Week 8 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em

Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season is just a day away, and NFL Fantasy Football managers are solidifying their starting lineups ahead of their upcoming games.

There were plenty of breakout performances last Sunday, but player roles are starting to be defined for each franchise, particularly the teams with playoff ambitions.

GIVEMESPORT has ultimately identified the on-the-bubble players who are set for huge and quiet performances in their next games. Here is who you should start and sit for Week 8.

Quarterbacks

Start – Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs Baltimore Ravens)

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Caleb Williams has had a roller coaster of a Fantasy Football season, averaging 17.8 points per game, which ranks 14th among quarterbacks.

Even though he’s coming off a 4.7 point showing, we expect the Chicago Bears‘ second-year QB to bounce back against a Baltimore Ravens‘ secondary that is among the worst in the league.

Based on recent history, Williams follows his poor performances with stellar ones, and the Bears will need that if they want to win a fifth straight game.

Sit – Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs Houston Texans)

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Brock Purdy is a very capable fantasy quarterback when healthy, and the San Francisco 49ers‘ $265 million man will likely return to action this weekend.

Nevertheless, the Houston Texans are by far the best defense at containing opposing QBs, letting up just 10 points per game. If Purdy plays in Texas, expect him to have a quiet showing. And if Mac Jones starts for Brock instead, don’t play him either.

Running Backs

Start – J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos (vs Dallas Cowboys)

J.K. Dobbins only mustered up 9.0 points against the New York Giants, despite rushing for 81 yards on 14 carries.

The Denver Broncos‘ tailback, unfortunately, has only reached the end zone four times this season. Nonetheless, expect Dobbins to get extra carries against a poor Dallas Cowboys‘ defense.

Even with their excellent secondary, Sean Payton will want to keep Dak Prescott and company off the field as much as possible.

Dallas is letting up 20 points per game against opposing running backs in fantasy, so Dobbins should reap the benefits of this favorable matchup this weekend.

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Sit – Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs Green Bay Packers)

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We recommended that you start Jaylen Warren last week, and the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ running back responded with a 19.8 point showing against the Cincinnati Bengals.

We are now recommending that you sit Warren this week, because he is facing the best fantasy rushing defense in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers are letting up just 9.5 points to opposing backs with a defense that has traveled relatively well.

Expect Warren to take a back seat, even in the passing game, while Aaron Rodgers airs it out more than usual against his former team.

Wide Receivers

Start – A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (vs New York Giants)

A.J. Brown has rebounded from his dismal start to the season. The Philadelphia Eagles‘ All-Pro wideout has improved his point total for four straight weeks ahead of a favorable matchup against the New York Giants.

Brown had a 14-point performance against New York two weeks ago, but a lot went wrong for Philadelphia in that 34-17 road loss. We’re anticipating that the three-time Pro Bowler will score at least 20 points in Sunday’s game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Sit – Deebo Samuel Sr., Washington Commanders (vs Kansas City Chiefs)

Deebo Samuel Sr. has had four 17+ point showings this season, but the Washington Commanders are traveling to the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs this Monday night.

The three-time defending AFC champs are finding their groove as they get their receivers back, and the defense is once again elite under Steve Spagnuolo.

The Chiefs are letting up the fourth-fewest points against opposing wide receivers, and we expect that to trend to continue in Week 8.

Tight Ends

Start – Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs Miami Dolphins)

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Kyle Pitts has historically been an uneven fantasy performer, but the Atlanta Falcons‘ tight end is averaging a career-high 10.8 points per game through seven weeks.

The ex-Florida standout had a season-high ten targets against the San Francisco 49ers, and should have plenty of opportunities against a leaky Miami Dolphins‘ secondary.

The wheels are falling off for Mike McDaniel’s 1-6 team as their playoff hopes fade away. The Falcons should be able to win comfortably at home thanks to their 25-year-old tight end.

Sit – Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs Chicago Bears)

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We simply cannot trust Mark Andrews without Lamar Jackson on the field. The Baltimore Ravens’ tight end is coming off 4.2 and 6.6 point performances over the last two games, and this preseason contender’s playoff chances are now slim to none.

While the Chicago Bears have a flawed secondary, this unit is above average at containing opposing tight ends. Andrews is projected to be 13th at his position for Week 8, which is generous considering his form without Baltimore’s MVP quarterback.

Defenses

Start – Indianapolis Colts (vs Tennessee Titans)

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The Indianapolis Colts‘ defense has been an overachieving unit this entire year in Fantasy Football, ranking fourth in scoring. That total should go up against a struggling Tennessee Titans‘ offense that is allowing opposing defenses to average 15.4 points against them.

Even though divisional matchups can be tricky, this is a no-brainer unit to start this weekend.

Sit – Minnesota Vikings (vs Detroit Lions)

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The Minnesota Vikings currently rank seventh in fantasy scoring defense this season, but maintaining that position will be a tall task against an elite Detroit Lions‘ offense.

Dan Campbell’s team is averaging more than 30 points per game while being even more lethal at home. Jared Goff and company will likely put together another efficient offensive performance as the chase for the NFC North crown heats up.