The 2025 Fantasy Football season has been an exciting ride, full of surprises. Players we thought would be key contributors are underperforming, injuries have impacted teams, and some players are making impressive comebacks. New breakout stars are emerging, and player roles are constantly evolving.
Remember, each week offers valuable lessons. No matter where you are in your Fantasy Football league, don’t give up if you’re struggling, and don’t get complacent if you’re ahead. The Fantasy Football season is a marathon, not a sprint, and I’m here to help you maximize every opportunity to “Play 2 Win.” Let’s get it!
More Week 8 Fantasy Football Fun!: | Sneaky Starts | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire | Weekly Sleepers & Streamers | Starts & Sits | Skrip’s Week Winners | NFL DFS | NFL Player Props | IDP Analysis | Bold Predictions | Survivor Picks | NFL Injury Report | Dynasty Trade Targets | Weekly Rankings | Dynasty Risers and Fallers
2025 Fantasy Football: Weekly Winners – Week 8
Bo Nix vs. DAL
Bo Nix nearly broke Fantasy last week with his 39.96 score. He threw 27/50 for 279 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, rushed for 48 yards, and scored a pair of rushing touchdowns. This was the third game Nix threw multiple touchdowns, the second game he finished with over 275 passing yards, and his third week scoring over 20 Fantasy Points.
Up next is a Cowboys defense allowing the most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and also the most passing yards per game (260.3) this season. Nix can stay hot after a huge Fantasy Football showing last week.
Jordan Love vs. PIT
Jordan Love has been hot and cold for Fantasy Football this year, with two weeks over 20 Fantasy Points but also three weeks under 15 points. Love has three games with multiple passing touchdowns, three games with over 250 passing yards, and four weeks completing 72%+ of his passes.
The Packers will face a Steelers defense in Week 8 that allows the fourth-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and the second-most passing yards per game (258.8). This sort of matchup boosts Love to having a plus Fantasy week again.
Michael Penix Jr. vs MIA
Michael Penix Jr. is dealing with an injury that was reported not to be considered serious. Penix flashed in Week 1, throwing for 298 yards and a touchdown, with 21 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown for 24 Fantasy Points. Then in Week 4, Penix threw for 312 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for 18.7 Fantasy Points. Two flashes of upside in a system with Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Darnell Mooney. The downside is two weeks scoring under six Fantasy Points, so there is risk here.
The Falcons will face a Miami defense in Week 8 that allows the sixth-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks this season. This lines up as a week that Penix looks like a quarterback stream, with so many teams on BYE. Risk reward plug here.
D’Andre Swift vs. BAL
Following the Bears’ Week 5 BYE, D’Andre Swift has been on fire. 14 rushing attempts for 108 yards (7.7 yards per attempt) paired with two catches for 67 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 6 was 25.5 Fantasy Points. Then in Week 7, Swift rushed 19 times for 124 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and a touchdown, with a 14-yard reception for 20.8 Fantasy Points. Huge production on the ground, and I still feel like his pass-catching upside can be unlocked even more.
In Week 8, the Bears face the Ravens, who allow the second-most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the seventh-most rushing yards per game (134.3) this season. Lamar Jackson may or may not return from injury, which will have an impact on this game script. At the end of the day, this is a good matchup on paper, and Swift is hot, so ride the hot hand for Fantasy Football.
Breece Hall vs. CIN
There are a lot of question marks when it comes to the Jets, and as of Wednesday, we do not even know who their starting quarterback is for Week 8. There have been a ton of Breece Hall inconsistencies as well for Fantasy Football, with three weeks over 16 Fantasy Points paired with four weeks under 10 points. The positives are two weeks over 100 rushing yards, three weeks over 5.5 yards per carry, and three weeks of four or more receptions.
The Jets match up against a Bengals defense that is allowing the most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the sixth-most rushing yards per game (137.3). Joe Flacco might be elevating this Bengals offense, but he can’t do anything about the defense. If you are iffy about starting a specific player who is inconsistent, a great matchup could persuade you. Especially if you still believe in the Breece talent.
Rachaad White vs. NO
Bucky Irving will again be out for Week 8, which means Rachaad White should operate as the lead back. White finished with 14 touches and a poor outing in Week 7, but the game script against Detroit was a key reason for that. In Weeks 5-6, Rachaad scored 23.1 and then 17.6 Fantasy Points. White totaled 18 and 20 touches for 71, then 86 scrimmage yards with three touches during this span. White has a history of Fantasy relevance, so Fantasy production should not be a surprise.
The Buccaneers will face a Saints defense in Week 8 that allows the 11th-most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the ninth-most rushing yards per game (129.4). While the Saints have certainly been competitive this season despite their record, the game script will not likely mean Tampa Bay chasing the game as they did last week, which can be in White’s favor.
James Cook vs. CAR
James Cook has had back-to-back down weeks for Fantasy Football, but that changes in Week 8. Cook opened up the first four weeks of the season, averaging 18.75 rushing attempts, 100.25 rushing yards, 1.25 rushing touchdowns, three receptions, 22.25 receiving yards, and 22.75 Fantasy Points.
The Bills have lost two games in a row now, but the Panthers is a great game to “get right” and a positive game script for James Cook. Carolina has not been extremely giving in terms of Fantasy Points allowed to running backs, or rushing yards per game allowed, but they are one the Bills can handle here in Week 8.
Rashee Rice vs. WSH
Rashee Rice returned to football in Week 7 to again operate as the primary pass-catcher for Patrick Mahomes. Rice earned 10 targets and caught seven of them for 42 yards, and scored a pair of touchdowns, which resulted in 23.2 Fantasy Points. The yardage may not have been great, but the instant target volume with touchdown upside from Patrick Mahomes aligned with what we already knew.
The Chiefs will face a Commanders defense in Week 8 that allows the 10th-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the eighth-most passing yards per game (238.3). The Commanders will be without Jayden Daniels, but this does not change Rice being Mahomes’ most reliable target, rest of season.
DeVonta Smith vs. NYG
There have been some very frustrating weeks for DeVonta Smith this season, with four games under 10 Fantasy Points and two of those under five, but also some huge games that display the guy’s talent. In Week 8, DVS caught eight balls for 60 yards and a touchdown, which was 20 Fantasy Points. In Week 5, Smith caught eight balls again (10 targets) for 114 yards, which was 19.4 Fantasy Points. Then just last week, DVS caught nine of his 11 targets for 183 receiving yards and a touchdown for 33.3 Fantasy Points, which was a career day.
Smith will look to have a better Week 8 against the Giants, who he finished with four catches for 49 yards against in Week 6 while his team took an L. The Giants do allow the third-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the seventh-most passing yards per game (245.3), so I am ready to fire up DeVonta after such a massive Week 7. AJ Brown is reportedly dealing with a hamstring injury, which can also boost Smith’s volume.
Check out all of our Week 8 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
Chris Olave vs. TB
Chris Olave’s 71 targets through seven weeks rank second for the position, and his yardage in the last two weeks finally took a step in the right direction. Olave caught six balls for 98 yards in Week 6, then matched that total in Week 7 with 98 yards on five catches but added two touchdowns to his stats for 26.8 Fantasy Points. Olave missed practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, which could be just precautionary but is something to monitor.
The Saints will face a Buccaneers defense in Week 8 that allows the 12th most passing yards per game (229). Baker Mayfield and his crew are a good offense, which can create a positive game script through the air for Spencer Rattler, who ranks top 10 in passing attempts.
Zay Flowers vs. CHI
As of Wednesday, we are unsure if Lamar Jackson will play or not this week, but he did log a practice. Zay Flowers opened up the season hot, catching seven balls for 143 yards and a touchdown for 28.1 Fantasy Points. Zay would then go on to finish with over 70 receiving yards in three of his next five games played. Although Week 7 was a poor week, Flowers earning double-digit targets for the second time this season was encouraging
The Ravens will face my Bears in Week 8, who allow the ninth-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers this season. Regardless of who the quarterback is, Flowers should be the focal point through the air against a Bears offense that has been clicking more.
Jordan Addison vs. LAC
Jordan Addison has logged three games this season and has finished with 15+ Fantasy Points in each of them. Addison produced 114 yards in Week 4, scored a touchdown in Week 5, then finished with 128 receiving yards on 12 targets in Week 7 for 21.8 Fantasy Points. Carson Wentz was announced tas he starter for Week 8, and his connection to Addison has been solid this season so far.
The Vikings will face the Chargers in Week 8, and while they are a tougher defense through the air, their offense should force Wentz to throw plenty in this one. With the consistency of FLEX upside for Addison, he should remain in Fantasy lineups.
Wan’Dale Robinson vs. PHI
Wan’Dale Robinson has finished with 20.4 then 15.5 Fantasy Points the last two weeks, as a guy stepping up for his team with a hot Jaxson Dart, who is without Malik Nabers. Against the Eagles in Week 6, who the Giants face in Week 8, Robinson produced 84 yards and a touchdown. Wan’Dale then racked up 95 yards on 12 targets last week. Robinson should continue to be targeted well in a matchup he has already performed well in this year.
Troy Franklin vs. DAL
Troy Franklin has flashed this season with his former Oregon quarterback, Bo Nix, just not at a consistent rate. Back in Week 2, Franklin caught eight of his nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown for 24 Fantasy Points. The production for Franklin last week was not amazing, but encouraging was his 10 targets and a touchdown.
The Broncos will face a Cowboys defense that allows the most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and also the most passing yards per game (260.3). Dallas consistently creates shootouts that their defense does not handle well, so after a 10-target game, Franklin can be a sleeper this week for Fantasy Football.
Chimere Dike vs. IND
Chimere Dike has been a solid special-teams contributor in his rookie season, but flashed as a wide receiver last week. Dike caught all four targets for 70 yards and a touchdown, which was 16.9 Fantasy Points. Dike played a season-high 57% of the snaps. Calvin Ridley missed Week 7 with a hamstring injury, and he still is not back at practice.
The Titans will face a Colts defense in Week 8 that allows the second-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the fourth-most passing yards per game (255.4) this season. Dike can be looked at as a deep sleeper, as a guy who may have earned a bigger role on an offense that will be forced to throw the ball in a good matchup against the 6-1 Colts.
Oronde Gadsden II vs. MIN
Rookie Oronde Gadsden II is one of the biggest risers right now in Fantasy Football, and was one of the hottest waiver wire adds this week. In Week 7, Gadsden caught seven of his eight targets for 68 yards, which was 11.8 Fantasy Points. Then in Week 8, Gadsden racked up 164 yards from seven catches (nine targets) and a touchdown for 29.4 Fantasy Points. Big-time receiving upside is evident for a guy who had that as a prospect.
The Chargers will face the Vikings in Week 8, who are not necessarily a good matchup for Fantasy tight ends, but how do you not play Gadsden after what he has been doing the last two weeks and with the volume he has earned?
Pat Freiermuth vs. GB
Pat Freiermuth is coming off a huge Week 7, where he caught five of his six targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns for 28.1 Fantasy Points. While Jonnu Smith is a factor and still playing plenty, Muth did play a solid 65% of the snaps in that game.
The Steelers will face the Packers in Week 8, who allow the second-most Fantasy PPG to tight ends this season. Teams have consistently found success utilizing their tight ends against the Packers, and after a huge week, you would think Aaron Rodgers will look to do just that against his former team.
Mason Taylor vs. CIN
As of Wednesday, there is uncertainty about who will start at quarterback for the Jets in Week 8. Garrett Wilson is currently on track to miss another week due to injury as well. Rookie Mason Taylor caught five of his seven targets for 65 yards back in Week 4. Taylor then went on to catch nine of his 12 targets for 67 yards in Week 5. While he did not perform well in the next two games, he did earn five targets in Week 7, and likely will play a big role with the limited pass-catchers in Week 8.
The Jets will face the Bengals, who allow the most Fantasy PPG to tight ends and the third-most passing yards per game (257.1) this season. While the Jets passing volume has been low, the matchup and the perceived role combination are encouraging factors for Taylor this week as a sleeper tight end.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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