Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 8
We are officially halfway through the 2024 fantasy season. The playoff push begins this week. Knowing who to start and fade can make all the difference in wrapping up a key victory. Our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 8 will help you find the optimal starts and sits to consider.
Subsequently, our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 8 will help you navigate that turbulence to pick a winning lineup this week. Additionally, FullTime Fantasy has some of the top tools of the trade and accurate rankings.
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) at Washington
Caleb Williams had a shaky start to the season, but lately, he’s been heating up. He’s landed as a top-10 fantasy QB in three of his last four outings. Sure, playing against defenses like Jacksonville and Carolina, who have been generous to quarterbacks in fantasy, helped his numbers. However, Williams is finding his rhythm, and his career-best PFF grades show he’s only getting better. With the momentum he’s built, Williams should be considered a strong QB1 play this week, especially given a favorable matchup.
Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) at Tampa Bay
Cousins couldn’t capitalize on his Week 7 matchup against Seattle, and overall, his fantasy output has been inconsistent, aside from a massive Week 5 explosion. That performance, where he dropped 509 yards and four touchdowns, came against none other than Tampa Bay—his opponent again this week. The Buccaneers have allowed the third-most passing yards and the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Cousins already torched them once, and with their track record against QBs, it’s worth plugging him into your lineup again.
Sit ‘Em
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) at San Francisco
Prescott has only been a top-12 fantasy QB twice this season, and those instances came against extremely favorable matchups. This week, the Bears face a tough test against San Francisco, who ranks as the 12th-best team in limiting fantasy points to quarterbacks. With Prescott’s inconsistent play and the 49ers’ defense on tap, it’s better to look elsewhere for Week 8.
Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts) at Houston
Richardson was electric in Week 1, but since then, it’s been a steep drop-off. Across his last three full games, he’s combined for just 34 fantasy points. While Richardson is still talented, the Week 8 rematch against the Texans doesn’t inspire much confidence. He’s only worth a start in deeper leagues like Superflex or two-QB formats at this point.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos) vs. Carolina
Williams has firmly taken over as the Broncos’ lead back, logging at least 13 carries and 60 yards in three of the last four games, all of which Denver won. His workload has increased, now playing over 60% of offensive snaps in the last three weeks. Facing Carolina’s defense this week, which has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs, Williams is in prime position to deliver. The Panthers have given up rushing touchdowns in every game this season, and seven RBs have gone over 70 yards against them. Williams should thrive in this matchup.
Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) at Las Vegas
Since stepping into the starting role for the Chiefs, Hunt has been solid, posting at least 18 PPR points in his last two games. He’s seen 49 carries and found the end zone three times. While his receiving work has been minimal, that might not matter against a Raiders defense that ranks eighth in allowing fantasy points to RBs. A running back has scored 15.5 or more PPR points in every game against Las Vegas this season. Hunt is locked in as a top-15 option this week.
Sit ‘Em
Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Philadelphia
Brown’s workload has been steady, but his output hasn’t followed. Over the past four weeks, he’s failed to top 12 receiving yards in a game, and touchdowns have been hard to come by. This week, the Bengals face an Eagles defense that has been stingy against the run, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to RBs. Without much involvement in the passing game or red-zone opportunities, Brown doesn’t offer enough upside to be worth starting.
Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns) vs. Baltimore
Chubb’s return from a serious knee injury was heartwarming, but he wasn’t overly effective in Week 7. His snaps were limited, and while he scored, he only managed 32 total yards on 11 carries. Baltimore‘s defense presents a daunting challenge, having allowed the fewest yards per carry and the lowest explosive-run rate. It might be best to wait another week before trusting Chubb in fantasy lineups.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Darnell Mooney (Atlanta Falcons) at Tampa Bay
Mooney has quietly been one of the season’s surprises, averaging over 14 PPR points per game over the past six weeks—good for 16th among wide receivers. While he hasn’t been entirely consistent, he’s still hit 50+ yards in four of his six games. His best outing came against Tampa Bay, when he posted 105 yards and two TDs, and he gets to face them again this week. The Bucs are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, so Mooney should be in line for another productive day.
Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins) vs. Arizona
The Dolphins get a boost with Tua Tagovailoa set to return from a concussion in Week 8, which is fantastic news for Waddle. Waddle has struggled in recent weeks without Tua, failing to hit double-digit PPR points in five straight games. But with his quarterback back, Waddle should return to form. Arizona has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers this season, making Waddle a strong WR2 play in this juicy matchup.
Sit ‘Em
Christian Kirk (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Green Bay
Kirk has seen a decline in fantasy production since Evan Engram returned, managing just five catches in his last three games. This week’s matchup against the Packers doesn’t bode well either, as Green Bay’s defense has allowed the second-fewest adjusted yards per attempt to slot receivers. It’s a tough spot for Kirk, and benching him might be the better call.
Diontae Johnson (Carolina Panthers) at Denver
With Bryce Young back under center for the Panthers, Johnson’s outlook dims. Johnson struggled with Young earlier this season, managing just five catches across two games. The Broncos’ defense, which ranks second in the NFL in limiting fantasy points to receivers, isn’t likely to make things any easier. Patrick Surtain’s possible return adds another wrinkle, making Johnson a risky start.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Atlanta
Otton has quietly emerged as one of the more reliable tight ends in fantasy, averaging 11.2 points over the last five weeks. His 26 receptions during that span are second among tight ends, and with Chris Godwin out, Otton’s role in the Buccaneers’ offense could increase even further. Facing a Falcons defense that ranks third in zone coverage usage, a scheme Otton has excelled against, he’s a must-start this week.
Dalton Kincaid (Buffalo Bills) at Seattle
Kincaid hasn’t quite met expectations so far, but the upside remains, especially with the Bills offense backing him. The addition of Amari Cooper should open things up for Kincaid, allowing him to work more effectively in the middle of the field. Plus, the Seahawks have allowed the fourth-most yards to tight ends, making Kincaid a solid bet to bounce back this week. Give him another shot in your lineup.
Sit ‘Em
Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. New York Giants
Freiermuth has only cracked the top-10 fantasy tight ends once this season. The Steelers take on a Giants defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest points to tight ends. Freiermuth hasn’t shown enough upside to be trusted in this difficult matchup.
Dalton Schultz (Houston Texans) vs. Indianapolis
