What You Need to Know From Week 8

Sigmund Bloom Published 10/31/2023

TB @ BUF

Baker Mayfield's solid final stat line hid what was mostly an ineffective night for the Bucs offense. He's still only a low-end QB2/Superflex. The Bills pass defense will get a much tougher test against the Bengals this week.
Rachaad White was contained again in the running game, but he also had his second straight strong game as a receiver, and Chase Edmonds was a flop in his return from injured reserve. White remains a PPR RB2/Flex against Houston in Week 9.
Mike Evans would have been a dud if not for a fluky 4th-and-10 touchdown catch in garbage time. He has slowed down after a hot start and is getting closer to the edge of our circle of trust.
Josh Allen carved up the Bucs in the short passing game, and he was spry and picked his spots well as a runner, scoring on the ground for the fifth time in six weeks. The Bills pass offense supported four startable pass catchers as the Bucs remain a pass defense to target. He's red hot heading into a showdown with Joe Burrow.
Latavius Murray was a plodder and couldn't convert at the goal line. In a related development, the Bills signed Leonard Fournette to their practice squad. Consider adding Fournette as long as bench size allows.
Gabe Davis had a strong game, redeeming a two-game slump and getting back into WR3/Flex consideration against Cincinnati.
Dawson Knox going on injured reserve created more opportunity for two players. Dalton Kincaid scored and looks like an every-week fantasy TE1 going forward. Khalil Shakir had a breakout game as the offense went with more three-wide sets. He's worth an add in deep leagues to see if he sticks with #3 tight end Quintin Morris (ankle) possibly ready to play this week after missing Week 8.

NYJ @ NYG

The Giants defense was still good, but Zach Wilson makes most defenses look good. Breece Hall still busted a long touchdown, and Garrett Wilson is getting enough volume to be an easy start. Otherwise, this offense continues to flatline.
Tyrod Taylor went down with a rib injury and had to head to the hospital. UDFA rookie Tommy DeVito was overwhelmed as a passer but at least scored a touchdown he'll always remember as a runner. Daniel Jones is in line to return and start against the Raiders in Week 9.
Darren Waller left with a hamstring injury after coming into the game questionable due to the ailment. It's not clear how long he'll be out. Unless Jones finds his game as a passer, no one in this pass offense will be worth rostering in typical leagues.

JAX @ PIT

Trevor Lawrence kept the Steelers defense off balance with quick, short passing but didn't neglect Calvin Ridley as a downfield target. Lawrence could be a solid QB1 after the bye if he gets Zay Jones back. Ridley gave us more reason to trust him in lineups going forward.
Travis Etienne broke free for a score as a receiver and posted yet another big game. His bye comes at the right time to recharge for the stretch run. He has been one of the biggest values in fantasy drafts this year.
Kenny Pickett left with a rib injury. He hasn't been ruled out for Thursday's game, but it's still more likely that we'll see Mitchell Trubisky start. The Steelers offense is feeble either way.
Diontae Johnson dominated targets until he left briefly with a hamstring issue. He's a boom/bust WR3/Flex on Thursday vs Tennessee, assuming that he plays.
George Pickens hurdled two Jaguars for a touchdown on his only catch of the night. Trubisky has favored Johnson in the past, but Pickens has expanded his route tree and Johnson might not be 100%, so consider him as a boom/bust WR3/Flex on Thursday.
After a flicker of value in Week 7, Najee Harris is back to best being left on your bench, especially against a stout run defense like the Titans.

PHI @ WAS

A.J. Brown continues to play at a hall of fame level, but against a generous defense like Washington's DeVonta Smith was also able to post a big game. We'll see if the Patriots pass offense can produce even one viable play against the Commanders this week.
Sam Howell was ceiling Sam this week with his second high-quality game against the Eagles. His ceiling makes him worth playing again as a QB2/Superflex or Lawrence/Goff bye coverage at New England.
Curtis Samuel left with a toe injury after coming in questionable with a foot issue. Jahan Dotson had his best game of the season in the wake of the injury and should be bid on aggressively if he's available on the waiver wire. Jamison Crowder split the vacated snaps with Dyami Brown but was much more productive and is worth an add in deep leagues.

LAR @ DAL

Matthew Stafford left with a thumb injury, returned, and left again. He'll probably miss Week 9 at a minimum. The pass offense wasn't viable with Brett Rypien. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua aren't automatic starts while Stafford is out.
Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson are splitting the backfield down the middle. Freeman scored, while Henderson was much more productive as a receiver. Both are just what the heck flexes at Green Bay.
Dak Prescott threw to CeeDee Lamb a ton right out of the gate in a sign that the Cowboys figured something out during the bye. Lamb set career highs in catches and yards and could be a very valuable player down the stretch, with Prescott's outlook also improving heading into a showdown at Philadelphia.
Tony Pollard was very disappointing in a game where his team scored 43 points. He's probably a buy-low with a more competitive game on tap this week.
Jake Ferguson scored and was the most valuable secondary pass-catcher for Dallas. He's worth a pickup and spot start this week.

MIN @ GB

Kirk Cousins left with an Achilles injury and is out for the year. The Vikings traded for Joshua Dobbs, and he could start over fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall in time, but Hall will start Week 9. The trade is something to help salvage the value of Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, but it is more likely to disappoint than pleasantly surprise. The Vikings offense remains a sell.
Alexander Mattison got the majority of the snaps, but Cam Akers got the score, while the Vikings offense took a massive hit. He's not an essential hold.
Jordan Love isn't improving as the season goes on. No one in this pass offense is a safe play, and only Christian Watson is even worth a hold.
Aaron Jones still isn't 100%, and split snaps evenly with AJ Dillon. Jones is only a what-the-heck flex until we see him return to form.