By Ryan Bologna
Week eight in the NFL only features one matchup between winning teams, so that means there are potentially some mismatches to take advantage of in fantasy. We tracked what the top outlets recommend this week to help you set your lineup.
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa was the most popular player of any position this week. He was the first quarterback mentioned for each outlet. Experts are expecting a big performance from him on the road against Detroit this week. The Dolphins offense came out firing early against Pittsburgh, but sputtered the rest of the way. It will be interesting to see if Tua can perform well throughout the whole game this weekend.
At this point, everyone knows that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense has struggled so far this season. When you lose three straight to the Giants, Jets and Commanders it’s pretty obvious. It doesn’t get any easier for Rodgers on the road against Buffalo on Sunday Night Football this week. Experts recommend sitting him this weekend.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Daniel Jones, Derek Carr | Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Trevor Lawrence, Jimmy Garoppolo |
| ESPN | Tua Tagovailoa, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr | Marcus Mariota, Jared Goff, Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence |
| CBS | Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Dak Prescott, Jared Goff | Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, Jimmy Garoppolo, Justin Fields |
| Yahoo | Tua Tagovailoa, Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Derek Carr | Jared Goff, Jimmy Garoppolo, Trevor Lawrence, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers |
| Sporting News | Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Daniel Jones, Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford | Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff |
Running Backs
Tony Pollard was mentioned by every outlet this week. The Cowboys are taking on the Bears this week, who just traded away one of their better defensive players in Robert Quinn, Pollard will have an easier task this week. The Bears have been gashed in the run game before, and they are tied with the Seahawks in most rush yards given up per game.
Staying in the same game, David Montgomery has been a quality fantasy running back in the past, but he has fallen a bit, and running on Dallas’ elite defensive line is a tough task. Khalil Herbert is getting some play as well, so it’s easy to see why experts recommend sitting Montgomery this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Christian McCaffrey, Tony Pollard, Raheem Mostert, D’Onta Foreman | David Montgomery, AJ Dillon, Melvin Gordon, Darrell Henderson |
| ESPN | Raheem Mostert, Tony Pollard, Aaron Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Michael Carter | David Montgomery, James Connor, Darrell Henderson, Tyler Allgeier, D’Onta Foreman |
| CBS | Tony Pollard, Travis Etienne, Raheem Mostert, Gus Edwards, Rhamondre Stevenson, Miles Sanders | James Robinson, Kareem Hunt, AJ Dillon, Melvin Gordon |
| Yahoo | Tony Pollard, Travis Etienne, Rhamondre Stevenson, Raheem Mostert, Miles Sanders | David Montgomery, Najee Harris, Michael Carter, D’Onta Foreman, Darrell Henderson |
| Sporting News | Tony Pollard, Miles Sanders, Brian Robinson Jr., James Connor, Gus Edwards | Najee Harris, Devin Singletary, James Robinson, Michael Carter, Damien Harris |
Wide Receivers
With the trade deadline looming, DJ Moore might be playing his last game as a Panther this week, but experts believe he will have a good game against Atlanta this weekend. PJ Walker leaned on him heavily a week ago, targeting him ten times and connecting on a touchdown. He should remain the featured receiver this week.
The 49ers will look to bounce back against the Rams on the road this week, and with the addition of Christian McCaffrey experts expect Brandon Aiyuk to have a diminished role in the offense. In what will likely be a tough game with not a lot of scoring, Aiyuk isn’t expected to make much noise.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Gabe Davis, DeVonta Smith, Chris Godwin, Brandin Cooks | Courtland Sutton, Rashod Bateman, Romeo Doubs, Michael Gallup |
| ESPN | DJ Moore, Courtland Sutton, DeVonta Smith, Jakobi Myers, Gabe Davis | Brandon Aiyuk, Jerry Jeudy, Curtis Samuel, Rashod Bateman, Allen Lazard |
| CBS | Tyler Lockett, Gabe Davis, DeVonta Smith, Adam Thielen, DJ Moore | Diontae Johnson, Christian Kirk, Michael Gallup, Drake London |
| Yahoo | Gabe Davis, Tyler Lockett, Amari Cooper, DeVonta Smith, Christian Kirk | Courtland Sutton, Brandon Aiyuk, Jakobi Myers, Brandin Cooks, Rashod Bateman |
| Sporting News | DJ Moore, DeVonta Smith, Allen Lazard, Curtis Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk | Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Amari Cooper, Drake London, Michael Gallup |
Tight Ends
The Steelers offense has not been good this season, to put it nicely. However, Pat Freiermuth has been a reliable tight end in fantasy this season, especially in PPR leagues. Managers can expect a baseline of some kind of decency with him. He is someone rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett can lean on as well.
Kyle Pitts has disappointed this season. Despite catching a touchdown a couple of weeks ago, he has not been heavily involved in the offense this year. Until proven otherwise, experts recommend leaving him on the bench.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | T.J. Hockenson, Evan Engram, Juwan Johnson, Irv Smith | Kyle Pitts, Dawson Knox, Robert Tonyan, Tyler Conklin |
| ESPN | T.J. Hockenson, Pat Freiermuth, Darren Waller, Kyle Pitts, Mike Gesicki | Robert Tonyan, Irv Smith, Dawson Knox, Evan Engram, Noah Fant |
| CBS | Zach Ertz, Pat Freiermuth, Cade Otton | Hayden Hurst, Kyle Pitts, Robert Tonyan, Dawson Knox |
| Yahoo | Zach Ertz, T.J. Hockenson, Pat Freiermuth, Dawson Knox, Greg Dulcich | Kyle Pitts, Hayden Hurst, Dalton Schultz, Evan Engram, Cade Otton |
| Sporting News | Pat Freiermuth, Mike Gesicki, Irv Smith, Hunter Henry, Cade Otton | Tyler Higbee, Kyle Pitts, Dalton Schultz, Hayden Hurst, Robert Tonyan |
