Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 8 News & Notes (2024)

Ladies and gentlemen, we invite all passengers to board “Fantasy Whiplash!” Airlines’ flight 2024, service to Week 8.  This approximately seven-minute direct flight will engage passengers with short attention spans with all the fantasy football news and notes you’ll need for your reeling squads.

As you find your seats, please stow your attention span in the overhead bins. We’ll be cruising at an altitude high enough that the carnage of Week 7 can’t hurt you anymore while leaving it behind as we soldier on in this season. Please be aware of recurring musings of injury news, player values, rapid-fire observations and delightful conversation to engage in with your seatmate.

Go ahead and recline your seats, take advantage of our beverage service and settle in. Your captain aims to make this as relaxing as possible, putting Week 7 in the annals of history before returning to the ground in the Land of Confusion. Hold on tight; we’re cleared for takeoff.

Fantasy Football News & Notes for Week 8

Fantasy Football New

I Don’t Want No Scrubs (But It’s 2024)

It used to be that assembling a lineup was akin to putting together a puzzle. You begin with your ever-reliable quarterback, one or two “set-and-forget” skill position players, then fill in the rest of the positions, and you’re ready to go. Not in 2024. Aside from the fact that injuries have decimated the fantasy landscape of running backs and pass-catchers, there have also been underperforming studs and depth chart shakeups.

The biggest difference this season is that even the quarterbacks aren’t safe. Patrick Mahomes has more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six), sits at the QB22 on the season and (gasp!) is droppable. He’s not alone. Justin Herbert (QB25), Anthony Richardson (QB27) and Dak Prescott (QB20) are just a sampling of the upside-down quarterback situation. If you’re lucky enough to roster Baker Mayfield (QB2), Jayden Daniels (QB3) or Geno Smith (QB6), good for you. These players are all out-performing the likes of Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, C.J. Stroud and Jared Goff.

History suggests a major shift in the rankings as the season wears on. Most fantasy managers can do little more than stream quarterbacks if necessary and concentrate on building the skill positions through trades and waivers until someone flips the switch at the top of the lineup.

Let the Bodies Hit the Floor

With all of these injuries in the NFL. If you’re able to find a way to win your fantasy league I applaud you. So many skilled position players injured lol

— Geoff Long (@GeoffLong33) October 18, 2024

Just one week, I’d like to not include an injury rundown in the “News” section of this article, but here we are. Sunday saw them dropping like flies again. Deshaun Watson went down with a non-contact injury that turned out to be an Achilles tear, ending his season. JuJu Smith-Schuster was ruled out before Kansas City’s game with a hamstring injury. Presumably, the muscles were simply “tired” after he grabbed seven catches for 130 yards the week prior.

Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley left Miami’s game with a shoulder injury. So did Storm Duck with an ankle issue. That one doesn’t really affect you; I just wanted to say his name. Demario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk each left the Patriots game in the second half with separate injuries and never came back. Presumably, they swam back stateside after the team’s performance in the 32-16 defeat at the hands of the London Jaguars.

A pair of San Francisco 49ers left the game against Kansas City. Deebo Samuel was diagnosed with pneumonia symptoms, while teammate Brandon Aiyuk was lost for the season after damage to his ACL and MCL. In Seattle, D.K. Metcalf was carted off the field (sprained MCL), while in Washington, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels left with a rib injury that puts him week to week.

This seems like as good of a time as any to let you know to pull on the elastic bands to tighten your oxygen mask and breathe deeply. The world is not ending.

Practice Social Situations With Your Neighbor

Now is the time to practice what you learned from the NFL this past weekend to use in day-to-day conversation. From your very first happy hour this week and even through the Thursday night game, you’ll have to be able to draw forth football knowledge from the depths of IPA land to sound quite wisdom-ous. I’ve illuminated the seatbelt sign to simulate conversations you cannot escape. Now, turn to your seatmate and pretend he’s Norm from the warehouse.

• Nick Chubb made his long-awaited return to the football field after two surgeries to repair his MCL, meniscus and ACL, much to the delight of Cleveland fans (if Cleveland fans can delight in anything other than Deshaun Watson injuries), and was predictably not good. It turns out squatting nearly 600 pounds in a gym is not the same as facing an NFL defense, no matter how bad that defense is. Chubb rushed 11 times for 22 yards (you do the math) and was nearly forced across the goal line to make the story better than it was. The Browns fell to the Bengals 21-14 in a game that was not that close.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. must have gone to the George Pickens school of minimal effort because he seems to continually take plays off when he knows he is not the first option. Kyler Murray‘s play has not blown anyone away, but it’s far better than others. Harrison Jr. has been a big disappointment early on, with 20 catches for 300 yards, including three for 21 yards yesterday on six targets. He averaged seven Yards Per Reception (YPR).
• The trade for Amari Cooper by the Bills may have unlocked Keon Coleman as a new character. The second-round pick set highs in nearly every receiving category: four catches on seven targets for 125 yards (31.3 YPR), including two catches over 40 yards.
• The trade for Davante Adams to the Jets is still a work in progress as he acclimates to the playbook. Noteworthy, however, was Breece Hall living his best life for the second straight week. The 141 yards from scrimmage put him over 300 in the last two games.
• Lamar Jackson casually passed for five touchdowns against Tampa Bay. Don’t forget to check your seat pocket for other ho-hum material.
• Two of those scores went to the left-for-dead Mark Andrews. He is now the Points Per Reception (PPR) TE11.

What to Watch for Around the NFL

If you look out the windows on the right, you’ll get a good view of some noteworthy things to keep an eye on as we head into Week 8.

Wouldn’t Miss It! Would Jayden?

This is the single most meaningful video of Caleb Williams I have seen.
This is everything. pic.twitter.com/skgwLz3oGk

— Grim Flus (@GrimFlus) October 15, 2024

If you had told me a couple of years ago that a Bears/Commanders matchup in Week 8 would be “Must See TV,” I’d have laughed you right out of the fuselage. The above video struck me because, on one hand, of course, that’s what you expect out of your NFL quarterback. On the other hand, it demonstrates the true maturation of Caleb Williams, which has resulted in 687 yards, seven passing touchdowns and just one interception over his last three contests. All three were victories where he had a passer rating eclipsing 100.

The book on Jayden Daniels is even more impressive. He’s currently the QB3 and completing a near-astounding 75% of his passes with 372 yards rushing on his way to 10 total touchdowns. He’s led Washington to the top of the NFC East and a 5-2 record with virtually no growing pains. This is a matchup made in heaven, as both teams love to score. The key, however, might be the Chicago pass defense, which has held all but two quarterbacks under 15 fantasy points. Something has to give in the nation’s capital.

Tua Soon?

The Miami Dolphins have opened the practice window for much-concussed Tua Tagovailoa. Regardless of where you fall on the “should he or shouldn’t he” debate, his opinion is the one that matters. Tagovailoa said in a press conference this week that he intends to play, that he just has to be “smart” and that he won’t do anything differently regarding his style of play or wear a guardian helmet.

The impact on the team would be nearly immeasurable. Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle put on an absolute clinic for why you always need a serviceable backup. Miami has lost four of its last five, rendering all its players a risk to play in fantasy football lineups.

I very well may be a week early on this, as Tagovailoa still has to pass the NFL’s official concussion protocol. However, the organization will not rule him out for this Sunday if he does.

Philly Brings Brotherly Love

Sydney Brown will face his twin brother Chase with the Bengals for the first time on Sunday. They usually talk every day

“It’s going to be a one week breakup. I’m excited for it, it’s something we’ve been looking forward to since we were little kids.“ https://t.co/oSzyBfjLnu

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 22, 2024

This game contains some intrigue in a Week 8 slate of games about as underwhelming as that $12 Auntie Anne’s pretzel you bought on Concourse B. The Eagles roll into the Queen City with back-to-back victories over the hapless Giants and Saints. Philadelphia is 2-1 on the road this season, whereas the Bengals have yet to treat the home crowd to a victory.

The Bengals have been installed as 2.5-point favorites by DraftKings Sportsbook, which is a bit curious. Each team has a point differential of 10+ or more on the season, and the Cincinnati defense has turned up the heat in the last two weeks. However, they struggle against the run and Saquon Barkley is coming off a 176-yard effort in Week 7, supported by two Jalen Hurts rushing TDs.

This promises to be one of the more fun games on the slate, as the 47.5 total looks dead in the water. The Bengals will return to a high-flying offense, which a healthy Philadelphia team could match. Get your popcorn ready, as no peanuts are provided on this flight due to one passenger having an allergy.

Events on the Horizon

The Kansas City Chiefs finally went out and made a trade that added talent to the receiving corps. They sent a conditional fifth-round pick (that could move up to a fourth) to the Tennessee Titans for DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans will also pick up $2.5 million of his remaining salary in the deal. The Chiefs get a plus wide receiver on the cheap who still has gas in the tank. Hopkins has 15 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown for a Tennessee squad that has struggled at quarterback.

Hopkins may not be the last domino to fall, either. Rumors are swirling from every corner that teammate Calvin Ridley, Jaguars wideout Christian Kirk, and Rams go-to Cooper Kupp are all available. Please remain in your seats as we might encounter some rough air.

Quick Hits

pic.twitter.com/1faxzpDpxu

— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) October 20, 2024

• Tank Bigsby went off for another 26 carries, 118 yards, and two touchdowns. It’s time for Travis Etienne to change that LinkedIn profile. It’s a little weird that someone wrote about this way back in January.
• George Pickens‘ fantasy managers are thanking Mike Tomlin for the Steelers’ move to Russell Wilson under center. Pickens had five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 37-15 thumping of Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and the New York Jets.
• You know the injuries are bad when you’re hearing names like Jalen Reagor, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Hunter Long.
• Jameson Williams has written another chapter in his saga. He’s facing a two-game suspension for the use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) and will not appeal.
• We’re about a week away from taking a deeper dive into coaches on the hot seat. Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson saved his job for another week with a rousing victory over the New England Patriots. There are plenty of other head coaches who are inching closer to the crosshairs (I’m looking at you, Mike McCarthy).
• Last week, I promised a Mike Evans resurgence. Well, he caught one pass for one touchdown. It’s not what I had in mind, as the turf monster got him. Now he’s nursing an injured hamstring. Samstradomus I am not.
• We are starting our initial descent.
• Jameis Winson will be ordained as a reverend upon retiring. Book it.
• Tyler Allgeier isn’t affecting Bijan Robinson as much as you might think. The latter is the PPR RB3 over the last two weeks.
• Brock Bowers is the Raiders’ top pass-catcher and the only Las Vegas player worth rostering. But that’s one hell of a player to roster.

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon

On behalf of our captain (me), flight crew (also me) and in-flight entertainment (you guessed it), thanks for flying “Fantasy Whiplash!” airlines. We apologize for the smooth flight that in no way prepared you for another week of turbulent fantasy football!

Best of luck with all of your waiver claims this week! Remember:  Sometimes, the best move is no move at all. Put your Thursday players into your starting lineups in case you need those flex spots on Sunday. As always, when in doubt, go with your gut. If you need last-minute help, I’ll see you on Twitter/X from 10 a.m. ET until the games start to answer your start/sit questions, and you can find me here again on Friday with prop bets for Sunday’s games!

Check out all of our Week 8 fantasy football content:

• PropKings: NFL Week 8 (2024)
• Week 8 In the Scope Targets (2024)
• Week 8 Shore Thing Sleepers (2024)
• Week 8 NFL DFS Picks & Lineup (2024)
• Fantasy Football Trade Targets | Week 8 (2024)
• Week 8 Fantasy Football Advice Mailbag (2024)
• Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 8 News & Notes (2024)

Thanks for checking out my Week 8 fantasy football news and notes! Track me down on Twitter/X @BuyAndSellYou for more redraft and dynasty fantasy football content. 

*Photo Credit: Brett Davis – USA TODAY Sports*