Week Eight Fantasy Football Update

Welcome to week eight of the fantasy football season. This year has been quite challenging for wide receivers, mainly due to an unfortunate string of injuries. Mike Evans, for instance, won’t be hitting that 1,000-yard mark this year. Additionally, key players like Jackson Smith-Njigba, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Puka Nacua are on bye this week, giving fantasy players an opportunity to strategize if their opponents are missing these stars.

The teams on bye include the Cardinals, Jaguars, Lions, Rams, Raiders, and Seahawks.

Here’s a list of players to watch: Marvin Harrison Jr., Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jacobi Myers, Tre Tucker, Jackson Smith-Njigba, and Cooper Kupp.

As for Evans, he managed to return from a hamstring injury in Week 7. However, he sustained a broken collarbone along with a concussion, which looks like it will end his season. Emeka Egbuka is stepping up into the number one role, while Chris Godwin is still recovering. There’s also Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard who are in line to take up some fantasy duties.

Nacua has been playing despite having multiple injuries but unfortunately rolled his ankle in Week 6 and missed Week 7. He has a bye week now to recuperate and should be back in action by Week 9, hopefully.

Wilson, meanwhile, became questionable after hyperextending his knee in Week 6 and sat out in Week 7. Rumors suggested he’d miss around two weeks, but there’s a possibility he could practice this week and may play alongside Tyrod Taylor, who’s likely to start.

Pearsall suffered a knee injury against the Jaguars back in Week 4, figuring it would be a short absence. Surprisingly, he’s missed three games now. Let’s hope he can get back to practice soon.

Terry McLaurin, Commanders

McLaurin injured his quadriceps in Week 3 versus the Raiders. He didn’t get placed on IR and did have some practice in Week 7, albeit limited. We’ll keep an eye on his progress this week, especially since he’s looking at a potential return against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football.

Next, there’s Ridley, who hurt his hamstring in Week 6 and couldn’t play in Week 7. Chaimea Dike filled in for him, but it’s unclear if any receiver can really take charge on this struggling Titans team right now.

As for matchups with high over/under totals: Bears at Ravens (50.5), Cowboys at Broncos (49.5), and Chiefs vs. Commanders (47.5).

On the lower end, we have Browns vs. Patriots (40.5), 49ers vs. Texans (41.5), Jets vs. Bengals (43.5), and Giants vs. Eagles (43.5).

Maximum Implied Individual Team Totals

Colts (30.5), Chiefs (29), Ravens (28.5), Bills (27), and Broncos (26.5).

Minimum Implied Individual Team Totals

Titans (16), Browns (16.8), Giants (18.3), Dolphins (18.5), Jets (18.5), and Commanders (18.5).

In terms of spreads: Titans vs. Colts (-14.5), Commanders vs. Chiefs (-10.5), and Bills (-7.5) against Panthers, plus Dolphins vs. Falcons (-7.5).