As temperatures begin to cool for the fall, the race for the fantasy playoffs is heating up and these are the players you need in your lineup going into Week 8.

Despite not having to deal with any teams on bye this week, fantasy managers are still scrambling for replacements, due to long-term injuries to Brandon Aiyuk and Chris Godwin and lesser blows to Jayden Daniels, Mike Evans, DK Metcalf and Deebo Samuel. Forgive us if this sounds like a weekly recording, but scouring the waiver wire is a necessity amid the injury chaos. 

The show must go on, though, and as the temperatures begin to cool for the fall, the race for the fantasy playoffs is heating up. As a refresher, all suggested “starts” are being started in 70% or less of Sleeper leagues at time of writing, and this week’s group begins with a quarterback who is skyrocketing into the league MVP conversation.

STARTS

QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

vs. Tennessee; Sunday, 1 p.m. ET 

Goff, who is only being started in 45% of Sleeper leagues, may be QB13 on the season, but he is only 19 fantasy points away from being ranked inside the top six among all QBs. And over the last four weeks – which includes his bye week – Goff is QB9, with seven of the eight ahead of him having played one more game. 

Sleeper’s projected QB16 (16.6 points), who has thrown two-plus touchdowns in four consecutive games, faces a tough matchup against a Titans defense that is surrendering the second-fewest passing yards (1,079) this season. Despite only surrendering seven passing TDs on the year, Tennessee has looked more exploitable over the last two weeks, allowing multiple passing scores to Joe Flacco (two) and Josh Allen (three). 

Goff, meanwhile, has been red-hot over the last month, completing 84.5% of his passes over the Lions’ four-game winning streak. While suggesting him as a start this week may appear to be a contrarian play, the Titans have also been stout against the run, surrendering the sixth-fewest rushing yards (633). Expect the Lions to throw more than many are projecting in this home tilt. 

RB Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

vs. Carolina; Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

While left on the majority of benches last week, Williams rushed for 88 yards and two TDs against the Saints, landing him as the overall PPR RB5 in Week 7.

Heading into a showdown with Carolina, the fourth-year pro has quietly posted 16-plus fantasy points in two of his last three games. Possessing clear lead-back duties, Williams should crush Sleeper’s RB20 (12.7 PPR points) against a woeful Panthers defense.

Starting in 62% of Sleeper leagues, Williams draws a favorable matchup against a team that ranks 32nd against the run and has surrendered league-highs in rushing yards (1,135) and rushing touchdowns (13). The Panthers, who have allowed 11 RBs to post double-digit fantasy points this season, will not be able to contain Williams or a surging Broncos club that has ripped off four wins in their last five games.

QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

at Washington; Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET 

Chicago’s rookie ranks far outside QB1 status as the overall QB19. However, Williams has displayed progression in Shane Waldron’s offense, quietly posting 23-plus fantasy points over his last two games. Fresh off a Week 7 bye, the dual-threat signal-caller, will face a Washington pass defense that has allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns (12). 

You can expect Williams to be extra motivated if this turns into a first head-to-head matchup with Jayden Daniels (if a rib injury does not force him to sit), but either way, don’t hesitate to start Williams over more notable QBs like Anthony Richardson, Dak Prescott and Brock Purdy.

WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

at Jacksonville; Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Since his Week 5 suspension, the third-year wideout has posted 37.3 PPR fantasy points in his last two games - after producing just 28.9 PPR fantasy points over his first four.

Doubs, who is only being started in 43% of Sleeper leagues, draws a favorable matchup against a Jaguars defense that is allowing an average of 14.1 receptions and 177.1 receiving yards to opposing wideouts. Sleeper’s projected WR34 (11.2 PPR points) is poised to continue his torrid pace in a likely high-scoring affair.

TE Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

vs. Atlanta; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET

Tampa Bay’s offense took a massive hit on Monday night, losing both of its star wide receivers. While Mike Evans (hamstring) is expected to be out until after the club’s Week 11 bye, Chris Godwin (ankle) likely has been lost for the season. 

With 46% of targets now up for grabs, expect Baker Mayfield to lean heavily on his tight end. The emerging third-year pro, who has been on the field for 91% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps this season, is quietly tied with Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid as the overall TE12 but is now poised to rise even higher. 

In Week 8, Sleeper’s projected TE10 (9.3 PPR points) will face a Falcons defense that has not not allowed an opposing tight end to catch a TD this season. Despite the tough matchup, fantasy managers should expect Otton to be a TE1 in Week 8 due to massive boost in target share.

SITS

QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

vs. Miami; Sunday, 1 p.m. ET 

Murray needed a 44-yard touchdown scamper to salvage his Week 7, but the dual-threat QB has only topped 214 passing yards once (266, Week 2) in seven games this season, and it isn’t going to get much easier for him.

In Week 8, Murray draws a tough matchup against a Miami defense that has surrendered the fewest passing yards (989) and passing touchdowns (three) in the league. Murray, who has only thrown for multiple scores in three of his last 15 regular season games dating back to last season, will be hard-pressed to find success against a Dolphins squad that will receive a significant confidence boost on both sides of the ball with the expected return of QB Tua Tagovailoa.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

at Miami; Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

As a correlated play to fading Murray in Week 8, his top receiving threat should see the bench, too. 

The rookie wideout, who posted 15+ PPR fantasy points in Weeks 2-4, is burning fantasy managers with inconsistent production. Despite ranking as the overall WR31, MHJ has now posted 5.6, 0 and 5.1 PPR efforts over his last three games. 

In Week 8, he draws a tough matchup against a Miami defense that has only allowed one opposing wideout to top 63 receiving yards this season, and he is expected to draw Dolphins’ corner Jalen Ramsey in coverage. Fantasy managers need to temper expectations for Sleeper’s projected WR25 (13 PPR points). 

RB Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

at Detroit; Sunday, 1 p.m. ET 

Despite scoring 15+ PPR points in four of six games this season, Pollard can’t be trusted by fantasy managers in Week 8. The Lions’ defense, which has held opponents to the fourth-fewest rushing yards (555), has only allowed three opposing running backs (Kyren Williams, Kenneth Walker III and Aaron Jones) to post double-digit PPR fantasy point production.

The overall RB21 (14.1 PPR points per game) should be benched in favor of lower-ranked options such as Javonte Williams, Tank Bigsby and Kareem Hunt. 

WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

at Chargers; Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET 

Without Derek Carr, the Saints have been outscored 84-37 in back-to-back losses to Tampa Bay and Denver the last two games. Despite being drafted as WR1 this summer, Olave is only a WR4 averaging 9.3 PPR fantasy points per game. 

After missing Week 7 due to a concussion, Olave draws a brutal matchup against a Chargers defense that has allowed the third-fewest passing yards (1,192) of any team this season. Even further, L.A. has not allowed any opposing wideout to eclipse 95 receiving yards, while surrendering just five receiving TDs to the position.  

With a struggling Spencer Rattler likely under center for a third consecutive game, Sleeper’s Week 8 projection of WR20 (13.6 PPR points) is in line for disappointing production yet again.

TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions 

vs. Tennessee; Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

LaPorta, the preseason consensus No. 1-ranked tight end, has been a bust through the first seven weeks of the season, ranking as the overall TE21 in PPR formats. 

The talented second-year receiving threat, who has caught two or fewer passes in four of six games this season, has only posted double-digit PPR points once. On Sunday, LaPorta will face a Titans defense that is only allowing an average of 29.5 receiving yards and no touchdowns to opposing TEs in 2024. 

The forthcoming suspension to WR Jameson Williams should open up more opportunities in the Lions’ pass game, but will it be LaPorta who benefits? The lack of elite options at the position means that it’s unlikely you have a better option on the surface, but consider this is a "temper-your-expectations" warning.

BOOMS & BUSTS

Digging a little deeper, here are three who could hit it big and three who could miss the mark entirely due to their circumstances in the week ahead:

💥 TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

It is crystal clear who the top target is in Cleveland following the trade of Amari Cooper to the Bills. Following the Browns’ switch to Jameis Winston under center, Njoku should continue to thrive in a plus-matchup against the Ravens.

💥 QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

After being shredded by Lamar Jackson for five touchdowns on Monday night, the Buccaneers have now surrendered the third-most passing yards (1,915) and 15 total touchdowns (11 passing, four rushing) to opposing quarterbacks this season. Cousins is in a prime bounce-back spot.

💥 WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

If Jennings (hip) is able to return to the lineup, he draws a favorable matchup against a Cowboys defense that has allowed nine WRs to post double-digit PPR fantasy points in six games. With Aiyuk gone for the season and Samuel’s status in doubt, Jennings could thrive.

🫥 RB Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders

Despite Mattison’s steady fantasy production, managers need to avoid his matchup against a Chiefs run defense that is allowing just 56.2 rushing yards per game to opposing RBs.

🫥 WR Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers

The downgrade from Andy Dalton to Bryce Young at QB will coincide with a tough matchup against a Denver defense that is only allowing 193.4 passing yards to opposing quarterbacks this season.

🫥 WR Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

With the return of TE Evan Engram, Trevor Lawrence’s clear top target, the veteran WR has once again become invisible in the Jaguars offense, and he draws a tough matchup against a Packers defense that has shut down Arizona and Houston in back-to-back contests.

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