Welcome to our Fantasy Football Plays and Fades for Week 8 (2024)! We have entered the bye weeks and injuries are happening everywhere, which makes setting your lineups difficult. This is where we breakdown matchups to help you find the right players to play and which players to avoid each week.
Bye weeks can often force our hands on who we play and who we fade, but if there’s a chance to make a choice, this article will help you make it. It’s essential to make sure you’re playing your studs, but even some of them can be risky plays depending on who they are matched up against. This article highlights key matchups for you to exploit or avoid by providing you with information on six players at each position, three to play and three to fade. Without any further ado, let’s get into it!
Quarterbacks
Plays
- Russell Wilson vs NYG
- Did you know that Russell Wilson finished as top end QB2 last year? With how much we dog on him, you wouldn’t think that was the case, but even in the dysfunction that was the Denver Broncos last year, Wilson found a way to stay relevant.
- The change to Wilson last week had the fantasy community on tilt and questioning why they would bench a top 10 quarterback in Fields. While Fields puts up numbers for fantasy, Wilson makes his team more balanced by being able to throw the ball more accurately. This was shown with the impressive win against the stout New York Jets defense which Wilson scored 24.88 points against.
- Now is the time to get in on Wilson. He’ll be going up against the New York Giants this week, who have given up the 9th most points to opposing quarterbacks. After the bye next week, Wilson will also go up against the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Commanders, both of which have given up big numbers to quarterbacks so far this season.
- Jameis Winston vs BAL
- It’s Famous Jameis time! This isn’t going to save the Cleveland Browns season, but it is going to save some people’s fantasy seasons. If only Amari Cooper hadn’t been traded now….
- The Baltimore Ravens are giving up the third most points to quarterbacks with high scoring games and an secondary that is exploitable. Jameis should have an easy time picking apart the defense and throwing deep to, well, someone out there… But more on that later.
- Kirk Cousins @ TB
- Kirk Cousins struggled a little bit against the Seattle Seahawks last week, which was surprising, but he should bounce back in a big way this week when he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The last time Cousins faced them, he scored 35.36 points, throwing for over 500 yards and four touchdowns.
- Expectations should be tampered a little bit since Tampa just lost their two best receivers for the foreseeable future. Still, expect Cousins to put up big numbers once again this coming week.
Fades
- Kyler Murray @ MIA
- Kyler Murray has been up and down this year. He’s had three top five finishes this season so far, but also had four finishes as a QB2 or worse. This coming week is looking like it will be one of those down weeks as he faces the Miami Dolphins, who’ve allowed the least amount of points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
- The one saving grace is that the Dolphins are possibly getting Tua Tagovailoa back, which may force this into a shoot out. However, those expectations are low given the state of things. Bench him and find quarterback help elsewhere.
- Daniel Jones @ PIT
- Daniel Jones has also been a bit of an enigma this year, having three finishes as a QB1. However, a majority of his games have been low scoring, which you should expect this week to follow suit. Jones faces the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, who are top five against opposing quarterbacks. If you were planning on starting Jones this week, don’t.
- Justin Herbert vs NO
- The New Orleans Saints are top 10 against opposing quarterbacks this year. Given the state of the Las Angeles Chargers, it would be shocking if that number dropped this week because of Herbert. He is averaging just 11.8 PPG so far this season. Look elsewhere this week and let Herbert rest on your bench.
Running Backs
Plays
- Javonte Williams vs CAR
- Javonte Williams is a must Play this week. He had a great game against the Saints last week when he put up over 26 points. Williams averaged 6.29 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. Hopefully, this will be enough to get him out of Sean Payton’s dog house and access to more attempts.
- This week in particular is a great case for Williams, as the Broncos get ready to face the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have given up the most points per game to opposing running backs at 30.2 PPG on average. The Broncos might be lacking in the passing game, but they are making up for it in the run game. Expect them to control the clock again this week and for Williams to have a big hand in it.
- Kenneth Walker vs BUF
- Walker has been one of the bigger surprises this year, maintaining RB8 on the year after having missed Weeks 2 and 3. He’s getting things done on the ground, averaging 4.6 yards per carry this season. He’s also been a big part of the passing game, averaging five targets a game. Add in the fact that he’s had a touchdown in all but one week, and there are few players you would want to start him over on a regular basis.
- This week, Walker faces the Buffalo Bills, a running defense that has been giving up the second most points on a weekly average. He will be heavily involved in this matchup and is a must play against this pores defense.
- Kareem Hunt @ LV
- It’s almost as if Hunt never even left the Kansas City Chiefs and gives them a dual threat ability that they’ve been missing at the running back position since they let him go. He’s scored over 20 points in both contests he’s been with the team so far.
- This week, Hunt faces an easy campaign against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have given up the eighth most points to opposing running backs this year. The Raiders have lost their top offensive weapon in Davante Adams and will be struggling to keep up against a stout Chiefs defense. This should keep the game script a positive one for Hunt; start him without a worry and watch as he racks up the points this week.
Fades
- Alexander Mattison vs KC
- As just noted, the Chiefs defense is one of the better ones in the league, giving up a league low 12.2 PPG to opposing running backs. That combined with the fact that the Raiders won’t have much in terms of a receiving game and it should be a no brainer that you’re benching Mattison this week.
- Alvin Kamara @ LAC
- A call to bench the RB2 on the year?! Well, Kamara is going to have a tough matchup this week against the Los Angeles Chargers, who have given up the second least amount of points to opposing running backs. Plus, their gameplan this last week without Derek Carr showed there was much to be wanting from the veteran running back. This week will be worse than last week, so you would do well to find someone else for the week.
- Derrick Henry @ CLE
- Okay, now I’ve gone too far… Fading the King!? RB1 on the year!? There’s a good chance you’re disregarding this one and I wouldn’t blame you. However, expect this to be a tough matchup against a strong Cleveland Brown’s defense. This is Henry’s roughest matchup since Week 1 against the Chiefs when he only put up ten points. In fact, four of the next five matchups are going to be exceedingly tough for the aging vet. These next few weeks are going to make or break your season, so don’t be surprised by some regression. Either that, or Henry is going to make me look like a fool and I’ll gladly eat crow.
Wide Receivers
Plays
- Jayden Reed @ JAX
- In an offense that feels as though it doesn’t have a true WR1, Jayden Reed has taken up the mantle and has exceedingly produced beyond expectations. He’s WR7 on the year and shows no sign of slowing down with the chemistry he has grown with Jordan Love. With an average of 15.6 PPG, he’s an easy plug and Play.
- Seeing what he’s already done, it would be hard to sit Reed in any game. Looking at the fact that he’s facing the Jacksonville Jaguars and it becomes ridiculous to even think about Fading him. The Jaguars are giving up the fourth most points to opposing wide receivers. You can expect him to finish as one of the top receivers this week.
- Jerry Jeudy vs BAL
- Yes, I am still a Jeudy fanatic. I just can’t quit him. And this week is one of the few weeks I’m confidently starting him! Deshaun Watson is done for the season and the Browns have named the gun slinging Jameis Winston as their starter. He likes to air it out and Jeudy should be one of the main beneficiaries of this game style.
- They are facing off against their divisional rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, who have given up the second most points to opposing receivers. The Browns will be fighting to keep up against the elite offensive ability of the Ravens though, which should cause Jeudy to be a big part of the offense.
- Darnell Mooney @ TB
- As noted earlier, Cousins is going to have a big game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which means his receivers are going to be going off, as well. Drake London could have been the answer here, but he seemed too obvious. So let’s go with the second receiver who put up over 30 points the last time these two teams faced each other!
Fades
- Diontae Johnson @ DEN
- Diontae Johnson is one of “My Guys” but this week is an easy one to bench him in. Just knowing he’ll be going up against Patrick Surtain is enough to bench him for the week. This matchup becomes even more detrimental as Andy Dalton is out with a finger sprain after a car accident this week, which means that Bryce Young will be back in at quarterback. As much as a like the young quarterback, there’s no way you’re starting him or any of his receivers this week.
- Marvin Harrison Jr @ MIA
- Marvin Harrison has been up and down without showing much consistency yet this season. This week is looking like a down week, as he is going up against the leagues best defense against receivers, the Miami Dolphins. Fade the rookie and find your points elsewhere this week.
- Malik Nabers @ PIT
- Speaking of rookies and bad matchups, Nabers is right behind Harrison in terms of tough matchups. He might have been a Play given he’s the New York Giants best receiver, but he wound up on the Fade list as he goes up against a top ten defense against opposing receivers in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tight Ends
Play
- Tucker Kraft @ JAX
- Much like the reasoning for Jayden Reed, you’re starting Kraft this week against an easy matchup of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The TE4 has been putting up numbers recently and that trend should continue this week as he goes up against one of the worst defenses in the league.
- David Njoku vs BAL
- Do you notice a trend here yet? Yes, you are playing all receivers in this matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns will have to throw to keep up and Njoku, who is coming off of a TE1 week, will be a big part of that. I expect him to be the second target behind Jeudy.
- Dalton Kincaid @ SEA
- Tight ends everywhere have been a disappointment and Dalton Kincaid is no exception this season. He is TE13 right now but I expect that number to take a bit of a jump in a get right game against the Seattle Seahawks. Plug him in, cross your fingers, and let’s hope our boy finally turns things around this week.
Fades
- Sam LaPorta vs TEN
- LaPorta has somehow been an even bigger disappointment this season. Averaging just 7.1 PPG, it’s tough to start him in any situation. However, it does need to be added that Jameson Williams will miss the next couple weeks due to a suspension after failing a drug test. It’s a possibility that LaPorta picks up that slack, so it would be understandable if you’re tempted to plug him. Just don’t be surprised when he fails to meet expectations.
- Trey McBride @ MIA
- Another trend, Arizona Cardinals receivers are getting Faded this week, and Trey McBride is no exception.
- Mark Andrews @ CLE
- Mark Andrews has finally shown some life! However, he’s been mostly touchdown dependent. I expect him to regress slightly this week against a tough Cleveland Browns defense. If you had held onto Andrews so far this season, don’t expect him to repeat his performance from the last couple of weeks.
Plays
- Detroit Lions vs TEN
- Tennessee just traded away their best weapon in DeAndre Hopkins. Will Levis has been struggling. Plug in the Detroit Lions and laugh your way to a victory as Brian Branch has his way with the second year quarterback.
- Kansas City Chiefs @ LV
- Much like the Titans, the Las Vegas Raiders just traded away their best weapon in Davante Adams. Minshew Mania is alive and well, but he’s going to struggle against this Super Bowl caliber defense. Start the Kansas City Chiefs with a smile.
- Baltimore Ravens @ CLE
- Now how do you Play all of the receivers in Cleveland but then Play the defense they’re going up against? Well, because Jameis Winston is a turnover machine! The Ravens defense is going to be getting plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the gun slinger’s tendency to throw the ball to the opposing team.
Fades
- Cleveland Browns vs BAL
- The Baltimore Ravens’ offense has been crushing teams this year and I expect there to be no difference in this matchup. Fade the Browns defense and find help somewhere else.
- Seattle Seahawks vs BUF
- Seattle is going to have their hands full against the Buffalo Bills. Granted, Josh Allen is known for turning the ball over almost as much as Jameis, but he’s also good for running up the score, literally.
- New York Giants @ PIT
- The New York Giants are one of the worst defenses in the league. If there was ever a time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to take advantage of an opposing defense, this is going to be the week they do it. Add in that they are playing in Pittsburgh, and I want nothing to do with that defense this week.