The fantasy football season is halfway over, and the same goes for our wonderful Starts and Sits weekly articles. The sits for Week 7 were horrible. All of my sit recommendations performed very well. Jalen Hurts was the QB4, Sam Darnold the QB13, Aaron Jones RB12, and James Conner was the RB15. Apologies to the fantasy managers who kept them on your bench last week.
The starts, on the other hand, went well. Drake Maye posted a second consecutive QB1 week to go along with Tank Bigsby finishing as the RB8, and Alexander Mattison finishing as the RB19. Mattison is a great RB2 option moving forward. The only sit to be underwhelming was Justin Herbert. Herbert was once a QB1 but has not posted a top-15 finish once this season. On to Week 8 and one step closer to clinching a playoff spot across leagues.
Week 8 Quarterback Starts
Matthew Stafford vs. Minnesota Vikings
Matthew Stafford will be in the Hall of Fame. He was once a top-five quarterback but now cannot even be rostered in redraft leagues. Stafford faces a tough Vikings defense but should have Cooper Kupp back with a chance at Puka Nacua back on the field, too. With that being said, the Rams will need Stafford to pass over 35 times to have a chance against one of the better teams in the NFL.
The Vikings have allowed just 10 touchdowns to 11 interceptions to opposing quarterbacks, but the sixth most passing yards per game. With his top weapons slated to return, Stafford is a very intriguing choice for starts and sits this week.
Jameis Winston vs.M Baltimore Ravens
Jameis Winston gives the Cleveland Browns a better chance at winning football games. He is a gunslinger who will pass the ball close to 40 times every week. In his first start this season, he cannot get a better match-up. The Baltimore Ravens are allowing the third most fantasy ppg to quarterbacks and 308 ypg. The Ravens have also given up 14 touchdowns to just five interceptions.
Amari Cooper is no longer there, but with David Njoku, Cedric Tillman, and Jerry Jeudy, Winston should have a fantastic Week 8 and is one of the better options for starts and sits in Week 8.
Quarterback Sits
Geno Smith vs. Buffalo Bills
I believe the only way the Seattle Seahawks can win in Week 8 is if Kenneth Walker has an epic performance. The Buffalo Bills secondary has been great and is allowing the ninth fewest fantasy ppg to wide receivers. They are allowing the eighth fewest fantasy ppg to quarterbacks, too. It does not help that DK Metcalf will more than likely be OUT. Tyler Lockett has been consistent in his career, but the time has passed for him to be the WR1 on a team. Also, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been disappointing in year two and cannot be trusted to take on WR1 responsibilities. Keep Smith on the bench this week.
Kyler Murray @ Miami Dolphins
Black Ops 6 will be out soon, and Kyler Murray will be locked in on something else other than football. In all seriousness, Kyler Murray faces the toughest option for quarterbacks in fantasy football. The Miami Dolphins cannot stop a running back, but they can slow down the quarterback. The Dolphins are currently allowing the fewest fantasy ppg to the position. Through six games, the Dolphins have allowed only 989 total passing yards and THREE touchdowns in six games to quarterbacks.
Murray has been an elite fantasy option for quite some time now, but in Week 8, this match-up and the South Florida heat will be too much for the Call of Duty legend.
Week 8 Running Back Starts
Javonte Williams vs. Carolina Panthers
Javonte Williams was the RB5 in Week 7 and had two touchdowns to make things better. In Week 8, Williams gets the best match-up a running back can get for fantasy purposes. The Carolina Panthers are allowing 32.07 fantasy ppg and the most touchdowns to the position with 14.
Bryce Young has also been named the starter for the Panthers in Week 8. In turn, I believe the Broncos will run away with this game and lean on Williams as he has another RB1 week. My bold take is Williams will post back-to-back top-five finishes as the Broncos cruise to a win.
JK Dobbins vs. New Orleans Saints
JK Dobbins has not lived up to his top-five finishes in Week 1 and Week 2. He gets a chance to do right by a fantastic Week 8 match-up against the New Orleans Saints, who let Javonte Williams finish as the RB5. The Saints are allowing 156 total ypg to the position and might have rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler under center.
In a game where the script will be much more positive for Dobbins, he is a great option in Week 8 for starts and sits.
Check out all of our Week 7 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Running Back Sits
Alexander Mattison vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Alexander Mattison has been a solid RB2 for the past few weeks. The issue is the team he is facing in Week 9. The Kansas City Chiefs are the best team against running backs for fantasy football purposes. The Chiefs are currently allowing just 13.98 fantasy ppg to the position. To make things harder for Mattison, the Chiefs are allowing under 85 total ypg to opposing running backs. In what should be a sloppy game with the Chiefs rolling by, keep Mattison on the bench this week despite what he has done the past three.
Cincinnati Bengals running backs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Zack Moss and Chase Brown have complimented one another this year, with Brown playing better as of late. In this Week 8 match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles, I expect Joe Burrow to pass a ton with the Eagles’ elite running game, making it tough on the Bengals.
The Eagles are allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy ppg to running backs and have given up just ONE touchdown all season to the position. Moss and Brown have performed well in fantasy football when they find the end zone. I do not think they find it in Week 8, making them great sit candidates in starts and sits.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!