StatLogic Sports Week 8 NFL DFS & Fantasy Football Gameday Guide

Week 8 of the 2025 National Football League (NFL) season is another bye-mageddon week, which always tests the managerial skills of full-season fantasy football team owners and challenges the creativity of DFS participants.

In many full-season situations, the success or failure for teams during these weeks largely depends on team depth, which is why we've been advising managers since Day 1 to really dig into the waiver process and study team depth charts and injury reports daily - even when things are going well. Those who have heeded that advice at least should have a fighting chance this week. Those who have not probably are in full scramble mode right now.

There still may be some last-minute opportunities to solidify lineups, however, so keep a sharp eye on the inactive repots and be ready to pounce on any players who may be thrown into their team's lineup and become viable starting options because of late scratches, injuries or illness.

Because of the byes and mounting injuries across the NFL, many full-season lineup decisions are made for us. Some managers have posted on social media about having as many as 10 unavailable players on their benches this week, while it's not uncommon to see between four and six unusable guys on many rosters.

Where things get really interesting this time of year is with the quarterbacks, whether it's because of unreported or late-developing injuries and practice-participant hijinks by teams, poor performance or a combination of both. Hopefully, many managers were ahead of the game and made moves to add players such as Marcus Mariota or Joe Flacco early in the week as a contingency, but for those who missed that window, there may still be time to grab Kirk Cousins or Tyler Huntley in hopes of salvaging a win.

When it comes to lineup decisions for full-season managers this week, the only answer is to play any of the regular starters who are available and surround them with bench players who figure to see the most snaps and get the most volume. Upside plays are fine, too, for managers who feel they have a lineup with enough higher-floor players such as Chris Olave, D'Andre Swift or James cook.

The strategy for DFS this week isn't all that much different with so many teams sitting out. There are only so many stud players to go around, and many of them will be widely owned, so the key will be to roster the can't miss top-tier guys and surround them with the most consistent high-floor players in cash games and the best upside options in tournaments.

There's really what it boils down to, plain and simple.

Here is what that looks like (remember this is for the FanDuel or smilar platform Sunday daytime main slate):

Tier 1 Pay-up Quarterbacks

1. Josh Allen

2. Jalen Hurts

It's hard to go wrong playing either of those two. Allen will be motivated to get the Bills train rolling again after a couple of weeks to think about their uneven start to the season, and Hurts puts up points even when he and the Eagles offense are bad. Both have plus matchups. Allen and the Bills are getting overlooked against the overachieving Panthers, who may be looking at regression in the near future, and for some reason people are acting like the Giants are a playoff contender now because of two rookies who have never seen or heard anything like they will today at the Linc.

Cash Game Must Have QB

1. Bo Nix

Those who play cash games simply can't miss out on him. Everyone will have him, and he's the best all-around value on the slate. Nix's matchup against a porous Dallas defense can't be missed in cash games, and the good news is that if he underperforms he's only $7,800 and a large percentage of other participants will have him, too. That wouldn't be the end of the world.

Value QB in Any Format

1. Daniel Jones

What a world. Danny Dimes is a keeper in 2025

Volume & Performance QBs

1. Baker Mayfield

2. Caleb Williams

Not as much value here, but solid floors based on passing volume alone.

Bargain/Leverage Quarterbacks

1. Kirk Cousins

2. Spencer Rattler

3. Joe Flacco

In a tournament format, choose one of these dudes and stack the lineup with studs. We approve.

Tier 1 Must Have Running Backs

1. Bijan Robinson

2. Jonathan Taylor

Also consider as a pivot: Derrick Henry

Get these guys, period. Robinson goes against a terrible Dolphins defense, with his team's backup QB getting the start. JT is having the year we've all ben waiting for. If you want to go a little bit contrarian, Henry will bet a big workload against a bad Bears rushing defense.

Volume Value Running Backs

1. De'Von Achane - He's all they got.

2. Breece Hall - See Achane.

3. Rachaad White - Runs it and catches it.

4. JK Dobbins - Volume and a great matchup vs. Dallas.

5. D'Andre Swift - He's a little beat up, so check the inactives, but he's been great lately and is still available at a nice price.

Flip a Coin

The timeshare guys are always fun to figure out, but any of these guys get plenty of touches and have a good matchup.

1. Rico Dowdle

2. Chuba Hubbard

Contrarian Tournament Options

1. Chase Brown

2. Alvin Kamara

Milly Maker Super Value RB's

1. Kyle Manangai

2. Tyjae Spears

3. Samaje Perine

4. Jusice Hill

Tier 1 Must Have Wide Receivers

1. Ja'Mar Chase - He's back in black; pivot to Teeeeeeeee Higgins in at least one lineup. Or even get crazy and try a stack with both of them and Joe Cool.

Value Volume Must Have WRs

1. Drake London - Make sure he plays; if not, pivot to Mooney and Pitts.

2. Courtland Sutton - Go contrarian with Troy Franklin in one lineup, but Sutton is set up for a monster day.

3. Rome Odunze - Not as sold on him vs. what should be a healthier, better Ravens defense.

Value & Volume High Floor WR2

1. Michael Pittman

2. Zay Flowers

3. DeVonta Smith

4. Chris Olave

Leverage & Contrarian WR Options

1. Tee Higgins

2. Troy Franklin

3. Darnell Mooney

4. Josh Downs/Alec Pierce

Milly Maker Super Value WR Options

1. Elic Ayomanor

2. Tez Johnson/Sterling Shepard

3. Rashid Shaheed

4. Xavier Hutchinson

5. Marvin Mims

Pay Up Tight Ends

Never can go wrong with these dudes.

1. Tyler Warren

2. Jake Ferguson

Conditional Must Have Tight End

1. Kyle Pitts - Play him if London is out.

Cash Game Must Have TE End

1. Dallas Goedert - If London plays and Pitts isn't selected.

Value Volume & Matchup TEs

1. Cade Otton

2. Dalton Kincaid

3. Dalton Schultz

4. Harold Fanin - Only if Njoku is inactive.

Milly Maker Super Value Tight End

1. Mason Taylor