Week 8 presents one of the most interesting slates of the season, with quarterback uncertainty, cheap value plays, and defensive matchups that could define your tournament success.
From Caleb Williams continuing his excellent three-game stretch to backup quarterbacks like Marcus Mariota offering dual-threat upside at basement prices, this week demands a different approach than usual. I have spent years analyzing these situations, and what makes Week 8 particularly compelling is how many solid options exist across multiple price points on DK, FanDuel, and Yahoo.
Whether you’re a card-carrying member of various player doubters clubs or someone willing to acknowledge when the data shifts, this slate requires balancing riskier punts with top options that provide stable floors.
The Bears, Commanders, and several other defenses are positioned to take advantage of favorable spots, while running backs like D’Andre Swift and Brian Robinson offer bargain pricing relative to their projected workloads. Let’s break down each position group and identify where the best building blocks lie for both cash games and tournament format contests.
Game Overviews
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
Projected Totals: Colts 20.5, Texans 25.5
Quarterbacks
When looking at quarterback options for this matchup, both signal callers have underdelivered far below what we expected during preseason. Their DFS prices have fallen as a direct result, creating potential value opportunities. If you are going to chase a bounceback from one of these guys, however, it will need careful consideration.
Who has actually performed worse between Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud? Stroud offers a higher floor, but it’s clearly not that high after coming off a disappointing five-point outing against the Packers. Meanwhile, Richardson presents a much higher ceiling thanks to his dual-threat abilities and is priced significantly cheaper.
From my experience analyzing quarterbacks in similar situations, the rushing upside makes Richardson more appealing in tournaments. He’s still just a tournament play, though would not recommend him for cash games where consistency matters most.
Fantasy Football Tools Analysis
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor is reportedly on track to return this week for the Colts after missing a few weeks with an ankle injury. Unfortunately, he returns to a bad matchup and struggling offense.
Likely workhorse volume means he’s never a terrible option, but I don’t love him on this slate. Joe Mixon also carries the volume, and game script plus matchup are both more in his favor than JT’s. He has produced at least 25 Half-PPR points in all three of his full games so far this season, although his prices have risen to reflect that production.
What makes Mixon stand out? The consistency across multiple weeks suggests he’s hitting his stride. I prefer Mixon between these two, but neither of these RBs are among my favorite pay-up options when considering the entire player pool available.
Wide Receivers
Part of me wants to go straight back to Tank Dell, even after his donut performance killed many of my lineups in Week 7. He’s just cheap enough to chase a 24.5% target share over the last two weeks, but he may also be game-scripted out of this one as the Texans are clearly happy to run the ball when possible.
What makes Dell intriguing despite the risk? His usage pattern suggests he’s becoming more involved when the game script allows it. Stefon Diggs has been more productive than Dell but has only seen slightly more targets (around 26.4%) and is far more expensive to roster.
If I’m playing a Houston WR, it will probably be Dell based on value alone. I’m not going to touch any Colts receivers at all. Richardson is averaging an abysmal 15 catchable pass attempts per game, effectively murdering both the ceiling and floor projections for his weapons.
Tight Ends
With Nico Collins sidelined, Dalton Schultz has averaged a solid 17% target share across recent games. Especially once we consider that the Colts are the third-best schedule-adjusted matchup for TEs, he’s an interesting pay-down option worth exploring.
From my experience tracking tight end usage patterns, injury-related opportunity spikes like this one often fly under the radar in DFS contests. No Indianapolis TE is worth playing given the volume limitations we’ve discussed.
Trade Analyzer Fantasy Football
Defenses
They’re a bit expensive, but I like the Texans’ defense this week as a contrarian play. Richardson is mistake-prone (although it should be noted that he is elite at avoiding sacks), and they project to be very low-rostered in tournaments. Even at cheap prices and with Houston’s offense struggling, I’m not interested in the Colts’ defense as a viable option here.
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
Projected Totals: Ravens 26.5, Browns 16.5
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson is a fantasy god who deserves serious attention at QB1 on Yahoo and DK, while he’s definitely a good call at QB4 on FanDuel as well. There’s an argument for Jameis Winston as a punt QB play this week, particularly given his rock-bottom price tag.
He’s very cheap, and the Ravens are the fourth-best adjusted matchup for quarterbacks in the league right now.
We have seen him have fantasy success in the past, so why dismiss it now? I do see a world where Winston scores around 20 points, potentially all in garbage time, which would be enough to pay off his bargain price. He’s also projected to be hardly rostered, making him even more interesting from a tournament perspective.
Running Backs
Just like his quarterback, Derrick Henry is always worth considering if you can find the cash to roster him. This becomes especially true with the Ravens installed as such heavy favorites in this matchup.
On the Browns’ side, Nick Chubb is finally back from injury. He saw 69% of the Browns’ RB rushes last week but played just 35% of overall snaps a telling split that reveals his current role.
Traditionally not much of a receiver, he may struggle to contribute in what should be a very negative game script for Cleveland. He’s only worth a dart throw if you think last week was him being eased in and this week he bounces back to his old self in both usage and efficiency.
Wide Receivers
Zay Flowers missed a few practices this week with an ankle issue but returned today to full participation. He has been notably inconsistent all year based on game script situations. Between the injury concern and the Ravens being such huge favorites, this doesn’t set up as a big week for him, so I’m out on Flowers at his not-too-cheap prices.
Rashod Bateman exploded last week and remains very cheap on all platforms. The problem is that he is even more game-script-dependent than Flowers historically. I like him as a tournament dart, potentially stacked with Lamar, but nothing else.
On the Browns’ side, I’m particularly interested in Cedric Tillman, especially on DraftKings where he’s priced incredibly low. He stepped right in for Amari Cooper last week, commanding 12 targets on a 31% first-read target share.
If you don’t buy the “X receiver replacement” narrative, Jerry Jeudy is also cheap and could reassert himself as the Browns’ WR1. With Jameis chucking it around and the Ravens ranking as the second-best adjusted matchup for WRs, there’s a solid chance one of these two (or Elijah Moore) posts a decent day.
Tight Ends
David Njoku saw a strong 27% target share last week across the board. For the entire season, he has been targeted on 26% of his total routes run. He’s a very solid option this week given the volume consistency.
On the other hand, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are still both hovering around just 50% route participation rates each. This split makes them both incredibly hard to trust in DFS formats, although they do have high potential ceilings for their current prices.
Defenses
The Ravens’ defense should be well-positioned to take advantage of the struggling Browns and the interception-prone Winston under center. They project to be heavily rostered on DK and Yahoo, though less so on FD where they are priced as the most expensive option available. The Browns’ defense is simply not worth considering this week.
Tennessee Titans @ Detroit Lions
Projected Totals: Titans 16.5, Lions 27.5
Quarterbacks
We are almost certainly getting Mason Rudolph for the Titans, as Will Levis has yet to practice while recovering from a shoulder injury that’s kept him sidelined. Rudolph is probably the better QB between the two, but that does not make him a viable DFS option.
I don’t care if he’s super cheap on DraftKings. This looks like another “won’t have to do much” week for Jared Goff, which is reflected by his very low projected rostership across platforms.
With that in mind, I don’t hate building a Lions stack with him up top for a tournament lineup. With a 27.5-point team total, all it would take is some lucky TD distribution and/or a couple of big plays for a productive outing.
Running Backs
Both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are excellent options in this matchup given Detroit’s offensive prowess. I prefer Montgomery, who has outscored Gibbs in four of six weeks and is significantly cheaper, but Gibbs showed last week that he possesses week-changing upside even in a part-time role.
For the Titans, Tony Pollard saw elite usage last week with Tyjae Spears out, but he failed to do much with it production-wise. I don’t hate going back to him this week, but there’s a real chance the Titans’ offense is so miserable he can’t get anything going against Detroit’s defense.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley is the only game left in town for the Titans, and the Lions are the fourth-best matchup for receivers league-wide. Given his prices are relatively low, I don’t hate playing Ridley this week, but we have seen that his floor is essentially nonexistent.
On the Lions’ side, Amon-Ra St. Brown is always an option worth considering, although he could disappoint if Detroit’s offense gets up early and they run the ball exclusively. With Jameson Williams suspended, Tim Patrick is also an interesting punt play at negligible prices on all three sites.
Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta also gets a boost from Williams’ suspension as targets need redistribution. His 8.4% target share for the season is a screaming red flag that can’t be ignored, but with low projected rostership he’s not a terrible tournament dart throw for a TD or two. Chigoziem Okonkwo isn’t worth playing on any platform.
Defenses
The Lions’ defense, even without Aidan Hutchinson, is an option this week against a struggling Tennessee squad. They’re much cheaper (and will be more rostered) on FD than elsewhere. The Titans’ defense is simply not worth consideration.
Green Bay Packers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected Totals: Packers 26.5, Jaguars 21.5
Quarterbacks
It’s impossible to overstate how soft a matchup the Jaguars have been for opposing quarterbacks throughout this season. That is the main reason I’m considering Jordan Love, who is priced up and due for some regression in the TD category.
The Packers lead the league by far in terms of the share of their TDs that come through the air. He could explode for a week-winning performance, but it’s always hard to get excited about the most expensive pocket-passing QB on a given slate. Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence is cheap enough to be a bit tempting, especially on DraftKings where his price creates intriguing value. He hasn’t produced much this season but should see plenty of volume this week keeping up with Green Bay’s offense.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs is coming off his best game of the season and finds himself in a great matchup this week. Although he scored his first career receiving TD last week, he’s still due some positive regression to correspond with Love heading the other way on touchdown luck. He’s a solid option across all formats. For the Jaguars, Travis Etienne remains a game-time decision heading into Sunday.
If he’s in, I’m avoiding all Jaguars RBs and I think I am even if he’s out, too. Tank Bigsby has been arguably the league’s best rusher so far this season, but he’s not involved in the passing game at all. D’Ernest Johnson is the preferred receiving back and very cheap, but it’s hard to get excited about his ceiling as a tournament dart throw.
Wide Receivers
The Packers’ receivers will undoubtedly score points in this juicy matchup. The question is which one will it be? I like Romeo Doubs, who still consistently leads the group in routes run and has had back-to-back good games recently. Jayden Reed is also an option, but he is expensive for someone with an 18% target share on the season.
Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks are sharing snaps nearly evenly, making them both boom-or-bust plays in DFS. For the Jaguars, Brian Thomas Jr. has clearly emerged as the team’s best receiver through eight weeks. He’s priced way up on Yahoo but remains appealing on DK and FD. With his route share falling to 62% last week, I’m out on Christian Kirk completely.
Tight Ends
Evan Engram simply racks up targets when he is on the field each week. He’s a solid option against a Packers defense that has struggled to defend TEs all season long. Tucker Kraft has performed well over the last few weeks, but it’s hard to see anything other than regression coming from his 13% target share and 3.9-yard ADOT metrics. I’m not paying top-10 TE prices for that kind of profile.
Defenses
The Jaguars’ defense is awful and represents an obvious fade this week. The Packers’ defense is also a bit expensive if we believe the Jags can live up to their projected total.
Arizona Cardinals @ Miami Dolphins
Projected Totals: Cardinals 20.5, Dolphins 24.5
Quarterbacks
We know Tua Tagovailoa returns for his first game back, creating excitement despite being a bit expensive on DK. He represents an okay pay-down option otherwise.
If he hits those deep plays to his playmakers, the ceiling is sky-high. Meanwhile, Kyler Murray presents one of the few intriguing medium-tier prices available, though he is risky.
He’s been pure boom or bust with three top-five finishes alongside three finishes outside the top 16 QBs and one QB12 finish. That volatility makes him difficult to trust. He’s relied on a couple of huge rushing TDs for two of those big games, but who else in the league can we count on to occasionally break off explosive runs like him?
Running Backs
De’Von Achane projects to be very heavily rostered, which makes perfect sense—he was great in two games with Tua earlier this season and his price is way down. Achane’s value being so cheap naturally makes Raheem Mostert less appealing as a stacking option. Mostert can be played as a pivot off Achane at low rostership but will likely need a TD or two to pay off properly.
On the flip side, James Conner continues to be one of the league’s most underrated RBs week in and week out. He is a candidate for being game-scripted away given Arizona’s expected deficit, but his volume when that doesn’t happen remains excellent. He’s a decent option, although he is expensive on FD specifically.
Wide Receivers
Getting last year’s WR2 back in action means Tyreek Hill projects as one of the most-rostered players on the entire slate with Tagovailoa back. Having Tyreek’s explosive ceiling at prices outside the top six is obviously nice, but I’m a little worried by how truly terrible he’s been recently. There’s certainly a chance Tua’s return fixes everything, though there may be bigger issues plaguing Miami’s offense. All these things I just said about Tyreek also apply to Jaylen Waddle, just at a lower price tier.
Both can be played, but I wouldn’t go overboard on Miamis WRs this weekend. For Arizona, I am genuinely conflicted about what to do with Marvin Harrison Jr. His production has been undeniably disappointing through eight weeks, and his price remains still high everywhere except Yahoo.
However, he possesses a massive ceiling that projects to come with low rostership, and he could absolutely benefit from a classic “squeaky wheel” situation considering all the media noise surrounding the Cardinals’ questionable usage of him. I like taking a shot or two on Harrison in tournaments. Just like any contrarian play, Achane shows us that fading the chalk sometimes works.
Tight Ends
Trey McBride consistently sees elite volume that is absolutely worth paying up for this week. Jonnu Smith is coming off a big game performance, but his involvement has proven too inconsistent to get genuinely excited about moving forward.
Defenses
I’m not particularly interested in either the Dolphins’ defense or the Cardinals’ unit this week.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Projected Totals: Jets 23.5, Patriots 16.5
Quarterbacks
When looking at quarterbacks in this matchup, Drake Maye stands out as a cheap option with rushing upside that most DFS players are overlooking. His projected rostership is tiny, making him perfect for tournaments where differentiation matters.
I don’t hate throwing a dart or two at this young signal-caller, especially when you compare him to Aaron Rodgers, who is more expensive and has been less productive lately.
Rodgers also carries higher projected rostership, which kills his tournament appeal. From my experience building lineups, paying up for a struggling veteran rarely pays off when a mobile rookie offers similar or better upside at a fraction of the cost.
Running Backs
The running back situation feels much clearer here. Breece Hall has returned to elite usage since Robert Saleh was fired, and he’s become one of the safest plays on the slate.
He is a great play at relatively cheap prices, even though he projects to be massively rostered sometimes chalk exists for good reason. On the Patriots’ side, Rhamondre Stevenson isn’t priced too terribly, but I find it hard to get excited about him now that his usage is just okay.
The workload split has become too unpredictable to confidently roster Stevenson in cash games, though he could work as a leverage play in GPPs if Hall’s ownership gets truly ridiculous.
Wide Receivers
Wide receivers present the trickiest decisions in this game. Is it crazy to say I’m not particularly interested in Garrett Wilson or Davante Adams? Both players carry top-12 prices despite operating in a slow, run-heavy offense where the Jets are heavily favored. Neither has proven capable of elite production without massive volume in recent times for Adams, and for Wilson, ever.
The reality is that neither will see that volume while they are sharing the field. I’m not sure there’s enough to like here when considering the game script and pace. Things are also tricky on the Patriots’ side, where Demario Douglas is the obvious choice as a cheap, high-volume option, but his ceiling feels low.
Kayshon Boutte is also at basement prices and could see extended run with Ja’Lynn Polk out, though he’s capable of dropping a complete zero. None of the WRs in this game are completely unplayable, but I certainly don’t love any of them, either.
Tight Ends
At tight end, Tyler Conklin was already borderline unplayable, and the arrival of Adams kills his DFS value entirely by reducing his target share even further. Hunter Henry, on the other hand, has benefited greatly from Maye’s arrival, with double-digit points in each of the last two weeks.
He’s not a terrible pay-down option, especially on DK, where his salary remains reasonable. I’ve found that young quarterbacks often lean heavily on their tight ends as safety valves, which makes Henry a sneaky cash game play if you need to save salary.
Defenses
For team defenses, the Jets’ defense projects to be very popular despite high prices, and they are undeniably a good option given the matchup and game environment. However, the Patriots’ defense should also see some rostership as a punt option.
They come with risk but could pay off in tournaments if Rodgers continues his recent struggles. The key question is whether you want to pay up for safety or take a discount and hope for variance. Both strategies have merit depending on your lineup construction and tournament goals.
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Totals: Falcons 23.5, Buccaneers 22.5
Quarterbacks
The quarterback decision here hinges entirely on available weapons. Kirk Cousins stands out as the more appealing choice since he has his weapons, while there’s no reason to play Baker Mayfield without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans even at minuscule projected rostership.
What makes Cousins interesting is that the Buccaneers are the second best matchup for QBs, and we’ve only seen one ceiling outcome from him so far this season. That single explosion? It was a massive ceiling against these same Bucs.
The game script favors Atlanta attacking through the air, and if that happens again, anyone building a full Atlanta stack around Kirk will be sitting pretty. I have always believed in targeting quarterbacks who’ve already proven they can destroy a specific defense.
Running Backs
The backfield situations couldn’t be more different between these teams. Bijan Robinson hasn’t lived up to preseason expectations, yet he’s still a valid pay-up option in a good matchup where game flow should favor him. His teammate Tyler Allgeier doesn’t see quite consistent enough volume to be appealing, leaving Robinson as the lone Atlanta back worth considering. Tampa’s situation is messier.
The Buccaneers are trying to use all three of Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker, which results in all three being questionable options. Among this trio, White, as the receiving back of the group, is the most appealing because the Bucs should be playing from behind. However, even he comes with a very low floor, making him a risky play despite favorable circumstances.
Wide Receivers
Here’s where things get fascinating. With Evans and Godwin out, someone is going to have to step up in the Buccaneers’ WR room. The million-dollar question: will it be Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, or Trey Palmer?
What makes this decision tough is that all three are dirt cheap, meaning having the right one in your lineups could be huge for tournament differentiation. McMillan is the most popular pick according to projected rostership, though the other two will have non-negligible rostership as well. Honestly, I wish I had one perfect stat that makes it clear which of these three is the play, but I really don’t.
Each has a compelling case: McMillan is the exciting rookie, Shepard has the chemistry with Baker, and Palmer led the trio in routes last week but was far behind in his previous healthy weeks. My strategy? If you play multiple lineups, I recommend mixing and matching all three as value options. Meanwhile, the Falcons’ side offers much more clarity.
Drake London has established himself as the clear WR1 and is a valid pay-up option. Darnell Mooney sees plenty of volume and is a solid mid-tier choice, while Ray-Ray McCloud runs a ton of routes for a WR3 and is a decent value play in his own right. Things are thankfully much clearer when you’re rostering Atlanta pass catchers.
Tight Ends
The tight end position might be the smartest way to attack Tampa’s depleted receiving corps. If you want a safe way to take advantage of Tampa’s injuries, Cade Otton may be the answer.
Why? Because Otton has always run plenty of routes and should earn more targets with less competition now that the top receivers are sidelined. He’s especially cheap on DK but makes a good value play everywhere you’re building.
On Atlanta’s side, Kyle Pitts has trended back in the right direction of late, posting a season-high 87% route participation rate last week. His volatile role makes him risky, but he could certainly pay off given not-too-expensive prices and increased opportunity.
Defenses
Skip the defenses in this one. Even with all of the Buccaneers’ injuries, neither the Falcons’ defense nor the Buccaneers’ defense is particularly appealing. Save your salary for skill positions where the upside is far greater.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Cincinnati Bengals
Projected Totals: Eagles 23.5, Bengals 24.5
Quarterbacks
Both signal-callers offer premium upside in what should be a competitive shootout. Jalen Hurts is a good pay-up option against a beatable Cincinnati defense, particularly with his star receivers back and the Tush Push humming on all cylinders.
That goal-line rushing ability adds a floor that most quarterbacks simply can’t match. On the other side, Joe Burrow doesn’t have the Tush Push, but he can match Hurts with two superstar receivers who are capable of explosive plays downfield.
What makes Burrow particularly intriguing is that he gets the benefit of playing on a pass-happy team the Bengals are second in pass rate over expected while Philly is fifth-lowest. This volume edge matters significantly in DFS.
Burrow is also an option, especially if you can pair him with one of his receivers to create a mini-stack that could vault you up tournament leaderboards. From my experience, game environments like this where both offenses have clear paths to success often produce multiple viable QB plays.
Running Backs
The running back situation here is straightforward if you’re willing to pay. He’s very expensive, but you can’t really go wrong putting Saquon Barkley in your lineup—his combination of volume, efficiency, and touchdown equity makes him one of the safest plays on the slate.
For Cincinnati, the backfield hierarchy has finally crystallized: Chase Brown has officially surpassed Zack Moss in all non-pass-blocking scenarios, making him the Bengals RB to play if you are going to play one. Brown offers solid value as a secondary piece in Bengals stacks, though his upside is capped compared to Barkley’s elite role.
Wide Receivers
This game features some of the slate’s most expensive and talented pass catchers. Ja’Marr Chase is the most expensive receiver on the slate, and A.J. Brown isn’t far behind—yet both are absolutely worth paying up for if you can do it.
These are game-breaking talents who can single-handedly win you tournaments. When examining the two No. 2 receivers, I prefer Tee Higgins to DeVonta Smith, although the Bengal is dealing with a quad injury so check injury reports before rostering him.
Why the preference? Assuming he’s healthy, Higgins has actually out-targeted Chase since he returned to the field and benefits from the Bengals’ pass-heavy offense that creates more opportunities for multiple receivers to produce.
Meanwhile, Smith is not a terrible play, but his volume is more inconsistent as Philly feeds AJB and Saquon through their run-first approach. I have learned that target predictability often matters more than raw talent when building cash game lineups.
Tight Ends
The tight end position offers one intriguing punt play worth considering. With Dallas Goedert out again, I’m tempted to give Grant Calcaterra one more chance as a punt option this week.
What’s changed? He has been at a 70%+ route participation rate in each of the last two weeks and the Bengals’ defense is weak to tight ends, creating a potential salary-saving opportunity with legitimate upside. On the flip side, no Cincinnati TE is worth playing—save your salary for the other positions where this game offers far better options.
Defenses
Both defenses face tough matchups against high-powered offenses. I’m not playing the Eagles’ defense or the Bengals’ defense in any format this week. The scoring environment projects too favorably for both offenses to trust either defensive unit.
New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Chargers
Projected Totals: Saints 16.5, Chargers 24.5
Quarterbacks
The quarterback position in this matchup is best avoided entirely. I’m not playing Spencer Rattler despite him being cheap, especially on DK. The struggling Saints’ offense offers little confidence for fantasy purposes.
Similarly, I’m not playing Justin Herbert, who might attempt single-digit passes this week given the expected game script where Los Angeles should dominate on the ground. When both quarterbacks present such obvious red flags, it’s wiser to allocate salary elsewhere rather than force a play just to fill the position cheaply.
Running Backs
The running back landscape here couldn’t be more clear-cut. This is an excellent spot for J.K. Dobbins against a beatable Saints run defense that has struggled consistently throughout the season.
He set a new career high with 25 carries against the Broncos two weeks ago, and we may see him break it this week if the game script unfolds as expected. On the opposite sideline, Alvin Kamara faces a tougher decision. The Saints’ overall offensive struggles finally got to him last week, as he was shut down by the Broncos’ defense. While he’s seeing elite usage, especially in the passing game, I’m tempted to fade the veteran at high prices and high rostership against another good defense.
From my years of DFS experience, chasing volume alone without considering matchup quality and offensive efficiency rarely pays off, and Kamara fits that concerning profile this week.
Wide Receivers
Receiver options are limited but intriguing in different ways. Ladd McConkey is the only Chargers receiver to consider at this point—the rookie has been impressive, but it’s hard to see him getting the volume to truly smash in a run-heavy game plan. Still, he’s cheap enough to be a value play, especially on DK, where his salary hasn’t caught up to his recent production.
For New Orleans, Chris Olave is back this week and is now the Saints’ undisputed WR1 with Rashid Shaheed done for the season. He is cheap for his talent the question is whether Rattler can get him the ball consistently enough to justify rostering him. Meanwhile, Bum Means is a true Hail Mary value option (except on FanDuel) as the team’s WR2, offering tournament upside if everything breaks right.
Tight Ends
The tight end position offers minimal appeal across both rosters. Taysom Hill is always the ultimate wild card if you want to throw a dart in a tournament, but he comes with a very low floor and is weirdly expensive on FD.
His unique usage creates volatility that’s tough to predict week-to-week. Juwan Johnson hasn’t done enough even with extra opportunities to be an option, making the Saints’ tight end situation unplayable beyond Hill’s dart-throw potential. As for Los Angeles, the Chargers don’t have a TE worth playing—simple as that.
Defenses
Defense selection here follows chalk for legitimate reasons. The Chargers’ defense projects to be very popular, with good reason, despite a high price—they’re facing a depleted offense starting a backup quarterback. Conversely, the Saints defense projects to be unpopular, also with good reason, as they’ll likely spend much of the afternoon on the field against a powerful rushing attack.
Buffalo Bills @ Seattle Seahawks
Projected Totals: Bills 24.5, Seahawks 22.5
Quarterbacks
This high-octane matchup presents quarterback decisions that hinge entirely on recent trends versus seasonal reality. Josh Allen is back on the menu as a top-tier fantasy QB if the pass-rate increase from last week is for real, but that’s the million-dollar question.
That’s just a one-game sample size, so believing in it too much could be risky, particularly when you consider that overall, Allen has not lived up to his name and prices this season.
The risk-reward calculation becomes tricky when paying premium dollars for someone who’s been disappointing. On Seattle’s side, I’ve been chasing positive TD regression with Geno Smith, and that should still come his efficiency metrics suggest better days ahead.
But he is much less appealing with D.K. Metcalf out this week, stripping away his most explosive downfield threat. I’ve seen countless times how losing a WR1 fundamentally alters a quarterback’s ceiling, and Smith faces exactly that challenge.
Running Backs
The running back choices here couldn’t be more contrasting in terms of confidence levels. Kenneth Walker is a smash play every week at this point, with excellent usage in the run and pass games for an aggressive team that consistently feeds him regardless of game script. His volume has reached that elite tier where he’s nearly matchup-proof. For Buffalo, the situation demands more caution.
James Cook is capable of a big game against a beatable Seahawks defense his talent has never been questioned. But increased pass volume and/or the emergence of Ray Davis makes him risky as a fantasy investment. You’re essentially paying for upside without the volume security that separates elite plays from boom-or-bust options.
Wide Receivers
With Metcalf out, both Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett get a boost, creating immediate opportunity for fantasy managers willing to capitalize. Of the two, I prefer Lockett and the reasoning is straightforward. He has more room to grow in route participation as a result of Metcalf’s absence and has been better on both a per-route and a per-target basis than JSN.
When a veteran receiver shows superior efficiency metrics, that’s typically who benefits most from expanded roles. For the Bills, Amari Cooper is an exciting option that could fundamentally alter their offensive identity.
We still don’t know how exactly his usage will shake out, but he was a useful fantasy play on just a fraction of snaps last week imagine what happens when he’s fully integrated. With Cooper in town, I’m avoiding Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir until we see their roles in Buffalo’s new offense. The uncertainty surrounding target distribution makes both too volatile for my taste in cash lineups.
Tight Ends
The tight end position in this game offers little excitement beyond one salary-driven exception. The same applies to Dalton Kincaid, except on FanDuel, where he is all the way down at minimum price at that rock-bottom number, he becomes a reasonable tournament flier. I’m not particularly interested in Noah Fant, either, as his consistency issues persist despite decent opportunity.
Defenses
I’m not playing either the Bills’ defense or the Seahawks’ defense in any format. When both offenses possess legitimate scoring threats and the game environment projects toward shootout territory, defensive investments become counterproductive. Save your salary for skill positions where the upside truly exists.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders
Projected Totals: Chiefs 25.5, Raiders 15.5
Quarterbacks
The signal-caller decisions in this divisional matchup are surprisingly straightforward despite the star power involved. I will pass on playing Gardner Minshew entirely—his limited ceiling against a strong Chiefs defense makes him unplayable regardless of salary savings. Patrick Mahomes is more tempting, as I do think he’s still capable of throwing for four TDs in any given week.
That elite ceiling has never disappeared. However, here’s the uncomfortable truth: any other player with his stats and price tag would be an obvious fade. Mahomes has been underperforming relative to his cost all season, and only his reputation keeps him in consideration. From my years building DFS lineups, paying for past performance rather than current production rarely works out.
Running Backs
It pains me to say this, but Kareem Hunt has some of the best usage in the NFL. The veteran has seized the starting role and refuses to let go. In a good matchup and at non-exorbitant prices, he’s a very good play this week, offering the rare combination of volume security and reasonable salary.
On the opposite sideline, the decision is equally clear but in the other direction. I’m not touching Alexander Mattison against this Chiefs runs defense, even if his usage is great and his price is low. Some matchups are simply too difficult to overcome, and Kansas City’s front seven represents exactly that kind of roadblock.
Wide Receivers
The receiver landscape here requires careful navigation through personnel changes and role uncertainty. I’m not playing DeAndre Hopkins, as I don’t expect him to play a full set of snaps in his first game as a Chief (although he is cheap…).
This logic backfired on me last week with Cooper, but integration timelines for veteran receivers typically take longer than one game, even for talented players. Meanwhile, Xavier Worthy would be an intriguing boom-or-bust option at lower prices, but he is too expensive for my taste everywhere but Yahoo—his big-play ability remains undeniable, but the salary has caught up without consistent target volume to support it.
The best value appears on Las Vegas’s side: This seems like the week we finally get Jakobi Meyers back, and he is a good pay-down option (except on Yahoo) given his 28% target share without Davante Adams. That target concentration creates legitimate upside at affordable prices.
Tight Ends
Brock Bowers is finally priced as the top tight end on all three sites and rightfully so given his recent dominance. With the Chiefs having been the easiest defense for opposing tight ends, he’s worth it despite the elevated salary.
His talent combined with favorable matchup metrics makes him an elite play. Travis Kelce isn’t far behind Bowers in price, and he is also a good pay-up option for those building Chiefs stacks or seeking safer cash game exposure. Both tight ends offer premium floors with tournament-winning ceilings.
Defenses
The Chiefs’ defense is expensive but could pay off against Minshew and Co., creating turnovers and limiting a struggling Raiders offense. Conversely, the Raiders’ defense isn’t an option against the reigning Super Bowl champs. Kansas City simply presents too many challenges for a defense that hasn’t been particularly strong this season.
Carolina Panthers @ Denver Broncos
Projected Totals: Panthers 14.5, Broncos 26.5
Quarterbacks
Looking at divisional matchups through a different lens, I have learned that quarterback stability matters more than most realize. When Andy Dalton went down mid-week in that car accident, it completely shifted the Carolina game script.
Bryce Young suddenly had to face the dominant Broncos defense without proper preparation, and honestly, I’m not sure if I would play Bryce Young if he were literally free. The Patriots and Jets battle presents similar uncertainty, where Bo Nix showed us that rushing quarterbacks can thrive as cheap options except on Yahoo, making punt plays viable even in tough spots.
Running Backs
The ground game strategy here demands careful consideration. Chuba Hubbard’s recent production made him tempting, but Chuba Hubbard’s run in the sun likely ends when defenses sell out to stop the run a lesson applicable here.
Javonte Williams capitalized on playing running backs against weaker opponents, proving that matchup exploitation remains the smash spot of all smash spots. From my years of DFS experience, I have seen how quickly a featured back loses value when game flow turns negative, especially when the passing attack can’t keep defenses honest.
Wide Receivers
The receiving corps situation mirrors what happened with Diontae Johnson being sidelined. Xavier Legette became interesting as a volume-based punt option, though his floor is scary with limited quarterback talent.
Courtland Sutton proved cheap enough to justify mid-range consideration, while rookie Troy Franklin emerged as Nix’s college teammate connection, seeing a 23% target share that made him a viable tournament dart throw.
Tight Ends
Tommy Tremble missing time with a back injury opened doors for Ja’Tavion Sanders as a punt play, even though his floor is miniscule. The key insight? Denver doesn’t have a fantasy-relevant TE, showing how some teams simply lack pass-catching threats at certain positions.
Defenses
Worth paying up for elite defenses like the Broncos unit while avoiding situations where the Panthers’ defense is never in play—this matchup demands similar discernment.
Chicago Bears @ Washington Commanders
Projected Totals: Bears 23.5, Commanders 20.5
Quarterbacks
When evaluating signal-callers for this divisional clash, I’ve found that dual-threat upside often gets overlooked in tournament format contests. Marcus Mariota demonstrated how a cheap quarterback can be interesting as a play when you need differentiation, even though Caleb Williams has been excellent over his last three games.
The Commanders defense isn’t as bad as its reputation suggests, which impacts prices and rostership calculations. From my years analyzing these matchups, Ihave learned that when a quarterback’s value rises after multiple strong performances, the Mariota situation at the helm reminds us that veteran backups can still move an offense effectively.
Running Backs
The backfield dynamics here mirror what we saw with Brian Robinson being cheap relative to his workload when Daniels was playing. However, he was held back by a less effective offense, making him a riskier option than initially projected.
On the flip side, D’Andre Swift’s price on most sites except Yahoo represents a bargain given his last three games of production. As a card-carrying member of the D’Andre Swift Doubters Club, I have to acknowledge he’s become a solid option this week sometimes you need to adjust when the data demands it.
Wide Receivers
Receiver evaluation gets tricky in divisional matchups. I’m scared of certain plays on FanDuel where Terry McLaurin faces a tough matchup against the Bears’ defense, especially with Mariota under center creating a less than ideal situation.
Chicago deploys three receivers regularly, with D.J. Moore being the top option but fairly expensive. Keenan Allen scored two TDs last week but has otherwise failed to break 5.0 Half-PPR points this season. Rome Oduzne stands as the cheapest and my favorite of the bunch, though he posted just a 65% route participation rate last week a red flag worth noting.
Tight Ends
The tight end landscape presents limited upside here. That 65% route participation rates concern extends to Cole Kmet, who I saw at just 55% for the season—not enough to justify including him in your lineups. Zach Ertz remains more involved in his offense, but he’s a less appealing pay-down option without Daniels under center, similar to how backup quarterbacks limit passing game ceilings across the league.
Defenses
On DK where pricing is particularly cheap, I’m backing the Bears’ defense to take advantage of backup quarterback situations. The Commanders’ defense also presents as a viable option, especially since Chicago tends to struggle to beat good defenses. What’s the best approach here? Target defensive units facing offenses with limited weapons or quarterback uncertainty, it’s consistently profitable.
As we head into Week 8, the key to DFS success lies in identifying value where others see risk and recognizing when popular plays might disappoint. Whether you are stacking cheap tournament plays like Mariota or paying up for elite matchups, remember that the best lineups often come from balancing solid options with calculated upside swings.
The defenses are particularly interesting this week, with several units priced as bargains relative to their matchup potential. Don’t be scared to pivot from consensus plays when the data supports it even as a member of various player skeptics clubs, I acknowledge when the numbers tell a different story.
Trust your research, target the tough matchups for opposing offenses, and remember that being interesting in tournament format often means zigging when others zag. Good luck building your lineups, and may your rostership decisions lead to green arrows across the slate!