Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 8 (2025)

Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for Week 8 of 2025. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.

Byemaggedon has arrived. Week 8 will feature byes from the Lions, Raiders, Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Jaguars. Every one of those teams has at least one, if not multiple, fantasy-relevant players. Fantasy managers are going to have to dig deep into the vault in order to even field a team. Sometimes, the NFL schedule makers really make things hard on us.

Never fear, for there are several very solid matchups this week. Waiver wire adds and typical fringe-starters should be able to provide a solid floor for reeling fantasy managers this week. It is always great to have options in the face of tough weeks such as this one.

With so many fantasy managers in need, it is time to look ahead at the week's best and worst matchups. This week features a couple of new faces, as well as some surprises. Let's dive and and see who you should be looking at in Week 8.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Quarterback Matchups We Love

Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: WAS
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 28th

Based on how the last couple of seasons went for Mahomes, fantasy managers may be waiting for the shoe to drop. However, the Chiefs look like a different beast this year. Now with wide receiver Rashee Rice back in the fold, the Chiefs' offense may be unstoppable.

INSANE: #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is having another special season…

• 1,800 passing yards
• 14 touchdowns
• Only two interceptions
• 250 rushing yards
• Four rushing touchdowns
• 4 and 3

Never doubt Patrick Mahomes again. One of the three greatest of all time. pic.twitter.com/DgeTET6MSA

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 19, 2025

Washington has struggled mightily on defense. They are in a tough position in Week 8 against a surging Chiefs team. Mahomes has recorded at least 23.08 fantasy points in every game but one this season. His 250 rushing yards are certainly boosting his value, but he is also near the top of the league with 14 passing touchdowns.

Bo Nix - Denver Broncos
Opponent: DAL
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 27th

Bo Nix just exploded against the New York Giants. He has been a difficult player to start for much of the season due to his inconsistency. Well, he should be able to deliver an encore performance in Week 8 against a Cowboys defense allowing the most points to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy this season.

The Cowboys are allowing 260.3 passing yards per game this season. Most importantly, they have only recorded three receptions. This team is unable to stop a nose bleed, and they are not creating negative plays for opposing quarterbacks. Look for Nix to feast once again in Week 8.

Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Marcus Mariota - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at KC
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 2nd

With Jayden Daniels out, Marcus Mariota is the next man up. The Chiefs boast a fantastic defense that is beginning to tee off against opposing offenses as the season wears on.

The Commanders are still finding themselves on offense this season. Although Mariota is a solid backup, he could struggle against a Chiefs team that is hitting its stride. He is a solid dart throw, but do not expect him to carry your team in Week 8.

Running Back Matchups We Love

Breece Hall - New York Jets
Opponent: at CIN
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd

Let's throw some love to Breece Hall, who has been stuck in the mud in a terrible Jets offense over the last couple of weeks. The Bengals provide the perfect antidote for any terrible offense as an equally terrible defense. The Bengals are allowing 137.3 rushing yards per game to opposing teams. Additionally, their eight rushing touchdowns and 4.7 yards per carry allowed rank among the league's worst.

Breece Hall a Name to Monitor at the Trade Deadline? https://t.co/IDnO92GNPF

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 21, 2025

If the Jets cannot get anything going on offense this week, then all hope is lost for this team. Hall should enjoy some fantasy fun and deliver RB2 value. Now may even be a good time to buy low on Hall.

Cam Skattebo - New York Giants
Opponent: at PHI
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 26th

Cam Skattebo just lit up the Eagles for three rushing touchdowns two weeks ago. While he does not stand to repeat that performance in Week 8, he should have a nice day against a struggling Eagles run defense. Skattebo has fully taken over in the Giants' backfield. When the Giants are up, he is a great rusher. When the Giants are down, his passing game usage is fantastic.

Cam Skattebo full steam ahead!!! 😤

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/ZDfRGjJ0z1

— New York Giants (@Giants) October 19, 2025

Sakttebo's volume alone makes him a quality starter this week. The Eagles looked better in Week 7 against the Vikings, but they still allowed 11.7 fantasy points to the Vikings' lead running back Jordan Mason. With a running back scarcity in Week 8, Skattebo can help carry your team.

Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans
Opponent: at IND
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 4th

Tony Pollard has delivered a solid floor this season as a low-end RB2. Unfortunately, he is drawing a very tough matchup in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have allowed a lot of yardage through the air this season, but they are allowing just 90.3 rushing yards per game. This defensive front is legit.

Pollard's saving grace in Week 8 may be his ability to catch passes in a blowout. However, that is never something you want to bank on. You may have been relying on Pollard to provide stability for your team this far this season, but his floor could be extremely limited in Week 8. Proceed with caution.

Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Drake London - Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: MIA
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 29th

Drake London has not reached his expectations on a consistent basis this season, with the Falcons' offense dealing with growing pains. However, Miami provides a great matchup for this team to get back on track. Miami's defense has been virtually nonexistent this season. It has been all systems go against this team in fantasy.

London's volume remains elite in 2025. He has recorded fewer than eight targets once this year. Prior to a bit of a dud in Week 7, London had produced back-to-back games with at least 25 fantasy points. That type of output is well within his realm of possibilities in Week 8. London has top-5 upside this week.

Rome Odunze - Chicago Bears
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 27th

Rome Odunze has struggled in his last two games with the Bears' passing offense as a whole, having trouble. Look for Odunze to bounce back in a big way in Week 8 against a completely depleted Ravens defense.

"...you could tell he was like Simba. He was ready to roar."

On Rome Odunze's breakout season in Year 2 and why a quiet stretch in Weeks 6-7 isn't anything the Bears are concerned with. https://t.co/RmC8t8xqrI

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 21, 2025

The Ravens are allowing 246.7 passing yards per game this season. They have also allowed 14 passing touchdowns. Additionally, with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson back in the lineup this week, this game could turn into a bit of a shootout. Give us Odunze in a great matchup with a high over/under any day of the week.

Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

Quentin Johnston - Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: MIN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 1st

Quentin Johnston returned from injury in Week 7 and found the end zone once again. However, Johnston's two receptions left a lot to be desired. While Johnston is always a threat to score, his outlook in Week 8 is murky against a fantastic Vikings defense.

The Vikings' defense struggled in Week 7 against the Eagles. However, the Chargers' offensive line faces a tough task to match up with the Vikings' defensive line. Minnesota will make it difficult for this offense to click. Johnston thrives as a downfield threat. If those plays do not have time to develop, he could struggle in fantasy.

Tight End Matchup We Love

Dalton Kincaid - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: at CAR
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 31st

Dalton Kincaid should be back in the lineup in Week 8. What better way to return than against one of the worst defenses at defending opposing tight ends? Kincaid has been a revelation in his third season. His chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen has been apparent, and his nose for the endzone has anchored a great start to the season.

The Panthers have allowed big fantasy days to just about every quality tight end they have faced this year. Some teams just have serious issues defending this position. In what should actually be a relatively competitive game, look for Kincaid to continue producing TE1 numbers.

Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

T.J. Hockenson - Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: at LAC
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 3rd

T.J. Hockenson has come on in recent weeks, but he will draw a tough matchup against the Chargers on Thursday night. Hockenson's recent surge in fantasy value has been anchored by solid volume, including a nine-target Week 7. However, that could also change in Week 8 if the Vikings go back to young quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Right now, Hockenson has been able to "PPR" his way to solid fantasy days. Unfortunately, his yardage totals remain low as he has yet to exceed 49 yards in a game. Hockenson may be best left on your bench in Week 8.

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