Why Aaron Rodgers could be a sneaky fantasy start vs. the Packers
USA TODAY’s Joe Rivera and Jacob Camenker discuss Aaron Rodgers facing his former team and why he could be primed for a breakout performance.
The week fantasy managers dread has arrived.
“Byemaggedon” sees six teams out of action on Sunday, leaving fantasy managers scrambling to put together lineups as Week 8 action continues.
“Thursday Night Football” has come and gone, meaning decisions may be extra difficult for those who roster Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, Quentin Johnston and other offensive weapons who played in the matchup. Now, the calender turns to Sunday and Monday, with fewer options and more difficult decisions to make.
If you’re looking for a spark to jumpstart your playoff push, then consider some start/sit advice and Week 8 rankings here:
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 8 QBs
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
Nix is a dual-threat quarterback who just scored four touchdowns in the Broncos’ 33-32 comeback win over the Giants. The crazy part? All four of his touchdowns came in the fourth quarter.
That may speak to the hot-and-cold nature of Nix’s second season, but his ceiling is undeniable in a favorable matchup against the Cowboys. Dallas has given up the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) and a league-high 16 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Green Bay Packers)
The Packers won’t be as easy a matchup for Rodgers as the Bengals, but Green Bay has still surrendered multiple passing touchdowns in four of its last five games. Rodgers has totaled 14 touchdowns across his six starts with the Steelers and has multiple four-score games, giving him a high ceiling in this matchup.
Add in that Rodgers is facing the Packers, his former team, for the first time in his career and he should be motivated to have a strong showing this week. That makes the 41-year-old a worthwhile fantasy streamer amid the bye-week crunch.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at Pittsburgh Steelers)
Yes, you can trust both quarterbacks in the Packers-Steelers game. Pittsburgh has allowed the fifth-most FPPG to quarterbacks this season and the Steelers defense just allowed Joe Flacco to throw for 342 yards and three touchdowns against it.
Love has posted just one passing touchdown in three of his last four games, but his ceiling is higher than usual in a favorable matchup.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 8 QBs
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (at Denver Broncos)
Sitting Prescott may not be easy after the veteran quarterback has posted at least three touchdowns in four consecutive games. That’s especially true considering the relative lack of other streaming options available during Byemageddon.
Still, trusting Prescott against a Broncos defense that has allowed no more than one passing touchdown in five of their seven contests is a risky proposition. The 32-year-old quarterback will maintain a high ceiling given his recent performance, but his floor is much lower than usual on the road against a strong stop unit.
Justin Fields, New York Jets (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Does Fields have rushing upside against a woeful Bengals run defense? Sure, but we don’t even know if the 26-year-old will play after being benched mid-game in Week 7 in favor of Tyrod Taylor.
Beyond that, Fields has racked up nearly as many sack yards (76) as passing yards (91) over his last six quarters of action. Even if he does start, his limitations as a passer will likely prevent him from becoming a quality fantasy starter.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Stroud has been hamstrung this season by a shaky offensive line that has allowed him to be sacked 15 times in just six games. The 49ers haven’t been particularly good at generating pressure, but it will still be hard for Stroud to find enough time to hit his playmakers downfield, especially if Nico Collins (concussion) misses this game.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 8 RBs
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at New Orleans Saints)
White struggled in prime time in Week 7 against the Lions. Despite taking the leading role with 14 total touches on the night, he managed just 44 yards. That’s a far cry from what he did over the prior two weeks (152 total yards, three touchdowns combined).
He could get back on track this week against the Saints, even on the road. Bucky Irving is still out of the lineup, giving White the lead back role once again. Chicago ran all over New Orleans last week to the tune of 243 total yards and two touchdowns by the running back position.
White may not reach those highs but in a critical week, he should be able to pull through.
Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Washington Commanders)
This is one of those waiver wire picks we were alluding to earlier. Smith broke onto the scene last week against the Raiders as an exciting wrinkle for the Chiefs’ offense and tallied 81 total yards on 19 touches.
This week, the Chiefs face a Washington team in prime time without its franchise quarterback and a defense that’s struggled to stop opposing running backs in recent weeks, including through the air. The Commanders have allowed 177.5 yards per game and four total touchdowns to that position over the last four games.
Running backs involved in the passing game – like Smith – have found great success in that span. In a pinch, he could have some value for fantasy managers.
Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears (at Baltimore Ravens)
Another rookie with a chance to help needy managers. Monangai burst onto the scene last week against New Orleans with 94 total yards and his first career touchdown on 15 touches. That may be tough to replicate exactly, but he could be in for another performance that’s worth starting in a pinch.
Leading up to its Week 7 bye, Baltimore’s defense had been particularly porous to opposing running backs, even those that aren’t heavily featured in their offenses. Houston’s running backs tallied 121 yards and a touchdown on the ground in Week 5; Los Angeles’ group hit 110 total yards and a touchdown, as well, in Week 6.
Monangai may not hit his point total from last week as touchdowns aren’t sticky week-to-week, but he could be useful for needy managers needing at least a few points from the position.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 8 RBs
Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (at Philadelphia Eagles)
In a needy week, it’s understandable if you need to keep Skattebo in your lineup. He’s been reliable in recent weeks as the lead running back for New York, but this matchup may be a tough one.
The rookie runner found great success against Philadelphia two weeks ago, but that was without Jalen Carter in the middle up front for the Eagles. His presence should have a big impact. A week after allowing 4.38 yards per carry to the Giants’ running backs in his absence, Philadelphia held Minnesota’s running backs to 3.21 yards per carry with him in the lineup.
Again, Skattebo may need to be a must-start given the circumstances at the position this week. Just don’t expect fireworks from the rising rookie.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Stevenson was a start last week against the Tennessee Titans’ defense and he delivered. Eighty-eight yards on the ground and a touchdown made for a solid day’s work as he continues to be the lead back over TreVeyon Henderson.
Even if he’s the lead back again this week, don’t expect another double-digit point performance. Cleveland has allowed more than 100 yards rushing to an opposing team just once this year: Week 4 against Detroit. The Browns are allowing 88 total yards per game to opposing running back groups this season.
The Browns’ offense may struggle against New England’s defense but don’t expect the Cleveland defense to back down easily. This could be a tough game for the Patriots’ offense, Stevenson included.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at Indianapolis Colts)
This is the second time Pollard is facing the Colts’ defense this season. In their first matchup in Week 3 in Tennessee, Pollard found the end zone and had 59 total yards.
Since then, Indianapolis’ defense has allowed just two touchdowns to opposing running back groups over five games. He was more involved in the passing game in Week 7 than any other time this season, with six catches for 43 yards on six targets. His carries did take a hit, though, with a season-low six attempts for 18 yards.
Pollard is a tough start this week considering his opponent. If you’re stuck, don’t expect much.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Green Bay Packers)
Warren had an outstanding night on “Thursday Night Football” for the Steelers in Week 7. Even in the loss to the Bengals, Warren had a career-high 158 total yards on 20 touches.
He will have trouble topping that this week. Green Bay’s clamped down on opposing running backs in recent weeks. Since their Week 5 bye, the Packers are allowing 3.93 yards per touch to opposing running back groups and haven’t allowed a touchdown.
If he’s a must-start due to bye weeks, that’s understandable. But like the others here don’t expect much from him against a tough defense.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 8 WRs
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
One week after a one-catch, 17-yard outing against the Jets, Sutton had a nice bounce-back game against the Giants at home. The Broncos’ lead wideout finished his day with six catches for 87 yards – his third-highest total of the season – though he failed to get in the end zone for a third straight week.
This week, Sutton might have an even better matchup with the Dallas Cowboys coming to town. Dallas has allowed more passing yards this year than any other team in the NFL – an average of 260.3 per game. The Cowboys have also surrendered the most touchdowns to wide receivers (12) so far this season, which could give Sutton a nice chance to snap his touchdown-less streak.
Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans
Ayomanor has not set the world on fire since taking over as fellow rookie Cam Ward’s top target in Calvin Ridley’s absence with a hamstring injury. The rookie fourth-rounder caught two of his five targets on Oct. 19 for 29 yards. He hasn’t surpassed 30 yards in three weeks and hasn’t scored a touchdown in four.
This week, Ayomanor’s fortunes might change. The Titans have their second matchup against the Colts this year during Week 8. Indianapolis has allowed the most receptions, the most average fantasy points, and the second-most yards to receivers of any team this year. The Colts have also allowed the second-most red zone touches to receivers and are tied for the sixth-most touchdowns allowed as well.
In the Titans’ first clash with Indy, Ayomanor put up 38 yards and a touchdown on four catches, and that was with Ridley healthy. Things could go even better the second time around if Ridley remains sidelined.
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
The Vikings have allowed the fewest receptions and third-fewest receiving yards to receivers this year, even after Smith put up 183 yards and a touchdown on nine catches. The fifth-year receiver’s Week 7 performance stood above the efforts of every other wideout to play against Minnesota’s defense this year.
In Week 8, he gets an even better matchup: the New York Giants, who have allowed the second-most receptions to wideouts and third-most fantasy points on average. Limited to just four catches and 49 yards in the two teams’ first matchup, Smith could be in line for a much better day given the Eagles offense’s revamped look it showed off in Week 7.
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Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 8 WRs
George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
In three full games without fellow Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb, Pickens had two games with more than 100 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. In Lamb’s first game back last week, Pickens had fewer targets, receptions and yards than his counterpart, and he failed to score for the first time since Week 1.
This week, Pickens won’t only have to fight Lamb for targets again, but he’ll also have to battle one of the league’s best passing defenses. The Broncos have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, in part because they’ve allowed just one touchdown to a wideout all year.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 8 TEs
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills at Panthers
Buffalo returns from its bye and is on the road against the Panthers. Dalton Kincaid sat out Week 6 nursing an oblique injury, and if he’s active in Week 8, he should be trusted in lineups. The Bills missed his services against the Falcons, and Josh Allen will likely lean on him if he returns. He is tied with Khalil Shakir for a team-high 24% target rate.
Kincaid has found the end zone in three of five games and is a clear beneficiary of the Bills’ high-octane offense. Red zone usage is key among tight ends to get those high-valued targets because a touchdown a week can be the difference between a top 10 finish or a finish outside the top 20. The Panthers have allowed the fourth-most yards and sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Mason Taylor, New York Jets vs. Bengals
The Jets’ rookie tight end disappointed in Week 7 with Garrett Wilson sidelined, but he can be trusted this Sunday against the Bengals, even if Wilson returns. Taylor was the third tight end off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft and finds himself in a full-time role. The Jets have yet to announce a starting quarterback this week, but Tyrod Taylor should bring stability to New York’s offense should he get the nod.
The Jets hit the road to face a Bengals defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Cincinnati has allowed the most yards and touchdowns to the position. Taylor has had a 21 percent target rate since Week 3, setting him up for success this Sunday.
Harold Fannin Jr., Browns vs. Patriots
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku suffered a knee injury near the end of their Week 6 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and could be sidelined again. If Njoku is out, Fannin is a top 10 option at the position when the Browns take on the Patriots.
Cleveland’s offense should perform better in Week 8 after the passing game was limited in Week 7 by high winds, in which they only attempted 18 passes. The Patriots defense is a pass funnel (ninth-most passing yards allowed) because it’s so strong against the run (third-fewest rushing yards allowed). Fannin leads the team in receptions and yards and will build on that in Week 8.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons vs. Dolphins
Pitts has shown improvement early in 2025 after high expectations as a former No. 4 overall pick. Pitts is approaching weekly must-start status and the matchup in Week 8 is enticing. Atlanta will host the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the fifth-most yards to opposing tight ends.
Last week, Pitts was tied for a team-high 10 targets. He’s a focal point in the offense with Michael Penix Jr. under center. As long as Bijan Robinson doesn’t steal all of the fantasy goodness for the Falcons in Week 8, Pitts should deliver a top 10 finish.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 8 TEs
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders at Chiefs
Jayden Daniels will miss this week due to a hamstring injury that he sustained in Week 7. As a result, Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback for the Commanders. Ertz has averaged 6.5 fantasy points per game with Mariota this season and 11.8 with Daniels. Washington’s offense struggled against a porous Dallas Cowboys defense last week, and now they face a Kansas City Chiefs team that is rounding into shape.
The Chiefs’ defense limited the Raiders to only three first downs in their last game and has allowed just one tight end this season to reach double-digit fantasy points. Kansas City has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Leave the veteran on benches and waivers this week.
Fantasy football D/STs rankings Week 8
- Indianapolis Colts (vs. Tennessee Titans)
- Atlanta Falcons (vs. Miami Dolphins)
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Washington Commanders)
- New England Patriots (vs. Cleveland Browns)
- Denver Broncos (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
- Buffalo Bills (at Carolina Panthers)
- Philadelphia Eagles (vs. New York Giants)
- Cincinnati Bengals (vs. New York Jets)
- Green Bay Packers (at Pittsburgh Steelers)
- San Francisco 49ers (at Houston Texans)
- Minnesota Vikings (at Los Angeles Chargers)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Green Bay Packers)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at New Orleans Saints)
- Cleveland Browns (at New England Patriots)
- Houston Texans(vs. San Francisco 49ers)
- Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
