Here are the guys you should smash(start) in your lineups and the guys you should be passing on(sitting) for week 8! These aren't guys you 100% have to start or 100% have to bench, they're just guys we believe are going to exceed expectations this week or fall short of what they're expected to do. Also, if any fantasy points are mentioned, we use PPR as our primary scoring marker and 6 point passing TDs for QBs.
Quarterbacks:
Smash
Shawn - Teddy Bridgewater vs ATL: Teddy is back as a startable QB this week. I love him on a matchup basis and no matchup is juicier for a QB than the Atlanta Falcons secondary. Teddy should have another good game this week, as he has had 25+ fantasy points in 3 of the last 4 games played. I think it becomes 4 of 5 this week, lock him in.
Q - Ryan Tannehill @ CIN: Tannehill has a very favorable matchup and has been super solid as a QB1 this year without getting the respect for it. Baker Mayfield just went off against this same defense, so I have no fear rolling out Tannehill and expecting a big game from him. At the very least he should be a lock for 20+ points. Start him this week if you have him.
Matty P - Matt Stafford @ IND: Matt Stafford has been a bit down, but when you think Matt Stafford is down is when he wakes up from the dead. Now look the Colts are #1 against QBs right now, BUT the best QBs they have played this season are Gardner Minshew, Kirk Cousins, Joe Burrow, and Baker Mayfield. Matt Stafford will be the best QB they face and they're going to have to throw to win this game. I lowkey like Stafford this week as a viable option.
Pass
Shawn - Ben Roethlisberger @ BAL: That Ravens secondary is legit and they have been the QB killers this year. The only QBs to have viable fantasy days are Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz. Wentz had the addition of his rushing ability to help him as well as most of the points coming late while the Ravens had a big lead and Mahomes has been the Ravens' kryptonite. Big Ben should be Big Benched in all leagues this week in this matchup.
Q - Joe Burrow vs TEN: I like Burrow, I'm just not sure he's earned my confidence back. In games not against the Browns this season, Burrow has only averaged 15 points per game. He has had some tough matchups, but I don't know if he has proven to be a QB I can trust, I think he is better left on benches this week.
Matty P - Drew Brees @ CHI: Drew Brees has been okay this season, but for his career, he has always struggled more on the road. This week he's on the road against a top-10 defense, he may get Michael Thomas back which could help, but I'm not confident in this matchup. Find another option this week.
Running Backs:
Smash
Shawn - Darrell Henderson Jr. @ MIA: Henderson has been hit or miss to say the least. However, we have finally gotten some clarity on how this backfield is shaking out and it looks like Henderson is #1, Brown #2, Akers #3 for the time being. Heading into a favorable matchup vs the Dolphins, I think this is where Henderson will have the opportunity to prove he is the true #1 for this backfield. Lock him in for a TD this week and at least 10 points.
Q - Boston Scott @ DAL: Boston Scott looked good last week and got the game-winning TD catch on a DIME from Carson Wentz. It's looking like Sanders may miss another week, so as long as he is not playing, Boston Scott is a near top-10 play in this offense. Especially against a defeated and banged-up Cowboys defense.
Matty P - Justin Jackson @ DEN: Josh Kelley looked a bit more efficient than he did in previous weeks, but I still believe this is Jackson's backfield right now. The pass-catching ability gives him a safer floor and I think he finds the endzone this week. Roll Jackson out there this week if you've got em.
Pass
Shawn - Patriots RB's @ BUF: The Patriots are a dumpster fire right now, you hope Cam Newton can bounce back this week. However, in terms of actually trusting one of these running backs in fantasy right now, you simply cannot. Cam is still the goal line back for this team and I expect him to have a bounce-back day vs the Bills poor rushing defense, but you have no idea which running back will get the most work. Leave them all on the bench until this offense is right and one emerges as the leader.
Q - Joe Mixon/Gio Bernard vs TEN: I don't like Burrow this week already and I'm not confident in the Bengals running backs either. If Mixon plays it could be even uglier if he is limited, but even if he is out and it's just Gio I don't like this matchup. The Titans have not allowed 100 yards rushing to any team since week 3 and I don't think the Bengals change that, downgrade them for me this week, even though you're probably starting one of them if you have them.
Matty P - Ronald Jones @ NYG: This has nothing to do with Jones himself. I like Jones a lot and have always been a believer and I think he will still be involved. However, with Fournette taking away half of his volume and the lack of pass-catching ability. I am nervous about him this week and moving forward as long as fournette is involved.
Wide Receivers:
Smash
Shawn - Justin Jefferson @ GB: The Vikings defense has been poor this week, so I think Aaron Rodgers is about to light them up as well. If that's the case, Jefferson will be involved as the Vikings try and keep up with the high-powered Packers. Jefferson is a top 15 play for me this week, despite being somewhat Boom or Bust this season, I think this is another Boom game for the rookie.
Q - Tee Higgins @ TEN: Look I know I put Burrow on the Pass list this week, but Higgins has been consistent no matter what Burrow does. They're going to have to throw to keep up with Tennesse and even if Burrow isn't efficient, Higgins has been too good to pass on. He's proven to me to be at the very least a must-start flex every week.
Matty P - Justin Jefferson @ GB: The same thing as what Shawn said, this team is going to have to SLING it to keep up with that offense. I love Thielen this week but you gotta roll Jefferson out there. Since his big game week 3, he's had at least 14 points in 3 of 4 games. I think he continues to thrive this week as a top 20 WR option.
Pass
Shawn - Amari Cooper @ PHI: 2 words, Darius Slay. He has been lockdown this season and will prove that again this week. It is difficult to cover Cooper, but with Ben Dinucci throwing him passes, I think Slay will be just fine. Cooper is better left on benches, and I think Ceedee Lamb might be a better start this week than Cooper. Only start Coop if you're forced to, as Slay has not allowed more than 55 yards to any receiver this season.
Q - Juju Smith-Schuster @ BAL: One good game for Juju is not enough for me to have my full trust in him. He will be matched with a much tougher secondary this week with the Ravens and I'm not sure I trust him at all. Don't forget he only had 6 catches for 34 yards combined the past 2 weeks before this. I think he has another dud of a game this week.
Matty P - Packers WRs not named Adams: This could probably also go for Tonyan, but these guys like MVS, ST. Brown, Taylor, whoever. I don't like any Pass catchers on this team aside from the running backs and Adams. Stay away unless you are SUPER desperate.
Tight Ends:
Smash
Shawn - Jonnu Smith @ CIN: Jonnu has to bounce back right? The talent is there, Tannehill has been playing well and Jonnu's ankle is healed now. This is the week he bounces back and reminds you why he's pushing that top 5 tight end territory. Lock in Jonnu this week if you have him.
Q - Rob Gronkowski @ NYG: GRONK IS BACK BABY! Well, at least for this week. I know Godwin and AB will be playing soon, but this week the only competition for targets is a struggling Mike Evans, Scotty Miller, and Cameron Brate. Gronk Smash him into your lineup this week and hope he can continue this production even with a fully healthy Bucs lineup.
Matty P - Richard Rodgers vs DAL: Wentz loves to target whoever is playing in the tight end position for him. This past week it was Richard Rodgers who had 8 targets and 14 fantasy points. Roll Rodgers out there again this week against a bad Cowboys defense and expect him to get some volume.
Pass
Shawn - Harrison Bryant vs LV: Don't drink the Bryant juice. I know OBJ is out, but even with Hooper out, David Njoku is still there and going to be splitting snaps and routes with Bryant. He was able to find the endzone twice, but I want to see more before putting him anywhere near my lineup. Only start Bryant in the most desperate situation, I would look elsewhere this week for your TE troubles.
Q - TJ Hockenson vs IND: Hockenson has been solid as a rock this season. No less than 9 fantasy points in any game yet. However, going up against the Colts, they have not allowed any tight-end group to score more than 11 fantasy points. Credit to Austin Hooper for the Browns that week, but I'm not sure Hockenson has the same luck. You may not have a better option so you're probably stuck with him. If you start him, at least downgrade your expectations, this may be his first poor game of the season.
Matty P - Eric Ebron @ BAL: Ebron has already struggled and been inconsistent this season. Now he gets a tough matchup with the Ravens defense. He's currently 22nd among TEs this season and I don't expect that to change in a big way this week. That Colts year was more of an anomaly than anything else. If you're starting him you're hoping that he falls into the endzone for you and that is it.