NFL Fantasy Football 2025: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – Week 8

Welcome back to Fantasy Football Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – where each week we explore some of my best picks for who should be starting in fantasy managers’ lineups, and who should be sitting the week out.

Week 7 saw Bryce Young go down with an ankle injury, Dolphins TE Darren Waller is week-to-week with a pectoral injury, and unfortunately it looks like Mike Evans’ 1000-yard streak is over as he’s likely to miss most of the remaining season with a broken collarbone.

There’s also a plethora of teams on byes this week, meaning fantasy managers are without Marvin Harrison Jr., Lions RBs and WRs, Travis Etienne, Brian Thomas Jr., Ashton Jeanty, Matthew Stafford, Rams RBs and WRs, AND Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Yikes.

Ian’s Record: 30-26

Start ‘em

Joe Flacco (QB, Bengals) vs Jets

The “unc” bowl did not disappoint.

This past Thursday Night Football matchup saw Flacco and Aaron Rodgers combine for 691 yards and seven passing touchdowns. Flacco on his own was 31/47 for 342 of those yards and three of those seven touchdowns.

Both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins had monster days, and with star CB Sauce Gardner in concussion protocol, this feels like the perfect script for Flacco to keep the ball rolling as the Bengals fight to reclaim the AFC North.

Breece Hall (RB, Jets) at Bengals

On the other hand, the dire concern at QB for the Jets right now paves a great path for Hall to showcase himself to other teams ahead of the trade deadline in what should be a delicious matchup for him.

The Bengals have surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing RBs through seven weeks, allowing an average of 27 fantasy points per game. With Braelon Allen still on IR, Hall should expect to get 20+ touches and find the endzone at least once.

Rashee Rice (WR, Chiefs) vs Commanders

It didn’t take long for Rice to make his presence known following his suspension, as he saw 10 targets (next highest was 5) and found the endzone twice in Andy Reids first (!!) regular season shutout ever.

The Commanders have stumbled in the past few weeks, surrendering the third most fantasy points to opposing WRs since week 3. With Kansas City finding their stride, this could turn into a second blowout in a row (for either team) or just a high scoring game – both of which will favor Rice.

Pat Freiermuth (TE, Steelers) vs Packers

Although they came up short, Aaron Rodgers finally took notice of Freiermuth against the league’s worst defense against TEs, as Freiermuth exploded for 111 yards and two touchdowns on just five catches.

You know who the second worst defense against TEs is? The Green Bay Packers. Rodgers will make use of him again in this revenge game.

Sit ‘em

Mac Jones/Brock Purdy (QB, 49ers) at Texans

Regardless of who starts this week for San Francisco, Houston’s pass defense is too good for this not to be another big CMC game.

The Texans are the only team in the league that have picked off MORE passes (6) than allowed touchdowns (4). Not to mention they’ve surrendered the least amount of fantasy points to opposing QBs by a margin of 16 less than the next closest team. Pass.

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, Patriots) vs Browns

Stevenson’s usage has gone up recently, but the community backfield with TreVeyon Henderson is still there and this matchup stinks for both of them. Cleveland remains elite against the run as through seven weeks they’re only allowing 3.47 yards per rush, the third lowest in the league.

They’re more forgiving through the air (not by much), and Drake Maye is building up an MVP level season. The Pats have a tough test here, but they’ll see more success through the air.

Jaylen Waddle (WR, Dolphins) at Falcons

Miami hit a new rock bottom last week after getting blown out on the road in Cleveland, and Waddle stood no chance at a good game as Tua Tagovailoa only completed 12 passes for 100 yards and threw three interceptions.

He also seemed to get shaken up near the end of the game after falling hard on his back. Regardless, you can’t trust anyone on the Dolphins offense not named De’Von Achane both against this tough pass defense and with how bad Tua is playing right now.

Oronde Gadsden II (TE, Chargers) vs Vikings

Gadsden made himself known last Sunday with 164 yards and a touchdown, but this is a game he cools off in as the Vikings are a much tougher team to handle than the Colts as a tight end.

Minnesota has surrendered the sixth least amount of fantasy points to opposing TEs thus far. They just got the tops taken off them by DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown while holding Dallas Goedert to 18 yards. This will be a big day for QJ, Ladd, and Keenan Allen, but not Gadsden.

BYES: ARIZONA CARDINALS, DETROIT LIONS, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, LOS ANGELES RAMS, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS