Fantasy Football Recap and Notes – Week 8
Looking for a recap of all the highs, lows, and key takeaways from Week 8 in fantasy football? You’re in the right place! As we pass the halfway mark of the season, Week 8 delivered plenty of excitement, surprises, and insights that can impact your lineup decisions moving forward. From breakout performances to injury updates and under-the-radar players making waves, we’ve got all the notes you need to stay on top of your fantasy football game. Dive in for the essential Week 8 NFL and fantasy football recap and strategies to help guide your team to victory.
Fantasy Football Recap and Notes from Week 8
Los Angeles Rams
This week, we finally saw Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both back in the lineup. Meanwhile, DeMarcus Robinson who caught two touchdowns in Week 8, took the role back he had last year from Tutu Atwell, when he finished strong down the stretch. Tutu only played 14% of the snaps, while Robinson played 83%. Robinson is worth a waiver wire pickup once again if you need wide receiver help or have a spot on your fantasy football rosters.
Detroit Lions
Imagine if Jahymr Gibbs averaged 20+ carries a game. At this point, he would reach Chris Johnson levels. Gibbs has now broken off touchdown runs of 45 and 70 yards in back-to-back games with 243 yards on just 26 carries. Despite fellow running back David Montgomery being essentially a lock for a touchdown every single week.
Houston Texans
Unfortunately, Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending knee injury. So why not bump John Metchie, instead of Xavier Hutchinson and Robert Woods? Last week, he still played behind both after Diggs left the game. Meanwhile, Dalton Schultz has also become a solid fantasy football again coming back from this injury. Moving forward, he should get more consistent.
Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed keeps getting the highest ranking each week amongst analysts. However, both Romeo Doubs (84 snaps and 26 routes) and Christian Watson (73 and 22) continue to play more snaps and run more routes than Reed (61 and 17). For what it’s worth, Dontayvion Wicks is 4th on the list with 31 snaps and 8 routes run.
As we’ve seen, Reed is a splash play waiting to happen. However, his chances are fewer. Personally, I’m not giving up on and being patient with Christian Watson. If he’s healthy he will get the snaps and the production will come. His problem is consistency because he’s consistently hurt.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Another unfortunate injury, Christian Kirk is out for the year with a broken collarbone. Moving forward, Parker Washington is going to get a chance here with Kirk out for the year. Additionally, standout rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr. is potentially out a week or two, and Gabe Davis struggling with a shoulder injury.
Regardless, Washington’s snap share goes up with Kirk out. He’s a quality wide receiver, Trevor Lawrence has bounced back, and all things considered, he’s worth an add. For what it’s worth, the Jaguars played 11 personnel, 3 WR sets on 54% of the offensive snaps on Sunday.
Miami Dolphins
This week, De’Von Achane got one less carry than Raheem Mostert but was more productive yardage-wise. Despite Mostert getting two touchdowns on just 2.11 YPC, taking 9 carries for 19 yards. However, Achane’s passing work remains way ahead of Mostert as he was 4th on the team in routes run with 20. Additionally, he is 2nd in target share (19%) behind Tyreek Hill (28%) on the year.
Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Gesicki is back to running more routes than Erick All Jr. Notably, he’s seen 22 to All’s 14. As a result, Gesicki finished with 7 catches for 73 yards. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow is putting up very solid fantasy football numbers and Ja’Marr Chase is the WR1 in PPR scoring. Maybe Gesicki’s role changes with Tee Higgins returning. The Bengals should let the veteran run with the starting TE role.
New Orleans Saints
Losing Rashid Shaheed was a massive loss for the Saints. Unfortunately, Mason Tipton, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Bub Means just aren’t going to cut it. Normally, I would say maybe the Saints trade for a wide receiver at the deadline with Carr returning soon. However, their season looks shot regardless and Dennis Allen should get canned. Meanwhile, Chris Olave is going to be targeted like a madman.
Los Angeles Chargers
This week, Simi Fehoko led the Chargers in routes run but didn’t catch a single pass. Meanwhile, Quentin Johnston should return soon and take that role back. Justin Herbert ran 4 times for 49 yards in this game. Now past his plantar fasciitis and high ankle sprain, his rushing totals could be a thing again. This is something I originally thought might happen under Greg Roman.
Furthermore, Herbert has been throwing the ball very well of late. Hopefully, he may return to fantasy football prominence at the quarterback position with his rushing upside. Not to mention, the emergence of rookie Ladd McConkey and getting Quentin Johnston back who has been dealing with an ankle injury. Impressively, McConkey beat one of the better corners in the league in Alontae Taylor on his touchdown catch. He’s coming of age.
Buffalo Bills
For the Bills, Amari Cooper only played 51% of the snaps compared to Keon Coleman‘s 84%. However, he only ran two fewer routes. It appears that big days are ahead for him. Additionally, Khalil Shakir is turning into the man of consistency in this passing group finishing with a career-high 10 catches while going for 107 yards. The Curtis Samuel injury has elevated him further.
Rookie WR Coleman is coming alive and the Bills are figuring out how best to use him. Quick throws, let him use his size, body control, and hands to win matchups. He’s also shown YAC ability and is a true red zone threat. Overall, Allen and Coleman are developing chemistry for real-life and fantasy football purposes.
Washington Commanders
I was a little concerned about rookie Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin coming into this matchup against Chicago. While it did help that Daniels completed the Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game, I am starting Daniels and McLaurin in any matchup going forward.
Last week, the Bears were arguably one of the toughest matchups they will face all year. Both of them still produced solid fantasy football numbers. McLaurin took 5 catches for an impressive 125 yards. Meanwhile, Daniels still had over 300 total yards before that Hail Mary completion. Moving forward, these are two must-start players for your fantasy football teams every single week. Regardless of the matchup.
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