2025 Plays & Fades for Week 8

Photo of Kyle Zeigler Kyle Zeigler Follow on X Send an email October 23, 2025Last Updated: October 23, 2025
526 14 minutes read
2025 Plays & Fades for Week 8

Welcome to my 2025 Plays & Fades for Week 8!

We’re cruising past the midway point of the fantasy football regular season! Fasten your seatbelts, because Week 8 could get turbulent with six teams on bye. The Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, and Seahawks will all be on the couch this week.

Remember the importance of depth? With so much firepower missing from your lineups, making sound moves and wise decisions is key. Let’s kick off Week 8 Plays and Fades!

* Stats courtesy of the good folks over at PFF, Fantasy Points Data Suite, FantasyData.com, and FTN Fantasy. Fantasy point references will be made from Half-PPR scoring*

Quarterbacks

Play: Bo Nix @ Dallas Cowboys

• He’s set up with a dream matchup in the Big D. Only the Steelers have allowed more passing yards than the Cowboys, so he has a real shot to go back-to-back weeks as the QB1 in fantasy scoring.

• Bo Nix should pick up right where he left off against the Giants and shred this defense. We’ve seen QBs like Justin Fields (283 yards), Jordan Love (337 yards), and even Bryce Young (just 199 yards but three touchdowns) all find success through the air.

• Last week: In a game, the Broncos trailed the entire day until the very end. Nix surged late and caught fire. He went 27/50, 279 yards with two touchdowns, but also added with his legs with five carries, 48 yards with another two touchdowns.

Play: Michael Penix Jr Vs Miami Dolphins

• There have been some growing pains with Michael Penix Jr., but this matchup against the Dolphins looks like the perfect get-right game. Miami allows the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

• The return of Darnell Mooney should also help, boosting Penix’s already solid 7.2 yards per attempt. He has a real chance to flirt with QB1 territory this week.

• Last week: He really struggled in San Francisco on Sunday Night Football, primarily due to pressure, as he had no time in the pocket. He threw 241 yards and one touchdown pass. 

Play: Jordan Love @ Pittsburgh Steelers

• This was a tough call on where to slot Jordan Love, as he’s right on that Play/Fade border, but I’m leaning Play. The Steelers defense isn’t the Steel Curtain we’re used to seeing.

• They allow over 282 passing yards per game, which is actually more than Dallas, and that’s saying something. Since the bye, Love has finished as a QB2, but he still ranks QB12 in passing yards per game. You have to like that he walks into Rodgers’ new house with something to prove.

• Last week: Love threw for just 179 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions against Arizona. He’ll look to outduel his predecessor in a matchup packed with storylines.

Fade: C.J. Stroud Vs San Francisco 49ers

• This isn’t the same C.J. Stroud we saw during his rookie campaign. The offensive line has improved but remains a work in progress. He’s been sacked 15 times, ranking in the top half of the league.

•  Nico Collins is in concussion protocol, so his status is uncertain, but even if he plays, Stroud isn’t an appealing option. Outside of the QB plays listed above, I’d rather start Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz, or even Tyrod Taylor (if he starts) over Stroud.

• Last week: He logged 49 pass attempts for 229 yards, a touchdown, and a pick against the Seahawks on Monday night.

Fade: Spencer Rattler Vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• The Saints lost starting center Erik McCoy to a torn biceps, ending his season. It’s a big blow to the offense, as he was their highest-graded pass blocker according to PFF.

• Tampa Bay should be able to contain the run game, allowing just 99 rushing yards per game, which ranks 11th best in the league. If the Bucs can force Rattler to throw, they have the playmakers to create turnovers.

• Last week: Rattler threw for 233 yards and one touchdown with three interceptions against the Bears. The coaching staff has indicated a quarterback change is possible, so the pressure is on for Rattler to keep his job.

Fade: Marcus Mariota @ Kansas City Chiefs

• With so many teams on bye, you might be thinking about streaming Mariota in a game where he could be forced to pass a lot. Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin could return from injury, but I still don’t recommend starting Mariota

• The Chiefs make things tough on opposing quarterbacks, allowing the 5th fewest fantasy points to the position. 

• Last week: In relief for Jayden Daniels, Mariota went 4-of-10 for 63 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. He’ll get another opportunity in primetime on Monday Night Football in KC.

Running Backs

Play: Breece Hall @ Cincinnati Bengals

• The Jets offense looks like a dumpster fire, but if you have Breece Hall, he’s a start against the Bengals’ weak run defense. The Jets should lean on him in both the running game and passing game.

• Hall should be able to break off some long runs, as he ranks in the top five among running backs in explosive carries and is facing a cupcake defense. Start him with complete confidence.

• Last week: It was a tough day for the entire Jets offense. Breece Hall managed just 11 carries for 38 yards, but better days are surely ahead.

Play: Isiah Pacheco Vs Washington Commanders

• We have to be cautious chasing touchdowns with Pacheco, but his usage has climbed over the last couple of weeks. Kareem Hunt injured his ankle in the first quarter last week, but did return.

•  It’s possible we see more Pacheco than Hunt to limit a re-aggravation injury. Pacheco still saw a 55.8% snap share in Week 7, and in Week 6, he had a 77.4% share. The volume is there, making him a borderline RB1/high-end RB2 this week.

• Last week: Pacheco did just enough to make managers happy by rushing 15 times for 57 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders.

Play: D’Andre Swift @ Baltimore Ravens

• Swift has looked outstanding, especially over the last two weeks. Since the bye (Week 5), he ranks sixth in rushing yards, is in the top five in explosive run percentage, and is averaging seven yards per carry. You read that right.

• I do expect the Ravens to get some players back on defense, as they’ve been decimated by injuries. Still, ride the hot hand in Swift, because Baltimore allows the second-most fantasy points to RBs. He’s a high-end RB2 with the potential to finish as an RB1.

• Last week: Swift carried 19 times for 124 yards and a touchdown against New Orleans. He looks to continue his dominance in another plus matchup on the road in Baltimore.

Fade: Jaylen Warren Vs Green Bay Packers

• You may not have much choice due to byes, but this is a tough spot for Warren. He could be active in the passing game, but expect low-end RB2 numbers against Green Bay’s stout run defense.

• The Packers allow the second-fewest rushing yards in the league, giving up just 76.5 yards per game.

• Last week: Warren had a strong outing, surpassing 100 total yards with 127 rushing and adding 31 receiving yards on four catches.

Fade: Tony Pollard @ Indianapolis Colts

• Tony Pollard hasn’t been living up to expectations this year. Among 37 qualifying RBs with at least 50 carries, he ranks 24th in rushing yards per game and near the bottom in explosive carries.

• The Colts allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs, and with the Titans’ overall lack of offense, red-zone opportunities are limited. Bench Pollard if you can.

• Last week: Pollard was more active in the passing game than Tyjae Spears, catching six passes for 43 yards. The run game, however, was forgettable, with six carries for just 18 yards.

Fade: Rhamondre Stevenson Vs Cleveland Browns

• Stevenson is the clear lead back for the Patriots, but I don’t buy what he showed us last week. Sure, he finished as the overall RB13, but that was against the Titans, who give up the fourth-most rushing yards per game.

• All of Stevenson’s big fantasy days have come against weak run defenses, including the Titans, Dolphins, and Bills, all of which rank in the top five for most rushing yards allowed per game.

• Last week: He had a solid outing on the ground, taking 18 carries for 88 yards in a plus matchup against Tennessee. He’ll try to replicate this performance against a much tougher run defense in Cleveland.

Wide Receivers

Play: Courtland Sutton Vs Dallas Cowboys

• Sutton continues to lead this offense’s pass catchers. He tops the team in yards, receptions, target share percentage, and yards per route run.

• This game has shootout potential. He should continue to see heavy volume and is a strong WR2 start with the possibility of finishing in WR1 territory.

• Last week: He had a rough start but finished with a solid stat line, securing six catches for 87 yards on 10 targets against the New York Giants.

Play: Chris Olave Vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

• I’ve been pounding the table on sticking with Chris Olave, calling him a buy-low WR. The breakout has arrived, and now he faces the Bucs, which isn’t the easiest matchup, but volume is king.

• He is tied for the second-most targeted WR in the league, with a 28.5% target share and a solid 1.89 yards per route run. Keep him locked in your lineups for this one.

• Last week: Olave had his best game of the season against the Bears, catching five balls for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

Play: George Pickens @ Denver Broncos

• Pickens has found new life since being traded to the Cowboys. He has shone in CeeDee Lamb’s absence and continues to perform well alongside him.

• He avoids Pat Surtain for the most part as he will be locked and loaded on Ceedee Lamb for this one. We have seen the #2 WRs have good games against this secondary. Josh Downs had six catches for 51 yards, Keenan Allen had seven catches for 65 yards, and DeVonta Smith had eight catches for 114 yards.

• Last week: Only four catches on six targets, but went for 82 yards. He will look to keep it going against a good Broncos secondary. 

Fade: Jaylen Waddle @ Atlanta Falcons

• How quickly things can change. Outside of De’Von Achane, this offense has been flat-out disappointing. The Falcons won’t make things easy for Waddle either, as they allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

• Since Tyreek Hill went down with a season-ending injury in Week 4, Waddle hasn’t really impressed. He still leads the team in yards and targets, but only has a one-reception edge over Malik Washington. 

• Last week: On four targets, Waddle could only come up with one catch for 15 yards against the tough Browns secondary. 

Fade: Ricky Pearsall @ Houston Texans

• Ricky Pearsall may make his return for the 49ers after missing three games. The tough part is he’ll be matched up against one of the best cornerbacks in the game, Derek Stingley Jr.

• George Kittle should see a bigger role in this game, as he just returned from a hamstring injury and ran only 22 routes last week. Pearsall could see a limited snap count, so approach with caution.

• Last week: OUT with knee injury.

Fade: Romeo Doubs @ Pittsburgh Steelers

• Doubs is tough to trust this week if you’re hoping for WR2 numbers or a solid flex option. Unfortunately, he is primarily touchdown dependent.

• The matchup is favorable, as the Steelers allow the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. If he scores, great, but otherwise expect a modest stat line, something like six catches for 80 yards.• Last week: Romeo Doubs had a solid day against the Cardinals, catching six passes for 72 yards. He’ll look to have a “boom” day in Pittsburgh in primetime on Sunday Night Football.

Tight Ends

Play: Evan Engram Vs Dallas Cowboys

• I’m going full-stack mode with Broncos offensive players for Plays this week against the Cowboys. Why not? They have consistently been fantasy-friendly for anyone starting against them.

• My biggest concern with Engram all season has been his lack of touchdowns. He has only one, but since the bye, he has seen steady volume, averaging nearly seven targets per game.

• Last week: In the thrilling game against the Giants, Engram pitched in five catches for 42 yards.

Play: Oronde Gadsden II Vs Minnesota Vikings

• The rookie looks like he might be heating up, and he could be the real deal. I loved him as a draft prospect, a converted WR out of Syracuse who is a big target for Justin Herbert.

• If last week is any indication, he’s likely to continue producing in your lineups. The Chargers lined him up all over the field, out wide, in the slot, and in-line. He ran 48 routes and could be another focal point against the Vikings. Fire him up and let’s see if this is the breakout we’ve been waiting for.

• Last week: He just blew the doors off on nine targets, catching seven balls for 164 yards and a touchdown. He finished as the TE1 in fantasy, and he’ll try to replicate this showing against Minnesota.

Play: Kyle Pitts Sr Vs Miami Dolphins

•  I was encouraged by his 10 targets last week, and Miami presents a good opportunity for him to produce. The Dolphins allow the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends.

• Four tight ends have gone for 65 yards or more against the Dolphins this season: Tyler Warren, Dalton Kincaid, Mason Taylor, and Oronde Gadsden.

• Last week: Kyle Pitts was efficient with seven catches for 62 yards against the 49ers. He even had a deeper catch called back due to a penalty that would have further boosted this stat line.

Fade: Zach Ertz @ Kansas City Chiefs

• On paper, Ertz might look like a must-start since he’s been a touchdown machine, scoring in back-to-back weeks. However, with Marcus Mariota starting, his upside is severely limited.

• In the two games Mariota filled in for Daniels, Ertz caught just five passes for 59 yards with no touchdowns. It doesn’t help that the Chiefs suffocate tight ends, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to the position.

• Last week: Ertz against the Cowboys was somewhat disappointing, with only three catches for 37 yards, but he did have a touchdown to save the fantasy day.

Fade: Jake Ferguson @ Denver Broncos 

• Before you judge, hear me out. This is a massive week with byes, so there isn’t much to work with. We’re just tempering expectations here. I realize he’s a hard sit.

• The Broncos allow only 208.7 passing yards per game, ninth best in the league, and just 18.1 points per game, the fourth fewest. He may get some catches and yards, but don’t expect a touchdown spike, even on National Tight Ends Day.

• Last week: Jake Ferguson had another big day, despite having only seven catches for 29 yards, as he added two scores. 

Fade: Hunter Henry Vs Cleveland Browns

• I’m liking what I’m seeing from Drake Maye, as he’s slinging the ball all over the field. The problem is that he’s sharing the targets among many pass catchers. Over the last four games, Henry has been a distant second in both targets and receptions for the team.

•  Stefon Diggs has slowly emerged as the alpha in this offense, demanding more volume. This is a reversal from the start of the season, when Henry was getting the looks. Henry is simply unreliable in a tough matchup against the Browns.

• Last week: Against Tennessee, Henry had four catches for 33 yards.

D/ST

Play: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints

• Despite allowing nearly 400 yards of total offense to the Lions, Tampa Bay still finished as a top-12 DST. This matchup against the Saints should feel much easier in comparison.

• Fire them up in your lineup, as the Bucs should tee off on Spencer Rattler and the Saints. Tampa Bay has the sixth-most sacks in the league, so they should be able to get consistent pressure in the backfield.

• Last week: The Lions did it all. Jared Goff threw for 215 yards, and they rushed collectively for 164 yards on Monday Night Football. 

Play: Atlanta Falcons Vs Miami Dolphins

• Surprisingly, the Falcons aren’t widely owned, just 42% on Yahoo as of this writing. They are a solid defensive unit and now face the Miami Dolphins, where QB Tua Tagovailoa can’t hit the ocean from the South Beach pier.

• Miami’s offense looks like a mess, giving Atlanta the chance to bring pressure and add to their sack total. The Falcons also have ball hawks in the secondary and rank in the top 10 for interceptions. Expect Tua to throw one their way this weekend.

• Last week: They contained Mac Jones in the air, holding him to just 152 yards and picking him off one time. It was Christian McCaffrey who shredded them on the ground for 129 yards and two scores. 

Play: San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans

• The Niners looked strong in their first game without star LB Fred Warner, who is out for the season. The Texans’ offense hasn’t been clicking, and they could be without their top WR, Nico Collins, so keep an eye on his status.

• San Francisco limits opponents to just under 20 points per game, the seventh-lowest in the league. They haven’t forced many turnovers, but this could be a low-scoring game. If the Texans are without Collins, the 49ers may be able to generate some turnovers in this matchup.

• Last week: Two sacks and a fumble recovery by the Niner defense. They also did a great job containing Bijan Robinson to just 92 total yards and a touchdown, though they held the Falcons to 10 points.

Fade: Cincinnati Bengals Vs New York Jets

• Justin Fields was benched, and the Jets’ offense looks like a dumpster fire, but the Bengals’ defense isn’t much better. The key for New York will be to run the football, and they should find some success doing it.

• The Bengals lack a strong pass rush without Trey Hendrickson, and even if he returns this week, it’s not a defensive unit I’m excited to start. Head coach Aaron Glenn has not yet announced the starting QB, so stay tuned for updates.

• Last week: The Bengals did pick off Aaron Rodgers twice, but they still allowed the Steelers to score 31 points. 

Fade: Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots

• Cleveland has been a terrific defense for most of the season, even though Myles Garrett hasn’t had a monster week yet.

• Drake Maye has been on an absolute tear lately and is currently the QB3 in fantasy. If the game were in the Dog Pound, I might consider starting the Browns, but unfortunately, it’s in Foxborough.

 • Last week: The Browns were the #1 DST in fantasy last week against Miami with three interceptions and one being a pick-6. They also snagged a fumble recovery in the process.

Thank you for checking out my 2025 Plays & Fades for Week 8. I hope you found it helpful and enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Best of luck in Week 8, and let’s get those wins!

To see more of our team’s weekly rankings, make sure to click here. Catch me live every Wednesday at 10 PM EST on the 4th and Frames podcast. Connect with me on Twitter/X @KZ1180.

Tags
Photo of Kyle Zeigler Kyle Zeigler Follow on X Send an email October 23, 2025Last Updated: October 23, 2025
526 14 minutes read
Back to top button