Fantasy Football Rankings Week 8: Sleepers, projections, starts, sits | Rashee Rice, Dalton Kincaid and more
We have all 32 teams available this week, so hopefully you don’t need a Halloween scare of a starter. Instead, enjoy the Week 8 fantasy football rankings along with the yearly Best Halloween Candy ranked! That’s right. It’s time to get into heated debates about food… particularly bite-sized candy.
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WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
** BYES: NONE **
Buccaneers at Bills, TNF
- The Buccaneers allow the highest percentage of first downs on third down (48.9%) — the Browns are lowest (27.5).
- Rachaad White has topped 39 rushing yards just twice — 56 and 73 — and hasn’t hit 100 total yards yet.
- Mike Evans is Top 20 in YPR, TD/TGT, REC% of 20+ yards, and TmAirYD% for all receivers with 10+ receptions.
- With Dawson Knox out, Dalton Kincaid can finally fulfill manager’s dreams of being a TE1 option.
Rams at Cowboys, 1 p.m.
- The Cowboys have the league’s highest pressure rate (50.2%) — the Browns and Jets are next at 42.9% and 41.5%.
- Only the Browns allow fewer plays per game (54.8) than the Cowboys (57.8).
- Outside of when he got hurt in Week 10 last year, Cooper Kupp’s 3.9 fantasy points in Week 7 was his first single-digit score since Week 4, 2021 (13-5-64-0; 8.9 points).
- Since Kupp’s return, Puka Nacua is still fifth in TmTGT% (36.6) and 13th in FPPG (13.5).
Vikings at Packers, 1 p.m.
- The Vikings still don’t have a rushing touchdown, while the Bengals, Broncos, Buccaneers and Texans all have just one.
- The Vikings are also one of seven teams (ATL, NO, NYG, PIT, TB, TEN) with only one game hitting the over.
- After Week 1, Jordan Love is 31st in YD/ATT (6.1) and 25th in YD/Comp (10.6), and since Week 3, he’s 34th in TD/INT (0.6) and 31st in EPA per Dropback (-0.12).
Falcons at Titans, 1 p.m.
- The Falcons defense has turned into the toughest rushing matchup by EPA (40.95 — Cowboys second at 28.00).
- The Titans have the fewest passing touchdowns this season (3).
- Over the past four weeks, Drake London has jumped to WR20 in FPPG and has the 13th-most wideout receiving yards.
- Derrick Henry has scored between 12.9-23.9 fantasy points in the four games with at least 75% of the RB touches, with 2.0 and 7.7 in the other two.
Saints at Colts, 1 p.m.
- The Colts defense allows the most plays per game (70.0), with the Jets and Steelers tied for second (68.7).
- Since his return, Alvin Kamara leads RBs in targets (39) and receptions (35) and would rank seventh and second, respectively, when including wide receivers and tight ends.
- After a quick jump from 21.9 RBTouch% in his first game back to 50.0% in Week 6, Jonathan Taylor barely increased to 52.5% last week.
- Of the Top 10 receivers in targets (all 64+ targets), Chris Olave has the lowest REC% at 57.4, with Michael Pittman second at 64.6.
Patriots at Dolphins, 1 p.m.
- There are 20 running backs with 4+ goal line rushes, and of those, just three have more than a 50% touchdown rate (Raheem Mostert 75.0% on 8 attempts, Kyren Williams 71.4% on 7, and Christian McCaffrey 62.5% on 8).
- The Dolphins lead the league in Explosive Play% (12+ rushing or 16+ receiving yards) at 17.3%, with the next-closest 49ers at 12.7%.
- Raheem Mostert is fifth in Yards Per Carry (5.6 — De’Von Achane was 12.1 before hurt, haha!) and the Patriots allow the lowest YPC (3.4, tied with the Bears).
Jets at Giants, 1 p.m.
- The Jets have the third-highest QB pressure rate, and Tyrod Taylor has the second-highest Comp% under pressure — Daniel Jones is 10th. Taylor averages 6.9 YD/ATT to Jones’ 3.8, and Taylor has 11.7 to 7.1 advantage in YD/Comp.
- The Jets have the lowest third-down conversion success (25.0% — Commanders are second-lowest at 29.4%, the Chiefs are highest at 48.9%).
- The Giants are last in total play percentage (special teams included) resulting in a touchdown (1.9), with the Saints and Steelers behind them at 2.8% each.
Jaguars at Steelers, 1 p.m.
- Teams attempt a league-high 43.4 pass plays per game against the Jaguars (Ravens second, 42.9), while the Browns, Panthers and Cowboys are the bottom three (29.2, 30.7 and 31.0, respectively).
- Joey Porter Jr. (PIT) hit a season-high 53 snaps, essentially pushing for a “starter” tag, and he leads the league with just 10.0% of targets caught against him. Tashaun Gipson is second at 20.0% (min 100 coverage snaps). Calvin Ridley lines up wide 87.4% of the time, and Porter is an outside corner.
- Despite both scoring, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren didn’t see a shift in pecking order, as Harris had 70.8 RBTouch% out of the Steelers’ bye.
Eagles at Commanders, 1 p.m.
- The Eagles continue to be exploitable via the pass, primarily against tight ends (with the second-best EPA for them).
- The Eagles average the most rushes per game at 33.6 attempts — Browns and 49ers are tied for second at 33.0.
- The Commanders average the most distance to gain a first down on third downs at 8.7 (Jets second at 8.5, with Jaguars the fewest at 6.1). Commanders have the second-lowest 3DConv% (29.4 — Jets worst at 25.0).
- Only Garrett Wilson has a higher First Read% (45.3) than A.J. Brown (42.3).
Texans at Panthers, 1 p.m.
- Panthers’ defense is the most favorable RushEPA by a large margin over the Raiders in second (-31.26 to -10.25).
- They also create the least amount of pressure at just 27.6%, with the Cardinals close at 27.9%.
- Only the Rams attempt more plays of 5+ yards downfield than the Texans (66.4% to 65.4%). The Broncos and Bears are bottom two (47.7% and 48.3%).
- The Panthers attempt the most passes per game (43.3), with the Commanders second (42.3) and the 49ers and Ravens the two lowest (29.2 and 31.0).
Browns at Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
- The Browns gave up a lot of big plays and touchdowns to the Colts but still have the highest forced 3-and-Out rate at 57.5% (Saints second at 46.4%).
- The Browns also have the most plays per game (71.2), with the Eagles and Saints sitting second and third, respectively (70.9 and 70.6).
- The Seahawks have allowed a second-most 90% of goal line drives to result in a touchdown — first are the Browns (6-for-6), with the Saints third at 88.9% (11 drives).
- Martin Emerson (CLE) is giving up the most yards per reception (22.6) of any corner with 10+ targets in his direction. DK Metcalf can hit a big play (or two) in his return, even against this defense.
Chiefs at Broncos, 4:25 p.m.
- No team allows more drives to end in a touchdown than the Broncos (32.9% — Panthers are second at 31.9%).
- They also force the fewest 3-and-Out’s at 15.1% — the Texans are second at 20.6%.
- Jerry Jeudy doesn’t have a single end zone target and has just two red zone targets this season — Courtland Sutton has eight of each.
- Since Week 3, Isiah Pacheco is 10th in FPPG (15.6) with the eighth-most rushing yards (326) — the Broncos lead the league with 1,171 rushing yards allowed (Giants second at 961) and 5.5 YPC (Bills second at 5.2).
Ravens at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
- The Ravens defense allows the lowest percent of drives ending in a touchdown (7.5), with the second-lowest being Saints (13.1).
- The Ravens have allowed just 25.0% of goal-line drives (13) to result in a touchdown — Titans are second at 28.6%, five total drives.
- Lamar Jackson is dominating in YD/Comp at 18.2, with Matthew Stafford (16.0) and Patrick Mahomes (15.5) the next closest.
- The Cardinals lead the league with 33.4% of downs resulting in a first down or touchdown.
- With Zach Ertz on IR, Trey McBride — one of the best tight ends from the 2022 draft — becomes a top-end streamer… starting next week (avoid the Ravens!).
Bengals at 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
- Joe Mixon leads the league in RBTouch% and yet is just RB30 in FPPG (10.2).
- The Bengals are last in ExpPlay% (5.2) — the Panthers are second-lowest at 6.4.
- Joe Burrow is averaging 8.4 YD/Comp — lowest of qualifying quarterbacks — and he came into 2023 with an 11.3 mark. He’s topped 8.8 in one game this season, and that was Week 3.
- The 49ers allow the second-lowest yards per reception (9.1), with Ravens the lowest (9.0).
Bears at Chargers, SNF (8:20 p.m.)
- The Chargers are the most-favorable PassEPA matchup, with the Broncos a close second.
- The Bears are the only team with 6-of-7 games hitting the over.
- Not only is Josh Palmer WR23 in FPPG since Mike Williams got hurt, but he’s sixth in YD/TGT (12.3) and 17th in YPRR (17th).
- If Roschon Johnson returns, D’Onta Foreman has shown enough not to cede the lead to him… I’m a poet.
Raiders at Lions, MNF (8:15 p.m.)
- Davante Adams has a similar TmTGT% with and without Jimmy Garoppolo (30.8 to 29.0) but a higher REC% (68.2 to 59.3), YD/TGT (8.5 to 5.7), and all of his touchdowns have come with Garoppolo.
- In the two games without David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs has a 76.0 RBTouch% (would rank fifth for the season) with 15.9 FPPG (10th on the year) and five Goal-to-Go rush attempts (only 20 running backs have more for the entire season).
- Jameson Williams has just 75.0% of his targets registered as “catchable” (FantasyPoints Data), which doesn’t even crack the Top 100 players (min 10 targets). Nelson Agholor… yep… is first at 90.5%.
WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL SLEEPERS
These are sleepers (DuckTales and Darkwing Duck style — Woo-oo is worthy of the risk in most leagues, and Dangerous is if you need a Hail Mary). They will not mimic my rankings 100%. This is about chasing upside and often carries more risk — put simply, they are upside plays you might consider over a solid floor option.
Woo-oo Worthy
- QB: Sam Howell, WSH (yes, even after last week)
- RB: D’Onta Foreman, CHI; Dameon Pierce, HOU
- WR: Rashee Rice, KC; Joshua Palmer, LAC
- TE: Dalton Kincaid, BUF
Let’s Get Dangerous
- QB: Desmond Ridder, ATL
- RB: Cam Akers, MIN; Zack Moss, IND
- WR: Jayden Reed, GB; Tank Dell, HOU
- TE: Logan Thomas, WSH
WEEK 8 BUY LOW, SELL HIGH
Shifting to a BEST/WORST playoff schedule outlook, since we’re at the point of “buy lows” and “sell highs” being tough to find due to manager knowledge and limited options.
Best Playoff Schedules (Buys)
- QB: Josh Allen, BUF; Jared Goff, DET; Brock Purdy, SF; Justin Fields, CHI
- RB: Bijan Robinson, ATL; Austin Ekeler, LAC; Rhamondre Stevenson, NE; David Montgomery, DET
- WR: Courtland Sutton, DEN; Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, DET; DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, SEA; DeVonta Smith, PHI
Worst Playoff Schedules (Sells)
- QB: Tua Tagovailoa, MIA; Trevor Lawrence, JAX; Joe Burrow, CIN
- RB: Saquon Barkley, NYG; Joe Mixon, CIN; Raheem Mostert, MIA
- WR: Terry McLaurin, WSH; Christian Kirk, JAX; Mike Evans, TB; Adam Thielen, CAR
FUN WITH RANKINGS!
Halloween is next Tuesday, and we “celebrated” with the biggest scary baddies last week. What else do we do but talk Halloween candy now? After all, we do it every year, and every year the comments are more on fire than a mouthful of Hot Tamales. Let’s talk candy ranks!
Best Halloween Candy Ranked
- Nerds Gummy Clusters (best.candy.ever! Especially the berry pack!)
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins (king of chocolate candy)
- Peanut Butter M&Ms (Plain M&M’s outside Top 10)
- Starburst FaveREDs – if you’re lucky, a strawberry two-pack!
- Sour Patch Watermelon Slices
- Snickers
- Haribo Gold Bears (only gummy bears allowed… outside of the Disney ones)
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Take 5
- Twizzlers
- Swedish Fish Minis
- Junior Mints (they’re very refreshing)
- Airheads (Strawberry, Watermelon, Mystery)
- Twix
- 100 Grand — great, but I feel like Take 5… takes… it one step higher
- Laffy Taffy (Strawberry, Watermelon) — I keep pushing these down since the wrappers never come off
- Sour Patch Kids
- Nestle Crunch
- Butterfinger (have to be fresh/soft — lost a few spots for new recipe)
- York Peppermint (any kind, all good)
- Hot Tamales
- Skittles
- Kit Kat — always causes anger being this low, but you can eat 20 and not even feel the slightest bit of satiation
- Nerds Candy Corn — the ONLY candy corn that’s acceptable… heck, edible!
- Milky Way
Overrated: Whoppers — Who wants to crack their teeth on these malt balls of meh-ness? And Tootsie Rolls — EVERYONE hands these out, and kids end up with half a bag of them. Enough!
Best Candy Needing Halloween Sizing
- Starburst FaveREDs Minis (so dangerous – can kill a bag without thinking)
- Sour Patch Strawberry Slices
- Twizzlers Rainbow — these would be in contention for the top spot… drool
- Sour Belts (Strawberry, Watermelon, Blue Raspberry)
- Hi-Chew Strawberry (different spin on Starbursts)
Worst Halloween Candy
(ranked worst-worst to less worst)
- Necco Wafers — I don’t even know where people find these. Are we sure it’s not street chalk?
- Circus Peanuts — I mean… orange-colored Styrofoam anyone?
- Good & Plenty — What is the flavor, even?! These are hell in a box
- Candy Corn — obviously, too easy
- Bit-O-Honey
- Mary Jane
- Generic wrapped candy — You know… the black/orange wrappers
- Smarties — At least Tootsie Rolls are good for a bit. These are barely better than Neccos and everyone has them!
- Dubble Bubble — Even baseball card gum isn’t this hard… and the taste is gone before you reach the next house.
- Jolly Rancher — Take too long — I want to hit my sugar coma! And they’re teeth-breakers.
WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These can differ from my rankings, and my ranks are the order I’d start players outside of added context, such as, “Need highest upside, even if risky.” Also, based on 4-point TDs for QB, 6-point rest, and Half-PPR
WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to properly work.
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)