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Dave's fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 8 of 2025. His fantasy football outlooks for Travis Kelce, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Zach Ertz, Jauan Jennings, Alec Pierce, Quinshon Judkins, Colston Loveland, Tua Tagovailoa, Caleb Williams, Andy Dalton.
Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 8 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Travis Kelce, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Zach Ertz, Jauan Jennings, Alec Pierce, Quinshon Judkins, Colston Loveland, Breece Hall, Romeo Doubs, Darnell Mooney. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 8. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start ... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to start...
Sunday Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions
As we enter Week 8, we are officially approaching the halfway mark of the 2025 NFL season. For some fantasy football managers, their season may, unfortunately, already be over. However, there are numerous gamers still fighting for a playoff spot or working hard to secure a first-round bye.
Another week of NFL action is just hours away. So let's not waste any more time and turn our attention to who you should start and who you should send to the bench.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy football needs. Let’s dive into our start ‘em and sit ‘em picks for Week 8.
QB Starts - Week 8 Fantasy Football
Aaron Rodgers - QB, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
Rodgers gets to square off against his former team for the first time this weekend. The Packers are middle of the road in terms of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, but their secondary is vulnerable, and Rodgers is more than capable of exploiting that weakness.
Look for Rodgers to throw multiple touchdowns in a classic revenge game spot. Managers should start him as a QB2 in superflex and two-quarterback formats.
Kirk Cousins - QB, Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins
It looks like Cousins is in line to start this week's game against the Dolphins.
ESPN Sources: Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is “highly likely” to start Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins as Michael Penix recovers from a bone bruise to his knee.
Penix was limited at practice all week and Cousins worked with the first-team offense, gearing up to start Sunday. pic.twitter.com/790BrBoTBe
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2025
It's a great opportunity for Cousins to showcase to potential offseason suitors that he still has some gas left in the tank. This is also a great chance for fantasy managers to play him against a Dolphins defense that's arguably been the worst in the league.
Gamers should start Cousins as a streamer in single quarterback leagues and a QB2 in two quarterback formats.
Caleb Williams - QB, Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens
Williams is coming off a down game in Week 7, but this is a spot where he should bounce back. The Ravens' traditionally stout defense has been anything but that in 2025. Baltimore ranks 26th in defensive passing DVOA and has allowed the third-most touchdown passes this season.
Look for Williams to get back on track this week and post a strong performance. Consider him a backend QB1.
QB Sits - Week 8 Fantasy Football
Tua Tagovailoa - QB, Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons
Tagovailoa threw three more interceptions last week to bring his season total to 10. In his last 20 games, he’s thrown 21 total interceptions. Tagovailoa has morphed into a turnover machine, and it’s killing his fantasy value.
Browns defense came to play today 😤
MIAvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/eeK2XDS0ww
— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2025
Throw in a date against a Falcons defense that allows the fewest passing yards in the league, and this becomes an easy spot to fade Tagovailoa. Miami is a dysfunctional mess right now, and there aren’t a lot of reasons to trust this offense outside of running back De’Von Achane.
Andy Dalton - QB, Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills
Dalton will start this game for an injured Bryce Young. However, this is not a great spot to throw him into superflex lineups. Buffalo allows the second-fewest passing yards per game, and its defensive line could really cause issues for Carolina in this game.
Dalton is arguably a better pure passer than Young, and we could see some improvement from the passing game for however long Young is sidelined. This is not one of those games, though, and Dalton should be left on the bench in all formats.
Marcus Mariota - QB, Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs
Mariota is set to start Monday night’s game with Jayden Daniels out due to a hamstring injury. While Mariota had some success against the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this year, this week is a much different story.
The Chiefs allow the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks and have allowed just seven touchdown passes this year. Gamers should not view Mariota as a streamer, and superflex managers should consider other QB2 options for this week.
RB Starts - Week 8 Fantasy Football
J.K. Dobbins - RB, Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys
Dobbins continues to be the Broncos' most effective running back. He draws another great matchup this week against a Cowboys defense that allows 141.3 rushing yards per game, which is the third-most in the league.
Fantasy managers should view Dobbins as a strong RB2 play. He has a great shot to eclipse 100 rushing yards and find the endzone a couple times, too.
One-handed catch
Stiff arm
TouchdownJK Dobbins doing it all!
DENvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dSd93bhN9K
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025
Breece Hall - RB, New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
Trade rumors continue to surround Hall. For this week, though, he is live for a strong performance.
Cincinnati’s defense remains a well below average unit, and its run defense has been extremely ineffective. The Bengals rank 29th in defensive rushing DVOA and have allowed the most PPR points per game to opposing running backs.
Expect the Jets to showcase Hall’s talents to potential trade suitors here, and don’t be shocked if he has one of his best games of the season. Start him in all formats.
Woody Marks - RB, Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers
Marks was held in check as a rusher last week against the Seahawks, but he still posted a 3-20-1 line on five targets as a receiver. He now gets to face a 49ers defense that’s allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game to running backs over the last three weeks.
We could see the Texans' running game struggle again here, but Marks’ role as a receiver elevates his floor. Start him as a flex in all formats.
RB Sits - Week 8 Fantasy Football
Quinshon Judkins - RB, Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots
Judkins is fresh off a three-touchdown performance in Week 7, but this is a game where he could struggle. New England ranks sixth in defensive rushing DVOA and allows just 77.1 rushing yards per game. The Patriots also have not allowed just two rushing touchdowns to running backs through seven games.
With Cleveland listed as 7-point underdogs here, there could be fewer rushing opportunities for Judkins than normal. That makes this a tough spot for the rookie, and gamers should consider pivoting off of him if they have other viable options.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - RB, Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs
Croskey-Merritt disappointed in a plus matchup last week. Now he gets to face a Chiefs defense that’s allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points per game to running backs.
The Commanders will be missing Jayden Daniels in this game, and that also hurts Croskey-Merritt’s outlook. With so many teams on bye this week, you may have no choice but to start Croskey-Merritt. If you can swing it, though, leave him on your bench and consider other options.
Chase Brown - RB, Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets
After a disastrous start to the year, Brown finally had a decent showing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. He ran for 108 rushing yards and averaged a robust 9.8 yards per carry.
That might be short-lived, though, as the Jets' defense has played much better in recent weeks. New York also ranks third in defensive rushing DVOA, so this could be a spot where Brown and the Cincinnati offensive line could struggle to gain traction.
Again, if you’re missing a bunch of starters due to byes, you can’t realistically bench Brown. But if you’ve got options, leave him out of your lineups.
WR Starts - Week 8 Fantasy Football
Romeo Doubs - WR, Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Doubs has been targeted at least eight times in each of his last three games. He now faces a Steelers defense that’s allowed the fourth-most receptions and eighth-most receiving yards to wide receivers.
Fire up Doubs as a WR3 or flex play in all formats.
Tez Johnson - WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
Johnson has caught a touchdown in two straight games and was targeted nine times in Tampa Bay’s Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions. With Mike Evans heading to injured reserve with a concussion and a broken collarbone, Johnson should remain involved on offense.
New Orleans has struggled against opposing pass offenses and ranks 29th in defensive passing DVOA. This all makes Johnson an ideal bye-week replacement. He is a viable flex play or WR3.
Alec Pierce - WR, Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
Pierce is fresh off a 10-target game in Week 7, where he caught five passes for 98 receiving yards. This week is another great spot for Pierce, as the Titans rank 25th in defensive passing DVOA.
This is a spot where it’s easy to see Pierce getting behind the Tennessee defense and catching a few long passes. He is live to score his first touchdown of the year in this game, and makes for a solid bye week replacement.
WR Sits - Week 8 Fantasy Football
Keon Coleman - WR, Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers
Coleman started the 2025 season on a high note in Week 1, but he has been relatively quiet ever since. He has not eclipsed 45 receiving yards since the Bills’ season opener.
This week may not be the time he pops, either, as Carolina has been surprisingly good against opposing wide receivers. The Panthers have allowed the third-fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.
Buffalo still spreads the ball around too much to consistently rely on any of its wide receivers. With the Bills also listed as 7.5-point favorites in this game, the team could gain a large lead relatively quickly and thus turn to the running game to grind out a win.
This all indicates the best move is for gamers to leave Coleman on their benches.
Jauan Jennings - WR, San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans
Jennings is fighting through multiple injuries and hasn’t been as effective as he was in 2024. Houston’s defense is one of the best in the league. They rank second in defensive passing DVOA and have allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers.
Brock Purdy will also remain sidelined, and this doesn’t feel like a good time to start Jennings. Gamers should consider other options for this week.
Darnell Mooney - WR, Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins
For as bad as the Dolphins' defense has been this year, they’ve actually been pretty good at limiting wide receiver production. Miami has allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers. This game also projects as a spot where Atlanta is likely to lean on its strong rushing attack and expose the Dolphins' extremely poor run defense.
That means there could be few targets for Mooney in this game. Unless he pops for a few big plays, it’s hard to see him having a fantasy-relevant performance. That means it’s better to consider other options for this week.
TE Starts - Week 8 Fantasy Football
Mason Taylor - TE, New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
Taylor disappointed in a plus matchup last week. However, Cincinnati ranks 30th in DVOA against opposing tight ends and has allowed the most touchdowns to tight ends this year, too.
This is a great spot to start Taylor, and gamers should consider him one of the top tight end streamers/bye week replacements for Week 8.
Colston Loveland - TE, Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens
Cole Kmet is set to miss this weekend's game. That is good news for Loveland because the Ravens rank 28th in DVOA against the position and have allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game to tight ends.
Look for Loveland to possibly have the best game of his career later today, and gamers should feel comfortable throwing him into their lineups.
Travis Kelce - TE, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Commanders
Kelce’s role moving forward is up in the air after the return of Rashee Rice. However, this is a great spot to leave him in fantasy lineups. Washington ranks 31st in DVOA against tight ends, and Kelce could exploit this mismatch even in a reduced role.
With Rice back and seemingly looking like the Chiefs' best pass-catcher, there may not be many great chances for managers to start Kelce. This week is one of them, and with so many teams on bye, it makes Kelce a fine place on Monday night.
TE Sits - Week 8 Fantasy Football
Zach Ertz - TE, Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City only allows 31.7 receiving yards per game to tight ends and ranks third in PPR points per game allowed to the position.
Throw in a backup quarterback starting for Washington, and Ertz becomes an easy sit.
Hunter Henry - TE, New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns
Henry has posted a few TE1 finishes this year and has been a viable streamer for fantasy managers. This week doesn’t appear to be one of those times as the Browns rank fourth in DVOA against the position. Consider other streamers for Week 8.
Daniel Bellinger - TE, New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Belling popped for a surprise TE6 finish in Week 7 after posting a 3-88-1 line against the Denver Broncos. Don’t be fooled, though, as that is unlikely to continue against an Eagles defense that allows just 35.9 receiving yards per game to tight ends. Philadelphia has allowed just one receiving touchdown to tight ends, too.
Don’t expect a repeat performance from Bellinger in Week 8. There are better streaming options available.
Who Should I Start Tool
Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:
Week 8 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players -- Travis Kelce, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Zach Ertz, Jauan Jennings, Alec Pierce, Quinshon Judkins, Colston Loveland, Breece Hall, Romeo Doubs, Darnell Mooney. These are some of the most common searches for fantasy football lineups in Week 8.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Start? button to see who the recommended starts are based on weekly fantasy football matchups.
Improvements For Who Should I Start? You may have noticed our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Each week, our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football rankings and projections based on their research. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked. If someone is out for the week, they will not appear in the search results.
Scoring Formats. Fantasy football managers play in various types of leagues, and this tool allows you to choose whether it's PPR scoring, Half-PPR scoring, or Standard (Non-PPR) scoring. The second thing you want to do is to select the scoring format. There are three small radio buttons (small circles), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.
Popular Week 8 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 8 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 8 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 8 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Travis Kelce, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Zach Ertz, Jauan Jennings, Alec Pierce, Quinshon Judkins, Colston Loveland, Breece Hall, Romeo Doubs, Darnell Mooney compared to others:
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