We have all 32 teams available this week, so hopefully you don’t need a Halloween scare as a starter. Instead, enjoy the Week 8 fantasy football rankings along with the annual ranking of the best Halloween candy! That’s right. It’s time for heated debates about food, especially bite-sized sweets.
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WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEW
**BYE SHOTS: NONE**
Buccaneers at Bills, TNF
- The Buccaneers allow the highest percentage of first downs on third down (48.9%), while the Browns have the lowest percentage (27.5).
- Rachaad White has only exceeded 39 rushing yards twice – 56 and 73 – and has yet to reach 100 total yards.
- Mike Evans is in the top 20 in YPR, TD/TGT, REC% of 20+ yards, and TmAirYD% for all receivers with 10+ yards.
- With Dawson Knox out, Dalton Kincaid can finally fulfill the manager’s dream of being a TE1 option.
Rams at Cowboys, 1 p.m
- The Cowboys have the highest pressure rate in the league (50.2%), with the Browns and Jets following at 42.9% and 41.5%, respectively.
- Only the Browns allow fewer plays per game (54.8) than the Cowboys (57.8).
- Aside from his injury in Week 10 last year, Cooper Kupp’s 3.9 fantasy points in Week 7 were his first single-digit total since Week 4, 2021 (13-5-64-0; 8.9 points).
- Since Kupp’s return, Puka Nacua still ranks fifth in TmTGT% (36.6) and 13th in FPPG (13.5).
Vikings at Packers, 1 p.m
- The Vikings still don’t have a rushing touchdown, while the Bengals, Broncos, Buccaneers and Texans all have just one.
- The Vikings are also one of seven teams (ATL, NO, NYG, PIT, TB, TEN) to have just one game reach the over.
- After Week 1, Jordan Love is 31st in YD/ATT (6.1) and 25th in YD/Comp (10.6), and as of Week 3 he is 34th in TD/INT (0.6) and 31st. in EPA per dropback (-0.12).
Falcons at Titans, 1 p.m
- The Falcons’ defense has emerged as the toughest rushing matchup according to the EPA (40.95 – Cowboys second at 28.00).
- The Titans have the fewest passing touchdowns this season (3).
- Over the last four weeks, Drake London has moved up to WR20 in FPPG and has the 13th wideout receiver yards.
- Derrick Henry has scored between 12.9 and 23.9 fantasy points in the four games with at least 75% of RB contacts, and 2.0 and 7.7 in the other two.
Saints at Colts, 1 p.m
- The Colts defense allows the most plays per game (70.0), while the Jets and Steelers are tied for second (68.7).
- Since returning, Alvin Kamara leads RBs in targets (39) and receptions (35) and would rank seventh and second among wide receivers and tight ends, respectively.
- After a quick jump from 21.9 RBTouch% in his first game back to 50.0% in Week 6, Jonathan Taylor barely improved last week to 52.5%.
- Among the top 10 receivers in targets (all 64+ targets), Chris Olave has the lowest REC% at 57.4, followed by Michael Pittman at 64.6.
Patriots at Dolphins, 1 p.m
- There are 20 running backs with more than 4 goal-line rushes, and of those, only three have a touchdown rate greater than 50% (Raheem Mostert 75.0% on 8 attempts, Kyren Williams 71.4% on 7, and Christian McCaffrey 62, 5% at 8). .
- The Dolphins lead the league in Explosive Play% (12+ rushing or 16+ receiving yards) at 17.3%, with the next closest 49ers at 12.7%.
- Raheem Mostert is fifth in Yards Per Carry (5.6 – De’Von Achane was 12.1 before his injury, haha!) and the Patriots are allowing the lowest YPC (3.4, tied with the Bears).
Jets at Giants, 1 p.m
- The Jets have the third highest QB pressure rate and Tyrod Taylor has the second highest Comp% under pressure – Daniel Jones is tenth. Taylor averages 6.9 YD/ATT to Jones’ 3.8, and Taylor has an 11.7 to 7.1 edge in YD/Comp.
- The Jets have the lowest third-down conversion success (25.0% – the Commanders are second lowest at 29.4%, the Chiefs are highest at 48.9%).
- The Giants rank last in overall percentage of plays (including special teams) resulting in a touchdown (1.9), while the Saints and Steelers are behind at 2.8% each.
Jaguars at Steelers, 1 p.m
- The teams are trying to pass the Jaguars, a league-high 43.4 passes per game (Ravens second, 42.9), while the Browns, Panthers and Cowboys are at the bottom (29.2, 30.7, respectively). .31.0).
- Joey Porter Jr. (PIT) played a season-high 53 snaps, effectively pushing for a “starter” day. He leads the league with just 10.0% of targets caught against him. Tashaun Gipson is in second place with 20.0% (min. 100 coverage snaps). Calvin Ridley is in the outfield 87.4% of the time, and Porter is an outside corner.
- Although both scored, there was no shift in the pecking order for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, as Harris had a 70.8 RBTouch% from the Steelers’ bye.
Eagles at Commanders, 1 p.m
- The Eagles continue to be exploitable via the pass, especially against tight ends (with the second-best EPA for them).
- The Eagles have the most rushes per game with an average of 33.6 attempts – the Browns and 49ers are tied for second with 33.0.
- The Commanders average the most distance to gain a first down on third downs at 8.7 (the Jets are second at 8.5 and the Jaguars are the least at 6.1). Commanders have the second lowest 3DConv% (29.4 – Jets worst at 25.0).
- Only Garrett Wilson has a higher first read % (45.3) than AJ Brown (42.3).
Texans at Panthers, 1 p.m
- The Panthers’ defense has the most favorable RushEPA by a wide margin, ahead of the second-place Raiders (-31.26 to -10.25).
- They also generate the least amount of pressure at just 27.6%, with the Cardinals just shy of 27.9%.
- Only the Rams attempt more plays of more than 5 yards downfield than the Texans (66.4% to 65.4%). The Broncos and Bears are in the bottom two spots (47.7% and 48.3%).
- The Panthers attempt the most passes per game (43.3), the Commanders are second (42.3) and the 49ers and Ravens the fewest (29.2 and 31.0).
Browns at Seahawks, 4 p.m
- The Browns gave up a lot of big plays and touchdowns to the Colts, but still have the highest forced 3-and-out rate at 57.5% (Saints are second at 46.4%).
- The Browns also have the most plays per game (71.2), while the Eagles and Saints rank second and third (70.9 and 70.6).
- The Seahawks allowed 90% of their attempts to reach the goal line to score a touchdown – first were the Browns (6 of 6), third were the Saints with 88.9% (11 attacks).
- Martin Emerson (CLE) receives the most yards per reception (22.6) of all cornerbacks with more than 10 goals in his direction. DK Metcalf can make a big play (or two) on his return, even against this defense.
Chiefs at Broncos, 4 p.m
- No team allows more drives to end in a touchdown than the Broncos (32.9% – Panthers are second at 31.9%).
- They also force the fewest 3-and-outs at 15.1% – the Texans are second at 20.6%.
- Jerry Jeudy doesn’t have a single target in the end zone and just two targets in the red zone this season – Courtland Sutton has eight each.
- Since Week 3, Isiah Pacheco is 10th in FPPG (15.6) with the eighth-most rushing yards (326) – the Broncos lead the league with 1,171 rushing yards allowed (Giants second with 961) and 5.5 YPC (Bills second with 5, 2) on.
Ravens at Cardinals, 4 p.m
- The Ravens defense allows the lowest percentage of drives that end in a touchdown (7.5), while the Saints have the second-lowest percentage (13.1).
- The Ravens allowed just 25.0% of goal-line attacks (13) to result in a touchdown – the Titans are second with 28.6% and five total attempts.
- Lamar Jackson dominates in YD/Comp with 18.2, followed by Matthew Stafford (16.0) and Patrick Mahomes (15.5).
- The Cardinals lead the league with 33.4% of downs resulting in a first down or touchdown.
- With Zach Ertz on IR, Trey McBride – one of the best tight ends from the 2022 draft – becomes the top streamer starting next week (avoid the Ravens!).
Bengals at 49ers, 4 p.m
- Joe Mixon leads the league in RBTouch% and is still only RB30 in FPPG (10.2).
- The Bengals rank last in ExpPlay% (5.2) – the Panthers are second lowest at 6.4.
- Joe Burrow has an 8.4 YD/Comp average – the lowest of all qualified quarterbacks – and entered 2023 with a grade of 11.3. He has topped 8.8 in a game this season, and that was in week 3.
- The 49ers allow the second-fewest yards per reception (9.1), while the Ravens allow the lowest (9.0).
Bears at Chargers, SNF
- The Chargers are the most favorable PassEPA matchup, with the Broncos close behind.
- The Bears are the only team to reach the over in 6 of 7 games.
- Not only is Josh Palmer WR23 in FPPG since Mike Williams was injured, but he is also sixth in YD/TGT (12.3) and 17th in YPRR (17th).
- When Roschon Johnson comes back, D’Onta Foreman has shown enough not to let him take the lead… I’m a poet.
Raiders at Lions, MNF
- Davante Adams has a similar TmTGT% with and without Jimmy Garoppolo (30.8 to 29.0), but a higher REC% (68.2 to 59.3), YD/TGT (8.5 to 5.7) and all of his touchdowns came with Garoppolo.
- In the two games without David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs has an RBTouch% of 76.0 (would be fifth this season) with 15.9 FPPG (10th on the year) and five goal-to-go rush attempts (only 20 running backs have more for the season). whole season).
- Jameson Williams has only 75.0% of his targets registered as catchable (FantasyPoints data), which doesn’t even crack the top 100 players (at least 10 targets). Nelson Agholor…yes…is in first place with 90.5%.
WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL SLEEPERS
These are sleeper (DuckTales and Darkwing Duck style – Woo-oo is worthy of risk in most leagues, and Dangerous is when you need a Hail Mary). You will not 100% imitate my ranking. This is about aiming for the upside and it often comes with a higher level of risk – to put it simply, they are upside plays that you might consider over a firm bottom option.
Woo-oo worthy
- QB: Sam Howell, WSH (yes, even after last week)
- RB: D’Onta Foreman, CHI; Dameon Pierce, HOU
- WR: Rashee Rice, KC; Joshua Palmer, LAC
- TE: Dalton Kincaid, BUF
Let’s get dangerous
- QB: Desmond Ridder, ATL
- RB: Cam Akers, MIN; Zack Moss, IND
- WR: Jayden Reed, UK; Tank Dell, HOU
- TE: Logan Thomas, WSH
WEEK 8: BUY LOW, SELL HIGH
Let’s switch to a BEST/WORST playoff schedule outlook, as we’re at the point where “buy lows” and “sell highs” are hard to find due to manager knowledge and limited options.
Best Playoff Schedules (Purchases)
- QB: Josh Allen, BUF; Jared Goff, DET; Brock Purdy, SF; Justin Fields, CHI
- RB: Bijan Robinson, ATL; Austin Ekeler, LAC; Rhamondre Stevenson, NE; David Montgomery, DET
- WR: Courtland Sutton, DEN; Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, DET; DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, SEA; DeVonta Smith, PHI
Worst Playoff Schedules (Sales)
- QB: Tua Tagovailoa, MIA; Trevor Lawrence, JAX; Joe Burrow, CIN
- RB: Saquon Barkley, NYG; Joe Mixon, CIN; Raheem Mostert, MIA
- WR: Terry McLaurin, WSH; Christian Kirk, JAX; Mike Evans, TB; Adam Thielen, CAR
FUN WITH RANKINGS!
Next Tuesday is Halloween and last week we “celebrated” with the scariest villains. What else can we do now but talk about Halloween candy? After all, we do this every year, and every year the comments are more on fire than a mouthful of Hot Tamales. Let’s talk candy ranks!
Best Halloween candy ranked
Overrated: Whoppers – Who wants to sink their teeth into these malt balls full of meh-ness? And Tootsie Rolls – EVERYONE hands them out, and the kids end up with half a bag of them. Enough!
Best Candy That Needs a Halloween Size
- Starburst FaveREDs Minis (so dangerous – can kill a bag without thinking)
- Sour patch strawberry slices
- Twizzlers Rainbow – these would be in the running for the top spot…drool
- Sour belts (strawberry, watermelon, blue raspberry)
- Hi-Chew Strawberry (different variant for Starbursts)
The worst Halloween candy
(rated from worst to least worst)
WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These may differ from my rankings and mine Ranks are the order in which I would start players outside of additional context, such as “Need the highest upside potential, even if it’s risky.” Also based on 4 point TDs for QB, 6 point break and half PPR
Download link added on Thursday
WEEK 8 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- Unfortunately, there is still no perfect widget. I know many see this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop etc if possible, or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, for scrolling to work properly .
- ECR = “Expert” consensus ranking (which not everyone updates regularly, so use with caution).
- Will be updated regularly. Please find out about the blocking of the lineups.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)