I think I enjoy football more than I enjoy summer. Time flies when you’re having fun — and somehow, it’s already Week 8. We were just drafting a few weeks ago, and now, half our league has either deleted the app or thinks they’re unstoppable. It’s been a wild, high-scoring season so far, with three straight weeks featuring 20-plus teams scoring over 20 fantasy points.
I love a good defensive showdown as much as the next person, but from a fantasy perspective, this has been one of the most entertaining seasons in years. If you’re still reading these weekly breakdowns, it means you’re still in the fight — so let’s lock in those lineups and grab another crucial win.
STARTS
QB – Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (@PIT)
Jordan Love started the season red-hot, posting two 20+ fantasy-point games in his first four outings. However, a Week 5 bye seemed to disrupt his rhythm — he’s thrown just one touchdown pass in each of his last two games.
This week, he gets a great get-right opportunity against the Steelers, who are currently allowing the second-most passing yards per game. Love’s ceiling might not explode here, but his floor is solid. Expect an efficient, mistake-free performance that stabilizes his season and helps Green Bay compete in what should be a close contest.
RB – Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (vs WSH)
You don’t usually see a Kansas City running back on a “Start” list, but this week is an exception. Isiah Pacheco is in line for a breakout game.
Pacheco has logged back-to-back season highs in carries, including 15 for 57 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. The Commanders have been generous to opposing backs, allowing 126 rushing yards per game on 4.3 yards per carry.
With Kansas City likely to control this matchup early, expect heavy ground usage in the second half. Pacheco is a strong RB2 play with RB1 upside if he finds the end zone again.
WR – Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (vs TB)
I’ve been critical of the Saints' offense early in the year, but Chris Olave has silenced the doubters. Coming off his best game of the season (5 catches, 98 yards, 2 TDs), Olave is back to must-start status.
His usage is elite — he’s averaging 10 targets per game and has gone under 50 yards just once this year. Against a Tampa Bay defense that struggles in coverage, Olave should thrive again.
As such, he’s a locked-in WR2 this week and could very well remain a must-start going forward.
TE – Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (@KC)
Who would’ve guessed a 35-year-old tight end would still be fantasy-relevant in 2025? Yet here we are — Zach Ertz has been quietly consistent, taking advantage of Washington’s banged-up receiving corps.
Over his last two games, Ertz has caught 9 passes on 13 targets for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns, bringing his season total to four. In a likely shootout against the Chiefs, expect another solid workload. He’s a top-10 TE this week with touchdown upside.
DEF – Atlanta Falcons (vs MIA)
The Falcons have quietly built one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL, allowing just 141 passing yards per game — the fewest in the league.
Additionally, they face a reeling Dolphins offense led by Tua Tagovailoa, who has committed 3 or more turnovers in three separate games already this year. Coming off a brutal 31-6 loss to Cleveland, Miami looks lost. To that end, Atlanta should feast here, making them a top-5 defensive play for Week 8.
SITS
QB – Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (@ATL)
It’s time to jump ship. The Dolphins' offense is sinking, and QB Tua Tagovailoa is going down with it. After throwing for 250+ yards and 3 TDs in Week 5, he’s totaled just 305 yards, 1 TD, and 6 interceptions in his last two outings — for a combined 4 fantasy points.
Now he faces the league’s best pass defense in Atlanta. You can safely drop him in all but the deepest leagues.
RB – Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs CLE)
Rhamondre Stevenson has been the definition of inconsistency this year — four games under 20 rushing yards, and three with 15+ fantasy points. But this week, he’s an easy sit.
The Browns boast the NFL’s best run defense, allowing only 82 rushing yards per game and a minuscule 3.3 YPC. Stevenson’s only shot at production is falling into the end zone — and Cleveland has given up just three rushing touchdowns all year. Avoid the headache and sit him.
WR – Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers (@HOU)
Kendrick Bourne’s brief fantasy relevance is officially over. After two huge weeks with 142 yards each, TE George Kittle’s return pushed him back to irrelevance — just 2 catches for 14 yards last week.
Now, he faces a Texans defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wideouts. Don’t chase the ghost of those two breakout games. It's time to move on.
TE – Theo Johnson, New York Giants (@PHI)
Don’t fall for the trap. Theo Johnson’s stat line last week looks solid — 3 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown — but 41 of those yards came on a tipped-ball fluke. Remove that play, and he’s failed to top 34 yards in any game so far this season.
QB Jackson Dart’s emergence is exciting for the Giants' offense, but Johnson is currently not a reliable fantasy starter. Better options are available.
DEF – New York Jets (@CIN)
The Jets entered 2025 with high expectations, but inconsistency has been their story. Despite flashes of dominance, they’ve allowed 27+ points in four of seven games and forced just one turnover all year.
With Cincinnati’s offense finally clicking, this is not the spot to gamble. Sit the Jets D/ST until further notice.
If you’re still engaged this deep into the year, you’re doing something right. Fantasy football is about staying ahead of the trends — and Week 8 offers plenty of opportunities to make savvy lineup calls. Keep grinding, trust your matchups, and stay aggressive on waivers. Championships are built in the middle of the season — not the end.
