Here are my rapid reactions, top performers, and key fantasy football takeaways from Sunday of Week 8. You can find our expert consensus fantasy football rankings for the week here. And you can also sync your fantasy football league for free using our My Playbook tool for custom advice, rankings, and analysis.
Here’s what I’m taking away from what Dr. Deepak Chona said on the Week 8 Sunday night recap show.
- RB Jonathan Taylor questionable to return (ankle) – came back but may be limited this week.
- WR DeVante Parker (knee) – MCL sprain 2-4 weeks. missed time.
- Saints RB Mark Ingram (knee) ruled out vs. Raiders.
- TE Tyler Higbee questionable with neck injury but returned.
- TE Irv Smith Jr. with an ankle injury – getting MRI.
- WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) – Video suggested ankle sprain. Should play next week. Will likely be limited. Said he “dodged a bullet” post-game.
- WR Richie James officially ruled out with a concussion – At least one week.
- WR Ja’Marr Chase update (not going on IR) – Week 12 return timetable.
- WR Christian Watson ruled out in first quarter with concussion.
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson left game gingerly but returned.
- WR Adam Thielen left and returned after hit to the head/shoulder area.
- QB Justin Fields left and returned.
Other notable injuries:
- Eagles DT Jordan Davis leaves on a cart vs. Steelers (high-ankle sprain)
- Cowboys LB Anthony Barr (hamstring) ruled out
- Dolphins ruled OT Liam Eichenberg out with a knee injury
- Broncos C Lloyd Cushenberry III suffered a left hip injury
- Seahawks C Austin Blythe is questionable to return with a knee injury.
Fantasy Headlines
QB: Terrific Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa: 29/36 passing for 382-3-0. 138.7 passer rating. Tough to ask for much more from the southpaw quarterback. He’s just got a such high upside every single week when over half of his pass attempts (68% in Week 8) are directed at Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Bears, Browns and Texans next three weeks…#FinsUp.
RB: Free Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard did what Ezekiel Elliott could only do with a time machine in Week 8 by going absolutely nuclear. The Cowboys best running back totaled 14 carries for 131 yards and 3 rushing TDs. 9.4 yards per carry is just another day at the office for Pollard.
WR: AJB WR1 SZN
A.J. Brown #goodatfootball. A hat-trick for AJB WR1 szn. 6 for 156 and 3 TDs on 11 targets (37% target share). Alpha doing alpha-like things.
TE: Kyle Pitts Frankenstein Mode
We have LIFE. 5 catches for 80 yards and one touchdown on 9 targets. Naturally, Kyle Pitts got “sit of the week” status from me on the podcast…so a bounce-back game was nearly a guarantee. His 32% target share and 9 targets was a season-high…also tied for 2nd-most in career. However, Mariota’s 28 attempts were second-most this season. 253 passing yards was season-high. Next week is the Chargers run defense that cannot stop anybody. I’d sell high on Pitts frankly, even as somebody that owns him in a lot of different leagues.
Quick Game-by-Game Observations & Takeaways
London Game
Game 1 – Broncos 21, Jaguars 17
Fantasy takeaway: Travis Etienne goes bananas. 24 carries for 156 yards and one rushing TD. Added 3 catches on 3 targets for 6 yards. JaMycal Hasty only four carries, but 4 targets.
Other notes:
- Christian Kirk led Jaguars in targets (7) going 3 for 40 yards.
- TE Evan Engram was leading receiver (4-55-1) on 6 targets.
- Latavius Murray out-carried Melvin Gordon (14 vs 9). The latter saw more targets (4 vs 2). Both scored rushing TDs.
- Jerry Jeudy led Broncos WRs with a 27% target share (6-63-1).
- But rookie Greg Dulcich led the team in receiving yards (4-87) on 5 targets. He’s a weekly starter after an impressive 3 games to start his NFL career.
- Courtland Sutton with just one catch on 4 targets for 13 yards. Favorable matchups coming up after bye week versus Titans and Raiders.
Notable Snap Counts
Broncos
Courtland Sutton – 95%
Jerry Jeudy – 85%
Greg Dulcich – 80%
KJ Hamler – 70%
Melvin Gordon – 56%
Latavius Murray – 44%
Jaguars
Zay Jones – 99%
Evan Engram – 93%
Travis Etienne – 79%
Christian Kirk – 78%
Marvin Jones – 54%
Chris Manhertz -38%
JaMycal Hasty – 22%
Next week: Jaguars host Raiders, Broncos on BYE
Game 2 – Raiders 0, Saints 24
Fantasy takeaway: Alvin Kamara 18-62-1 rushing, 9-96-2 on 10 targets receiving. Kamara managers need Andy Dalton to stay under center.
Other notes:
- Chris Olave 5-52-0 on 7 targets
- Josh Jacobs just 10-43-0 rushing, bizarre usage seeing Ameer Abdullah see more targets (4 vs 5).
- Derek Carr 15/26 passing for 101-0-1, Davante Adams 1-3-0 on 5 targets. WOOF.
- Tight end Foster Moreau 6-for-31 on a team-high 9 targets, followed by Mack Hollins (8). Hunter Renfrow only 2 targets.
- Taysom Hill with 10 carries for 61 yards (Mark Ingram left with an injury). Also saw 2 targets.
Notable Snap Counts
Saints
Juwan Johnson – 73%
Alvin Kamara – 72%
Tre’Quan Smith – 59%
Chris Olave – 58%
Nick Vannett – 58%
Kevin White – 47%
Taysom Hill – 36%
Marquez Callaway – 33%
R. Shaheed – 23%
Dwayne Washington – 20%
J. Holtz – 20%
Mark Ingram – 8%
Raiders
Mack Hollins – 91%
Hunter Renfrow -79%
Davante Adams – 72%
Josh Jacobs – 55%
Ameer Abdullah – 34%
Next week: Saints host Ravens (MNF), Raiders at Jaguars
Game 3 – Eagles 35, Steelers 13
Fantasy takeaway: A.J. Brown #goodatfootball. A hat-trick for AJB WR1 szn. 6 for 156 and 3 TDs on 11 targets (37% target share).
Other notes:
- Dallas Goedert with 6 catches for 64 yards on 6 targets, DeVonta Smith just 5 for 23 on 8 targets.
- Miles Sanders only totaled nine carries…but for 78 yards and 1 rushing TD. Boston Scott (7 for 21) but all garbage time work after game was in hand.
- Najee Harris with just 8 carries for 32 yards, but 6-for-6 in the receiving game. Jaylen Warren rushed for more yards (50 on 6 carries). Also added 3 catches. Touches 14-9 in favor of Harris.
- Diontae Johnson with 9 targets per usual, but zero efficiency as always. 5 catches for 35 yards. George Pickens with a goose egg on 3 targets. Chase Claypool 4-45 on 6 targets. Pat Freiermuth with 4 catches and 57 yards on 7 targets.
Notable Snap Counts
Eagles
DeVonta Smith – 74%
Dallas Goedert – 74%
A.J. Brown – 68%
Quez Watkins – 65%
J. Stoll – 53%
Miles Sanders – 51%
Zach Pascal – 40%
Kenneth Gainwell – 25%
Boston Scott – 23%
Steelers
Diontae Johnson – 95%
George Pickens – 86%
Chase Claypool – 80%
Najee Harris – 71%
Pat Freiermuth – 62%
Zach Gentry – 38%
Jaylen Warren – 29%
Next week: Eagles at Texans (TNF), Steelers on BYE
Game 4 – Patriots 22, Jets 17
Fantasy takeaway: Rhamondre Stevenson 16-71-0 rushing, 7-72-0 receiving (led Patriots in receiving yards today). 65% opportunity share as Damien Harris totaled 13 opportunities (11 carries and 2 targets).
Other notes:
- Jakobi Meyers 9-60-1 on team-high 12 targets (only Meyers and Stevenson saw more than 4 targets) 38% target share.
- Zach Wilson is #BadAtFootball, did throw for 355 yards but 3 ugly TDs
- Garrett Wilson with 6 catches on 7 targets for 115 receiving yards. Broke off a big one early for 54 yards. Elijah Moore with 1 target. Drop him.
- Michael Carter 7-26-0 rushing, 4-35-0 receiving. Also added 7 targets on a 58% opportunity share. Led Jets backfield with 11 touches.
- James Robinson 5-17-0 rushing
- Tyler Conklin 6-79-2 on team-high 10 targets (29% target share).
Notable Snap Counts
Patriots
Jakobi Meyers – 81%
Tyquan Thornton – 78%
Kendrick Bourne – 69%
Jonnu Smith – 64%
Hunter Henry – 64%
Rhamondre Stevenson – 63%
Damien Harris – 41%
Nelson Agholor – 24%
Jets
Garrett Wilson – 88%
Tyler Conklin – 75%
Denzel Mims – 75%
CJ Uzomah -63%
Michael Carter – 56%
Braxton Berrios – 51%
Ty Johnson – 32%
Jeff Smith – 22%
James Robinson – 22%
Elijah Moore – 17%
Next week: Patriots host Colts, Jets host Bills
Game 5 – Falcons 37, Panthers 34 (OT)
Fantasy takeaway: D’Onta Foreman bellcow szn. 26 carries for 118 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Spencer Brown with just 6 carries for 27 yards. 75% backfield opportunity share for Foreman.
Other notes:
- DJ Moore 6-152-1 on team-high 11 targets (31% target share)
- Terrace Marshall 4-87-0 on 9 targets (career high, 25% target share)
- PJ Walker 19/36 passing for 317-1-1, 1-20-0 rushing
- Kyle Pitts 5-80-1 on 9 targets , 32% target share (season-high targets, tied for 2nd-most in career)
- Tyler Allgeier 14-39-0 rushing, 3-46-1 receiving. 49% opportunity share.
- Caleb Huntley 16-91-0 rushing
- Drake London 4-31-0 on 5 targets. 28 passing attempts from Marcus Mariota and 253 passing yards.
- Falcons in 1st place at 4-4.
Notable Snap Counts
Panthers
D.J. Moore – 96%
Terrace Marshall – 92%
D’Onta Foreman – 68%
Tommy Tremble – 57%
Ian Thomas – 55%
Shi Smith – 48%
Laviska Shenault – 29%
Spencer Brown – 22%
Falcons
Drake London – 88%
Olamide Zaccheaus – 81%
Kyler Pitts – 75%
Tyler Allgeier – 60%
Damiere Byrd – 51%
Parker Hesse – 43%
Caleb Huntley -36%
Next week: Panthers at Bengals, Falcons host Chargers
Game 6 – Cowboys 49, Bears 29
Fantasy takeaway: Tony Pollard, hilariously good 14-131-3 rushing. Zeke could never.
Other notes:
- CeeDee Lamb 5-77-1 on 7 targets, Dalton Schultz also saw seven targets turning out 6 for 75. He’s back on the TE1 radar with Prescott under center.
- Dak Prescott 21/27 passing for 250-2-1, plus 5-34-1 rushing
- Justin Fields 17/23 passing for 151-2-0, plus 8-60-1 rushing. Weekly fantasy QB1 with all the rushing. Overcame bad matchup and still delivered.
- Khalil Herbert 16-99-1 rushing, David Montgomery 15-53-0. Montgomery added 3 targets. Touches final at 19 for Montgomery, 16 for Herbert.
- Darnell Mooney with 70 receiving yards on 5 targets.
Notable Snap Counts
Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb – 84%
Michael Gallup – 84%
Dalton Schultz – 71%
Jake Ferguson – 55%
Tony Pollard – 53%
Jalen Tolbert – 43%
Peyton Hendershot – 36%
Malik Davis -33%
Bears
Cole Kmet – 95%
Darnell Mooney – 86%
David Montgomery – 70%
N’Keal Harry – 63%
Dante Pettis – 53%
T. Wesco – 32%
E St. Brown – 32%
Khalil Herbert – 28%
Velus Jones – 19%
Next week: Cowboys on BYE, Bears host Dolphins
Next week:
Game 7 – Dolphins 31, Lions 27
Fantasy takeaway: Tyreek Hill 12-188-0 on 14 targets, 4th game with 150+ yards. 41% target share.
Other notes:
- Tua Tagovailoa: 29/36 passing for 382-3-0
- Jaylen Waddle 8-106-2 on 9 targets, Mike Gesicki with 3 catches and 1 TD on 4 targets.
- Raheem Mostert 14-64-0 rushing, 1 target. Only 4 carries for Chase Edmonds.
- Jamaal Williams 10-53-2 rushing and two rushing TDs.
- D’Andre Swift 5-6-0 rushing, but 5-27-1 receiving. Swift with just 10 touches to Williams’ 13.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown 7-69-0 on team-high 10 targets (27% target share)
Notable Snap Counts
Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle – 76%
Tyreek Hill – 72%
Raheem Mostert – 65%
Trent Sherfield – 59%
Mike Gesicki – 46%
Durham Smythe – 46%
Alec Ingold – 40%
Hunter Long – 25%
Chase Edmonds – 24%
Lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown – 95%
Kalif Raymond – 90%
TJ Hockenson – 87%
Josh Reynolds – 80%
De’Andre Swift – 55%
Brock Wright – 38%
Jamaal Williams – 37%
Next week: Dolphins at Bears, Lions host Packers
Next week:
Game 8 – Vikings 34, Cardinals 26
Fantasy takeaway: DeAndre Hopkins all the way back 12-159-1 on team-high 13 targets. 30% target share.
Other notes:
- Rondale Moore 7-92-1 on 8 targets (18% target share)
- Not much rushing, Eno Benjamin 9-22-0. Arizona was down multiple starting OL pieces. 4 for 23 as a receiver on 7 targets. Darrel Williams 5 for 8 on the ground with 3 targets.
- TE Zach Ertz just 5 targets but also scored.
- RB Dalvin Cook 20-111-1 rushing, 5-30-0 receiving. Out-touched Mattison 25 vs 5.
- WR Justin Jefferson 6-98-0 on 8 targets. 26% target share.
- WR Adam Thielen 6 for 67 and Irv Smith Jr. 4-for-4 for just 28 yards.
- No. 2 tight end Jonny Mundt, K.J. Osborn, Alexander Mattison and Cousins (rush) all scored TDs for Vikings, likely helping zero fantasy managers
Notable Snap Counts
Vikings
Justin Jefferson – 99%
Adam Thielen – 87%
KJ Osborn – 80%
Dalvin Cook – 76%
J. Mundt – 61%
Irv Smith – 48%
Alexander Mattison – 24%
Cardinals
DeAndre Hopkins – 100%
Rondale Moore – 99%
Zach Ertz -88%
Eno Benjamin -74%
AJ Green – 47%
Darrel Williams – 27%
Trey McBride -26%
Greg Dortch – 26%
Robbie Anderson – 9%
Next week: Vikings at Commanders, Cardinals host Seahawks
Sunday Late Afternoon Slate
Game 9 – Titans 17, Texans 10
Fantasy takeaway: Derrick Henry rushes for 200-plus yards for the fifth consecutive time against the Houston Texans. 32 carries for 219 yards and 2 rushing TDs. The Big Dog ATE.
Other notes:
- Dontrell Hilliard added 83 rushing yards on just 8 carries
- QB Malik Willis rushed just for 12 yards on 5 carries. 6-for-10 throwing for 55 yards.
- No Titans passing game to speak of.
- Dameon Pierce rushed 15 times for 35 yards, but saved fantasy managers with a late receiving TD. Totaled 18 touches (5 targets tied for 2nd-most).
- Brandin Cooks led Houston with 6 targets (4-73-0)
Notable Snap Counts
Titans
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – 74%
Derrick Henry – 74%
Geoff Swaim – 67%
Robert Woods – 66%
Cody Hollister – 55%
Austin Hooper – 47%
C. Okonkwo – 41%
Dontrell Hilliard – 28%
Texans
Phillip Dorsett – 83%
Brandin Cooks – 81%
Dameon Pierce – 78%
Chris Moore – 63%
Brevin Jordan – 56%
OJ Howard – 50%
Jordan Akins – 26%
Rex Burkhead – 19%
Next week: Titans at Chiefs (SNF), Texans host Eagles (TNF)
Game 10 – Commanders 17, Colts 16
Fantasy takeaway: Terry McLaurin‘s dominance continues. 27% target share for TMC for 6 catches and 113 receiving yards. Antonio Gibson second with seven targets catching all 7 for 58 yards and 1 TD.
Other notes:
- For the first time all season, Curtis Samuel did not lead Commanders in targets (4)
- Tight end Logan Thomas was not targeted.
- Brian Robinson with just 8 carries for 20 yards and zero TDs. Only 1 more carry and yard than Gibson. First time since Robinson’s return that Gibson out-touched Robinson. 48% opportunity share for AG.
- Jonathan Taylor rushes 16 times for 76 yards, but did re-injure his ankle. 1 target with Sam Ehlinger at QB. Ehlinger rushed for 15 yards on 6 carries.
- Michael Pittman led the way with 9 targets catching 7 for 53 yards (39% target share). He also almost scored a rushing TD.
- Alec Pierce led team in receiving yards (65) on three catches and 5 targets.
Notable Snap Counts
Commanders
Terry McLaurin – 95%
Cam Sims – 80%
Curtis Samuel – 74%
Logan Thomas – 56%
Armani Rogers – 36%
Antonio Gibson – 36%
JD McKissic – 36%
John Bates – 33%
Brian Robinson – 25%
Colts
Michael Pittman – 95%
Parris Campbell – 79%
Jonathan Taylor – 69%
Alec Pierce – 57%
Kylen Granson – 55%
Mo Alie-Cox – 50%
Nyheim Hines – 36%
Next week: Commanders host Vikings, Colts at Patriots
Game 11 – 49ers 31, Rams 14
Fantasy takeaway: Have a day Christian McCaffrey. First player since LT (2005) to throw, rush and receive a TD in the same game. CMC totaled 26 touches for 149 yards. 18-94-1 on the ground and 8-55-1 on a team-high nine targets. Jeff Wilson had 6 touches.
Other notes:
- Brandon Aiyuk a perfect 6-for-6 for 81 yards and 1 TD. 3rd straight game with 80-plus receiving yards.
- George Kittle with just 5 targets but 39 yards and 1 TD.
- Ronnie Rivers led Rams in carries (8). Rushed 8 times for 21 yards. Darrell Henderson totaled just 6 touches. Rivers also out-targeted Henderson 4 vs 2.
- Cooper Kupp dominated targets (38% target share, 12 targets). Allen Robinson was second with 7 targets, but Tyler Higbee missed time (6 targets). He did return to the game.
Notable Snap Counts
Rams
Cooper Kupp – 95%
Allen Robinson – 93%
Tyler Higbee – 69%
Ben Skowronek – 62%
Van Jefferson – 53%
Darrell Henderson – 41%
Ronnie River s- 36%
Malcolm Brown -22%
49ers
George Kittle – 100%
Brandon Aiyuk – 98%
Christian McCaffrey- 81%
Ray-Ray McCloud- 57%
Willie Snead – 40%
Ross Dwelley – 36%
Jeff Wilson – 36%
Next week: Rams at Buccaneers, 49ers on BYE
Game 12 – Giants 13, Seahawks 27
Fantasy takeaway: DK Metcalf is a GOD. 6 for 55 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 targets after he seemed like a no-go to even play. Tyler Lockett finished right behind him with 8 targets, catching 5 for 63 and 1 score (after he dropped one earlier).
Other notes:
- Kenneth Walker III has a mortal day. 18-51-1 (2.8 yards per carry and just one catch on 2 targets). But still a 91% backfield opportunity share.
- Saquon 20-53-1 rushing, 3 for 9 on 5 targets. 23 touches. Matt Breida had 3.
- Darius Slayton led Giants in targets (6), followed by Tanner Hudson (5). Wan’Dale Robinson with just 2 for 15 on 3 targets.
- Nothing from Seahawks TEs. A combined four catches for 41 yards.
Notable Snap Counts
Giants
Marcus Johnson -86%
Saquon Barkley -80%
Darius Slayton – 74%
Tanner Hudson – 72%
Wan’Dale Robinson – 69%
Chris Myarick – 46%
Matt Breida – 22%
Seahawks
Will Dissly – 78%
Ken Walker -77%
Noah Fant – 72%
Tyler Lockett -69%
DK Metcalf – 62%
Marquise Goodwin – 39%
Colby Parkinson – 36%
Dee Eskridge – 30%
Travis Homer – 22%
DeeJay Dallas – 8%
Next week: Giants on BYE, Seahawks at Cardinals
Game 13 – Packers 17, Bills 27
Fantasy takeaway: Aaron Jones workhorse mode. The Packers No. 1 running back carried the ball 20 times for 143 yards while catching four of 5 targets for 23 yards on a 67% snap share/69% opportunity share. A.J. Dillon tallied just 11 touches (10 carries, 1 catch) while playing 42% of the snaps.
Other notes:
- Stefon Diggs (6-108-1) on 8 targets. Gabriel Davis finally puts up a high-end target share (28% target share) but catches just 2 for 35 yards. Buy-low. No other Bill (besides Stefon Diggs) saw more than 3 targets (Dawson Knox).
- Devin Singletary out-touched rookie James Cook 15 to 6 on a 73% opportunity share. The team could have increased the rookie’s role post bye week, but instead went right back to the veteran as their bellcow.
- Rookie Romeo Doubs played the most snaps among the Packers WRs and led the team with 7 targets (4-62-1). 24% target share. Tight end Robert Tonyan finished second with 6 targets.
Notable Snap Counts
Bills
Gabriel Davis – 88%
Dawson Knox – 88%
Stefon Diggs – 80%
Devin Singletary – 75%
Isaiah McKenzie – 53%
Khalil Shakir – 29%
James Cook – 25%
Packers
Romeo Doubs – 82%
Sammy Watkins – 79%
Robert Tonyan – 74%
Aaron Jones – 67%
Josiah Deguara – 45%
Amari Rodgers – 42%
A.J. Dillon – 42%
Marcedes Lewis – 33%
Samouri Toure – 21%
Christian Watson – 9%
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