Peirce’s early down role and short yardage. Pierce is starting to lose his role and can’t seem to run well in the offense despite seeing big workloads.

This is a fantastic matchup for this backfield, as the Panthers allow the second most fantasy points per game to running backs. They have allowed at least two rushing touchdowns in five of six games this year. In the last four games, they have allowed a 90-yard rusher. This is tough since we won’t know who will see more work until the game. Pierce is a low-end RB2 who may have an RB1 upside in this game. It’s hard to trust Pierce, but that matchup seems too good not to give him a chance in week eight. Devin Singletary is an RB4 who also has some upside, but we don’t know if he will see more work or not. He would be a risky flex play that could pay off in the end.

For the Panthers backfield, we could be looking at a full-blown committee again. While Miles Sanders sat out a game, Chuba Hubbard looked fantastic, rushing for 80 yards and scoring in week six. Sanders got in a full practice on Thursday, making it seem like he’ll be back and ready to go again. Did Hubbard do enough to take work away from Sanders? It’s the big question. We must assume that Sanders earned his starting role based on how much they paid him, but Hubbard deserves more work. Sanders was taking over the early downs, while Hubbard was the passing downs back in the early portion of the season. 

This matchup for the Panthers backfield is beatable for them but not amazing. The Texans have sharpened up on defense. After allowing four rushing touchdowns in the first three weeks, they haven’t let one in the last three games. They have allowed a 60-yard rusher in four of the six games this year. They should be ranked as RB3s, with Sanders higher and Hubbard on the border to RB4 in week eight.

Pass Catchers

The Texans receivers have been nice this year, with breakout Nico Collins and rookie Tank Dell making noise. For the receivers, it’s a decent matchup against the Panthers secondary. They have given up a 70-yard receiver in five straight games. They also have given up six receiving touchdowns in the last four weeks. That secondary is weakened by key losses like Jaycee Horn and Jeremy Chinn, making it easier for receivers. Collins has been the tale of elite, average, and poor this season. He has two games under each category with his fantasy finishes. Collins seems to play better at home than on the road. At home in three games, he has 18 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns. On the road, in three games, Collins had 11 receptions for 153 yards and zero touchdowns. Collins is a low-end WR2 in this matchup, as the road splits have me slightly concerned. 

Bob Woods will likely miss this game, so Tank Dell should have no issues finding this way back in the starting lineup. Dell has been a little boom or bust in fantasy this year, and coming off a bye, I’d be interested to see how he is used. I’d value him as a boom/bust WR4 with considerable upside. Noah Brown returned from injury and saw five targets in his first game. He has been in the slot this year but is still outside the top 60 this week. For the tight end position, it’s an average matchup for Dalton Schultz. Schultz has been on fire the last three weeks, with 40 yards and a touchdown in each game. Schultz has found his stride with the offense. The Panthers have allowed three tight ends over 40 yards, but overall, it’s been okay. I’ll continue to ride along with Schultz’s recent success as a low TE1 in week eight. 

For the Panthers pass catchers, Adam Thielen is the only reliable one for fantasy. Thielen has been dominant, with over 20 fantasy points in three of the last four games. The Texans are an excellent secondary, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game this year. They have allowed just two receiving touchdowns to receivers in six games. Over the last two weeks, they have allowed three 70-yard receivers in games. Thielen should be a high-end WR2 since it’s hard to get away from a player who has seen 13 targets in three of the last four games. 

For the rest of the Panthers receivers, DJ Chark is just outside my WR5 spots. He has consistent targets but not production. Rookie Jonathan Mingo, I’m hoping during the bye week, they found a way to unleash him in the offense. He is a low-end WR5 in my books, and I’m hoping for some upside. Hayden Hurst is a non-existent tight end and way outside the top 24. 

Cleveland Browns vs Seattle Seahawks

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 4:05 pm @ Lumen Field
• Weather – Mostly Sunny
• What Vegas is saying – Line (SEA -3.5) & Over/Under 38

Identifying the Game Script

The Brown and Seahawks haven’t played each other since the 2019 season. The Seahawks, on the road, would win a high-scoring game 32-28 over the Browns. The Browns are coming off a shootout win over the Colts, where PJ Walker was the quarterback. The Seahawks took care of business against the poor Cardinals team. This one will likely be a low-scoring game due to both offenses not being very good. The Browns may have to rely on the passing game since it’s challenging to run in Seattle. Seattle needs to figure out their passing game against a very tough secondary. This may be a snooze feast.

Quarterbacks

PJ Walker will start week eight since Deshaun Watson is still rehabbing his shoulder. Walker hasn’t done well in fantasy, finishing under six fantasy points in both games. Walker has a decent matchup, as Seattle has given up good production to their opposing quarterbacks. They allowed 300 yards in the first three weeks, but in the last three weeks, no passer has thrown for 205 yards. Walker on the road is a challenging place for week eight. He would be outside the top 24 quarterbacks.

Geno Smith has been a disappointment in 2023. He barely has two games over 16 fantasy points this year. My biggest issue is that Smith makes fewer downfield throws than he did in 2022. We also see the backfield take many touchdowns on the ground in the red zone. The Browns have an elite defense that has been a top-ten unit against fantasy quarterbacks. Outside of this past week, the Browns kept quarterbacks under 230 passing yards and just four touchdowns total. They have allowed four rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. If Smith were playing like he was last year, I’d feel more confident in him. I’d put Smith outside the top 24 quarterbacks in week eight.

Running Backs

For the Browns backfield, they may be without Jerome Ford in week eight. Ford is dealing with an injury, but he practiced on Friday. If he plays, then you should assume he is limited in some way. The matchup against Seattle is not that great. Seattle hasn’t allowed a rusher over 70 yards this season. Seattle started the season by giving up five rushing touchdowns in the first three weeks. Since then, they have not allowed a rushing touchdown. If Ford plays, he would likely be an RB3 at best.

If Ford doesn’t play, the backfield will be Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong. Hunt had a really good fantasy week seven as he had two touchdowns. Hunt is likely coming into this game slightly banged up, as he has been limited at practice. His role should remain almost the same, but he should see more early-down work. Hunt’s week eight value should be an RB3 that would likely need a touchdown to end up having a great day. I don’t have confidence this backfield sees a big fantasy day. Pierre Strong will see work in this game, but how much is the big question. Strong will likely see eight to ten carries but will probably be a borderline RB4. If Ford plays, then Hunt would drop to a high-end RB4.

Kenneth Walker has missed practice this week dealing with a calf injury. He was not on the final injury report; I’d have him as a low-end RB2. The Browns have been a decent run defense, as they have only allowed one running back over 60 yards this year. They have given up a rushing touchdown in back-to-back games, which felt impossible to do earlier this year. Zach Charbonnet hasn’t gotten much opportunity this year because Walker has played very well. Charbonnet would jump into an RB2 role as he could have most of the groundwork. DeeJay Dallas would likely see the passing down role in the offense, but the role would not account for fantasy production. A name to keep your eyes on is Kenny McIntosh, who is returning from IR in this game.

Pass Catchers

The Browns pass catchers are already at a disadvantage due to Deshaun Watson not playing in this game. Seattle’s secondary has stepped up and started playing better football. In the first three weeks, they allowed five receivers over 80 yards. Since then, they have allowed just one 80-yard receiver. Amari Cooper is the WR1 this season, but in the two games that Deshaun Watson has missed, Cooper has not done well. Cooper has three receptions for 38 yards and two of the last three games without Watson. Cooper is a high-end WR4 in week eight.

Elijah Moore had one of his better receiving days this year with 59 yards in week seven. He is still challenging to trust since he hasn’t seen over ten fantasy points in a game this year. Moore is, at best, a low-end WR5 in week eight. For the tight end position, David Njoku has been very mediocre this season. He does have four games over 40 yards, but he hasn’t had the same upside as in past seasons. Seattle is a formidable defense against fantasy tight ends this year. They haven’t allowed a tight end over 30 years in the last four weeks. They also haven’t given up a touchdown to the position this year. Njoku, with his up-and-down struggles, should be a low-end TE2.

For the Seattle pass catchers, they have a tough matchup in week eight. The Browns have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers this season. They have been great at stopping fantasy receivers, but in the last two weeks, they have allowed three receivers over 70 yards and two receiving touchdowns. DK Metcalf missed last week with an injury but practiced in full this week. Metcalf has been solid for most of the season, with week six being his worst game, and he left for a portion of that game. Metcalf is seeing the targets share that is trustworthy for lineups. Metcalf will be a low-end WR2 in week eight.

Tyler Lockett has been a disappointment this season. In a game where he always dominates Arizona, he finished with just 38 yards. He has played more of a boom/bust role in fantasy football this year. He hasn’t scored a touchdown in over four weeks now. Lockett, in a tough matchup, is a borderline WR3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is coming off a solid game in week seven with Metcalf out. It’s hard to trust JSN in most flex spots because both veteran receivers are playing, and Smith isn’t throwing well. His time isn’t here yet, and he should be a WR5 at best. Jake Bobo is a great name, but Metcalf is now back. For the tight end position, the Browns allow the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the WR position. Seattle’s tight end room is a full-on committee. None of them are in the top 24 in week eight.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 4:25 pm @ Empower Field at Mile High
• Weather – Snow in the Morning – Cold day
• What Vegas is saying – Line (KC -7.0) & Over/Under 47

Identifying the Game Script

We have another divisional game meeting for the second time this year. The Chiefs would win a close-scoring game, 19-8 on TNF over the Broncos. The Chiefs last lost to the Broncos in 2015. The Chiefs are coming off a divisional win over the Chargers. The Broncos are coming off a hard-fought win over the Packers. This game favors the Chief’s offense, as they had their way against the Broncos last time. The Broncos are one of the worst defenses in football. The Broncos will have to scheme ways to move the ball because they could not do that last time. This could be a heavy, one-sided game this time around.

Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes put up an elite week seven performance, going over 400 yards and four touchdowns. That is the Mahomes we all love for fantasy. He goes up again vs. the Broncos, where he put up 19 fantasy points. The Broncos defense has allowed big fantasy points all season to quarterbacks. While Mahomes is elite, he has not been that great on the road this year. He is averaging 260 yards and under two touchdowns per game. Mahomes is still a QB1 in this matchup.

Russell Wilson has not played well since playing the Chiefs two weeks ago. He has been under 200 passing yards in three straight games. The Broncos offense is out of sync and not playing well for fantasy. The Chiefs defense has been excellent against fantasy quarterbacks this year. Wilson is a mid-range QB2 in week eight.

Running Backs

The Chiefs backfield with Isiah Pacheco is in for a great game in week eight. The Broncos allow the most fantasy points per game to running backs. Pacheco had 90 yards against the Broncos the last time they played them. Pacheco has double-digit fantasy points in five straight games since week three. Pacheco is seeing a receiving role, helping his fantasy season with ten targets over these last two games. Pacheco is handling a good portion of the offense, with Jerick McKinnon as the third down back. Pacheco should be in line for an RB1 week since he should see 18-plus touches in this matchup. Neither McKinnon nor Clyde Edwards-Helaire are fantasy-relevant this season. 

The Broncos backfield is still somewhat of a three-man committee. Javonte Williams is back handling the early downs, and Samaje Perine is back on two-minute offense and third-down work. They sprinkle in Jaleel McLaughlin at times on every down. The Chiefs are a very good defense that forced all three to finish under six fantasy points a few weeks ago. I’m probably only going to trust Williams in this matchup. Williams saw double-digit carries since his return and is seeing some targets. It won’t be fantastic, but he is a serviceable low-end RB2. McLaughlin is a low-end RB4, as his role has dropped to under 20%, but it may only take one play to do something great. Samaje Perine has not been effective outside a few games in the passing game, but he is outside the top 50 running backs in week eight. 

Pass Catchers

For the Chiefs pass catchers, it’s all about Travis Kelce and a little Rashee Rice. The last time Kelce played the Broncos, he made nine receptions for 124 yards. The Broncos allow the third most fantasy points to tight ends this year. Kelce is a TE1. No questions asked. For the receivers, the only one I trust in this matchup is Rashee Rice. Rice has three straight games over nine fantasy points. He has back-to-back games over 60 yards and played his highest snaps in week seven. The Broncos have been slightly better against receivers lately, but Rice sees the work. If he continues to see more snaps and targets in this game, he has a good chance to finish as a WR3 this game. No other receiver we can trust in this matchup. 

The Broncos pass catchers have been average at best this year. Courtland Sutton continues to see double-digit fantasy points in five of seven games this year. He has been a consistent flex play in most weeks, especially seeing five touchdowns this year. Jerry Jeudy had his second-best game of the season with five receptions for 64 yards. Jeudy has been under ten fantasy points in four straight games. The last time they played the Chiefs, only Sutton had a decent game with 40 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs have only given up two receivers in the last five games with 70 or more yards. Sutton should be a high-end WR3, and Jeudy should be a low-end WR4. No other receiver or tight end, Adam Trautman, is anywhere near starting value. 

Balitmore Ravens vs Arizona Cardinals

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 4:25 pm @ State Farm Stadium
• Weather – Indoors 🙂
• What Vegas is saying – Line (BAL -9.5) & Over/Under 44.5

Identifying the Game Script

The last time these two bird teams played each other was back in 2019. The Ravens would win a close-scoring game, 23-17, over the Cardinals. The Ravens are coming off a dominant performance over a very good Lions team. The Cardinals were starting to slip down the competitive edge and lose to Seattle. This would be good for the Cardinals to establish the run since the Ravens secondary is very scary. The Ravens may have another 30-point week, as the Cardinals defense has struggled to stop anyone in the air or the ground. The run game should be able to dominate in week eight for the Ravens.

Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson is coming off an elite performance against a solid defense. Jackson had his first 300-yard and three-touchdown game of the season. Jackson’s floor has been solid, with 30 rushing yards in six of seven games this year. The one thing is that Jackson continues to turn the ball over with one turnover in every game. The Cardinals defense has recently struggled with allowing two-plus passing touchdown games in two of the last three games. A mobile quarterback can thrive against the Cardinals, as we saw Daniel Jones have 59 yards against them. Jackson should be in for another big fantasy performance and finish as a QB1 in week eight. 

Joshua Dobbs should start in week eight. Yes, Kylar Murray has been playing full practices, but the Cardinals have listed him as doubtful for Sunday. Joshua Dobbs’s fire has disappeared, as he has been under 17 fantasy points in the last three games. Dobbs was averaging 227 passing yards and 50 rushing yards per game early in the season. In the previous three weeks, he has averaged 182 yards, 30 rushing yards, and an interception per game. The Ravens allow the fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Since week three, the Ravens have only allowed two passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. They have done well keeping most passers under 250 yards. Dobbs will see a lot of pressure and likely sit outside the top 24 quarterbacks.

Running Backs

The Ravens backfield should be in for a good matchup in week eight. The Cardinals allow the third most fantasy points per game to running backs. The Cardinals have allowed a 100-yard rusher in four of the last five games. They don’t allow many rushing touchdowns, as they have allowed just two in six games. They did allow a three-touchdown performance, but that was to CMC. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill split the early downs and short yard last week. Hill had the passing downs, and Edward had the goal-line work. Edwards should be in for a big game as he finds a way to get over his 65-yard cap this year. I think Edwards can finish as a mid-range RB2 this week in a favorable matchup. Justice Hill will get work, but if they choose to run the ball, even in a blowout win last week, Hill had four carries. He is an RB4 with upside. 

The Cardinals pulled a switch on us after having Keatonay Ingram be the guy in week six. Emari Demercado was the guy in week seven. We must assume Demercado will be the guy since he did well in week seven. He had 58 yards and caught four balls in that game. The Ravens are a decent run defense but can be beaten in fantasy. They have allowed a 60-yard rusher and a rushing touchdown in back-to-back games. They also allow passing production, with 30 yards in three straight games. Demercado could be a sneaky play in week eight. He is a RB3 in this matchup. Neither Ingram nor Damien Williams has much value in this game. 

Pass Catchers

For the Ravens, pass catchers have only one consistent receiver, which is Zay Flowers. Flowers has averaged almost ten fantasy points per game. He does not have big games but is very consistent in what he does. The Cardinals have allowed six receiving touchdowns in the last three games. They also have allowed 140-yard receivers in three of the previous four games. Zay Flowers has a great matchup, but I don’t know if he will have a blowup game that the Cardinals have been giving up. He is a borderline WR2 in week eight. The only other receiver I’d consider in some situations may be Odell Beckham Jr. Odell had his best game as a Raven with five receptions for 49 yards. In a favorable matchup, and if Jackson keeps up what he did in week seven, Odell has WR5 value in week eight. 

Mark Andrews had another fantastic game with another two-touchdown outing. Andrews has 60 yards in four straight games. The Cardinals have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends this year. They have allowed three tight ends over 40 yards, but they haven’t given up a touchdown to the position yet. Andrew should have no problem finishing as a TE1.

For the Cardinals pass catchers, they have a difficult matchup as the Ravens allow the third-fewest fantasy points per game. They have allowed just three touchdowns and just one since week three. They haven’t allowed big yardage all season, but they have given up 100-yard receivers in two of the last three games. Hollywood Brown has not been good the previous two weeks, as he had been under ten fantasy points. He has continued to see a big target share, which makes him at least a low-end WR3 in week eight. One other receiver is Michael Wilson, the rookie. The type of receiver he is has been the Raven’s secondary this season. Wilson has not done much in the last three weeks, so it’s hard to consider him. He is likely outside the top 60, but I won’t be surprised if he beats his ranking in week eight. 

For the tight end position, Zach Ertz is now on the IR for the next four games. Second-year tight end Trey McBride gets a chance to step up. Last year, he had a few decent games as the starting tight end without Zach Ertz. The Ravens allow the fewest fantasy points to tight ends this year. They have allowed two tight ends over 40 yards but no touchdown. It will be interesting to see how much they involve McBride more now as the starter. He is a low-end TE2 in week eight. 

Cincinnati Bengals vs San Fran 49ers

Details of the Script

• Sunday – 4:25 pm @ Levi’s Stadium
• Weather – Sunny
• What Vegas is saying – Line (SF -4.0) & Over/Under 43.5

Identifying the Game Script

The Bengals and 49ers last played during the 2021 season. The 49ers would win a close one in overtime, 26-23, over the Bengals. The Bengals are coming off back-to-back wins as they took down the Seahawks in week six. The 49ers are coming off a shocking week seven loss to the turnover-prone Vikings. The Bengals will have to look at what the Vikings did on offense since the 49ers are an elite unit that just got beat. The 49ers backup quarterback may get the start in week eight, so taking advantage of a good matchup for their star tight end is a must. This may be a very competitive game that should be a close finish.

Quarterbacks

Joe Burrow hopes to get back to 100% because, before his bye, his season was not that great. He has one game over 20 fantasy points and wasn’t putting up good numbers. He has a tough matchup coming up against the 49ers. The 49ers did just give a 300 yards and two-touchdown game to Kirk Cousins, which was a surprise. Before that, they allowed five passing touchdowns and picked off the ball ten times. Burrow is a wildcard because we don’t know what to expect from him. Is he healthier and ready to be elite again, or will we see the average quarterback play? Burrow is likely a borderline QB1, but it’s tough to trust him in most lineups. Putting him in lineups is risky, but you’re betting on his talent. 

Brock Purdy is likely to miss week eight due to a concussion. That would put Sam Darnold in the driver’s seat for the 49ers. Darnold got a chance to start for the Panthers in 2022, and he was average at best. We know that quarterbacks just work in this offense for the 49ers. You can get decent quarterback play even from the worst. The Bengals have been a solid team against fantasy quarterbacks this year. They haven’t allowed many big performances for fantasy this year. I don’t expect Darnold to become an elite passer and a big fantasy star filling in for Purdy. The offense has too many weapons for him not to be decent in fantasy. He could be a surprise borderline QB2 in week eight. 

Running Backs

The Bengals backfield is only Joe Mixon. They have used all four backs this year, but the backups have been used at a bare minimum. Mixon has been average at best, not having one blowup game in 2023. He has been held under 14 fantasy points in each game this year. He averages 65 all-purpose yards per game. The 49ers have a pretty good run defense, allowing just one runner over 60 yards this year. Mixon, in a tough matchup, doesn’t give me much confidence that he can do great. He will likely finish with 60 all-purpose yards and get some receptions to finish as a low-end RB2. 

For the 49ers backfield, Christian McCaffrey may be needed to do even more with Sam Darnold at quarterback. CMC has been amazing this season, with a touchdown each week. CMC has been under 100 all-purpose for the last three weeks, which is something to note. The Bengals run defense is a beatable team that the 49ers can run on. They have allowed a 60-yard rusher in four of six games this year. They have allowed rushing touchdowns in the last three games. CMC should be fine as an RB1. Elijah Mitchell or Jordan Mason has no real value with CMC on the field. 

Pass Catchers

The Bengals pass catchers have a decent matchup in week eight. The 49ers have allowed a 95-yard receiver in three of the last four games. They have allowed five touchdowns in the last four games. JaMarr Chase has finally got things going in the previous four games with double-digit fantasy points. Chase should have no issues being able to produce in this matchup, as Burrow has locked in on him recently. Chase should finish as a WR1 in week eight.

Tee Higgins is weeks away from the initial injury he suffered. He will be a full go in this game. Higgins is hard to trust since he has just one game over 30 yards this season. Higgins has an upside that allows him to go off anytime, but I’m not trusting him here. He is a risky flex play that has him as a WR3 in this game. Tyler Boyd is a boom/bust WR5 that usually busts in most games. The Bengals tight end position has done nothing this year, and I don’t expect that to change.

The 49ers pass catchers will likely have Sam Darnold throwing toward them. Darnold is on the same level as Brock Purdy and maybe an even better deep-ball guy. Deebo Samuel is already out of this game, so Brandon Aiyuk will get another shot to be the WR1. The Bengals don’t allow big games to receivers, but they have allowed seven receivers over 60 yards this year. They have allowed a touchdown in four of six games. Aiyuk only has one game over ten fantasy points in the last four weeks. Aiyuk should be an acceptable WR2 with an upside to be a WR1. Jauan Jennings filled in nicely for Samuel with 57 yards in week seven. He should be a low-end WR5 in this matchup.

For the tight end position, George Kittle has an elite matchup against the Bengals. The Bengals allow the fifth most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They have allowed four touchdowns in six games to the position. They don’t allow many yards, but Kittle is an elite tight end. He should continue to offer you that best boom/bust TE1 role in week eight.

Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Chargers

Details of the Script

• SNF – 8:20 pm @ SoFi Stadium
• Weather – Indoors 🙂
• What Vegas is saying – Line (LAC -8.5) & Over/Under 46.5

Identifying the Game Script

Our SNF game is between the Bears and the Chargers. They would last play in 2019, as the Chargers would win 17-16 over the Bears. The Bears are coming off a solid win at home using their backup quarterback over the Raiders. The Chargers are coming off a tough loss to their division rival, the Chiefs. The Bears have an excellent chance to do well, as the Chargers secondary has been terrible this season. The last time the Chargers played a rookie quarterback, it was sack city that week. The Chargers need to get Austin Ekeler going, as the Bears give up a ton of work to pass-catching backs. We could see a higher-scoring game in LA.

Quarterbacks

Tyson Bagent will get another start as Justin Field is out with his hand injury. Bagent wasn’t asked to do so much in last week’s win. There were a lot of short passes for him not to mess up and allow these backs to run. He has a fantastic opportunity to perform since the Chargers allow the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Chargers have allowed 238 passing yards or more in each game this year. Every quarterback has at least one touchdown against the Chargers, and five have at least two touchdowns. The last time the Chargers played a rookie quarterback this year, Aidan O’Connell was sacked seven times and had the worst performance against the Chargers. I don’t think Bagent will do that well, but with the weapons he has around him, there could be some upside. He has deep sleeper potential but is likely outside the top 24 quarterbacks. 

Justin Herbert is coming off his worst game of the season with just 12 fantasy points. It is hard to do well at Arrowhead. I expect a full bounce back for Herbert. The Bears are a bottom-ten defense against fantasy quarterbacks in 2023. They have given up muli-touchdowns games to four of seven quarterbacks this year. We’ve seen the elite quarterback be able to do nicely vs. the Bears secondary. Herbert should be back as a QB1 in week eight. 

Running Backs

The Bears backfield has been solid the last two weeks since their three-man committee has turned into a one-man workhorse back. D’Onta Foreman is coming off a three-touchdown performance in week seven. Roschon Johnson will likely come back in week eight. The Chargers have given up production to fantasy running backs this year. It hasn’t been consistent, but we’ve seen opposing running backs be able to finish as RB2 in fantasy. Foreman should continue most of the work in this game, even with Johnson back. Foreman has proven to be a reliable option in fantasy. He should be a low-end RB2 in this matchup. Roschon Johnson will likely see his role before, where he saw around ten touches. His role will expand, but I don’t think so in week eight. He is a borderline RB3 with some upside. 

For the Chargers backfield, Austin Ekeler has been a concern for fantasy. He has 108 yards in two games with just four receptions. Ekeler is also not seeing the significant target share we are used to seeing. He has been under six targets in eight straight games since last year. This will be a game for Ekeler to bounce back as the Bears allow production to pass-catching backs. The Bears have given up five-plus receptions in five of seven games this year. They have been better on the ground since they haven’t allowed a running back over 50 rushing yards in the last three weeks. We have to continue to trust that Austin Ekeler will bounce back and be the elite player he is. He should still be an RB1 in week seven. Joshua Kelley had 75 yards and a touchdown in week seven. I’m not buying that to be a thing with Ekeler back. He is outside the top 50 running backs in week eight. 

Pass Catchers

The Bears pass catchers have been downgraded, with Tayson Bagent at quarterback. The matchup is fantastic since the Chargers allow the most fantasy points per game to receivers. They have allowed seven receivers over 70 yards this year. They have allowed nine receiving touchdowns this season, with one in every game. DJ Moore has been under ten fantasy points in the last two weeks with Bagent. He is still seeing eight-plus targets in those games. Moore should likely be a low-end WR2 because of Bagent’s limits. Unless they open him up, then Moore has WR1 upside in a great matchup. I wouldn’t trust Darnell Mooney since he hasn’t really done much this year, even in a favorable matchup. He would likely be outside the top 60 receivers. He needs to show it before he sees starting lineups. Cole Kmet has been terrible with Bagent on the field the last two weeks. The Chargers did just allow Travie Kelce to have 179 yards, but I don’t trust Kmet to play like that. He is, at best, a mid-range TE2.

For the Chargers pass catchers, they have a decent matchup in week eight. The Bears have allowed a receiver to score a touchdown in four straight games. They have only allowed one receiver over 70 yards this season. Keenan Allen should still be a great start and will be a WR1 you can trust. Joshua Palmer has been playing well with Mike Williams out. He blew up in week seven with 133 yards. He has over 60 yards in four straight games. He is a fine, high-end WR3 in this matchup. Quentin Johnston was outside the top 60 receivers until he has any actual production. Gerald Everett has a touchdown in back-to-back games but is injured. He should be able to play in this matchup. The Bears have allowed a tight end over 50 yards in four games this year. Everett isn’t doing much outside the touchdowns this year, so he has some upside as a mid-range TE2.