The terrific twosome’s back in the saddle, looking to keep those fantasy squads afloat as bye weeks loom …

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Start These Players In Week 8

Michael Penix, QB, ATL

LAGHEZZA: Everything to do with Atlanta’s been a veritable roller coaster ride so far this season. After trouncing Minnesota in Week 2, who could’ve predicted the massive goose egg on deck in a shutout at the hands of the struggling Panthers? Then the Dirty Birds turn it around to shock the Bills, only to get flattened by San Francisco’s second-stringers as an encore. Frustration falls short of fitting.

The Falcons currently rank bottom-five in scoring, and Michael Penix Jr. doesn’t own a single top-10 positional fantasy finish—but all that changes this weekend. Somehow, Atlanta’s the NFL’s only team scoring fewer than 20 points per game despite boasting a +20-yard net differential and at least two first downs per drive. So what’s the common throughline, knowing it’s not competition-based if you can defeat BUF but get blanked by CAR?

Maybe it’s the fast track, ideal temperature control, or a truly satisfying down-home Southern breakfast—whatever it is, Penix plays an order of magnitude better at home in 2025. Check the splits…

Michael Penix, 2025: Home ⏩ Away

• EPA/Attempt: +0.33 ⏩ -0.28
• Completion Rate: 67.0% ⏩ 54.7%
• Passer Rating: 103.0 ⏩ 66.5
• Passing Yards Per Game: 287.0 ⏩ 182.7
• Yards Per Attempt: 8.6 ⏩ 5.8

Raheem Morris and his boys in black host Mike McDaniel and the Fins, whose problems under center may be distracting attention from just how bad this Miami defense is playing. Easily bottom-five by the macros (29.3 points allowed per game, -0.12 EPA/play, 49.9% defensive success), Miami’s also stone-cold worst in EPA/dropback (-0.25), opposing passer rating (113.9), completion rate allowed (74.6%), and QB hits/game (6.0). Yikes.

I know it hasn’t been easy to click the Penix button, but fear not—the Falcons soar for us this weekend.

Alvin Kamara, RB, NO

LAGHEZZA: Alvin Kamara went from kicking off 2025 as the RB15 through two weeks and a relative must-start to posting just a single top-15 finish in the last five weeks. Currently occupying more benches than starting spots, questions regarding Kamara’s fantasy viability going forward have never felt more warranted. 

Worse still, handcuff Kendre Miller started visibly outplaying Kamara in terms of yards/carry and missed tackles forced, resulting in the most condensed Saints’ RB usage in recent memory. Well, as they say, the best-laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry, and leave us nothing but grief and pain. Sadly for New Orleans’ emerging backup, Miller’s season ended with a nasty ACL tear. Sigh.

With that, it’s back to square one for the (1-7) Saints, who will likely follow suit and abandon the ground game early against the Buccaneers’ pass funnel defense. In fact, not a single running back has attempted +20 rushes in a game this season. So, despite Vita Vea leading a top run-stopping unit, Kamara’s potentially in line for his best game of the season via volume alone.

Tampa consistently sends the house (20.8% blitz) to collapse the interior, which can result in overpursuit, leaving a backdoor open for RB catch-and-release gains. This, of course, reflects in the box score—the Bucs allow the fourth-most catches (37) as well as the NFL’s most yards (431) to the RB position. It’s not going to be pretty, but there’s a real shot at RB1 output in PPR formats.

Bold Starts For Week 8 Fantasy Football

Tyler Allgeier, RB, ATL

CLEMONS: Let’s not forget, as a rookie, Allgeier ran for over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per rush. He has always been an effective runner, but he has not been given the opportunity to be the lead back since his rookie year. He has still served as a great backup to Bijan Robinson.

The Falcons are taking on the Dolphins in the midst of a full-on organizational collapse. The Dolphins are 32nd in rushing yards, and we have seen RB2s have decent performances against this team because the games usually get out of hand after the RB1 has already done serious damage. The game script could get out of hand, and if so, Allgeier could be in line for added carries. If he can find a goal-line touchdown, his career 4.2 yards per carry will be good enough to get him into double digits.

Tyrod Taylor, QB, NYJ

CLEMONS: For those with Justin Fields as your starting quarterback, you likely put a lot of faith in him being given the entire season so that you could reap the benefits. Well, that plan is up in smoke, and now with five teams on a bye week, you need to find a starting quarterback to replace him.

You know you are never going to find anyone with the ceiling of Fields, but you hope that you can find a more stable floor. Look no further than the Jets and Fields' replacement, Tyrod Taylor. In Week 3, when he had a full week to prepare as the starter, he faced the Buccaneers and finished as a top-10 performer in fantasy, and there is no reason to believe that he could not do the same thing this week against a Cincinnati squad that still struggles defensively and could be improved on the offense with Joe Flacco pushing the ball downfield.

Taylor is athletic and can pick up quality yards with his feet. As long as he does not turn the ball over, he will have at least a solid day passing. That could be all you need to give you the support you need to make it through the week.

Sit These Players In Week 8

James Cook, RB, BUF

LAGHEZZA: Fading superstars didn’t end so well for me last week, but hey, fortune favors the bold. Through four weeks, Buffalo’s James Cook trailed only Christian McCaffrey in RB fantasy points. Sounds pretty good. Apparently, San Francisco got a memo that never made it up to Northern New York—it’s ok to keep feeding your best players the rock … especially when you’re winning games.

Despite hanging four victories in a row out of the gate, the Bills began throttling Cook’s utilization, particularly in the pass game. Held without a grab for two straight and targeted just once on his last 35 routes run, Cook’s 52% Week 7 snap share represented a season-low (not including Jets blowout). Don’t ask me … 

If this new, one-dimensional attack plan for Cook persists, he’s going to have a tough time against this Panther front seven. In case you were wondering why Buffalo’s only a touchdown favorite on Sunday, here’s your answer. After getting healthy from Week 2 on, Carolina’s run-stopping stats stand up with the game’s very best—73.7 yards/game (2nd), 3.5 yards/attempt (3rd), 0.72 yards before contact per carry (3rd), 3.1% explosive rush rate (2nd). Tough sledding for anyone right now.

Hard as it may be to admit, Cook could get scripted right out of this game, the same way he’s been against the Patriots and Falcons. And keep an eye out for backfield usage near the paint—last week marked the first time James Cook didn’t receive the majority of RB red zone touches. 

Sorry, don’t kill the messenger; there are lots of arrows pointing in the wrong direction.

All Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons

LAGHEZZA: I’ve probably run on too long as is, so I’ll keep this final fade short. Avoid any and everyone facing the Falcons (unless their name is Christian McCaffrey). Atlanta’s defense ranks either first or second in fantasy points allowed/game to QBs, WRs, and TEs. 

No quarterback has thrown for over 180 yards, and not a single pass-catcher has eclipsed 81 receiving yards in the box score. Not to mention Miami’s coming apart at the seams, fresh off of Tua Tagovailoa’s worst start as a pro. Tempting as it is to roll with Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane, aka your set-it-and-forget-it Dolphins—I’d seriously consider a different path if possible.

Bold Sits For Week 8 Fantasy Football

CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL

CLEMONS: Lamb looked like he never missed any time last week as he reeled off 110 yards and a touchdown, so why would anyone sit him this week in the midst of “Bye-Maggedon”?

The Cowboys are traveling to Denver this week, and it’s been difficult for opposing teams at Mile High. We just watched the Jets and the Giants wilt in the fourth quarter thanks to the altitude. Now Lamb will have to deal with the travel and altitude while managing the boogeyman. Patrick Surtain will be waiting for him and with the success the Cowboys can have throwing the ball to George Pickens and Jake Ferguson, why would Dak Prescott work harder to get the ball completed to Lamb when the road to points, and maybe a win, is easier throwing to Pickens and Ferguson while running Javonte Williams.

We have seen tight ends have great days against Denver, we have even seen other receivers have great days against Surtain, but not WR1 talents, and not once he has decided that he is guarding them. I thought I would be like Laghezza and put a chart up. Only Quentin Johnston was able to eclipse double digits when guarded primarily by Surtain ...

Cam Skattebo, RB, NYG

CLEMONS: Skattebo has been a big part of the excitement this season for the G-Men. He has been able to run well and he's been surprisingly good out of the backfield as a receiver. This week, the Giants travel to Philadelphia for the second of their two divisional games against the Eagles. In their first meeting this season, the Giants were surprisingly dominant and handed the Eagles a 34-17 beating. One big thing missing from the last meeting was the presence of the Eagles big defensive tackle Jalen Carter. He returned to the lineup after missing Week 6 and he helped keep Minnesota and their rushing attack behind Jordan Mason in check. He finished with 57 rush yards and a touchdown. That's much better than the 98 yards and three touchdowns Skattebo amassed the week before. 

The Eagles offense seems to have found its stride in the passing game. That should make them more dynamic and allow them to possess the football for longer. That will cut into the opportunities for Skattebo. The Eagles are one of the best teams in the NFL, so it's safe to assume they will be motivated by what was perceived as an embarrassing loss after they had to deal with all of the ridicule associated with losing to a rival. Skattebo will be the unfortunate victim of a highly motivated team and defensive tackle. This may not be the game to throw him in your lineup.

John's Parting Week 8 Start/Sit Thought

Our start/sit piece wouldn’t be complete without my favorite research tool, updated weekly throughout the season! When I’m in a pinch, this image is my favorite picture when I don’t have time for a thousand words. 

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