How the heck is it already Halloween? I swear, time moves faster once the NFL season kicks off. Since we’re pretty much at the halfway point of the season, I figured I’d take a look back and offer some reflections on what we’ve learned so far this season about our fantasy quarterbacks:
- Tom Brady (fantasy’s QB1) seriously might play until he’s 50
- Jalen Hurts (fantasy’s QB2) has gotten the bulk of his production in garbage time and feels due for a falloff
- I predict Josh Allen (currently the QB7) finishes the year as a QB1
- Dak Prescott (QB12) is playing legitimately great and will eventually start to garner better fantasy results too
- Ryan Tannehill (QB18) is more a product of Arthur Smith than we thought
- None of the 2021 rookies appear to be fantasy relevant this season
There are still two whole months remaining in the season, which means things will change. But with all this in mind, let’s dive into the Week 8 primer.
Get a $5 bonus when you make your first deposit at FanDuel 
Week 7 Recap
Mid-range QB1 Picks
Aaron Rodgers: QB4 in Week 7
Ryan Tannehill: QB11 in Week 7
Matt Ryan: QB14 in Week 7
Overall, a pretty solid week for our Mid-range QB1 calls, with only Ryan barely missing the QB1 cut.
Streaming Options
Tua Tagovailoa: QB1 in Week 7
Justin Fields: QB24 in Week 7
Talk about two wildly different results. Tua was really good against the Falcons last week and was our best call. Fields… let’s not talk about it.
Week 8 Mid-range Passers with QB1 Upside
Joe Burrow vs. New York Jets
Burrow was the QB2 in Week 7 and is primed for another fantastic outing against a Jets defense that just let Mac Jones throw for more than 300 yards. The Jets have given up 17.3 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks but have faced Sam Darnold, Jones twice, Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Ryan, and Ryan Tannehill.
Ryan Tannehill vs. Indianapolis
We’re going back to the well with Tannehill against a Colts pass defense that’s banged up and has been generous to opposing QBs lately. Tannehill threw for three touchdowns in the first matchup between these teams and could be in store for a similar day in the rematch.
Daniel Jones vs. Kansas City
Sigh. Daniel Jones has been in this piece far too often than I’d prefer. But how can he not be an option against this Chiefs defense? Kansas City is giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs this year. If Jones can’t put up a big day against this defense, then he’s probably not New York’s guy.
Streaming Options
Carson Wentz vs. Tennessee
Maybe we’ve got ourselves an old-fashioned shootout in Indianapolis this weekend? Wentz appears to be healthy and is starting to show improvement in his reunion season with Frank Reich. Now he rematches with a Titans defense that’s thin at cornerback. Wentz played on two injured ankles in the first game between these teams and threw for 194 yards. I’m expecting a much better effort.
Sam Darnold at Atlanta
Yes, I’m trusting Darnold after some rough performances. Darnold’s biggest problem is when he faces pressure, something Atlanta doesn’t generate often. The Falcons have surrendered nearly 23 fantasy points per game to QBs, and we just saw what Tua did to them last week. With the pressure on, I expect Darnold to deliver.
Teddy Bridgewater vs. Washington
Bridgewater looked off when we last saw him in a loss to Cleveland, and I think injury played a role. Hopefully, with a long week to rest, Bridgewater looks better. He’s got a great opportunity in front of him against a Washington defense giving up the most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season.
Geno Smith vs. Jacksonville
If you’re desperate, Smith is an option against a Jaguars defense that’s yielded a ton of passing yards this season. Jacksonville’s been stingier when it comes to passing touchdowns, but they also have only two interceptions on the season.
Import your team to My Playbook for instant Lineup & Trade advice
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.
Matt Barbato is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matt, check out his archive and follow him @RealMattBarbato.
