Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 8 Include C.J. Stroud, Jayden Daniels, Javonte Williams, Cooper Kupp, more

October 26, 2024

Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for Week 8 of 2024. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.

Week 7 saw fantasy managers experience a series of goose eggs in their lineups due to injuries and poor performances. Deebo Samuel Sr., Tank Dell, and JuJu Smith-Schuster all left fantasy managers grasping at straws.

Week 8 is a new week and will hopefully bring fantasy glory back to those who were burned by several players in Week 7. Still, there was fantasy fun to be had as Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Kenneth Walker III, and others all galivanted their way to big fantasy days.

Never fear as Week 8 projects to bring a lot of fantasy goodness with several high-profile offenses set to clash. With Week 7 now in the rearview mirror, let's take a look at what we love (and hate) about Week 8.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love

Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Opponent: at JAX
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 32nd

All aboard as the Love train has left the station and seems to be on its way to a smash hit in Week 8. While Love threw another two interceptions in Week 7 to bring his total on the year up to eight, he threw multiple touchdown passes yet again to bring that total up to 15.

Love gets to face a bottom-5 defense in the NFL in the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8. The Jaguars just let a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye hang 20.84 fantasy points on them with no turnovers. So, yes, put Love in your lineup and get ready for a huge fantasy day.

Jordan Love’s definition of “open” is different than the rest of the league’s, and I love it 🤤pic.twitter.com/oxDoeNQ7r0

— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) October 21, 2024

C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
Opponent: IND
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 23rd

It is all right there for C.J. Stroud as he gets to go up against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. While the Colts are more susceptible to the run, if their offense shows up in this game, then they may force the Texans to air it out.

Stroud was uncharacteristically terrible in Week 7. He only threw for 86 yards. Unfortunately, there has not been a lot of fantasy magic from Stroud in 2024. However, Stroud has played pretty well in good matchups. He has a good chance to clear 20 fantasy points as a quality streaming option this week.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders
Opponent: CHI
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 2nd

This prediction is of course contingent on Daniels' recovery from his rib injury suffered in Week 7. However, the rib injury combined with the Bears' relentless pass rush spells trouble for the rookie quarterback. There is no doubt that Daniels has been sensational in 2024, but the Bears are a different beast.

The Bears are allowing a lowly 10.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. They have shut down the likes of C.J. Stroud and Matthew Stafford in 2024. If Daniels plays, then his rushing ability will give him an advantage, but it is a scary proposition given his injury.

Jayden Daniels had a similar Rib Injury in the LSU vs. Missouri game. Came back into the game, and led LSU to a 49-39 victory. No doubt he wants to play this week if they’ll let him. #RaiseHail https://t.co/kpnyXRNVx2 pic.twitter.com/hCuMKiDGXF

— CouchGM (@ronriveraburner) October 22, 2024

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love

Javonte Williams - Denver Broncos
Opponent: CAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd

Williams finally came alive on the national stage in Week 7. He gets to carry that momentum into the matchup of all matchups in Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers cannot stop a nosebleed in the running game (allowing 30.2 fantasy points per game to running backs) and Williams is set up perfectly.

Williams looked much more comfortable in Week 7 and the Broncos offense continues to progress with Bo Nix under center. It may not feel good to start Williams, but I am not sure how you keep running backs out of the lineup against Carolina. If anything, Williams should be able to find the end zone again.

Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: BUF
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 31st

Walker is a certifiable stud who draws the second-best matchup for running backs in fantasy in Week 8. Walker is feasting this season. He has seven total touchdowns and two multiple-touchdown games. Additionally, after a couple of down weeks rushing the ball, he finally found his efficiency once again in Week 7.

The Seahawks are coming off a massive win in Week 7 that saw their offense and defense work together in harmony. Hopefully, they can carry that momentum into Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills. As long as this game remains in a neutral or positive game script for Seattle, Walker will continue to be a top-5 fantasy running back.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups to Temper Expectations

Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Opponent: at LAC
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 3rd

Kamara has pretty much been toast in the absence of quarterback Derek Carr, and now there's news that he's been playing with a broken hand since Week 5. He was bailed out by a touchdown in Week 6 but he barely delivered flex value in Week 7. Insert one of the best rushing defenses in the NFL and you might have a problem on your hands.

The Saints are beat up at quarterback and there is no telling who will start in Week 8 at this point in the week. However, the offense has been struggling since before Carr went down and likely will again in Los Angeles. Kamara is always a threat for several receptions, but do not be surprised if you get another dud in Week 8.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Cooper Kupp - Los Angeles Rams
Opponent: MIN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd

Give me Cooper Kupp in his first game back from injury in a plus matchup. With as good as the Vikings and their defense has been in 2024, they have repeatedly been gashed by opposing passing games.

There is almost no doubt that the Rams are going to be in a negative game script in this game. As such, they should have to throw early and often. Kupp should certainly see double-digit targets. He even has a chance for one of his massive 15-plus target games.

Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 22nd

With Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow performing at a high level in recent weeks, Chase has reaped the benefits. He has scored six touchdowns in his past five games and there is nothing to suggest he will not find the end zone again in Week 8.

The Bengals will host an Eagles team fresh off a huge win against the New York Giants in Week 7. Despite shutting down the Giants offense in Week 7, the Eagles are still No. 22 against opposing wide receivers in fantasy. This is a clash of two average to below-average defenses attached to excellent offenses. The Bengals are going to need to air it out and Chase could have a field day in this one.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups to Temper Expectations

Terry McLaurin - Washington Commanders
Opponent: CHI
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 7th

We are going to double-dip into the Bears matchup this week. McLaurin has been stellar this season with competent quarterback play from Jayden Daniels. However, with Daniels' status up in the air for Week 8, McLaurin is a scary start.

If Marcus Mariota is behind center, then you might hesitate to start McLaurin regardless of the matchup. Insert the No. 7 team against opposing wide receivers in fantasy and it spells trouble. The good news is that McLaurin was a mid-to-later round pick in many drafts, which suggests that you may have a better option ahead of him on your team anyway.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups We Love

Brock Bowers - Las Vegas Raiders
Opponent: KC
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 32nd

It's simple, Kansas City continues to be the worst defense at stopping opposing tight ends and Brock Bowers continues to be the best tight end in fantasy. With Davante Adams' departure to the New York Jets, expect Bowers to feast with a massive target share.

Bowers has now seen double-digit targets in three straight games. Nothing is going to slow this kid down. The Raiders may struggle everywhere else on offense in Week 8, but Bowers may be the TE1 on the week by a landslide.

Brock Bowers is now 15th all time in catches by a rookie TE in a season with 47.

He is 40 catches away from the all time rookie record.

Bowers is averaging nearly 7 receptions per game.

Bowers is 21 years old.

He is the chosen one.
pic.twitter.com/hUWieUTlAN

— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) October 21, 2024

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups to Temper Expectations

Sam LaPorta - Detroit Lions
Opponent: TEN
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 2nd

LaPorta has been bad in 2024, I mean bad. He is coming off his second-worst game of the season despite playing his highest percentage of snaps (95%). The Lions are simply not scheming plays to get him the ball.

Jameson Williams is suspended for the next two games, but that won't guarantee more targets for LaPorta. Insert one of the hardest matchups for tight ends in fantasy in the Tennessee Titans, and you will want to keep LaPorta on the bench in Week 8. LaPorta is not playable at this moment and he is becoming borderline droppable if you need the roster space.

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