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Week 8 · 2026 · through Week 7

Week 8 Weekly Analysis: Start/Sit

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Week 8 start/sit, from Week 7 usage and pass-defense EPA through Week 7. The calls are opinion; the numbers are checked.

On bye in Week 8: HOU, NO, NYG, SF. Injury statuses get rechecked before Sunday; Thursday is CAR @ GB.

Week 8 waiver board Pass defense chart

Start with confidence

  • CeeDee Lamb vs ARI: 12 of Dallas' 26 targets (46%) on MNF, with 2 TDs. Arizona allows +0.27 EPA per dropback, #2 softest.
  • Trey McBride @ DAL: 13 targets (30%), 10-111 and a TD. Dallas is #3 softest (+0.27).
  • Drake Maye @ MIA: 24/31, 321 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT and a rushing TD on Thursday. Miami allows +0.31, the most in the NFL.

Flex plays

  • KC Concepcion @ PIT: 10 targets (29%) and 38% of Cleveland's air yards. Pittsburgh is #22 (+0.01): a volume play, not a matchup play.
  • Hunter Henry @ MIA: 23% of targets in Week 7 against the softest pass defense in the league.
  • Omar Cooper Jr. vs LV: 100-plus yards in both games back, on 7 and 5 targets. Las Vegas is #7 softest (+0.14).
  • Malik Willis vs NE (superflex): 2 passing TDs and a rushing TD in Week 7.

Sit or downgrade

  • Lions passing game vs MIN: Minnesota allows -0.22 EPA per dropback, the stingiest pass defense in the NFL. Downgrade, don't bench your studs.
  • Bears passing game @ SEA (Mon): Seattle is #31 of 32 (-0.11).
  • Falcons passing game @ TB: Tampa Bay is #30 of 32 in EPA allowed per dropback.
  • Chiefs passing game @ DEN: Denver is #29 of 32.

Injury watch (check Friday)

  • Saquon Barkley (hamstring, back): sat out the fourth quarter on MNF with a back issue but says he expects to play Sunday night at Washington.
  • Jaylen Waddle (chest): left Denver's Week 7 win in the fourth quarter. Watch the Broncos' practice reports.
  • Zach Charbonnet (knee): activated from PUP but inactive in Week 7. If he plays Monday, Emanuel Wilson's workload is at risk.
  • Jeremiyah Love (ankle): set to practice Wednesday after missing two games. If he plays, Bam Knight and Tyler Allgeier lose work.

Source: Tim McManus, ESPN, via ESPN player news (Oct 27) · Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, via ESPN player news (Oct 25) · Curtis Crabtree, Fox 13 Seattle, via ESPN player news (Oct 23) · Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, via ESPN player news (Oct 26)

EPA = expected points added per dropback allowed (pass attempts, sacks and scrambles), Weeks 1–7, nflverse play-by-play. Usage numbers are Week 7 unless noted. Start and sit calls are opinion.

Week 8 start/sit FAQ

Who are the best Week 8 starts?

CeeDee Lamb vs Arizona, Trey McBride at Dallas and Drake Maye at Miami. All three face bottom-three pass defenses by EPA allowed per dropback through Week 7.

Which pass defenses should I avoid in Week 8?

Minnesota (the stingiest through Week 7, facing Detroit), Seattle (hosting Chicago on Monday), Tampa Bay (hosting Atlanta) and Denver (hosting Kansas City).

Who is on bye in Week 8?

Houston, New Orleans, the Giants and San Francisco.

How are these calls made?

From Week 7 usage (targets, carries, snaps) and each defense's EPA allowed per dropback, Weeks 1–7. The numbers are checked twice; the start and sit calls are opinion.