What You Need To Know From Week 8

MIN @ LAR

• The Lions hangover is real. The Vikings offense was held in check by a middling Rams defense. They should bounce back against the Colts with some rest and the return of T.J. Hockenson.
• Puka Nacua was a fantasy WR1 despite uncertainty about his level of play and involvement after a surprising early return from injured reserve.
• Cooper Kupp will be a short-range possession receiver with Nacua back, but still worth a spot in PPR lineups.
• Demarcus Robinson actually gained value despite going back to the WR3 role. Both of his catches were touchdowns and he’ll benefit from much better looks with Kupp and Nacua out there.
• Matthew Stafford is a high-floor QB1 with Nacua and Kupp back in the fold, and the Rams are no longer sellers at the trade deadline. They are legitimate contenders to win the NFC West.

GB @ JAX

• Jordan Love left with a groin injury. He could return for Week 9 to face Detroit, but the Packers have a Week 10 bye. Love threw another interception and continues to be a risk-taker as a passer. Malik Willis was very competent and made the plays to secure the win. Willis will be a high-floor QB1 in Week 9 if Love can’t go.
• Josh Jacobs looked as good as he has all year and carried the offense with Love out. He’s a fantasy RB1, but facing a tough Lions run defense.
• The Packers passing game wasn’t productive enough to make a good wide receiver play, especially with Love leaving early. The Lions are a good matchup in Week 9, but all of the Packers wideouts will be boom/bust plays if Love is out.
• Tucker Kraft had the longest passing play of the day, and he also had a short score. He has leveled off as a TE1 but will be riskier in Week 9 if Love is out.
• Brian Thomas Jr. suffered a rib injury. Early reports said he could miss 2-4 weeks, but the more recent news tab him with a chest contusion. Gabe Davis also suffered a shoulder injury. Christian Kirk suffered a broken collarbone and is out for the season. Parker Washington will be a what-the-heck flex in Week 9 at Philadelphia, and his value could grow. Evan Engram will be one of the highest-rated tight ends in Week 9.
• Trevor Lawrence had one of his best games of the year, but it might be difficult for him to carry that over with most of his wide receivers hurt.
• Tank Bigsby was solid with Travis Etienne Jr. out, but Etienne was a game-time decision and should return in Week 9.

ARI @ MIA

• Kyler Murray had his best day of the season as a passer and appears to be settling into Drew Petzing’s scheme. He has a tough matchup vs. Chicago in Week 9, but he should be a viable high-ceiling QB1 going forward.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. had his best game since Week 2, justifying his inclusion in the lineup every week in start-three wide receiver leagues.
• Trey McBride also had his best game of the season and should benefit from Murray’s improved play.
• Tua Tagovailoa’s return helped the offense a lot, but Raheem Mostert finished two drives with short runs, so Tagovailoa and his top two receivers were mediocre fantasy plays despite a marked improvement in overall production.
• De’Von Achane returned to being an elite RB1 play with Tagovailoa back, and that’s with Mostert getting the short touchdowns. Achane did limp off after a play, so monitor his practice reports. Jaylen Wright is worth a bench stash with this offense back at full capacity. Mostert is at least worth a what-the-heck flex as the guy who gets his number called most often on goal-to-go plays.

NYJ @ NE

• Garrett Wilson was the top fantasy wide receiver, but Davante Adams was also a viable WR3/Flex play with Allen Lazard out. The Jets play on Thursday, so expect Lazard to be a game-time decision at best.
• Braelon Allen got the rushing touchdown, and his snap share was back up over 30%. Breece Hall only had one reception and was a mediocre fantasy play. This after it looked like new play-caller Todd Downing was going to use Hall almost exclusively. The Jets' backfield split is going to be unpredictable week-to-week.
• Drake Maye left with a concussion. Jacoby Brissett was actually effective enough to lead a comeback victory, but he didn’t create any viable fantasy plays among the Patriots pass-catchers. If Brissett starts against Tennessee in Week 9, expect more of the same.
• The Patriots have trust in Rhamondre Stevenson again. He scored twice and should be a weekly RB2/Flex play with the offense improving even when Maye was out.

BAL @ CLE

• Zay Flowers was a great play despite being a game-time decision. The Ravens traded for Diontae Johnson on Tuesday but paid almost nothing for him, so it could be a depth move more than one that threatens Flowers’ value. Keep the faith if you have Flowers.
• Rashod Bateman was quiet but dropped a ball (lost it in the sun) that would have been at least a 50-yard reception. Like Flowers, his value might not be as affected by the acquisition of Johnson as Johnson’s name value indicates.
• Jameis Winston revived the Browns pass offense and really the whole team. Winston is a pickup across formats, but the Ravens pass defense was down their top two corners, so we’ll need another data point with Cleveland facing the Chargers in Week 9 before we can truly trust Winston or his secondary targets.
• Cedric Tillman caught two scores, including the game-winner, and should be in lineups as a WR3/Flex against the Chargers.
• David Njoku had a highlight reel touchdown and is a strong TE1 going forward.
• Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy both had good games and project as what-the-heck flex plays in Week 9 with the hope that Week 8 was more about Winston than the Ravens pass defense.
• Nick Chubb was predictably held in check by the Ravens' stout run defense, but Winston should force defenses to play looser against the run going forward, which should benefit Chubb.