Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em — Week 8 (2023)

Welcome to another edition of our weekly fantasy football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em. In this series, we’re here to help you set your lineups and put yourself in a position to win your fantasy football matchups each week. With seven weeks in the books, it’s time to take a look at Week 8 of the 2023 NFL and fantasy football season.

These players will be those “less-obvious” players that you’re on the fence about starting as your WR3 or Flex type of options. Nobody needs to tell you to start Justin Jefferson or Christian McCaffrey.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the week.

Start ‘Em

Kenny Pickett (QB) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Before we get started, personally, this week seems super weird to me. Coming off a week with a ton of teams on bye, we have zero teams this week who are on their bye week. Really, I cannot remember when this has happened before. Regardless, it’s weird because I’m taking a stab in the dark with Kenny Pickett having a fantasy-relevant start this week. He’s starting against the Jaguars who are giving up top-3 points per game to opposing quarterbacks with over 20 and a seventh-highest D-PAC Score of 5.42. Additionally, he is a fringe week-to-week starter only averaging 11 fantasy points per game with a high of 235 yards passing in Week 3. All things considered, I like this start against Jacksonville this week.

C.J. Stroud (QB) Houston Texans @ Carolina Panthers

Here’s hoping that you’re one of the rough 66% of fantasy managers who held C.J. Stroud through his bye week. If you are, you’re ready to rock for the next couple of weeks. The rookie signal-caller has been right around that top 12 rankings or better every week since the season kickoff. Additionally, he’s thrown two passing touchdowns in four of his last five starts while averaging 283.6 passing yards in that span. Based on our Consistency Score (7.44), he is the sixth most reliable quarterback for fantasy football purposes.

If you’re just looking at the defensive rankings on your league’s platform, you don’t see Carolina as a quarterback target, but you should. They’ve allowed eight passing touchdowns in their last three games with three in each of the last two. The Panthers have allowed just 170 pass attempts this season but they’ve given up 10 touchdowns. That’s an incredible rate of 5.9 percent of passes that go for six while the league average is 3.8. They don’t give up a ton of yardage, but when quarterbacks are scoring at will, you don’t need to throw all day long.

All-in-all, if you’ve got Stroud, he’ll be worth a start again this week. He probably won’t score you 40 fantasy points, but he’s going to leave you with a fine fantasy day. Start ’em until further notice.

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) Detroit Lions vs. Los Vegas Raiders

I think it’s fair to say that week seven was the Jahmyr Gibbs coming-out party as he was in on 87% of snaps and was very active in the running and passing game. He saw 11 touches for 68 yards and a touchdown and also had 9 receptions for 58 yards. That’s Christian McCaffery’s style usage right there.

Furthermore, it’s still up in the air if David Montgomery may or may not start in Week 8. However, I don’t think it’s going to matter. The Raiders have been giving up over 25 points per game to running backs each week, and that’s enough points to go around. Gibbs should be firmly in your lineups each week after that performance.

Chuba Hubbard (RB) Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans

Averaging 4.5 YPC on the season and 4.4 YPC in the last two weeks, Chuba Hubbard is making a case to hold onto the starting role for Carolina. Even after Miles Sanders (3.1 YPC) becomes healthy again. When you get the opportunity in the NFL, you need to show your best. Overall, Hubbard is doing what he needs to do.

Furthermore, going up against the Texans for a post-bye week affair should be good for the Panthers’ running attack. Eight rushing touchdowns (7th most in the league) have been tallied against Houston including three ground scores each by both the Colts and Ravens. Additionally, over the last five games, opposing offenses have averaged 108.2 rushing yards per game. Then there’s Houston’s third-best D-PAC rating for running backs (8.8) that should convince you. Simply start Hubbard and be happy this week.

Christian Kirk (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Since a three-target Week 1, Christian Kirk has been averaging almost nine targets per game since then. He catches nearly everything that is thrown in his direction and has been putting up decent numbers all season long. More importantly, he’s currently averaging nearly 70 points per game and has a touchdown in the last two games. Needless to say, Kirk is playing very well, seeing a significant target share. Not to mention, he has a juicy matchup this week at Pittsburgh. Steelers are currently giving up nearly 43 points per game to opposing wide receivers, and I expect a stellar performance from Kirk this week.

Rashee Rice (WR) Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos

While definitely not the flashiest of players, Rashee Rice has been producing some good fantasy weeks. He’s hauled in a touchdown or more than 70 yards in three straight games. He’s positioning himself as the clear second option in the Chiefs passing attack behind Travis Kelce. He is ranked second on the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. All things considered, the sky is the limit for this rookie.

Everyone looks forward to seeing their fantasy studs take on the Broncos. So far, the Broncos have surrendered 16 receiving touchdowns – nine of which have gone to wide receivers. In the last five games, eight different pass catchers with at least three catches have averaged more than 12 yards per reception against Denver, including Rice when he caught four balls for 72 yards in Week 6.

There’s little doubt, in my mind, that Rice will continue to be targeted at a level that benefits you and your fantasy team. Get him into your lineup wherever you can. His Week 9 matchup with Miami will be another good one, too.

Dalton Kincaid (TE) Buffalo Bills vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dalton Kincaid had a bit of the coming out party last week, that we have all been waiting for. He was targetted 8 times and hauled in all 8 for 75 yards. The only way he could have made that a better performance is if he topped it off with a touchdown.

Furthermore, Dawson Knox has been dealing with a wrist injury and is having surgery this week and is going to be out for a few weeks. Kincaid has been missing out on a few targets with Knox on the field, so I see an uptick in targets as well as Kincaid’s performance starting to come around.

As far as this week goes, Tampa Bay has not been horrible against tight ends. However, they also have a top-10 highest D-PAC Score (Remember, higher is bad). In the end, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kincaid saw 10-plus targets and got a touchdown this week on Thursday Night Football.

Jake Ferguson (TE) Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams

For those of us streaming the position or having selected him late in fantasy drafts, Jake Ferguson has been a pleasant addition. He scored a touchdown in Week 2, caught five balls for 48 yards in Week 3, and followed up with seven grabs for 77 yards the next game. All in all, very solid production. I’m betting we’ll get another good week from Ferguson, maybe even a breakout.

Furthermore, opposing tight ends have been having their way with the Rams, as of late. Over the last four games, the Colts’ tight ends tallied 107 yards and 2 scores. Additionally, Dallas Goedert racked up 117 yards and a score. Finally, the Cardinals totaled 84 yards on 6 catches. Needless to say, there are fantasy points to be had against the Rams and they’re for Ferguson this week. If you need a streaming option, start Ferguson.

Sit ‘Em

Joshua Dobbs (QB) Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Joshua Dobbs’ run as the starting quarterback for the Cardinals is coming to an end. Kyler Murray is very close to being activated and reclaiming the starter spot. I do think Dobbs still starts this week, but next week it’s highly up in the air. It was a pretty good run, for a quarterback you picked up off of waiver. He was averaging a little over 14 fantasy points per game and a few multiple-touchdown performances.

However this week he’s facing the Ravens who are only allowing nine points per game to opposing quarterbacks and a second-lowest D-PAC Score of 2.53. Personally, I would consider dropping Dobbs this week if you are not starting him. Arizona faces the Ravens this week then the Browns next week. I have a hard time thinking he’s going to be starting after this stretch of games.

Geno Smith (QB) Seattle Seahawks vs. Cleveland Browns

With all of the teams on bye in Week 7, Geno Smith became a necessary option for some fantasy football managers. He threw for a couple of touchdowns but, having the lead for all but five minutes of the game, the passing opportunities dried up. When you need just enough from a quarterback, Smith can certainly get it done. However, that won’t be enough in Week 8 against Cleveland.

Before last week, no quarterback had thrown for more than 222 yards against the Browns. Even with the 305 passing yards from Gardner Minshew, teams are averaging 149.2 passing yards and one passing score per game against them. Smith, himself, hasn’t faced Cleveland since 2013 when he threw for 214 yards. He also ran for 48 yards and a score in that game, but he’s not the same athlete he was then. Overall, there’s just too much potency on the Cleveland defense to leave your hopes with Smith this week.

Los Angeles Rams Running Backs @ Dallas Cowboys

Waiver wire articles were full of the Rams running backs last week with the debate on who it was going to be. Zach Evans? Royce Freeman? Darrell Henderson? Evans was the talk of the town as he was on the active roster before Week 7 and the others were either on the practice squad or not on the team. Ultimately, Evans didn’t even see the field and Freeman/Henderson was virtually a 50/50 timeshare. Neither of them really had good production. Put them together or even give one of them more of a slight edge, and they might be fantasy-relevant. Might be.

However, we are certainly not there right now. More importantly, I cannot trust any of those running backs going against a Cowboys defense that is allowing 17 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Not a single good starter and not a good situation. Your best bet would be to sit ’em and just avoid this backfield for the time being.

Zack Moss (RB) Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans

Zack Moss has been one of the best post-draft additions for fantasy in 2023. He’s notched two 100+ yard rushing performances, scored 5 times, and earned double-digit fantasy points four times. Regardless of your league’s PPR scoring format. However, with the return of Jonathan Taylor, we’re not likely to see him get enough carries week-to-week to keep him in your fantasy lineup. That’s not the only reason, though.

Moss is averaging 3.12 YPC since Taylor has been back. This week, the Colts are going toe-to-toe with the Saints defense. The only running back to achieve more than 4.2 YPC against New Orleans this year was Devin Singletary in Week 6 with just 58 rushing yards. Additionally, the only running back to score on the ground against them was Travis Etienne last week who struggled to get to 53 rushing yards on 14 carries.

If you haven’t traded away Moss yet, your window is pretty much closed while Taylor is in action. You also can’t drop him, either, so you’re stuck with him. In a positive matchup (like Week 13 in Tennessee) you might be able to get some value, but probably not until then.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR) Seattle Seahawks vs. Cleveland Browns

I know it’s tempting to start Jaxon Smith-Njigba after sitting on your bench all year and not living up to the off-season hype. He finally had a decent performance and rookie wide receivers usually start to perform around this time of the season. However, this week and next week are not good starts.

He’s facing the Cleveland Browns this week giving up only 22 points per game to opposing wide receivers. Not to mention, has been a formidable defense all season and the best in the NFL so far. Next week he also has the Ravens who have also been very strong against wide receivers. It’s enticing, he had 63 yards and a touchdown last week, but keep him on your bench. I would slightly consider him depending on the status of DK Metcalf, but I would still lean towards him being on the bench.

Adam Thielen (WR) Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans

Personally, I love Adam Thielen and I really love that he’s been silencing the “haters” left and right. He’s managed more than 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in three of the last four contests. Now, I’m sad that I have to urge you not to use him for fantasy football in Week 8.

Contrary to popular belief, the Texans aren’t the NFL’s punching bags anymore. Especially against the passing game. Only four wide receivers have managed more than 56 receiving yards against them, with one of them needing a 51-yard reception to get him there. It’s not part of Thielen’s repertoire to make long receptions, so we shouldn’t expect a huge catch from him. When it comes to touchdowns, the Texans have allowed just two to opposing wide receivers this season.

It’s tough to sit players who have been as hot as Thielen has been this year. And, if you don’t have the personnel to bench Thielen this week, I understand. Just don’t be surprised if you’re unhappy with the result. With his later ADP coming into the season, you should have another option on your fantasy football squads.

Trey McBride (TE) Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Zach Ertz popped up on the injury report last week and was quickly put on the injured reserve. This quickly elevated Trey McBride to be the clear-cut starting tight end in Arizona. Dobbs has also looked at the tight end frequently in his time as the starter in Arizona and Ertz has been the beneficiary so far this season.

With that, you can make the deduction that McBride would be a serviceable starter in this not-great tight end fantasy field. It may be in the weeks going forward, but not this week against the Ravens only giving up six points per game to opposing tight ends.

Evan Engram (TE) Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers

If you’ve been rolling with Evan Engram for fantasy this season, you’ve been getting some consistently solid results. He’s seen 7 or 8 targets in each of his last 6 appearances with 6 or more catches in 4 of those games. However, he has struggled against defenses that are tougher on tight ends.

The Steelers have been a difficult assignment for tight ends this season. They’ve only allowed one tight end to score since Week 1 and the only tight end to surpass 50 receiving yards was Mark Andrews who got 65 yards on six receptions. If you can, you should find a temporary replacement for Engram this week.

Don’t forget to hit us up on Twitter with any of your lineup questions. You can find Benjamin @FFRabbitDad and Brendan @OBryanBren. If you have a question, we will give you some guidance. After all, we want you to win!

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