Running Back Matchups to Target in Week 8 (2025) - Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson, J.K. Dobbins, More

Thunder Dan's favorite RB matchups to exploit for Week 8 of 2025 - DFS running backs to target on DraftKings and FanDuel. These RB matchups are GPP and cash game opportunities.

The Week 8 main slate may be as top-heavy as any slate we have seen this season, with a trio of backs who have been elite fantasy producers this season (Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, and Bijan Robinson) as well as the two best backs from 2024 (Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry) in very good spots, too. We can only play three running backs in any one lineup, and fitting three of these top backs will be challenging with salary cap restraints (maybe on DraftKings, where Derrick Henry is only 6K).

Not every top back made the article this week. I have a few cheaper options that I think could be sneaky that I'll recommend. As usual, I'm breaking down DVOA data, offensive line matchups, and ratings, and various other metrics in an attempt to validate those matchups and trying to use as much of an empirical process as I can.

My goal in this weekly article will be to highlight the absolute best matchups for running backs on Sunday's main slate, with a primary focus on DFS. However, these are also running backs you should smash into your season-long lineups and great candidates for prop bets, too. We also have lots of great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win MORE this season! Without any further ado, here are my top FIVE matchups for Week 8.

Week 8 Running Back Matchups

In my constant search for usable metrics, I crunched the first seven weeks of data. The first column is the overall offensive rushing attack vs. their opponent, calculated using each team's offensive and defensive DVOA.

The second column is the offensive vs. defensive line matchup, calculated by using the "adjusted line yards" created and allowed by each team. The third column is simply Pro Football Focus' run-blocking grade for each team's offensive line.

Jonathan Taylor ($9,500 DK, $10,200 FD)

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

There's really only one way to describe Jonathan Taylor this season.

The Colts' offense has been a force to be reckoned with this year, and it all starts with Taylor's hard-running ways and an offensive line that has graded out as one of the best run-blocking units in the NFL so far.

Everything lines up perfectly this week for another huge Taylor performance as the Colts' top-ranked running attack sets its sights on the 28th-ranked Tennessee run defense. The last time Taylor saw the Titans in Week 3, he finished with 17 carries for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Since then, he's had two more three-touchdown games and leads the NFL with 11 TDs through his first seven games.

He doesn't see the same passing game volume as McCaffrey or Robinson, but Taylor is averaging 3.3 receptions and 26.4 yards receiving to go along with a 99.6-yard average on the ground. With the Colts installed as two-touchdown favorites at home, the game script couldn't possibly set up any better for Taylor. Expect Indianapolis to feed Taylor throughout this one, and if he does get an early hook because they're up big late, he will already have piled up some big yardage totals and found the end zone multiple times.

I'm going to have a hard time not clicking his name into every lineup this week.

Bijan Robinson ($8,800 DK, $10,000 FD)

Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins

Robinson and the Falcons' offensive front have to be licking their chops this week with the Miami Dolphins coming to town. The Dolphins are as "down bad" as it gets after getting dominated in the rain and wind last week in Cleveland by the Browns and Quinshon Judkins. Their defense has now allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs and ranks 25th overall against the run.

It looks like we are getting Kirk Cousins at quarterback for the Falcons, which honestly doesn't change all that much, but could result in a few more handoffs. It's certainly not a downgrade at all, as the veteran Cousins can get the ball out quickly and should keep this offense moving down the field.

Cousins would be wise to feature Robinson as a receiver, too, as he's averaged 65 receiving yards per game this year. I am sure Bijan is anxious to wash the stink of his worst game of the season ("only" 92 scrimmage yards last week vs. the Niners) and Miami is likely to oblige.

D'Andre Swift ($5,900 DK, $6,800 FD)

Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens

The other running back in this game is going to be a popular pick (Derrick Henry), but the matchup (at least on paper) looks better for Swift and the Bears' rushing attack. Swift also happens to be coming off his two best performances of the season, going 108 yards on the ground against Washington and then 124 yards last week against the Saints.

A lot of the focus this week has been on the Ravens getting Lamar Jackson back from injury, but their defense has been just as responsible for their losing streak as their offense. Baltimore ranks 26th against the run and has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

The Bears may have found a solid formula for their offense. While we anticipated them being a pass-heavy offense this season, it's been their success in the run game that has helped propel them to a four-game win streak. They rank 12th in rushing offense (DVOA) this season and have seen rookie Kyle Monangai emerge as a solid option to give them a very nice 1-2 punch with Swift the last few weeks.

J.K. Dobbins ($5,800 DK, $7,000 FD)

Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys

I was very discouraged by how Denver refused to establish the run early in the game last week against the Giants. They put themselves in a bad position in doing so and had to fight back late, mainly through the air, to win that game in the waning seconds. Dobbins still hit his rushing prop and finished with 81 yards on 14 carries, but it was some poor coaching in my opinion to not get him going earlier in the game.

How many times can Sean Payton hurt me? I have to go back to Dobbins this week against Dallas, which ranks 27th against the run and has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing backs. Can we count on Payton to do the right thing and control the line of scrimmage early? Probably not, but Dobbins has been so effective this year and has such a good matchup here that I am going to give it one more shot.

This price is a steal if the Broncos actually focus on establishing their rushing attack early. With a 51-point total, we are expecting a lot of offense. I just hope it's Denver playing from in front in this one, not from behind like last week.

Rico Dowdle ($6,300 DK, $6,300 FD)

Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills

My final back I want to feature comes from an unlikely team that is playing some sneaky good football. Go check the NFL standings, I'll wait.

Yes, the Carolina Panthers are 4-3 this season, your eyes do not deceive you! And even if it is Andy Dalton under center this week, their offense can still be functional if they can run the ball effectively at home against the Bills.

Carolina has a very good offensive line, and they have the best matchup rating this week due to the Bills' struggles to stop the run so far. The only question remains, "Who will get the majority of touches in the backfield for the Panthers this week?"

Dowdle piled up 200+ yards for two straight weeks while Chuba Hubbard was out with an injury. And then last week, he outgained Hubbard 79 to 31 on the ground. So, which back gives the Panthers the best chance of moving the chains?

I think Dowdle wins the battle for touches this week and that he could be the sneakiest play on this entire slate, especially on FanDuel, where his price is very appealing. Don't be surprised if the Panthers hang around and keep this game close, either.

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