Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 8: Sit Jared Goff, Start KC Concepcion?

The past week of NFL action was led by rookie wide receivers in fantasy football, as four first-year wideouts produced more than 19.0 fantasy points in PPR leagues. 

That’s sparking Week 8 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em controversy, with players like Browns WR KC Concepcion, Jets WR Omar Cooper Jr., and Eagles WR Makai Lemon rarely making starting lineups this season, but big-time Week 7 performances could change that.

The Saints, Giants, 49ers, and Texans are on bye, meaning managers may need temporary replacements for notable pieces — 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, Saints WR Chris Olave, and more. Streamers on the waiver wire could come into play.

Below, we’ll analyze a pair of rookie wide receivers, potential streamers, and more in NFL Week 8’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, featuring player projections for picks on PrizePicks.

Make NFL picks for Week 8 on PrizePicks! 

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 8

We have a surprising Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em verdict at QB, followed by a pair of rookies to start at RB and WR. Plus, two of our potential fantasy starters for Week 8 are available in over 80.0% of leagues.

We’ll cover the good and bad for each major position group for full-PPR leagues, including quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

Here’s who you should start and who should warm the bench for Week 8’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Lions QB Jared Goff is currently QB7 for fantasy football, but he faces the league’s best defense in a divisional rivalry on Sunday. Meanwhile, Jets QB Geno Smith comes off a big performance, is rostered in only 19.3% of leagues, and has another favorable matchup in Week 8.

Jets QB Geno Smith: Start ‘Em

Game: Raiders vs. Jets – Sunday, November 1, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 222.5 Pass Yards, 32.5 Pass Attempts, 1.5 Pass TDs (Demon)

The Jets managed to lose 28-25 vs. the Dolphins, but Geno Smith had one of his best games of the season by tallying 287 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 INT, and 24.5 fantasy points (QB5).

That snapped a cold streak of only 10.6 fantasy points per game (FPPG) from Week 4 to Week 6. He also displayed his upside with 321 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, and 26.0 fantasy points (QB3) in Week 3. The bottom line? Smith can produce if you’re in need of a streamer.

On Sunday, the Jets are 1.5-point underdogs on the spread vs. the Raiders, via PrizePicks. If another negative game script is ahead, that adds to Smith’s volume, and he’s reached 30 passing attempts in three straight.

Furthermore, Smith totals 7.8 yards per passing attempt with a 48.4% success rate (15th), via RBSDM. The Raiders allow 20.8 FPPG to QBs (fifth-most), via Pro Football Reference, paired with 7.7 yards per passing attempt (28th) and a 51.1% dropback success rate (29th).

This is a good matchup for Smith across the board, and the Jets’ air attack is improving thanks to rookie WR Omar Cooper Jr.’s 5.5 catches and 109.0 receiving yards per game in his last two.

Add Geno Smith to your PrizePicks lineup.

Lions QB Jared Goff: Sit ‘Em

Game: Vikings vs. Lions – Sunday, November 1, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 266.5 Pass Yards, 34.5 Pass Attempts, 1.5 Pass TDs (Goblin), 17 Fantasy Score

So, why sit one of the league’s most productive QBs for a 36-year-old Geno Smith? Jared Goff is facing Brian Flores’ Vikings defense, plain and simple. 

Minnesota continues to be a nightmare for opposing offense, limiting teams to 12.3 PPG (first), 4.5 yards per play (second), and a 33.8% success rate (first). This extends to the passing game, as opponents have 6.1 yards per passing attempt (third), -0.226 dropback EPA (first), and a 35.5% dropback rate.

Much of this is contributed to the Vikings’ absurd 39.1% pressure rate (first) and 71.0% blitz rate (first) — the second-highest blitz rate is 45.5%, per FTN. Minnesota even took it up a notch in Week 7, producing a ridiculous 77.8% blitz rate; Flores is like your buddy who sends the house every play on Madden.

How does this all relate to Goff? His 18.0 fantasy points (QB12) from Week 7 was his second-lowest total of the season. He was fortunate to not have a turnover with 4 turnover-worthy plays, per Pro Football Focus. The Vikings force 1.8 turnovers per game (second).

With Minnesota conceding only 8.8 FPPG to QBs (the lowest), I would want no part of a QB facing the Vikings’ D. 

Make Jared Goff picks on PrizePicks now!

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

The Cardinals backfield gets to face the stumbling Cowboys defense in Week 8, while the Broncos’ running back split had another shake-up in Week 7. How should each backfield be approached for Week 8’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em?

Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love: Start ‘Em

Game: Cardinals vs. Cowboys – Sunday, November 1, 1:00 p.m. ET

Jeremiyah  Love has not played in his last two games and hasn’t appeared in the last six practices due to his ankle injury. Head coach Mike LaFleur said Love is expected to return to Wednesday’s practice, providing some hope for the rookie to play in Week 8. 

Fantasy managers are surely chomping at the bit with the Cowboys next up on the schedule. 

Dallas may have won comfortably (38-21) on Monday Night Football vs. the Eagles, but don’t be fooled. This defense remains a ticking time bomb, giving up 121 rushing yards and 4.8 YPC vs. the Eagles. The rush defense allows 4.7 YPC and -0.043 rush EPA (29th), contributing to 22.6 FPPG vs. RBs (eighth-most). 

We’ve yet to see Love’s elite speed (4.36-second 40-yard dash), but the Cowboys could be the ultimate cure by allowing a 9.8% explosive rate vs. the run (11th-highest), paired with a low 17.9% stuff rate (fifth-lowest).

Predict More or Less for Jeremiyah Love’s rush yards projection on PrizePicks! 

Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins: Sit ‘Em

Game: Chiefs vs. Broncos – Sunday, November 1, 4:25 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 38.5 Rush Yards, 9.5 Rush Attempts (Goblin), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

Steer clear from this Broncos backfield with roles completely up in the air. 

In Week 2, rookie RB Jonah Coleman featured a 40.3% snap rate but missed four games due to an ankle injury. He returned from injured reserve and immediately took a 49.2% snap share in Week 7. That led to J.K. Dobbins posting a season-low 23.0% snap rate and 6 carries for 23 rushing yards (3.8 YPC).

Dobbins’ 1 rushing TD prevented Week 7 from being a complete disaster (8.3 fantasy points). However, Coleman turned 9 rushing attempts into 53 rushing yards (6.0 YPC). If the rookie continues to be more efficient on the run, those goal line touches could disappear for Dobbins.

Furthermore, Week 8 brings a difficult matchup vs. a Chiefs rush defense that allows only 3.6 YPC (fourth), 0.7 rushing TDs per game (eighth), and 17.3 FPPG vs. RBs (eighth-fewest). 

Make J.K. Dobbins picks on PrizePicks now!

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers

In Week 7, Browns WR KC Concepcion produced 23.2 fantasy points (WR8) compared to Jets WR Omar Cooper Jr. logging 22.5 points (WR9). Both wideouts are front and center among starting candidates for Week 8.

Titans WR Carnell Tate, meanwhile, continues to receive a healthy workload in Tennessee, but is that enough for Sunday’s road contest vs. the Bengals?

Browns WR KC Concepcion: Start ‘Em

Game: Browns vs. Steelers – Sunday, November 1, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 45.5 Receiving Yards, 4.5 Receptions (Demon), 19.5 Longest Reception

From Week 1 to Week 4, KC Concepcion posted 7.0 targets per game, while his 24.1% target share led the team during the split. Week 5 was the rookie’s worst outing with 1 target, 1 catch, and 5 receiving yards.

Over his last two appearances, Cleveland has made a clear effort to get its 2026 first-round pick the rock. In fact, he sports 16 targets, 12 catches, and 5 rushing attempts since Week 6. Concepcion posted 10 targets, 8 catches, 129 receiving yards, 3 carries, 23 rushing yards, and 23.2 fantasy points (WR8) on Sunday.

According to PlayerProfiler, Concepcion has a 17.6% red zone target share, and that’s further boosted by 2 red zone rushing attempts on the season. Plus, the Browns are suddenly pushing the ball downfield to the rookie, proven by his 10.3 average depth of target (aDOT) in the last two compared to 6.1 in his first five games. 

Concepcion is becoming a trustworthy fantasy piece thanks to a team-high 21.6% target share, and his work is only getting more valuable of late. The rookie has a 59.7% slot snap rate, meaning one-on-one matchups with Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey are ahead, but Ramsey has allowed 24 receptions (91st) and a 126.7 passer rating when targeted (78th).

Pick More or Less for KC Concepcion’s projections on PrizePicks. 

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Titans WR Carnell Tate: Sit ‘Em

Game: Titans vs. Bengals – Sunday, November 1, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 55.5 Receiving Yards, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

Similar to Concepcion, Carnell Tate is the Titans’ most-used target with a 26.0% target share. Since Week 3, Tate is WR20 and has 12.8 FPPG, and that’s carried by Week 4’s 21.5 points (WR11) and Week 6’s 19.0 points (WR11).

Despite his healthy target share, he has only 1 TD on the season with a 10.0% red zone target share. Tennessee posts only 15.4 PPG (31st), and those struggles may continue against a Bengals defense allowing 20.3 PPG (eighth).

Tate makes up for rare red zone targets thanks to a 12.7 aDOT, but Cincinnati’s 21 sacks are tied for a league-best and have a 31.8% pressure rate (10th). The Titans carry a 40% pass block win rate (29th), via ESPN, that may limit QB Cam Ward’s time for finding Tate downfield.

Unlike Concepcion, Tate pulls a brutal potential matchup vs. Bengals CB DJ Turner II. Similar to last season, Turner is quietly one of the league’s best cover corners by allowing a 22% forced incompletion rate (fifth) while carrying 10.3 snaps per target (third) and 16.9 snaps per reception (ninth). 

Turner isn’t targeted often, and when he is, the Bengals’ star CB often forces incompletions. That’s bad news for Tate, especially when Cincy boasts a pass rush to speed up Ward’s internal clock in the pocket.

Add Carnell Tate to your PrizePicks lineup for Week 8.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends

After surprise TEs produced in Week 6, four of the top nine performing tight ends for fantasy football in Week 7 were unrostered in over 90% of leagues. The Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em debate at TE is usually worth your time, and this week we look at Commanders TE Chig Okonkwo and Bills TE Dalton Kincaid.

Commanders TE Chig Okonkwo: Start ‘Em

Game: Eagles vs. Commanders – Sunday, November 1, 8:20 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 39.5 Receiving Yards, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

Chig Okonkwo is another quality streaming option, rostered in only 19.4% of leagues, per FantasyPros. Over the first four games, Okonkwo missed two contests and posted 3.1 FPPG in his two appearances.

But in his last two, he finally began to produce with 6.5 targets, 5.5 catches, 64.5 receiving yards per game, and 12.0 FPPG. That was good for TE8 from Week 5 to 6.

Targets are only becoming more open on this Commanders offense, as WR Terry McLaurin is set to miss the remainder of the season. Okonkwo has enjoyed valuable targets, too, including an 18.2% deep target share (fourth for TEs) and a 6.8 aDOT (11th). 

The Eagles allow 25.0 PPG (21st), 0.175 dropback EPA (27th), and a 47.5% dropback success rate (22nd). 

Make Chig Okonkwo picks on PrizePicks now!

Bills TE Dalton Kincaid: Sit ‘Em

Game: Ravens vs. Bills – Sunday, November 1, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 40.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions (Demon), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

Dalton Kincaid was red-hot to begin the season, racking up 7.0 targets, 6.0 catches, 112.5 receiving yards, 0.5 TDs, and 20.3 FPPG over his first two. From Week 3 to 5, Kincaid plummeted to Earth with 2.3 targets, 1.3 receptions, 13.0 receiving yards, and 3.1 FPPG.

His volume stepped up to 8 targets in Week 6, but Kincaid still produced only 38 receiving yards and 10.8 fantasy points (TE16) despite 7 receptions (5.4 yards per catch). Since Week 3, Kincaid has a poor 5.6 aDOT and 10.5% air yards share.

Bills WR DJ Moore could return from injury this week, and he has a 15.2 aDOT. That would likely only take more of Kincaid’s valuable downfield targets, and the Ravens have allowed only 273 receiving yards vs. TEs (sixth-fewest). 

Add Dalton Kincaid to your PrizePicks lineup for NFL Week 8.

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Turn Your Fantasy Football Takes to NFL Picks on PrizePicks

Jared Goff is a sit due to a difficult matchup vs. the Vikings. KC Concepcion and Jeremiyah Love have favorable matchups ahead, giving fantasy football managers reason to start the rookies in Week 8.

You can turn your fantasy football knowledge into picks on PrizePicks! Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on NFL game winners, spreads, and over/unders — now available in 36 states. 

As we head into the NFL season, stay locked in Playbook for weekly NFL start/sit advice, waiver wire analysis, and game picks throughout the 2026 NFL season.