Week 8 Fantasy Football Sneaky Starts & Sleepers

Welcome to the Week 8 “Bye-pocalypse”! Six teams–the Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, and Seahawks–are on bye, so identifying Sneaky Starts will be especially important this week. This weekly feature is dedicated to that part of fantasy football. It's not pretty, but it's part of the game.

As of Week 4, we are now using 2025 data for our Hot Spots reports and aFPA rankings. It will continue to update as the season progresses, and we’ll start using a rolling 10-week window in Week 12. Remember, the higher the number, the better the matchup.

Quarterbacks

Jordan Love, Packers (@ PIT, 31)

Jordan Love is running more and has been a steady midrange fantasy option, averaging 17.1 points per game on the year. He draws one of his best matchups yet in Week 8. The Steelers have allowed the fourth-most raw fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, giving up an average of 282 passing yards, 1.67 touchdowns, and 18 rushing yards per game. They rank 31st in QB aFPA, making this a prime spot for Love to deliver another solid to great outing.

Caleb Williams, Bears (@ BAL, 30)

Caleb Williams is coming off a disappointing outing against the Saints, but he’s still been a solid fantasy starter overall, ranking QB13 on a per-game basis. The matchup sets up nicely for a rebound—the Ravens have struggled against opposing passers, allowing 255 yards and 2.33 touchdowns per game through the air. If Lamar Jackson returns, this game has sneaky shootout potential, which would only boost Williams’ fantasy ceiling.

Joe Flacco, Bengals (vs. NYJ, 15)

Joe Flacco has given the Bengals’ passing game a real spark, throwing for 342 yards and three touchdowns against the Steelers after a 219-yard, two-touchdown effort the week prior versus Green Bay. Cincinnati’s implied total of 25.5 suggests multiple scoring opportunities, and with just two rushing touchdowns all season, those scores are likely to come through the air. If Tyrod Taylor starts for the Jets—and especially if Garrett Wilson returns—this game could stay competitive enough for Flacco to keep slinging.

Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (vs. MIA, 27)

Michael Penix Jr. has been quietly steady, averaging 268 yards and 1.33 touchdowns over his last three games with an impressive 8.4 yards per attempt. The matchup this week is favorable—Miami ranks 27th in QB aFPA and has allowed at least 18.8 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in five of seven games. With Atlanta’s implied total sitting at 26.0, there should be scoring opportunities, making Penix a solid streaming option.

Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (vs. GB, 21)

I fully expect Aaron Rodgers to be uber-motivated and on point this week as he faces his old team for the first time, and in prime time no less. He has six touchdowns in his last two games, including four against the Bengals last week. The Packers have yielded an average of 231 yards and 1.67 touchdowns to enemy quarterbacks this season, and have given up 18.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in three road games, including 31.0 to Dak Prescott and 19.8 to Jacoby Brissett.

If Tyrod Taylor (@ CIN, 29) gets Garrett Wilson back, he’ll move into Sneaky Start territory.

Running Backs

Breece Hall, Jets (@ CIN, 32)

Breece Hall has been quiet the last two weeks, but he’s still averaging 87 total yards per game and a healthy 4.53 yards per carry on the season. This looks like a get-right spot against a Bengals defense that has been gashed by opposing backfields, allowing 167 total yards and 1.43 touchdowns per game to the position. If Tyrod Taylor gets the nod at quarterback, the Jets offense should at least move the ball efficiently enough to give Hall some scoring chances. He’s a strong RB2 with RB1 upside in Week 8.

J.K. Dobbins, Broncos (vs. DAL, 29)

J.K. Dobbins has been a steady workhorse, averaging 5.0 yards per carry and logging at least 14 rush attempts in six of seven games this season. The matchup is juicy—the Cowboys have allowed an average of 103.4 rushing yards and 0.71 touchdowns per game to opposing backfields, including big performances from Rico Dowdle (183 yards), Breece Hall (113), and Josh Jacobs (86 and two scores) since Week 4. With his consistent workload and efficiency, Dobbins profiles as a strong RB2 play in Week 8.

Rico Dowdle, Panthers (vs. BUF, 28)

After piling up 473 total yards in Weeks 5–6, Rico Dowdle saw a timeshare with Chuba Hubbard in Week 7 but still managed 96 total yards on 18 touches. He was the more efficient of the two backs, so there’s little reason to expect his workload to dip. The matchup is better than it looks—the Bills have allowed 142.2 total yards and 1.33 touchdowns per game to opposing backfields while giving up 5.4 yards per carry. Game script could tilt pass-heavy, but the 4–3 Panthers have been more competitive than expected, keeping Dowdle squarely in the RB2 mix for Week 8.

Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. TB, 20)

Kendre Miller tore his ACL in Week 7, and Alvin Kamara proceeded to see his second-highest snap share of the season (84%). That could be temporary as the Saints onboard Devin Neal as Kamara’s backup, or Kamara’s role could remain high if the Saints’ confidence in Neal isn’t there yet. The Buccaneers have been particularly vulnerable to receiving backs, yielding an average of 5.3 catches for 61.6 yards per game, including 5-100 to the Lions’ backs and 7-57 to Christian McCaffrey in the last two weeks.

Isiah Pacheco & Brashard Smith, Chiefs (vs. WAS, 14)

Don’t look now, but Isiah Pacheco’s 2025 season may be finally getting out of the starting blocks. In the last two weeks, he has seen 13 and 16 touches, producing 105 total yards and a touchdown. The key here is that the Chiefs may be relegating Kareem Hunt to RB3 duties while promoting Brashard Smith to the ol’ Jerick McKinnon pass-catching role. This should leave Pacheco with 14+ carries in a typical game. As for Smith, he’s a viable RB/flex in PPR formats. The Commanders have given up an average of 138.3 total yards and 0.71 touchdowns to enemy backfields this season.

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (vs. MIA, 27)

Allgeier remains one of the most valuable attrition backs, but he offers sneaky flex value depending on the matchup. The Dolphins are in a bad way, while the Falcons are playing well. As a 7.5-point favorite, the Falcons should remain in control this week, and that means Allgeier could see 10+ carries like he has in four of six games this season. The Falcons don’t want to overwork Bijan Robinson, especially against a team like the Dolphins, who have given up an average of 169.6 total yards and 0.85 touchdowns to the position this season.

Wide Receivers

Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. CHI, 24)

Lamar Jackson’s return to practice is great news for the entire Baltimore offense, and Zay Flowers should be one of the primary beneficiaries. He has been a model of consistency, catching at least five passes in five of six games this season. He draws a favorable matchup against a Bears defense that has allowed 9.2 receptions, 138.3 yards, and 1.67 touchdowns per game to opposing receivers. With Jackson back under center and the Ravens’ defense showing major cracks, this game has legitimate shootout potential.

Romeo Doubs & Matthew Golden, Packers (@ PIT, 30)

The Packers’ receiver room is banged up. Jayden Reed remains out, Dontayvion Wicks left Week 7 with a calf injury, and Christian Watson is still working his way back from last season’s knee injury. Watson could make his debut this week, but he’s unlikely to see a big role. That leaves Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden as virtual every-down players in a fantastic matchup against the Steelers, who have yielded an average of 15.5 catches for 184.7 yards and 0.83 touchdowns per game.

Alec Pierce, Colts (vs. TEN, 17)

Josh Downs missed Week 7 with a concussion and may return this week, but Alec Pierce could build off of his 5-98, 10-target game against the Chargers. He’s regularly playing 80%+ of the snaps and has gained 48+ yards in four-straight games. The Titans have given up an average of 12.3 catches for 157.7 yards and 0.71 touchdowns to the position this season.

Troy Franklin & Marvin Mims, Broncos (vs. DAL, 32)

The receiver matchup against the Cowboys is one of the best in all of fantasy football. Dallas has yielded an average of 12.0 catches for 168.9 yards and 1.71 touchdowns to enemy receivers this season, so there should be fantasy points up for grabs. Franklin saw 10 targets last week and 14 in the last two, and only has 38 total yards and a touchdown to show for it. Still, if he continues to run significant routes, he will have the opportunity to produce in this matchup. As for Mims, he’s been a little up-and-down, but caught 6-of-7 targets for 85 yards in last week’s comeback against the Giants. Hopefully, this earns him a little more playing time.

D.J. Moore, Bears (@ BAL, 29)

D.J. Moore has had a disappointing season thus far, as he has lost his WR1 role to Rome Odunze. In Week 7, he played through a groin injury–after spending the night in the hospital after Week 6?–to lead the Bears in receiving (43). Moore is worth a WR3/flex start given a tasty matchup against the Ravens, who have given up an average of 13.0 catches for 148.7 yards and 1.67 touchdowns to the receiver position this season.

Jaylin Noel, Texans (vs. SF, 6)

Against the Seahawks, with Christian Kirk sidelined, Jaylin Noel posted a season-high in snap rate (43%), targets (7), catches (4), and yards (77). Nico Collins has a concussion, so he and Kirk are both iffy for Week 8. It’s not a particularly good matchup, but Noel should see plenty of routes and has outplayed fellow rookie Jayden Higgins thus far. It’s worth noting that Noel fared really well in Matt Harmon’s Reception Perception charting. He was second to Travis Hunter in his class in charted Success Rate.

Tez Johnson & Sterling Shepard, Buccaneers (@ NO, 14)

With Mike Evans likely out for the season with a collarbone injury, both Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson saw expanded roles in Week 7, each running over 40 routes despite Emeka Egbuka’s return. Johnson led the way with nine targets, posting a 4-58-1 line, while Shepard caught all seven of his looks for 25 yards. Johnson’s usage and scoring potential make him a viable WR3 in all formats, while Shepard’s short-area reliability gives him PPR appeal as a WR4 type. Both should remain involved in a Tampa passing attack searching for stability post-Evans.

Tight Ends

If David Njoku sits again, Harold Fannin (@ NE, 15) is a solid TE1 streamer.

Oronde Gadsden, Chargers (vs. MIN, 9)

Oronde Gadsden followed up a 7-68 performance against the Dolphins with a mind-boggling 7-164-1 outing against the Colts. It was the fourth-most receiving yards by a rookie tight end and the most since 1985. His snap rates have exceeded 75% in back-to-back games, so it looks like he’s going to be a sizable part of the offense moving forward.

Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. SF, 21)

With Christian Kirk out and Nico Collins (concussion) leaving late, Dalton Schultz was C.J. Stroud’s favorite target, catching nine passes for 98 yards on 10 targets. Given the state of the Texans’ receiver room, Schultz should be a big part of the game plan against the 49ers, who have already given up 43+ yards to five different tight ends this season.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers (@ NO, 12)

After a very quiet start to the season, Cade Otton has caught fir,e thanks in part to all the injuries the Bucs have suffered at receiver. He has 16 catches for 197 yards on 20 targets in the last three games. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both out, Otton is a low-end TE1 streamer against the Saints.

Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. CHI, 17)

With Lamar Jackson likely to return and Mark Andrews still entrenched as the Ravens’ starting tight end, he could find the end zone in a game against the Bears that has sneaky shootout potential. Andrews has seen at least six targets in three of the last four games. The Bears have been middling against the position, allowing 7.0 catches for 57 yards and 0.33 touchdowns to enemy tight ends this season.

Theo Johnson, Giants (@ PHI, 3)

Theo Johnson has a nice rapport with Jaxson Dart, and although he caught a fluky touchdown against the Broncos, he has four touchdowns in the last four games while garnering 23 total targets in that span. The Eagles have been stingy against the position, but given his athleticism, role, and touchdown potential, he is worth a look for managers in a pinch.

Mason Taylor, Jets (@ CIN, 32)

Last week, Mason Taylor didn’t deliver in a great matchup, but he saw five targets and has now seen at least that many targets in four of his last five games. Taylor once again has a great matchup as the Bengals have yielded an average of 6.9 catches for 76.6 yards and 1.29 touchdowns per game to enemy tight ends. If Tyrod Taylor draws the start, the Jets’ passing game could look more functional in Week 8.

Noah Fant, Bengals (vs. NYJ, 20)

In Week 7, with Mike Gesicki on IR, Noah Fant’s snap share spiked to 68% and he caught four passes for 44 yards and a touchdown (a.k.a. The 4-44 Club) against the Steelers. The Jets have allowed 6.2 catches for 48.5 yards and 1.0 touchdown to opposing tight ends this season, so Fant should have a solid PPR day.

Colston Loveland, Bears (@ BAL, 16)

Cole Kmet looks unlikely to play in Week 8, so Colston Loveland should set a season-high in snaps and routes run. The Ravens have given up an average of 6.2 catches for 63.2 yards to the position, and this game has the aforementioned shootout potential.