Week 8 is here, and four teams are on bye: the Giants, Texans, Saints and 49ers. If you roster Cam Skattebo, J.J. McCarthy, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey or other players from those teams, you need a replacement this week.
Below are our start and sit calls for Week 8, based on what we saw in Week 7, this week’s matchups and the latest injury news. As always, check the final injury reports on Friday and Sunday morning before you lock your lineup.
Quarterbacks
Start: Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. Titans)
Burrow threw four touchdowns in the second half as Cincinnati scored 35 straight points to beat Baltimore 35-13. Now he gets a home game against a Tennessee team that is 1-6. Start him with confidence.
Start: Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (at Buccaneers)
Penix played one of his best games in the 29-20 upset of the 49ers, and Drake London was his favorite target. Tampa Bay’s defense was strong against Carolina, but Penix is a solid QB2 or streaming option in a division game that could turn into a shootout.
Sit: Kyler Murray, Colts (at Jaguars)
Murray went just 4-of-11 for 67 yards in the 16-10 loss to Minnesota, and the Colts didn’t score in the second half. A road game against a Jaguars team coming off its bye is not the spot to trust him.
Sit: Bryce Young, Panthers (at Packers, Thursday)
Young threw two interceptions in a 43-13 loss to Tampa Bay and was under pressure all day. A short week on the road in Green Bay is a tough matchup.
Running backs
Start: Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (vs. Falcons)
Tampa Bay ran for 258 yards in Week 7, and Irving had 106 yards and two touchdowns. The Bucs clearly want to run the ball, and Irving is the main back. He’s an RB1/RB2 this week.
Start: Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. Browns)
Warren ran for 101 yards in the win over New Orleans in Paris. Pittsburgh leans on the run to protect its passing game, and this is a big division game. Start him as an RB2.
Risky: Derrick Henry, Ravens (at Bills)
Henry was held to 45 yards on 17 carries against Cincinnati. Without Lamar Jackson, defenses can focus on stopping him. If Jackson returns, Henry moves back up. If not, treat him as a flex play, not a locked-in RB1.
Check the injury report: Saquon Barkley, Eagles (at Commanders, Sunday night)
Barkley has been listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. If he’s active and practicing fully, start him. If he’s limited, have a backup plan ready, because the Eagles play on Sunday night and you won’t have many options left by then.
Wide receivers
Start: Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. Titans)
Higgins caught passes for 148 yards in Week 7 and is Burrow’s top big-play target. Start him as a WR1/WR2.
Start: Drake London, Falcons (at Buccaneers)
London was a key part of Atlanta’s upset win over San Francisco. He sees a lot of targets every week and is a strong WR2.
Flex: Omar Cooper Jr., Jets (vs. Raiders)
Cooper has posted back-to-back big games, including 5 catches, 115 yards and a touchdown against Miami. He’s becoming the Jets’ main receiver. He’s a solid WR3 or flex play.
Sit: Adonai Mitchell, Jets (vs. Raiders)
Mitchell had no catches on three targets in Week 7 while Cooper took over. Leave him on your bench until his role grows.
Week 8 at a glance
| Start | Sit / risky |
|---|---|
| Joe Burrow (QB, CIN) | Kyler Murray (QB, IND) |
| Michael Penix Jr. (QB, ATL) | Bryce Young (QB, CAR) |
| Bucky Irving (RB, TB) | Derrick Henry (RB, BAL) — risky |
| Jaylen Warren (RB, PIT) | Adonai Mitchell (WR, NYJ) |
| Tee Higgins (WR, CIN) | |
| Drake London (WR, ATL) | |
| Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, NYJ) — flex |
Tips for Week 8
- Handle your byes early. With four teams off, pick up replacements before Wednesday’s waivers. See our Week 8 waiver wire pickups.
- Thursday night counts. Panthers at Packers kicks off on Thursday. Set those players before the game starts.
- Watch the weather. Late-season games in cold or windy cities can lower passing numbers.
Good luck in Week 8!
