Fantasy football managers entering Week 8 of the NFL season face critical lineup decisions as four teams — Houston, New Orleans, the New York Giants, and San Francisco — are on bye, removing significant star power from rosters. CBS Sports has released its weekly Start 'Em & Sit 'Em analysis, projecting player performances based on matchups, recent form, and defensive rankings.
Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars is projected as the top quarterback play this week. Lawrence, who scored 35.3 fantasy points in Week 6 before the bye, faces an Indianapolis Colts defense that traded defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and has allowed three quarterbacks to score at least 26.9 fantasy points this season. Lawrence has averaged at least 23.1 fantasy points in his last three meetings with Indianapolis.
Other recommended starters include Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels, who has scored at least 25 fantasy points in two games since returning from an elbow injury and averages 27.2 fantasy points per game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Green Bay's Jordan Love, Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford, and Las Vegas Raiders' Kirk Cousins are also listed as top-10 options. Sleepers include Arizona's Jacoby Brissett, New York Jets' Geno Smith, and Minnesota's Kyler Murray, who faces a Detroit Lions defense allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Quarterbacks to avoid include Chicago's Caleb Williams against a stingy Seattle Seahawks defense, Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, who has struggled in his last two games and faces a Denver Broncos unit allowing few fantasy points, and Denver's Bo Nix, who managed only 7.4 fantasy points against the Chiefs in Week 1. Detroit's Jared Goff is labeled a bust alert against a Minnesota Vikings defense that has allowed just four quarterback touchdowns in the last 15 games.
Running Backs
New England's Rhamondre Stevenson leads the running back starts after scoring at least 17.5 PPR points in three of his last four games, facing a Miami Dolphins defense ranked fourth in fantasy points allowed to the position. Jacksonville's Bhayshul Tuten, Miami's Ollie Gordon II, and Minnesota's Jordan Mason (if Aaron Jones is out) are also recommended. Sleepers include Washington's Rachaad White, Los Angeles Rams' Blake Corum, and Denver's Jonah Coleman, who could see increased touches.
Running backs to sit include Los Angeles Chargers' Omarion Hampton, Denver's J.K. Dobbins, Seattle's Emanuel Wilson, and Tennessee's Tony Pollard, who faces a Cincinnati Bengals defense that held Derrick Henry to 5.9 PPR points in Week 7.
Wide Receivers
Jacksonville's Parker Washington, Washington's Stefon Diggs (with Terry McLaurin on IR), Pittsburgh's DK Metcalf, Arizona's Michael Wilson, and Las Vegas' Tre Tucker are highlighted as starts. Sleepers include New York Jets' Omar Cooper Jr., Cleveland's KC Concepcion, Indianapolis' Keenan Allen, and Philadelphia's Makai Lemon.
Receivers to avoid include Cleveland's Denzel Boston, Chicago's Rome Odunze against the league's top pass defense, Kansas City's Xavier Worthy (especially if Rashee Rice returns), Miami's Caleb Douglas, and Detroit's Jameson Williams, who has a poor history against the Vikings.
Tight Ends
Atlanta's Kyle Pitts, New England's Hunter Henry, and Minnesota's T.J. Hockenson are top tight end plays, with Hockenson facing a Lions defense allowing the most fantasy points to the position. Sleepers include Washington's Chigoziem Okonkwo, Jacksonville's Brenton Strange, and Las Vegas' Michael Mayer.
Tight ends to sit include Los Angeles Rams' Tyler Higbee (uncertain target share), Pittsburgh's Pat Freiermuth, Dallas' Jake Ferguson, and Cleveland's Harold Fannin Jr., who faces a tough Pittsburgh Steelers matchup.
Defense/Special Teams and Kickers
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense is the top streaming option against a Colts offense that has allowed 10 sacks and four turnovers in its last two games. Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defenses are also sleepers. Baltimore Ravens defense is a sit against a high-scoring Buffalo Bills offense.
Among kickers, Jacksonville's Cam Little is the top play, with Pittsburgh's Chris Boswell, Tampa Bay's Chase McLaughlin, and Las Vegas' Matt Gay as sleepers. Detroit's Jake Bates is a sit against a Minnesota Vikings defense allowing few fantasy points to kickers.
