Fantasy Football Starts/Sits - NFL Week 8 2024 (QB, RB, WR, TE, D/ST)

Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season is upon us, and as your divisional matchups ramp up, 4QWI is here to get your lineups right ahead of the week!

Like last year, we will go ahead and leave out the effective matchup-proof picks such as Justin Jefferson and Derrick Henry. Let's get into it.

Quarterbacks: @BreTT_Shevlin

Start: Kirk Cousins @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Atlanta looks to bounce back after an ugly loss vs Seattle last week. After a blowout loss at home, Kirk and the Falcons take on the Buccaneers who are currently allowing the second most fantasy points to the Quarterback position. When these two teams met earlier in the season Cousins had his best game to date throwing for over 500 yards and connecting on 4 touchdown strikes.

The current situation in the NFC south makes this game a little more interesting as both teams are tied at 4-3 and looking to take command of the division. In a high stakes game I expect the Falcons to show no mercy on their opponent and force Baker into making mistakes with him being down his top two receivers in Evans and Godwin.

Start: Aaron Rodgers @ New England Patriots (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

In another divisional matchup the Jets travel to New England to take on the lowly Patriots. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had a very good season, but his best game came against New England in week 3 where he threw for 281 yards and 2 TD’s with no turnovers. The addition of Davante Adams makes this a more appealing start for me.

Head Coach Jerod Mayo called out his team for being soft after last weeks lost and it’ll be interesting to see how they respond to that. The Patriots are just in absolute disarray and who else to better capitalize on that then a future hall of famer. The Jets are just as desperate to get back on track or they can kiss their playoff hopes away. Get right game for Aaron in this one.

Sit: Trevor Lawrence vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

After just playing in England the past two weeks the Jaguars finally come home to welcome the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay just held CJ Stroud to an abysmal 86 passing yards last week. Trevor Lawrence has only surpassed 200 yards in 3 of his 7 games played this season. I would advise you to consider other options this week

Sit: Kyler Murray @ Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Kyler Murray has thrown for a modest 190 yards per game in 2024 and going up against the best pass defense in the league makes things even worse. The Murray-Harrison connection just hasn’t materialized as many fans expected and I don’t expect a matchup with Jalen Ramsey to change that this week. The only upside Murray has is his rushing ability, but as a passer he’s only thrown for multiple TD’s in one game this season.

With the tough matchup in hand and Kyler struggling to form connections with his recievers you can fade Murray even in super flex leagues.

Running Backs: @jvr1210

Start: Jordan Mason vs. Dallas Cowboys (SNF, 10/27 @ 8:20 PM EST)

There are a lot of reasons I’d consider starting Jordan Mason this week. For starters, the 49ers offense is beat up, with Jajaun Jennings out with a hip injury, Brandon Aiyuk out for the season, and both George Kittle and Deebo Samuel listed as questionable for Sunday. Mason, who appears to be healthier this week, will have a big role to play against the Cowboys, which brings me to my next reason to start Mason.

The Cowboys have been pretty bad against the run this year. Despite having an earlier bye the Cowboys have allowed 10 rushing TDs (good for second worst) and are allowing a not-so-clean 4.5 rushing yards per attempt. Last time out the Lions ran the ball down their throats for nearly 200 yards and 2 TDs. Combine the Cowboys poor play against the run with the fact that Mason could be the biggest star on the field for the 49ers and it could set up a big day for Mason.

Start: Kareem Hunt @ Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 10/27 @ 4:25 PM EST)

This is crazy to say, but as of right now, Hunt may be the only Chief I’d feel confident starting in fantasy football. In his last two games, Hunt has had 27 rushing attempts and 22 rushing attempts to go along with 180 yards and 3 TDs. Despite being 6-0, the Chiefs have felt underwhelming on offense. With Kelce underperforming, Rashee Rice being injured and Mahomes having 6 TDs to 8 INTs, things have been less than stellar. With the passing game being kind of meh and Hunt receiving this much usage, I’d start Hunt until Pacheco is healthy.

Sit: Nick Chubb vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

As an owner of Nick Chubb, I am ecstatic that he is back, he even managed to score a TD last week! Other than the TD it is clear that the Browns are still easing Chubb back from his injury, which is understandable. The majority of Chubb’s usage last week came in the first half and he did struggle a bit, averaging 2.0 yards per rush. With Baltimore allowing the least overall rushing yards and least yards per carry (3.3) and Chubb still warming up I’d keep him on your bench this week unless you’re desperate. As Chubb gets warmed up and Deshaun Watson out for the season it is likely that there are better days to come for Chubb as Cleveland will likely rely heavily on him to help try and turn their season around.

Sit: Devin Singletary + Tyrone Tracy @ Pittsburgh Steelers (MNF, 10/28 @ 8:15 PM EST)

I don’t trust either of these guys as far as I can throw a rock. In a game where the Giants were embarrassed on offense, neither of these guys had a day to write home about. Singletary ran the ball 5 times for 18 yards and Tracy ran the ball 6 times for 23 yards with Tracy being more involved in the passing game than Singletary was. Needless to say, neither of those numbers were very pretty. When Singletary was healthy he was worth a flex spot, when Singletary was hurt and Tracy was starting, Tracy was a fringe flex player. With both of them healthy, the Giants being terrible, and also having no idea who they want to be the lead back, it gets a bit messy. Combine that with the Giants squaring off with the astounding Steelers defense and it makes for a nightmare scenario. Do not start either of these backs this week.

Wide Receivers: @Endydoe

Start: Tank Dell vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

After a phenomenal rookie season that got cut short, Tank Dell had some of his fantasy draft stock cut with the arrival of Stefon Diggs in Houston. That said, with Nico Collins out for some time, we have already seen Dell's usage shoot up as he had a solid outing against New England two weeks ago prior to last week's bye. In Week 8, and with Collins still on IR for the foreseeable future, I like Dell's matchup against the Colts. Indy is about an average passing defense as you can get in the NFL right now, so start Dell as your WR2 this week with confidence.

Start: Tee Higgins vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Tee has been enjoying a return to form in 2024, as his rapport with Joe Burrow seems to be firmly established. In his last three games, Higgins has enjoyed a line of 20 catches on 29 targets for 242 yards and 3 touchdowns. Not to mention, he is at home against the Eagles is another fantastic matchup, as Philly has allowed the 10th most fantasy points to Wide Receivers on the season.

Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr, @ MIami Dolphins (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

For my weekly "don't take the bait" entry, I give you MHJ in Week 8. Look past the name value and recognize the matchup and recent performances for the rookie. Miami has allowed just 693 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns all season which is insane. Ever since his breakout performance in Week 2, Harrison Jr. has been a touchdown dependent option, as in the past 5 weeks (including Week 6 in which he sustained a concussion @ Green Bay, he is averaging just 3 catches for 33.2 yards and .4 touchdowns. And not only THAT, this is an away matchup. Don't take the bait.

Sit: Tre Tucker and Jakobi Meyers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, 10/27 @ 4:25 PM EST)

Following the departure of Davante Adams to the Jets, additional opportunities have of course spawned for Tucker and Meyers, the latter of whom is likely to play after missing play since Week 5. The Quarterback position in Las Vegas has been really tough with Aidan O'Connell taking over duties for Gardner Minshew then immediately getting hurt and placed on IR. There could be better days ahead for of these Raiders, but this week isn't the time. The Chiefs, for their part, have allowed just 5 receiving tuddies this season, tied for 5th place, and have also allowed just 654 yards to receivers this season, leading the entire NFL.

Tight Ends: @Endydoe

Start: Dalton Kincaid @ Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 10/27 @ 4:05 PM EST)

I like Kincaid in this away matchup against Seattle, who are allowing the 8th most fantasy points to Tight Ends this season. Kincaid has had a decent little stretch of games lately as well, as far as position standards go. He's only hit the end zone once so far this season, but there is a good possibility he has a good showing in Seattle, as the Seahawks have allowed the 4th most receiving yards to the position this season.

Start: Kyle Pitts @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST) Another solid matchup awaits Pitts as he and the Falcons take on the Bucs in an exciting divisional game. The Bucs have allowed the 3rd most yards to Tight Ends in the NFL, and Pitts is currently averaging 74 receiving yards per game in his last 3. Throw him in your lineup in Week 8.

Sit: Tyler Conklin @ New England Patriots (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Don't be fooled by Conklin's performance in fantasy terms last week. Despite putting up 10.7 PPR points last week, the was off of a 4/7/1 TD statline that I don't see repeating against the solid Patriots defense. Rodgers has plenty more tools to spread the ball out too. I don't think Conklin gets a second TD week in a row. Hit the bench.

D/STs: @spechty49

Kickers: @spechty49

Start: Younghoe Koo (Atlanta Falcons) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

After ripping off 3 straight great kicking weeks in fantasy Koo laid a dud last week. However, the Bucs rank top 10 in average fantasy points against opposing kickers. Last time these two met it was a high scoring OT affair. I would expect Koo to see sufficient chances although the Bucs offense is hampered the Falcons offense is not.

Start: Chase McLaughlin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 10/27 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Back to back meh games for Chase and a roughed up Bucs O might cause hesitation this week. The Bucs are top 10 worst against fantasy kickers but the Falcons? Top of the list. 31/31 in average fantasy points ceded to opposing kickers. The Bucs still have a run game, Cade Otton, and Jalen McMillan which isn’t nothing. I would expect McLaughlin to see plenty of FG attempts rather than XP.

Start: Anders Carlson (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Dallas Cowboys (SNF, 10/27 @ 8:20 PM EST)

This guy is available in your league. Almost certainly. Rostered in .9% of ESPN leagues he is an intriguing 1 week rental if he starts for the injured Moody again. He is semi inconsistent but he will get his chances. The Cowboys Defense is atrocious. 28 points per game is 2nd in the league. Points to kickers is top 5 average. The likes of Greg Joseph thrashed them. He’s certainly only a one week rental but the matchup is undeniably a good one.

Sit: Greg Joseph (New York Giants) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (MNF, 10/28 @ 8:15 PM EST)

Going up against the Steelers is tough on the kickers. On the Vikings Joseph was my boy. But the Steelers give up about half as many fantasy points to kickers as the Falcons and Bucs as mentioned above. Joseph came out the gates swinging with two decent games and has fell off since and that should not change this week.

Sit: Blake Grupe (New Orleans Saints) @ Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 10/27 @ 4:05 PM EST)

On ESPN Grupe is a fringe starter candidate in deeper leagues being Kicker 13. He is being carried by that one huge week 1 game. Don’t be fooled because he’s only gone double digits once since. Also the Chargers are right behind the Steelers against kickers. A brutal 4 points a game in CBS leagues. So many injuries and he’s not particularly doing that good anyways. Leave him on the waiver.