Breaking down Week 8’s key NFL games to see which players you need to start in fantasy, and which ones you might want to sit out.

Fantasy football Week 8 start ’em

Quarterbacks to start in Week 8

Jared Goff vs Dolphins

Jared Goff has looked horrible lately. Attribute that to going on the road against stiff defenses in New England and in Dallas. He’s home now, in the dome, and the Dolphins are no.29 against fantasy quarterbacks this year. Furthermore, it’s highly likely the Lions will be in catch-up mode in what can turn out to be a high-scoring game. You want players in this match-up. Give me Goff.  

Jimmy Garoppolo vs Rams

Here’s my thinking: he has Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle to throw to. The 49ers own the Rams, no matter if it’s in SoFi stadium. Just go ahead and circle a couple of dumb plays and -2 points for a fumble to prepare yourself. Jimmy Garoppolo is a great pickup for Mahomes owners on a bye. 

Running backs to start in Week 8

Raheem Mostert vs Lions

Just like my argument for Goff—you’re going to want players in this game. The over/under is over 50, and with all the players on bye or injured, Raheem Mostert is a great RB2/Flex play against the 2ND-worst rush defense against fantasy running backs. 

Eno Benjamin vs. Vikings

This is if James Conner misses the game. Don’t be deterred by Keaontay Ingram’s early touchdown. Eno Benjamin saw 48 snaps to his counterpart’s 20, and was involved in the passing game. The Cardinals love to hand it off when they’re at the goal line, and Benjamin should be there to score six. 

Wide receivers to start in Week 8

Gabe Davis vs Packers

More on this later, but this may be the end of the Packers as we know it. The Bills are coming off a bye, and Gabe Davis is going to see some of those lovely bombs Josh Allen tosses his way. The Packers’ defense has been holding it together against wideouts, but they’re not prepared for what’s coming their way Sunday.

DJ Moore vs Falcons

Welcome to the start column, Mr. DJ Moore. Not only did you (finally!) score a touchdown last week, you’re now going against a Falcons defense carved up by the Bengals and who may not have their top cornerback, AJ Terrell. PJ Walker is no Joe Burrow, but it’s not inconceivable for Moore to find pay dirt against the 32ND team against wide receivers.

Tight ends to start in Week 8

Irv Smith vs Cardinals

Death, taxes and the Cardinals bleeding points to the tight end position. The three certainties of this world. To be honest, I was shocked when I found Arizona was not the worst team in the league against fantasy tight ends. Look, they just gave up three touchdowns last week to tight ends alone. The Vikings are coming off a bye, are at home, and the over/under is 49. There’s a good chance Irv Smith gets one….maybe even two….touchdowns this week. 

Taysom Hill vs Raiders

Because why not? We don’t expect him to run for 100+ yards and 3 touchdowns again, but if he’s going to sniff close to that stat line wouldn’t be against the Raiders? No hard analysis here. Just if you’re scrapping the bottom pile of tight ends this week—or have Kyle Pitts—why not go with Taysom Hill, a guy who can blow up? 

Fantasy football Week 8 sit ’em

Quarterbacks to sit in Week 8

Trevor Lawrence vs Broncos

Former Jaguar Blake Bortles owned the England games. Could he pass the baton to Trevor Lawrence? Seems unlikely for this one. The Broncos are a dumpster fire for sure, but their defense is legit, and it’s the only thing keeping them in games right now. This is the no.1 fantasy defense against this position—they are stingier than the Bills, Eagles, and Cowboys. Expect this to be a low-scoring, ugly game. 

Aaron Rodgers vs. Bills

Dear Aaron Rodgers: I want to remember the good times. The dart throws to Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, and Davante Adams as you ran up the score on some poor helpless team. I am afraid that this week you will be that poor helpless team. You have failed to score more than 16 points this season. You are yet to top 300 yards in a game. This will not change in Buffalo against a team fresh off their bye. 

We’ll have the memories. 

Running back to sit in Week 8

David Montgomery vs Cowboys

Just don’t do it. David Montgomery is going up against a stout run D (no.4 in the league against fantasy running backs) and this offense still has not shown they can put anything together past an average defense. 

Wide receiver to sit in Week 8

Romeo Doubs vs Bills

Really, insert any Packers receiver in here. They’ve been dropping passes, passes are under/overthrown. Sammy Watkins last week phoned in a nine-route after 15 yards. This team is crumbling before our very eyes, and yet that Packers logo still calls to us. We still see the 35 points run up on opponents. Not this year. Especially not this week against the no.25 defense against wide receivers. Stay away.