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2026 Week 8 Starts and Sits: 25 Calls + QB and TE Streamers · Upper Hand Fantasy

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: If you're wondering if Jacoby Lane is finally about to break out or whether you can trust Bo Nicks after that big game last week, I've got answers on both.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: Plus 25 starts, sits, and desperate starts to help you win your matchup in week eight.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: Recovering running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends.
• 0:15
  SPEAKER_00: Stick around because there's a running back who's been quiet lately that gets a defense where no back has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points all season.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: And there's a receiver who just out-targeted Garrett Wilson that I'm rolling with once again.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: Plus some streaming quarterbacks and tight ends if you're in a pinch.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: So that's what we're doing today.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_00: Let's get right into it.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: You got to continue to start Josh Jacobs against Carolina.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_00: Last week I told you not to bench Jacobs if you've been stashing him.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: This week is not even a question.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: He played just 54% of the snaps, handled only 61% of the carries.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_00: So there's still room for that role on the ground to grow, and it probably will this week.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_00: He's involved as a receiver as well.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: He ran around on 43% of dropbacks, 17% target share.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: That's pretty strong usage.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: Now he gets a Carolina defense that allows the most points per game, the most yards per carry, the most fantasy points per opportunity to running backs, plus the second most yards and touchdowns per game, the whole thing, right?
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: So Green Bay has the sixth highest implied team total of the week.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: They're favored by three and a half points.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: Jacobs goes right back into your lineup.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna go back to the well with Chase Brown as well.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: He's been quiet lately, fewer than 10 points in three of his last four games.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: But the roll bounce back last week after his bye, he played 75% of the snaps after hitting just 60% the week before, and he had the clear majority of the carries plus the lawn down distance work, the two-minute work, and the matchup is great.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: Tennessee allows the fourth most yards and the fifth most touchdowns to running backs, and Quinsha Junkins just ran all over them.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: Cincinnati's a 10-point favorite with the second highest implied team total of the week at 28.5, so they could lean on the ground game in this one, go back to the well with Chase Brown.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: On the other side of the ball, that's where I'm not going back to the well.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: Tough matchup for Tony Pollard.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_00: The Bengals gave up the eighth fewest fantasy points, the 10th fewest yards, the ninth fewest touchdowns per game to running back so far this year.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: His saving grace could be the workload, depending on if Tajay Spears plays or not.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: If Tajay Spears is out, he can take care of business, even in a tough spot.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_00: But the game script is heavily in Cincinnati's favor with Tennessee as 10-point underdogs.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Unless you're truly desperate for volume, I'm leaving him on the bench.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: I'm also starting Stefan Diggs against Philly.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: Jaden Daniels is healthy, and that's huge for Diggs.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: He's averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game with Daniels this year, compared to just 7.9 with Marcus Mariota under center.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: He's leading the team with a 24% target share, even with Terry McLaurin healthy.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: He has a 28% target rate on a per route run basis, that's 12th among all receivers.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: So if he runs more routes, target share could go up.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: The Eagles allow the third most points and yards to receivers, plus the seventh most touchdowns, and they give up the third most points per game to the slot, which is where Diggs runs the majority of his routes.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's a must-start this week.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: A desperate start is his teammate, Antonio Williams.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: Staying in this game here, Williams is someone that you need to know.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, in games with either Diggs or McLaurin missing time, his route rate jumps to 75% up from 46%.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: Now with Terry McLaurin out, he could look like a full-time player, and he's facing an Eagles team that's down and out, right?
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: I would say he's a deeper play, but there is a path to volume here.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: One of my favorite desperate starts this week is Rashad White also going up against Philly.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: It's a tough overall matchup, I would say, but White's volume is what makes him a start.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_00: In week six, without Bill Kraski Merritt, he played 70% of the snaps.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: He handled 54% of the backfield carries.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: He ran around on 55% of drop backs, earned a 15% target share, all the two-minute work, most of the third down work as well.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: So this is actually a really good role for Rashad White.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: Hopefully he can get some goal line looks as well.
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_00: The volume alone makes him a fringe RB2 and solid start.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: I'm also starting Dallas Goddard, staying with the Eagles here.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: Goddard's the one guy I do want from this offense.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: 20% and 19% target shares in the two games he played with Tanner McKee.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_00: He's averaging 11 fantasy points per game.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: Not amazing, not too shabby, but Washington allows his second most points and touchdowns per game to tight ends, plus the fifth most receiving yards.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_00: And schematically, it lines up.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: Goddard ranks fifth in yards per route run and third in target rate against two high safety coverage, which Washington runs at the second highest rate.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: Against single high, he's 29th in both.
• 4:03
  SPEAKER_00: So this is a much better matchup than he had last week.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_00: I'm also going to start Ramondre Stevenson against Miami.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: Remondre has been one of the most involved running backs in the passing game all season.
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_00: He's top 12 among qualifying running backs with a 12% target share.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: He has a third down and two-minute rolls all to himself.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_00: And that matters because Miami allows us six most receptions and the second most receiving yards per game to running backs, plus the third most points per game and the seventh most yards per carry.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: They also allow explosive plays at the fifth highest rate in the league.
• 4:31
  SPEAKER_00: New England's favored by a touchdown with the fifth highest implied team total of the week.
• 4:35
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm not really worried about the three-man rotation too much, like with Corey Connor coming in.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_00: That's really only affecting Trevion Henderson and making him like, you know, someone you can't start at all.
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_00: But Ramondre is a solid RB2 this week.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: If you need a desperate start at tight end, look no further than Hunter Henry.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: He's quietly moving out of streamer territory right now.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_00: He's averaging a 17% target share over the last four games compared to just 11% through the first three.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: That was before the Drake May Renaissance, right?
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: Miami gives him the third most points, the fourth most yards and touchdowns per game to tight ends, and the Patriots have the fifth highest team implied total in the week.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_00: Still a low-end tight end one at best, but he could become an every week starter at some point.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_00: This is a good matchup.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_00: If you're looking for a desperate wide receiver, Jacoby Lane could be your guy going up against Buffalo.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: His snaps have gone up each of the last two weeks, all the way up to a 75% route participation, 15% targets here last week.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, this was without Lamar, right?
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_00: He's overtaking both Rashad Bateman and Devantez Walker already.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: Lamar Jackson coming back this week could be huge for a potential breakout.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: Lane was one of Lamar's favorite red zone and end zone targets earlier this year in game one, and Buffalo allows the most points and touchdowns to receivers plus his six most yards.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_00: They also allow the most points to perimeter receivers, which is where Lane runs the majority of his routes from.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: The floor is low, but the upside is there.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you're looking for a floor, Brenton Strange is probably your guy going up against Indy.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_00: Strange has been Trevor Lawrence's second option behind Parker Washington over the last four games, and he's built for this matchup because against single high coverage, he's third among tight ends in yards per route run and fourth in target rate.
• 6:02
  SPEAKER_00: Against two high, he's 36 and 31st.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: The Colts run single high at the ninth highest rate and allow the eighth most touchdowns to tight ends.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, I know you're gonna think I'm crazy, but I'm starting Michael Wilson against Dallas, okay?
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_00: Another picture perfect matchup for him, like the one he drew against Detroit a couple weeks ago, I know.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_00: But against single high safety coverage, he averages over two yards per route run and a 31% target rate.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_00: Against two high, it's just 0.79 yards per route run and a 15% target rate.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: And guess what?
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_00: Dallas runs single high at the fifth highest rate.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_00: They also allow the fifth most fantasy points and the eighth most yards per game to receivers.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: Not only that, but the ninth most fantasy points per game to the right perimeter where Wilson runs over half of his routes from.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_00: Arizona's a six and a half point underdog on the road, so they could be throwing a lot.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: Please come through.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_00: Please come through, Michael Wilson.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_00: Starting Jacoby Brissett, his quarterback as well against Dallas.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: Dallas gives up the fifth most fantasy points, the ninth most touchdowns to quarterbacks.
• 6:56
  SPEAKER_00: Brissett had two top six finishes this season and finished outside the top 15 in the rest.
• 7:02
  SPEAKER_00: But he's made a lot of his money in garbage time and the Cardinals are six and a half point underdogs.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_00: He's also better against the single high coverage.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_00: Dallas runs at the fifth highest rate, averaging 6.37 yards per attempt compared to just 5.04 against two high.
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_00: I'm starting him in this spot.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_00: If you need a desperate running back, Blake Horam going up against the Chargers, he's basically been as useful as he's been at any point of his career.
• 7:23
  SPEAKER_00: He led the backfield in carries for the first time last week.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_00: His snapshare went all the way up to 43% after staying below 30% over the four weeks before that.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_00: He's averaging just under 13 opportunities per game over these last three weeks, compared to 9.8 through the first four.
• 7:38
  SPEAKER_00: But the offense that he's on and the matchup that he has this week could do him some favors.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_00: The Chargers allow the seventh most fantasy points and the sixth most touchdowns per game to running backs.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_00: He's nothing more than a flex, but he's a fine, desperate play if you need one.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna start Omar Cooper Jr.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_00: against the Raiders.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: Cooper's been a monster through two games, right?
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: 22% target share, 22 fantasy points per game, including last week when he out-targeted Michael Wilson.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_00: Now it's hard not to roll with the momentum here, right?
• 8:03
  SPEAKER_00: Especially against the Raiders defense, giving up the six most touchdowns to wide receivers this season and the six most fantasy points to slot wide receivers, where Cooper runs most of his routes from.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's a solid upside play this week.
• 8:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um, sitting boneks against Kansas City.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_00: Knicks got bailed out last week with that big run, right?
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_00: 12.2 of his 26.2 fantasy points came with that 62 yard scramble for a touchdown.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: Outside of that, he's finished outside the top 18 quarterbacks in five of his seven starts this season.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_00: The Chiefs give up the seventh fewest fantasy points, the 10th fewest yards, and the sixth fewest touchdowns per game to quarterbacks.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_00: And he averages just 3.91 yards per attempt against man coverage compared to 6.52 against zone in Kansas City.
• 8:42
  SPEAKER_00: They run man at the ninth highest rate in the league.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: He ran it up against the Cardinals defense, but I'm not chasing it.
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna be sitting Quinsha Junkins against Pittsburgh.
• 8:49
  SPEAKER_00: Junkins came through for us against Tennessee last week.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_00: We liked him, but this is a different story.
• 8:53
  SPEAKER_00: The Steelers are bottom 10 in yards per carry allowed this season to running backs.
• 8:56
  SPEAKER_00: Where they've let up production to running backs is the receiving game.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_00: Now, when Junkins faced them in week four, 16.3 of his 21.6 fantasy points came through the air.
• 9:05
  SPEAKER_00: Six catches, 43 yards, and a touchdown, compared to just 53 yards on 17 carries.
• 9:10
  SPEAKER_00: He had a career high 21% target share in that game, too, but that was without Dylan Sampson.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: With Samson back this past week, that dropped to 3%.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_00: I'm talking about his target share.
• 9:18
  SPEAKER_00: So without the receiving work, Junkins has to rely on efficiency on the ground.
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_00: He hasn't been efficient.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_00: This is a tough matchup.
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_00: Cleveland also has the lowest implied team total of the week.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_00: Another desperate running back, if you need him, is Rico Doddle.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: Obviously, he's running behind Jalen Warren.
• 9:31
  SPEAKER_00: Warren's the running back to start every week.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_00: He handled 33% of the carries though, 44% of the snaps this past week.
• 9:37
  SPEAKER_00: He ran around on 56% of dropbacks, 22% target share.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_00: He's had four or more targets in three of his four games this season.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_00: He might get it done on the ground too, because the Browns allow the fifth most yards per game and the third most yards per carry to running backs.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: Warren is obviously the Steelers running back to start, but it seems like there could be enough production to go around to make him a viable flex in this game.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: A desperate start at wide receiver is Jordan Addison against Detroit.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_00: Detroit allows the second most fantasy points and receiving yards to receivers this year, and Addison's averaging a 23% target share in three full games with Kyler Murray.
• 10:08
  SPEAKER_00: He's a much more productive receiver against single high safety coverage, which the Lions run at the sixth highest rate.
• 10:13
  SPEAKER_00: He has a 21% target rate, 1.77 yards per route run against it, compared to just 12% and 0.78 against too high.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_00: The Lions also allow the seventh most fantasy points to outside receivers, which is where Addison runs the majority of his routes.
• 10:26
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're in a tough spot, he's a fine flex for some upside.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_00: Let's talk about a few streamers that can help you in a pinch starting at quarterback.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: Gino Smith is the first one.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_00: I think you know Brees Hall could be back this week.
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_00: He has all of his weapons, A.D.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_00: Mitchell, Omar Cooper, Garrett Wilson, and the Raiders allow the sixth most fantasy points, the fifth most yards, and the second most touchdowns to quarterback this year.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_00: The Jets are always a candidate to lay an egg, but Gino has shown that he can come through in a good matchup just like he did last week.
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_00: He's got a good one this week.
• 10:51
  SPEAKER_00: Baker Mayfield against Atlanta.
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_00: Baker's coming off a game where he attempted 11 passes and the Bucks scored 43 points.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_00: So I don't expect that to happen again.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_00: This one against Atlanta should be a lot more competitive.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_00: The Falcons allow the most passing yards per game to quarterbacks this season.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_00: And Baker's way better against single high safety coverage, averaging 6.69 yards per attempt compared to 5.94 against two high.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_00: And Atlanta runs single high safety at the third highest rate.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_00: He's a solid streamer this week.
• 11:17
  SPEAKER_00: Michael Penix on the other side of that game.
• 11:19
  SPEAKER_00: Tough overall matchup, I would say for Penix, but he's ripped off back-to-back, you know, 200 yards, three touchdown games.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: And the schematic matchup is kind of fuego.
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_00: He averages 9.37 yards per attempt against single high safety coverage, which is a lot, uh, compared to just 6.58 against too high, and the Bucks run single high at the second highest rate in the league.
• 11:37
  SPEAKER_00: So if you need a desperation play, Penix can deliver.
• 11:40
  SPEAKER_00: Kyler Murray as well going up against Detroit.
• 11:42
  SPEAKER_00: We talked about the Lions defense against quarterbacks last week.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: They still allow the most fantasy points, the second most yards, and the third most touchdowns per game to quarterbacks.
• 11:50
  SPEAKER_00: If there's a matchup where Murray can finally come through, this is the one.
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_00: But you know, he has been unreliable as a starter this year with zero top 12 finishes and just three passing touchdowns in four full games.
• 12:02
  SPEAKER_00: So super deep start if you really need somebody and nobody's available.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_00: Just don't go forcing him into your lineup just because of the matchup.
• 12:09
  SPEAKER_00: If you need a tight end, Mason Taylor going up against Vegas.
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_00: Taylor's averaging a 22% target share over these last two games, and he turned in his first tight end one performance of the season this past week with two touchdowns.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_00: 65% route share over the last four healthy games.
• 12:23
  SPEAKER_00: It's okay.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_00: But the Raiders do allow the fourth most fantasy points and third most touchdowns per game to tight ends.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not dying to start him, but if you have absolutely nobody else, you can go back to the well.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_00: TJ Hawkinson against Detroit.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_00: Detroit allows the most points, yards, and touchdowns per game to tight ends this season.
• 12:38
  SPEAKER_00: Hawkinson's second in the team with a 21% target share since week three.
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_00: And he's actually getting targeted by Kyler Murray at a higher rate than Justin Jefferson.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_00: He's more productive against single high safety coverage too, 2.36 yards per route run compared to 1.93 against two high.
• 12:51
  SPEAKER_00: The only thing holding him back is the quality of this Vikings offense.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_00: It hasn't been that good.
• 12:55
  SPEAKER_00: I wouldn't hammer him into your lineup over a quality starter, but he's a strong streaming option.
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_00: That's gonna do it for week eight.
• 13:01
  SPEAKER_00: If this helped you guys, please hit the subscribe button whether you're watching on YouTube or listening to the podcast.
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_00: It just helps so much.
• 13:08
  SPEAKER_00: Good luck this week, and I'll see you in the next one.