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    50 NFL players to start or sit

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    Fantasy football managers, rejoice! Week 8 is a rare midseason week where no teams are on bye. That means fantasy football owners have all their players available, provided they aren’t injured or suspended.

    Banged-up teams needing plug-in streamers and depth pieces should be able to find plenty of quality starting candidates on the waiver wire. It’s not always easy to figure out which players will be the best options to play, but we’re here to help with those difficult decisions.

    Here are 50 players to start or sit in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season.

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    Week 8 Fantasy football start ’em and sit ’em: QBs

    START: Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

    The Jaguars have allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, as they have surrendered the second-most passing yards (1,996) and most touchdown passes (16) to quarterbacks to signal-callers this season. That makes Love, averaging 270.2 passing yards and three touchdowns per game, a must-start in a favorable spot.

    START: Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

    Cousins was the top-scoring fantasy quarterback in Week 5 when he threw for 509 yards and five touchdowns the last time he played the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay just gave up five passing touchdowns to Lamar Jackson and is allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season (22.0), so Cousins could have a repeat of that strong performance in Week 8.

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    START: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (at Washington Commanders)

    Williams has recorded multiple touchdowns in three of his last five games and seems to be rounding into form during his rookie season. Washington’s defense has allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns to quarterbacks in 2024 (12). so Williams could have another multi-score week in a favorable matchup.

    START: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. Carolina Panthers)

    Nix has shown great mobility in recent weeks, running for 61 or more yards in back-to-back games. In Week 8, he gets to face a Panthers defense that has allowed multiple passing touchdowns in all but one of its games this season. That makes him worth considering as a sneaky-good DFS play or a quality QB2 in SuperFlex leagues.

    START: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Buffalo Bills)

    The Bills have a bottom-tier run defense, but Smith will still need to pass to keep pace with Buffalo’s offense. DK Metcalf’s absence may scare some off Smith, but as long as he leads the NFL in pass attempts (279) and passing yards (1,985), he should draw consideration as a quality streamer.

    SIT: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at Las Vegas Raiders)

    Mahomes can’t be trusted in fantasy right now. He hasn’t thrown for a touchdown since Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers and is facing a Raiders defense that hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown since Week 5 while holding its last three opponents to 180 passing yards or less.

    SIT: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

    Tagovailoa is set to play for the first time since Week 2 and has a solid-looking matchup against a Cardinals defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (18.5). That said, Arizona’s defense has allowed one or fewer passing touchdowns in four of seven games this season so Tagovailoa has a low floor in this spot, especially if the Dolphins look to protect him with a run-heavy game plan.

    SIT: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at Dallas Cowboys)

    Purdy is a strong quarterback who has a good matchup against a struggling Dallas defense that allows 18.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, but his supporting cast is banged up. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will miss the game while Deebo Samuel has battled an illness ahead of Week 8. That could lead Kyle Shanahan to trust Jordan Mason more against a weak Cowboys run defense than Purdy without his full complement of receiving weapons.

    SIT: Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders (vs. Chicago Bears)

    Daniels returned to practice Friday and has a chance to play in Week 8 against the Bears. However, trusting him as he deals with a nagging rib injury seems less than ideal, especially against a defense allowing just 16.8 points per game this season. Mariota would be healthier than Daniels, but the veteran has a lower ceiling despite the accuracy he demonstrated in relief of the rookie in Week 7.

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    SIT: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

    Stroud is a great quarterback, but he is averaging just 139 passing yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game with Nico Collins out of the lineup. The Colts have allowed less than 150 passing yards and just one touchdown in back-to-back games, so this won’t be the easiest spot for Stroud.

    Week 8 Fantasy football start ’em and sit ’em: RBs

    START: Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

    Mason carded a season-low 58 rushing yards against the Chiefs, but he’s facing a much easier matchup in Week 8. The Cowboys have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this year and just allowed Detroit’s running backs to total 197 yards and two touchdowns against them. This is the perfect get-right game for Mason and the 49ers.

    START: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. Carolina Panthers)

    Williams is coming off his best rushing performance of the season, as he tallied 88 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 7. Now, after 10 days off, he gets an easy matchup against a Panthers team that is allowing the most fantasy points to running backs this season. That should set up another top-10 RB week for Williams, this time at home.

    START: Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Buffalo Bills)

    The last time the Bills faced a running back of Walker’s caliber was in Week 6 against the Jets. Breece Hall had 169 yards from scrimmage in that contest. That should make Walker, coming off one of his best weeks of the season, a great start in Week 8.

    START: Braelon Allen, New York Jets (at New England Patriots)

    Since Week 4, the Patriots have allowed an average of 195 yards per week to running backs along with seven touchdowns. Allen had 68 yards on 14 touches when he played the Patriots in Week 3, so he should have another big performance even after just recording three touches for 6 yards against the Steelers in Week 7.

    SIT: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at Detroit Lions)

    Pollard averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last week against Buffalo, one of the easier run defenses in the league. Now, he faces a much tougher Lions defense that’s allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to the position in the league.

    SIT: Devin Singletary or Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

    The Steelers are allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. The two Giants running backs split the workload against Philadelphia in Week 7 and managed just 53 yards combined, so this doesn’t look like an appealing matchup for either.

    SIT: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at Los Angeles Chargers)

    Kamara is coming off a season-worst output of 10 yards on seven carries against the Broncos. Things won’t get easier against the Chargers, who are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Expect another tough day for New Orleans’ top back.

    SIT: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

    Brown had a season-low 2.9 yards per carry last week against Cleveland. He couldn’t make up for it in the receiving game, either, with just nine yards on two receptions. His outlook is similarly tough this week against an Eagles defense allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

    Week 8 Fantasy football start ’em and sit ’em: WRs

    START: Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

    The Jaguars are one of the weakest defenses against receivers, giving up the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide-outs. Wicks has competition in a crowded receiver room, but he should see volume in this one even if Jayden Reed and Christian Watson get some significant targets.

    START: Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (at Cleveland Browns)

    Bateman is hot right now and had a WR1 performance in standard leagues after catching four passes for 121 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football.” He is averaging four catches for 83 yards over the last four weeks and should continue that against a Browns team that just gave up 137 yards and two touchdowns to the Bengals’ wide receivers at home.

    START: DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (at Washington Commanders)

    The last time the Commanders took on a good passing offense, they allowed the Ravens’ wide-outs to catch 14 passes for 228 yards in Week 6. Moore should thrive against Washington in what represents one of his best matchups of the year to date.

    START: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

    Tua Tagovailoa is set to return in Week 8 and that should set Waddle up for a great day. Both he and Tyreek Hill are much better with Tua at the helm than Miami’s backups and Arizona gave up 14 catches, 160 yards and four touchdowns to the Packers’ wide receiver in Week 6. The Cardinals will have trouble containing Miami’s dynamic duo as a result.

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    SIT: Bub Means or Cedrick Wilson Jr., New Orleans Saints (at Los Angeles Chargers)

    The Chargers are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points in the NFL to opposing wide receivers. That makes it hard to trust either Means or Wilson with Chris Olave potentially coming back, Spencer Rattler starting and the two receivers failing to do much of note in Week 7 against the Broncos.

    SIT: Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (at Miami Dolphins)

    No NFL team is allowing fewer passing yards per game this season than the Dolphins. They are also allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. That’s not a good combination for Harrison Jr., who had just three catches for 21 yards in his first game back from concussion protocol on Monday night.

    SIT: Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (vs. New York Jets)

    The Jets may have a banged-up secondary, but they are still allowing just the seventh-fewest fantasy points to receivers this year. They have the personnel needed to slow down Douglas and make Drake Maye’s life difficult in just his third career start.

    SIT: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. Chicago Bears)

    This isn’t a great spot for McLaurin. He’s facing a tough Chicago defense that is coming off a bye and it isn’t clear whether Jayden Daniels (rib) or Marcus Mariota will be throwing him the ball. McLaurin may be a must-start for some but don’t expect too much from him this week.

    Week 8 Fantasy football start ’em and sit ’em: TEs

    START: Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

    As long as Nico Collins remains out, there will be opportunities available for Houston’s other top pass-catchers. That includes Schultz, who should match up well with Gus Bradley’s defense, which has allowed the second-most receptions to tight ends so far in 2024.

    START: Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Buffalo Bills)

    Fant is coming off a four-catch, 65-yard game against the Falcons. The Seahawks are unlikely to have DK Metcalf (knee) available for this contest and the Bills have allowed the third-most receptions to tight ends this season. That should make Fant a fine plug-and-play starter in a favorable matchup.

    START: Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

    Pitts has slowly but surely built chemistry with Kirk Cousins as the season has progressed. Now, the duo gets to battle the Buccaneers, who have allowed the third-most yards to tight ends this season. That included Pitts’ seven-catch, 88-yard game against them in Week 5.

    SIT: Grant Calcaterra, Philadelphia Eagles (at Cincinnati Bengals)

    Calcaterra has a favorable matchup against the Bengals, who are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, but it’s hard to trust him in this one. He had just one catch in Week 7 and won’t see much volume with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith healthy. Dallas Goedert, Philly’s normal starting tight end, averages just 4.4 catches for 48 yards and 0.2 touchdowns when that wide-out duo is healthy, so it’s hard to expect Calcaterra to do much better than that.

    SIT: Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. Chicago Bears)

    Ertz may be without his starting quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 8 and is going against a Bears defense that ranks ninth-best overall against tight ends this season. Expect a down day from Ertz in this unforgiving matchup.

    SIT: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (at Los Angeles Chargers)

    As long as Spencer Rattler is at quarterback, it’s hard to trust any of New Orleans’ pass-catching weapons. The Chargers just limited Trey McBride to a modest five catches and 51 yards, and it’s hard to imagine Johnson even halving that production.

    Week 8 Fantasy football start ’em and sit ’em: Ks

    START: Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

    “Dicker the Kicker” has been on a roll over the last two weeks, making all eight of his field goal attempts, including two attempts from 50-plus yards. Now, he gets to face a Saints defense that is allowing an NFL-high 2.9 field goal attempts per game and has surrendered at least 26 points in four consecutive games.

    START: Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos (vs. Carolina Panthers)

    The Broncos are attempting 2.6 field goals per game this season and are facing a Panthers defense that has allowed a league-high 34.7 points per game this season. Expect Lutz to get a few field goal chances, with a chance to hit some long ones at high elevation.

    START: Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (at Las Vegas Raiders)

    Butker didn’t attempt a field goal against the 49ers in Week 7, but he should have more opportunities to kick against the Raiders. Las Vegas allows 2.6 field goal attempts per game, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL.

    SIT: Austin Seibert, Washington Commanders (vs. Chicago Bears)

    Seibert has been one of fantasy football’s surprise best kickers in 2024, but his matchup in Week 8 will be difficult. The Commanders don’t figure to move the ball as well if Jayden Daniels is out of action, so he won’t get as many chances as his fantasy owners are accustomed to seeing. There are better options to trust this week despite Seibert’s consistency this season.

    SIT: Cairo Santos, Chicago Bears (at Washington Commanders)

    Speaking of the Bears-Commanders game, sitting Santos might not be the worst option. The Commanders have allowed just 1.6 field goal attempts per game, tied for fourth-fewest in the NFL, so Santos may not get the opportunities needed to impact the game.

    SIT: Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. New York Giants)

    The Giants have allowed just 1.3 field goal attempts per game over their last three contests. Their defense has also allowed 21 points or fewer in five of its seven games. Boswell could still work his way into the top 10 kickers this week, but his margin for error will be much slimmer than usual.

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    Week 8 Fantasy football start ’em and sit ’em: D/STs

    START: Los Angeles Chargers (vs. New Orleans Saints)

    The Saints are allowing 9.7 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, seventh-most in the NFL. The Chargers have the league’s best scoring defense (13.8 points per game) so expect them to easily limit the Spencer Rattler-led New Orleans offense.

    START: Kansas City Chiefs (at Las Vegas Raiders)

    The Raiders have thrown seven interceptions over their last three games. That includes two, three-pick performances by Gardner Minshew, so the Chiefs should capitalize on his penchant for turning the ball over.

    START: Pittsburgh Steelers (at New York Giants)

    Daniel Jones threw for just 99 yards and was sacked a whopping seven times against the Philadelphia Eagles in his first game without left tackle Andrew Thomas. The Steelers have an excellent pass rush headlined by T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Alex Highsmith, so they figure to rival Philadelphia’s performance.

    START: Green Bay Packers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

    The Packers lead the NFL in takeaways (17) and are rank top-10 in sacks per game (2.9). That gives them a high floor against a Jaguars team that ranks just 21st in points per game this season (20.7).

    START: Detroit Lions (vs. Tennessee Titans)

    The Titans have a bottom-10 scoring offense (17.7 points per game) and are tied for second in the NFL in giveaways with 12. The Lions have the personnel needed to bother either Will Levis or Mason Rudolph into some critical mistakes in this lopsided matchup.

    SIT: Buffalo Bills (at Seattle Seahawks)

    The Bills don’t have a great matchup against the Seahawks. Seattle averages 25.7 points per game and Buffalo’s run defense ranks just 20th in the NFL (132.9 yards per game). That should give Kenneth Walker a high floor and limit Buffalo’s overall upside.

    SIT: Chicago Bears (at Washington Commanders)

    The Bears may look like an appealing play if Marcus Mariota starts in place of Jayden Daniels, but Mariota looked fine against the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. He doesn’t turn the ball over often, so while the Bears have a relatively high floor against the veteran backup, their ceiling may not be as high as some other available defensive options.

    SIT: Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

    The Eagles are averaging a healthy 3.2 sacks per game, but they also get pressure on just 19.1 percent of dropbacks, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. They may get some hits on Joe Burrow, but the Bengals should be able to counteract that progress with some explosive passing plays.

    SIT: Dallas Cowboys (at San Francisco 49ers)

    The Cowboys will still be without Micah Parsons in Week 8 and they have a bad matchup against a great 49ers running game. Continue to fade them until they show a consistent ability to stop (or slow down) either the run or the pass.

    SIT: New York Giants (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

    The Steelers have posted 30-plus points in back-to-back games. The Giants may have a high floor thanks to their league-leading 4.4 sacks per game average, but it will take more than that to make them a top-12 defensive unit against an offense that is hitting its stride.

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