Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season kicks off with a Thursday Night Football matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Buffalo Bills. Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses and will be looking to bounce back in this highly anticipated game. Fantasy football managers will be keeping a close eye on this game, as several players on both teams could have a big impact on their weekly matchups.
Buccaneers-Bills Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a tough 16-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7. Despite the loss, quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans have formed a strong bond to begin the season. Evans has recorded four touchdowns and 468 receiving yards through the first six games of the season. The Buccaneers will be looking to get their running game going against the Bills, as they have struggled to establish a consistent ground attack this season. Running back Rachaad White has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to put together a complete game this season.
The Buffalo Bills are also coming off a tough loss, falling 29-25 to the New England Patriots in Week 7. Quarterback Josh Allen has been one of the top fantasy football performers this season. He has thrown for over 1,800 yards and 15 touchdowns through the first seven games of the season. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been Allen's favorite target. He has recorded at least 100 yards or a touchdown in five of their seven games.
Ahead of Week 8 of the 2023 NFL Season, it’s time to see which players to start and which ones to sit in the Buccaneers-Bills game.
Buccaneers-Bills Start ‘Em
Josh Allen, BUF
Josh Allen completed 27 of 41 passes for 265 yards, threw two touchdowns, and had one interception in the Bills' Week 7 loss to New England. He also rushed for 17 yards and scored a touchdown on seven carries, despite losing a fumble on the final play of the game. Allen's second-half performance salvaged his fantasy day, as he connected with James Cook and Stefon Diggs for touchdowns. The 27-year-old quarterback and the Bills are looking to rebound against Tampa Bay on Thursday night. Even after the loss, Allen managed to score a ton of fantasy points. This makes him an elite QB1 choice against the Buccaneers' defense, which ranks pretty low against fantasy QBs.
Stefon Diggs, BUF
Stefon Diggs caught six of 12 targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. Diggs led the team in targets and has received double-digit targets in each of the team's last three games. Despite the modest yardage, his 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter boosted his fantasy production. Diggs should rebound and do well against Tampa Bay. He should reach the 100-yard threshold anew.
Mike Evans, TB
Mike Evans hauled in six of eight targets for 82 yards and scored a touchdown in the Buccaneers Week 7 loss to the Falcons. Evans' most significant play was a 40-yard touchdown in the second quarter. That briefly ties the game at seven. He has quickly developed chemistry with Baker Mayfield and is considered a high-end WR2 for Week 8 against Buffalo.
Dalton Kincaid, BUF
If you've been frustrated by drafting Dalton Kincaid this season instead of rookie TE Sam LaPorta, don't blame Kincaid. He's an immensely talented rookie who has been sharing playing time with Dawson Knox. However, Kincaid took on a more prominent role in the passing game this past week. He finished second on the team with eight targets and led the team in receiving yards. While it may not be the best idea to rush him into your lineup this week against the Buccaneers, we think it's worth a shot.
Buccaneers-Bills Sit ‘Em
Baker Mayfield, TB
Mayfield seems to be recovering after missing practice on Monday, but his status for Thursday's matchup with Buffalo is still technically uncertain. That said, Mayfield has been a top fantasy quarterback this season. He has accumulated over 1,300 passing yards and eight touchdowns in the first six games. His connection with Mike Evans is strong, and he faces a Bills defense that has struggled against the pass. However, his recent injury may raise concerns. As such, it's wise to monitor his status before deciding to start him.
James Cook, BUF
James Cook has struggled to establish a consistent ground attack this season. He has had only 419 rushing yards and one touchdown in the first seven games. It's advisable to keep him out of your fantasy football lineup until he shows more consistency. In the last game, Cook rushed for 58 yards on 13 carries and caught 3-of-3 targets for 46 yards and one touchdown. While he had a touchdown reception, his ground performance was inconsistent.
Rachaad White, TB
Rachaad White managed 34 rushing yards on 13 carries and caught all six of his targets for an additional 65 yards in Week 7. While his role as a pass-catcher salvaged his fantasy day, it's worth noting that he faced a strong Atlanta run defense. We recommend sitting him against Buffalo. That's unless you're in a very deep league.
Cade Otton, TB
Cade Otton caught five of six targets for 43 yards in the Buccaneers' Week 7 loss to the Falcons. Despite playing over 90 percent of snaps in every game this season, Otton's fantasy impact has been inconsistent. For the upcoming matchup against the Bills, he's not more than a low-end TE2 option.
Looking Ahead
As Week 8 of the 2023 NFL Season unfolds, strategic decision-making is crucial when it comes to your fantasy football lineup. We've assessed the standout players to start in the Buccaneers-Bills game in addition to highlighting the potential game-changers and dependable performers. On the flip side, we've also identified the players to consider sitting due to various factors. This includes performance inconsistency and injury concerns. It's essential to stay updated on player statuses and matchup dynamics as you make your final selections. Keep a close eye on your roster and make adjustments as necessary to maximize your chances of fantasy football success in this exciting matchup between the Buccaneers and Bills.
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