We've arrived at NFL Week 8, nearly the midway point of the NFL season, and several teams are battling the injury bug before, while others are getting healthy for the second hafl. Before we get into our Week 8 predictions and matchups to target from QB, RB, WR, and OL vs. DL — let's set the stage for this week's games.
Tons of injuries and shifting quarterback starters are set to shake up Week 8. Jets WR Garrett Wilson and Eagles WR A.J. Brown have officially been ruled out. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring) could return, the Jets may make a change at QB, and the Panthers are forced to turn to backup QB Andy Dalton this week as rookie Bryce Young has been ruled as doubtful with a high ankle sprain.
It appears Mac Jones will receive yet another start for the 49ers, and Jayden Daniels will sit out vs. the Chiefs with his hamstring injury and could return to action as early as Week 9.
This PrizePicks Cheat Sheet for NFL Week 8 is your ultimate resource for the top player picks and predictions for NFL DFS, projections to target, stats, and matchup insights for the Week 8 main slate.
From must-watch games to high-upside matchups, we've got everything you need to tune up your Week 8 NFL predictions on PrizePicks.
Just go to the PrizePicks NFL board, pick your players, and predict if they’ll have More or Less than their projected stats to get in on all of the Week 8 action.
NFL Week 8 Predictions & Cheat Sheet for PrizePicks, NFL DFS
Find the top Week 8 predictions, picks, matchups to target, and player picks for NFL Week 8 below in the PrizePicks Cheat Sheet, including player picks for NFL DFS.
- Best QB Matchups, Picks: Week 8
- Best RB Rushing Matchups: Week 8
- Best WR vs. CB Matchups to Target: Week 8
- Best OL vs. DL Mismatches to Target: Week 8
Best QB Picks for Week 8
Here are the top QB picks and matchups to target for your Week 8 predictions, including PrizePicks projections.
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. vs. Dolphins
Note: Michael Penix is officially listed as questionable for Sunday with a knee injury, but head coach Raheem Morris was optimistic that he would play.
Michael Penix continues to impress with consistency at home, averaging 234.8 passing yards per game this season. He has never thrown for fewer than 250 yards in a home game, with a season-high of 313 passing yards.
This week, he draws a dream matchup against the Miami Dolphins, who rank dead last (32nd) in EPA per dropback.
Miami’s secondary has been a major liability. Safety Dante Trader Jr. is surrendering a 118.8 passer rating when targeted, allowing 15 yards per reception. CB Jack Jones isn’t faring any better, ranking 101st out of 104 corners in coverage via PFF, while allowing a 103.1 passer rating.
If he's fully healthy, he's set up to have a productive day vs. a leaky Dolphins defense.
Week 8 PrizePicks Pick: Michael Penix Jr. – 218.5 Passing Yards
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield vs Saints
Baker Mayfield is putting together an MVP-caliber season. He ranks sixth in the NFL in passing yards (1,767) and is top 10 in both passing TDs and attempts. Averaging 252.4 passing yards per game, Mayfield faces a vulnerable New Orleans Saints pass defense this week.
The Saints are 25th in EPA per dropback allowed, and their secondary is littered with weak links.
Starting safety Justin Reid ranks 70th of 83 safeties in coverage via PFF and has allowed a 112.0 passer rating along with 11 receptions this season. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry has been targeted often and is allowing a 118.9 passer rating and nearly 15 yards per reception.
New Orleans has allowed multiple passing TDs in every game this season except one (vs. Caleb Williams), setting the stage for another strong outing from Mayfield.
Week 8 PrizePicks Pick: Baker Mayfield – 245.5 Passing Yards, 19 Fantasy Score
Best RB Matchups to Target: Week 8
Here are the top RB picks for your NFL Week 8 predictions, including PrizePicks projections to target for NFL DFS.
Ravens RB Derrick Henry vs. Bears
Despite Baltimore's ugly 1-5 record and consistently playing from behind, Derrick Henry remains one of the NFL’s most productive running backs. He currently ranks top 15 in rushing yards (439), top 10 in rushing TDs (4), top 10 in yards per carry (5.0), and has 12 explosive runs of 10+ yards, ranking top 10 in the league.
His success on the ground is largely thanks to All-Pro center Tyler Linderbaum, who ranks 3rd among 34 qualifying centers in run blocking, per PFF. Linderbaum’s ability to create interior lanes has fueled Henry’s big-play potential.
This week, the Ravens face the Chicago Bears defense, which has been one of the league’s worst against the run. Chicago allows the second-most yards per carry in the NFL (5.67), the second-most rushing yards per game (156.4), and ranks bottom 10 in yards after contact allowed per attempt (2.39).
Week 8 PrizePicks Pick: Derrick Henry – 90.5 Rush Yards
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor vs. Titans
Jonathan Taylor is in the thick of the Offensive Player of the Year conversation, and rightfully so. He leads the NFL in rushing yards (697), rushing TDs (10), and explosive runs of 10+ yards (18).
His yards per carry sits at 5.66, and he’s doing this behind one of the best run-blockers in football. Left guard Quenton Nelson, who ranks first out of 75 qualified guards in run blocking, via PFF. Nelson has consistently blown open lanes, allowing Taylor to hit the second level untouched.
This week Taylor faces a dream matchup against a reeling Titans run defense. Tennessee ranks 29th in rushing yards allowed per game (139.6), 23rd in yards per carry allowed (4.54), and dead last in rushing TDs allowed (12). The numbers paint a clear picture: this unit has no answers for elite running backs.
Taylor has three games (out of seven) with three TDs. As the Colts are expected to clear the Titans, Taylor is positioned perfectly to pop off once again.
Week 8 PrizePicks Pick: Jonathan Taylor – 101.5 Rush Yards
Best WR vs. CB Matchups to Target: Week 8
Here are the top WR vs. CB matchups to look to for your NFL Week 8 predictions, including PrizePicks projections to target for NFL DFS.
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton vs. Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs
Courtland Sutton continues to shine as one of the most reliable weapons in the Broncos' passing game. He ranks inside the top 20 in the NFL in receiving TDs(3), top 10 in receiving yards (469), and top 20 in targets (49).
When targeted, Sutton delivers a strong 101.5 passer rating and is averaging over 14 yards per reception, making him a consistent deep threat and red zone option.
His primary matchup this week, Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs, has taken a high-risk, high-reward approach to coverage this season. While he’s known for creating turnovers, his aggressive style has left him vulnerable to big plays. Diggs is currently allowing a brutal 154.9 passer rating when targeted, and is giving up nearly 20 yards per reception among the worst marks in the league.
Week 8 PrizePicks Pick: Cortland Sutton – 61.5 Rec Yards
Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan vs. Bills CB Tre'Davious White
Note: The Panthers will start Andy Dalton at QB, as Bryce Young is doubtful and will not play this week with an ankle injury.
The Panthers have found their go-to weapon in rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan. The 6’5” playmaker has a clear size advantage in most matchups, including this week against 5’11” Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White. McMillan ranks top 15 in targets (52), 17th in receiving yards (413), and top 25 in receptions (30), quickly establishing himself as Carolina's WR1.
Tre'Davious White is beginning to show signs of regression. A former first-round pick from 2017, White currently ranks 75th out of 110 qualifying cornerbacks in coverage grade, via PFF. He’s allowing a 120.2 passer rating when targeted and giving up 10.9 yards per reception. With McMillan's elite size and expanding role in the offense, this mismatch could heavily favor Carolina’s passing attack.
Week 8 PrizePicks Pick: Tetairoa McMillian – 55.5 Receiving Yards
Best OL vs. DL Matchups to Target: Week 8
Here are the top OL vs. DL mismatches in NFL Week 7 games, including PrizePicks projections to target for NFL DFS based on the mismatches.
Texans OL vs. 49ers DL
The Houston Texans’ offensive line has been among the league's most disappointing units this season.
LT Aireontae Ersery has surrendered 15 total pressures, including 4 sacks, and has been flagged 4 times for penalties. LG Laken Tomlosin hasn’t fared much better, allowing 8 pressures and 2 sacks in just 196 snaps, an alarming rate for interior protection. RG Ed Ingram has also struggled, giving up 9 pressures, 1 sack, and drawing 2 penalties of his own.
With the 49ers missing star edge rusher Nick Bosa and fellow defensive end Bryce Huff, the pressure will fall on their depth to produce. Fortunately for San Francisco, rookie first-round pick Mykel Williams has stepped up in a big way, generating 14 total pressures since Bosa’s injury.
Another emerging name is Sam Okuayinonu, an undrafted free agent from 2022 who has quietly recorded 12 pressures in just 150 pass rush snaps. With such limited reps, his efficiency has been impressive. Due to the 49ers being injured through their defense, coordinator Robert Saleh will have to dial up the pressure.
With Nico Collins and Christian Kirk both not expected to play, we could see Texans QB struggle to get the ball downfield.
Week 8 PrizePicks Pick: CJ Stroud – 202.5 Passing Yards
Broncos DL vs. Cowboys OL
The Denver Broncos’ defensive line has been a dominant force all year, led by breakout star Nik Bonitto, who ranks 8th in the NFL in total pressures (30) and has already racked up 10 sacks and eight QB hits. Opposite him, Jonathan Cooper has been just as productive, ranking 4th in the league with 7sacks, and posting 21 hurries (7th) and 30 pressures (8th).
On the interior, DJ Jones has quietly had a stellar season, currently grading as the 26th-best interior defensive lineman out of 125 via PFF.
On the other side, the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line has been shaky — especially at tackle and along the interior. Former first-round pick Tyler Guyton has struggled significantly, ranking 68th out of 77 tackles per PFF. He’s given up 21 pressures and drawn 4 penalties in just 400 snaps.
RG Tyler Booker has allowed 10 pressures and been flagged twice, while center Brock Hoffman has also allowed 10 pressures and 1 sack up the middle.
Week 8 PrizePicks Pick: Dak Prescott – 252.5 Rush Yards
Play NFL DFS on PrizePicks in Week 8
Week 8 brings us close to the midway point of the NFL season, and there's plenty of spots to target, especially with injuries depleting teams on both sides of the ball.
Use this NFL Cheat Sheet and Week 8 predictions to sharpen your takes and build out your winning Lineups for Sunday's slate on PrizePicks.
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