Week 8 is complete, and the season is already nearing the midpoint. In most fantasy leagues, there are only four or five more weeks left before the playoffs begin. Is your team in a position for a playoff run? Do you need a few more wins to secure a berth? This week, we look at which teams to exploit at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end for the next few weeks. Plus, there are some streaming options not only for Week 9 but also for the rest of the season. It's always good to look ahead a few weeks for waiver claims or, in some cases, four or five games ahead.
QUARTERBACK
Over the last four weeks, the Chargers, Buccaneers, Texans, and Jaguars have averaged at least 300-plus passing yards allowed per game. To narrow down the ultimate opponent exploit, Los Angeles is also allowing 1.7 touchdown passes per game in that span. These teams are allowing 2.0 touchdown passes per game or more. WAS, ATL, DAL, CAR, DET, and NE.
EXPLOIT THESE PASSING GAME OPPONENTS: LA Chargers, Tampa Bay, Houston, Washington
Upcoming schedule
LA Chargers - at NJY, DET, at GB, BAL
The Chargers have allowed 309 yards passing per game over the last four weeks with 1.7 passing touchdowns allowed per game. Third-most fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks in that span.
Who stands to benefit:
- Week 9 Zach Wilson (potential waiver)
- Week 10 Jared Goff, DET
- Week 11 Jordan Love, GB (potential waiver)
- Week 12 Lamar Jackson, BAL
Tampa Bay - at HOU, TEN, at SF, at IND
The Buccaneers have allowed 309 yards passing per game over the last four weeks with 1.3 passing touchdowns allowed per game. Second-most fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks in that span.
Who stands to benefit:
- Week 9 C.J. Stroud, HOU
- Week 10 Will Levis, TEN (potential waiver)
- Week 11 Brock Purdy, SF
- Week 12 Gardner Minshew, IND (potential waiver)
Houston - TB, at CIN, ARI, JAC
The Texans have allowed 306 yards passing per game over the last four weeks with 1.0 passing touchdowns allowed to quarterbacks per game.
Who stands to benefit:
- Week 9 Baker Mayfield, TB (potential waiver)
- Week 10 Joe Burrow, CIN
- Week 11 Kyler Murray/Clayton Tune, ARI (potential waiver)
- Week 12 Trevor Lawrence, JAC
Washington - at NE, at SEA, NYG, at DAL
The Commanders have allowed 297 yards passing per game over the last four weeks with 3.0 passing touchdowns allowed per game. The most fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks in that span.
Who stands to benefit:
- Week 9 Mac Jones, NE (potential waiver)
- Week 10 Geno Smith, SEA
- Week 11 Daniel Jones, NYG
- Week 12 Dak Prescott, DAL
Teams to keep your quarterback away from
- NY Jets - In their last three games, they have allowed 161 passing yards per game and 1.0 passing touchdown allowed per game. Much of that includes the abysmal performance by the Giants' backup quarterbacks from last week, who totaled 7 yards passing total. We can't dismiss that the Jets' defense had something to do with the low yardage. New York plays LAC, at LSV, at BUF, MIA in their next four games.
- New Orleans - The Saints have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in the last four weeks. This includes 187 passing yards allowed per game with 1.3 passing touchdowns allowed. This stretch was against NE, HOU, JAC, and IND - a fairly pedestrian schedule, but still impressive nonetheless. In the next four weeks, New Orleans plays CHI (without Fields), at MIN (without Cousins and Jefferson), BYE, at ATL. One of the better schedules in the league coming up.
- Kansas City - In their last three games, they have allowed 188 passing yards per game and 1.0 passing touchdown allowed per game. In two of their last three games, the Chiefs have held their opponent to less than 120 yards passing (both vs Denver). In the next four weeks, Kansas City plays MIA (in Germany), BYE, PHI, at LSV.
RUNNING BACK
Running back streaming is more about opportunity than matchup because there aren't many streaming running back options available on the waiver wire, but there may be some possibilities sitting on your bench. Looking ahead, here are some marquee matchups to take note of, some of which include potential streaming options or waiver claims.
EXPLOIT THESE OPPONENTS: Carolina, Las Vegas, Arizona, Indianapolis
Upcoming schedule
CAROLINA - IND, at CHI, DAL, at TEN
In the last four weeks, Carolina has allowed 136 rushing yards per game on average with 1.7 rushing touchdowns allowed. Highest fantasy points for running backs against in that span. They did a decent job last week against Houston, allowing a top rusher of 46 yards to Dameon Pierce with only allowing a 1-yard touchdown to their fullback. Carolina is still a team to exploit until proven otherwise.
Who stands to benefit against the Panthers?
- Week 9 Jonathan Taylor, Zack Moss, IND
- Week 10 D'Onta Foreman (revenge game), Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, CHI (potential waiver)
- Week 11 Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, DAL (potential waiver)
- Week 12 Derrick Henry, Tajae Spears, TEN
LAS VEGAS - NYG, NYJ, at MIA, KC
In the last four weeks, Las Vegas has allowed 130 rushing yards per game on average with 1.5 rushing touchdowns allowed. Second-highest fantasy points for running backs against in that span.
Who stands to benefit against the Raiders?
- Week 9 Saquon Barkley, NYG
- Week 10 Breece Hall, NYJ
- Week 11 Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., De'Von Achane, MIA (will he be back?)
- Week 12 Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon, KC
ARIZONA - at CLE, ATL, at HOU, at LAR
In the last four weeks, Arizona has allowed 116 rushing yards per game on average with 1.0 rushing touchdowns allowed. They have allowed three rushing touchdowns to opponents twice this year and have also allowed four 100-yard rushers.
Who stands to benefit against the Cardinals?
- Week 9 Jerome Ford, Kareem Hunt, CLE
- Week 10 Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, ATL
- Week 11 Dameon Pierce, Devin Singletary, HOU
- Week 12 Kyren Williams (will he be back?), Royce Freeman, Darrell Henderson Jr., LAR
INDIANAPOLIS - at CAR, at NE, BYE, TB
In the last four weeks, Indianapolis has allowed 96 rushing yards per game on average with 1.8 rushing touchdowns allowed. The Colts have allowed at least one rushing touchdown in every game since Week 4, three of which were multiple scores. On the plus side, Indianapolis has allowed only one 100-yard rusher (Kyren Williams in Week 4)
Who stands to benefit against the Colts?
- Week 9 Chuba Hubbard (potential waiver), Miles Sanders, CAR
- Week 10 Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, NE
- Week 11 BYE
- Week 12 Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, TB
Teams to keep your running back away from
- Philadelphia - In the last four weeks, the Eagles have allowed 58 yards rushing on average with 0.3 rushing touchdowns allowed. They have allowed one rushing touchdown to a running back since Week 4, and no running back has exceeded 60 yards rushing against them all season.
- Detroit - In the last four weeks, the Lions have allowed 70 yards rushing on average with 0.5 rushing touchdowns allowed per game. Detroit has allowed only two rushing touchdowns to running backs since Week 2. No running back has rushed for 65 yards or more against them.
- Tampa Bay - In the last four weeks, the Buccaneers have allowed 75 yards rushing on average with 0.0 rushing touchdowns allowed per game. Tampa has not allowed a single rushing touchdown to a running back all season. Only D'Andre Swift has exceeded 70 rushing against them. Aside from Swift, Tampa has held in check all running back threats including Alvin Kamara, David Montgomery, James Cook, and Bijan Robinson.
- Chicago - In the last four weeks, the Lions have allowed 38 yards rushing on average with 0.0 rushing touchdowns allowed per game. Chicago has not allowed a rushing touchdown to a running back since Week 3 against the Chiefs. No running back has exceeded 75 yards rushing against them.
WIDE RECEIVER
There are several teams to exploit at wide receiver in the next four weeks. These are the ones you should target:
EXPLOIT THESE OPPONENTS: Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Washington
PHILADELPHIA - DAL, BYE, at KC, BUF
In the last four weeks, the Eagles have allowed wide receivers an average of 18 receptions, 198 yards receiving, and 1.5 receiving touchdowns per game. Philadelphia has allowed 16 passing touchdowns this season, 12 of which went to wide receivers. At least one wide receiver has had 8+ receptions against the Eagles in all but two of their games this year.
Who stands to benefit?
- Week 9 CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, DAL
- Week 10 BYE
- Week 11 Rashee Rice, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman Jr., KC
- Week 12 Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Khalil Shakir, BUF
TAMPA BAY - at HOU, TEN, at SF, at IND
In the last four weeks, the Bucs have allowed wide receivers to average 18 receptions, 209 yards receiving, and 1.0 receiving touchdown per game. Tampa Bay has allowed only 8 passing touchdowns this season, 6 of which went to wide receivers. In five of seven games this season, at least one wide receiver has gained 90 yards against them.
Who stands to benefit?
- Week 9 Nico Collins, Tank Dell, HOU
- Week 10 DeAndre Hopkins, maybe Treylon Burks, TEN
- Week 11 Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, SF
- Week 12 Michael Pittman Jr, Josh Downs, IND
ARIZONA - at CLE, ATL, at HOU, LAR
In the last four weeks, the Cardinals have allowed, on average, 16 receptions and 180 yards receiving to wide receivers per game with 1.5 receiving touchdowns per game. Arizona has allowed 12 passing touchdowns this season, 7 of which went to wide receivers. They have allowed six touchdowns to wide receivers in the last four games.
Who stands to benefit?
- Week 9 Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, CLE
- Week 10 Drake London, KhaDarel Hodge (potential waiver), Scotty Miller (potential waiver)
- Week 11 Nico Collins, Tank Dell, HOU
- Week 12 Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, LAR
WASHINGTON - at NE, at SEA, NYG, at DAL
In the last four weeks, the Commanders have allowed wide receivers to average 11 receptions, 194 yards receiving, and 1.8 receiving touchdowns per game. Washington has allowed a league-high 18 passing touchdowns this season, 12 of which went to wide receivers. They have allowed two or more touchdowns to wide receivers in four games this season.
Who stands to benefit?
- Week 9 Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, NE (both potential waiver claims)
- Week 10 DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA
- Week 11 Jalin Hyatt, Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, NYG
- Week 12 CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, DAL
Teams to keep your wide receiver away from
- NY Jets - The last receiver to have more than 7 receptions against the Jets was Week 2 (CeeDee Lamb). They have held receivers to less than 50 yards in four of the last five games.
- Las Vegas - The Raiders have not allowed a receiving touchdown to a wide receiver since Week 4. Amon-Ra St. Brown is the only wide receiver to gain 100 yards against them this season.
- Denver - No wide receiver has exceeded 72 yards against the Broncos since Week 4.
- Dallas has allowed two touchdowns to wide receivers since Week 3. Only one wide receiver has more than 5 receptions against them in a game this year (Keenan Allen, 7).
TIGHT END
Streaming tight ends on a weekly is a popular strategy that can be the difference between a win and a loss. Here are some matchups over the next four weeks to exploit.
EXPLOIT THESE OPPONENTS: Houston, LA Chargers, Washington
HOUSTON - at CIN, ARI, JAC, DEN
In the last four weeks, the Texans have allowed on average 9 receptions and 92 yards receiving to tight ends per game with 0.3 receiving touchdowns per game.
Who stands to benefit?
- Week 9 Irv Smith Jr. CIN
- Week 10 Trey McBride, ARI
- Week 11 Evan Engram, JAC
- Week 12 Adam Trautman, DEN
LA CHARGERS - at NYJ, DET, at GB, BAL
In the last four weeks, the Chargers have allowed, on average, 9 receptions and 99 yards receiving to tight ends per game with 0.3 receiving touchdowns per game.
Who stands to benefit?
- Week 9 Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, NYJ
- Week 10 Sam LaPorta, DET
- Week 11 Luke Musgrave, GB
- Week 12 Mark Andrews, BAL
WASHINGTON - at NE, at SEA, NYG, at DAL
In the last four weeks, the Commanders have allowed, on average, 7 receptions and 69 yards receiving to tight ends per game with 1.0 receiving touchdowns per game (4 touchdowns allowed to tight ends in their last four games).
Who stands to benefit?
- Week 9 Hunter Henry, NE
- Week 10 Noah Fant, SEA
- Week 11 Daniel Bellinger, NYG (potential waiver)
- Week 12 Jake Ferguson, DAL
Teams to keep your tight end away from
- Cleveland - The Browns have allowed 2 touchdowns to tight ends all year. Both were to Mark Andrews. No other tight end has come close to fantasy relevant against Cleveland.
- NY Giants - The Giants have allowed only one touchdown to a tight end this year. Nobody since Week 3 has exceeded 63 yards as a tight end against New York.
- Arizona - The Cardinals have allowed one touchdown to a tight end (Mark Andrews). Only two tight ends have 5+ receptions against them this season.
Use these exploitations to your advantage. Set your lineups accordingly.
Thank you for reading. Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. Hit me up on X, formerly Twitter.
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