Things might be going smoothly for fantasy football owners who drafted elite quarterbacks, minus those who have Joe Burrow. However, injuries to productive mid-level quarterbacks Anthony Richardson, Justin Fields and Deshaun Watson are forcing fantasy football managers to examine the waiver wire to find a starting QB.
With depth at the position currently being tested, which QBs can you trust in Week 8? Find out in Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks, Week 8.
QBs to Start in Week 8
Texans' C.J. Stroud (vs. Panthers)
After a strong start, Houston Texans rookie C.J. Stroud experienced a recent dip. Even with a decrease in production in his last two games before the bye week, Stroud still managed a respectable 14 points per contest. The Carolina Panthers are giving up 31 points per game, offering the perfect bounce-back opportunity for the young Texans QB.
Saints' Derek Carr (vs. Colts)
Derek Carr has slowly become more comfortable in a Saints uniform over the last few weeks, posting at least 15 fantasy points in each of his last three contests. In the last two games, Carr has eclipsed 50 passing attempts and 300 yards in both. While this formula has not been successful for the Saints, it is attractive for fantasy football owners. If he can find the end zone more often, he will be a regular fantasy football starter. But even with his current level of production, the vet is worth a start against the Indianapolis Colts.
Lions' Jared Goff (vs. Raiders)
In this latest round of “Start Jared Goff If He is Playing at Home,” we find that the Detroit Lions are indeed playing at the friendly confines of Ford Field this weekend. Those who followed last week's column were wise to bench Goff in Baltimore, as the Detroit QB managed just 9.36 fantasy points against the Ravens. With the Lions hosting the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday, Goff is a top 10 fantasy football quarterback.
QBs to Sit in Week 8
Bengals' Joe Burrow (vs. 49ers)
It is easy to say that no quarterback has been a bigger fantasy disappointment this season than Joe Burrow. The Bengals' signal-caller is averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game and comes into Week 8 as QB26. This comes after five touchdowns and 37 fantasy points over his last two contests.
On the seasons Burrow has thrown interceptions in four of six starts. In the two games he did not throw a pick, he failed to throw a touchdown. Don't expect his recent improvement to continue in a tough road matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield (vs. Bills)
Strong early-season performances suggested possible fantasy relevance for Baker Mayfield this year, but he has been a fringe player at best in recent weeks. He has one touchdown to two interceptions over the last two weeks and just two multi-TD games on the year. A Week 8 matchup against the Bills — allowing just 12.8 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs — will certainly not be any easier. Mayfield should not be starting until he can consistently provide touchdowns.
Seahawks Geno Smith (vs. Browns)
Following a breakout season in which he threw for 4,200 yards and 30 touchdowns, Geno Smith has not experienced the same success in 2023. He has just one game with 16 or more fantasy points, and even in an inviting matchup last week against the Arizona Cardinals, Smith managed just 13.76 points. A backend starter to begin the year, Geno Smith is currently QB22 and should not be in fantasy starting lineups this week against a stout Cleveland Browns defense.
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