Here is a compilation of thoughts as we head into the Sunday action for Week 8 of the NFL season. As usual, we're going to take a fantasy football spin on all the action, with plenty of stats to give you an idea of who are the players to make sure are in your lineup. We have all the updated betting lines, as well as Rankings and Xfinity Best Projections to supplement this quick breakdown to help get you ready for Sunday.

Fantasy Football News and Notes for Week 8 NFL Sunday Action

Miami Dolphins @ Atlanta Falcons, Line: ATL -7.5 O/U: 46.5

Of course, my social media notifications caught fire for suggesting everyone avoid starting any Dolphins this Sunday. Point being, it’s not just Atlanta’s defense leading the NFL in passing yards allowed/game (141.0), including just eight +20-yard receptions through seven weeks. Efficiency on the other side of the ball (high play total, slow pace) squeezes their opposition even further.

Maybe I’m way off. Just don’t be shocked if Miami’s backups close this one out—Atlanta’s a much different team at home. Michael Penix, Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and even backup Tyler Allgeier all popped in my projections. 

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New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals, Line: CIN -6.5 O/U: 44.5

Cincy steals a win from Pittsburgh after four straight losses and suddenly pops up as nearly a touchdown favorite? Must be the New York Jets coming to town. With star WR Garrett Wilson projecting to miss yet another game, so goes Gang Green’s last redeeming quality on offense. Tyrod Taylor’s in line to start, which should say it all, though I guess de facto top-option Mason Taylor makes an interesting stream at TE.

Start all your Bengals. Shutdown corner Sauce Gardner hasn’t practiced for NYJ, and 40-year-old Joe Flacco (another interesting stream) is out there dancing like no one’s watching. 

Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots, Line: NE -6.5 O/U: 40.5

Two of the league’s most improved teams meet in Foxboro, and the low 40.5 total is an indication to temper expectations for scoring. Start Drake Maye, the latest emerging superstar who’s gelling with WR Stefon Diggs more every week. Sit any New England RBs against an extremely tough Cleveland front-seven where possible—though I’d be remiss to not capitulate publicly on TreVeyon Henderson. If something happens to Rhamondre Stevenson, my money’s now on Terrell Jennings to fill the void.

The Browns’ offense stays solidified around a big three of Quinshon Judkins, Jerry Jeudy and Harold Fannin Jr.—keep starting them weekly until something changes.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles, Line: PHI -7 O/U: 44

Jaxson Dart and the Giants just stole a victory from the Eagles only two weeks ago, and the Eagles are champing at the bit to even the score after their best offensive output of the season. No 4-D chess here. I’m rolling out everyone in this game with confidence, except for TE Theo Johnson—Philly’s allowed just 4.0 PPR points a game to the tight end position, and Daniel Bellinger’s recently been eating into his target share.

Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers, Line: BUF -7.5 O/U: 46

Buffalo’s projecting well, centered around stalwarts Josh Allen, James Cook and Dalton Kincaid. However, it’s the target distribution on Carolina’s side piquing my interest most. A high-ankle sprain sidelined QB Bryce Young the first two practices of the week, setting up Andy Dalton for a potential start. The Red Rocket targeted only one former first-rounder last week, and it wasn’t Tetairoa McMillan. Could Xavier Legette go back-to-back as this weekend’s best-kept secret?

San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans, Line: HOU -1 O/U: 41

Injuries to skill position players on both sides torpedoed this game total—and lots of the fantasy goodness that could’ve come with it. Ricky Pearsall still hasn’t practiced, which keeps Jauan Jennings fantasy viable, except Derek Stingley’s waiting on the other side to follow him around. Say what you will about the Texans, Demeco Ryans’ defense plays fierce..

Houston’s target share is essentially up for grabs with both Nico Collins and Christian Kirk trending toward missing the game. Round and round she goes, where she stops, no one knows. Love for second and third-round rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel seems split down the middle, with the actual target, catch, yardage and touchdown leader Xavier Hutchinson pulling up the rear in interest. Hmm, go figure. My money’s on Noel for the ability to work underneath on quicker-developing routes with zero protection for C.J. Stroud.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints, Line: TB -4.5 O/U: 46.5

No wide receivers? No problem for Baker Mayfield, who’s playing MVP-level ball surrounded by undrafted fantasy skill position players. Sure, last week was a little rough around the edges—I don’t care, I’m all-in on the Bucs’ offense. Emeka Egbuka is an obvious rest-of-season smash, but now it looks like Tez Johnson could be the next man up to play with Baker the Kingmaker. Get in on Tampa’s offense now before Bucky Irving returns to reassume peak powers.

Dallas Cowboys @ Denver Broncos, Line: DEN -3.5 O/U: 50

Find me a more interesting phase-on-phase matchup than Dallas’ high-flying offense with CeeDee Lamb back against Pat Surtain and the vaunted Broncos’ D. Not that the opposition matters, you’re obviously starting your big-5 Cowboys. The bigger question, whether Dallas can stop anyone on defense, remains.

Bo Nix finally resembles the prince who was promised coming off the fourth quarter of a lifetime. However, the rest of the DEN offense is balanced so evenly that projecting any single game’s main focus borders on impossible. After putting up the second-most unrealized air yards in a game all year, give me Troy Franklin to bounce back as most attention diverts to Courtland Sutton.

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts, Line: IND -14 O/U: 47

What is there to say about the Titans that won’t get us fined by the FCC? Not much. It’s an abject disaster for Tennessee, and gearing up to get much worse against the NFL’s top-scoring offense. Just avoid them at all costs, even if rookie WR Chimere Dike does look especially explosive toting the rock.

Jonathan Taylor looks like the darn 1.01 out there for Indy, with Tyler Warren fitting perfectly as a Swiss Army Knife in Shane Steichen’s system. No choice but to roll with Michael Pittman Jr. and even Alec Pierce, hoping for production before the game is out of hand.

GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!

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