Daily Newsletter: NFL Week 8 Sleepers & Busts

SLEEPERS

Caleb Williams

I’ve been waiting for this spot all season for the Bears and Williams, and think he’s about to absolutely smash this Washington secondary. Williams has looked the part of a number one pick basically since their Week 1 game against the Titans. Over his last three games, he’s averaging over 20 fantasy PPG, while the Commanders are one of the best teams to pick on through the air. Chicago is coming off their bye week, and Williams should be feeling as comfortable as he has all season. There is potential for his best game as a pro here, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him throw for 2+ touchdowns on Sunday. 

Javonte Williams

Williams finds himself in the nut match-up this week – installed as a double-digit home favorite. Carolina has been getting run all over recently due to their injured LB’s – and now they are projected to score under 17 points due to injuries on their offensive side of the ball. Williams has been getting fed 17 touches per game over the last month, averaging north of 5 YPC. It’s as good of a spot that you can have in today’s NFL. 

Cedric Tillman

Tillman and the Browns offense as a whole will be getting a major boost on Sunday with Jameis Winston starting at QB. Winston is a gun-slinger, and with Ken Dorsey taking over play-calling duties we can expect an up-tempo pass-centric game-plan for the Browns. Tillman has widely underperformed in his NFL career thus far, but it’s important to remember he was a third round pick with pedigree in 2023. Tillman is coming off his best game as a pro with over 18 fantasy points taking over as the X receiver for Amari Cooper. Cleveland faces Baltimore this week, who have struggled vs opposing WR’s and are very banged up in the secondary this week. 

BUSTS

Dak Prescott

I keep waiting and waiting for the Dak Prescott game to come, and it just hasn’t. Sure, he’s had some capable games this season, like Week 3 vs the Ravens. But, that’s been the high point for his fantasy production. Prescott was one of the best players in fantasy football a season ago, and was firmly in the MVP race until the last two weeks of the season. This year, he’s struggled mightily especially on the road. Dallas heads to San Francisco this week in a nightmare match-up. Prescott hasn’t topped 11 fantasy points in his last two games vs the 49ers and I don’t have much confidence in him this week. 

Chuba Hubbard

Speaking of nightmare spots, it really can’t get worse for the Carolina Panthers this weekend. They head into Denver without their starting QB and top two receivers. Bryce Young will be completely tossed back into the fire on an injury riddled team – facing a defense that ranks number one in football in yards per play allowed. Hubbard has been great over the last month for the Panthers, but I’m not going out of my way to play a RB on a team with a sub-17 point team total on the road. 

Michael Pittman

Pittman has been a disaster with Anthony Richardson at QB this season, ranking outside the top-35 in fantasy PPG in his starts. Houston is sound in the secondary, and it’s likely Pittman is matched up on Derek Stingley for the majority of the game. Indy operates a very run-heavy offense, especially in the red zone with Richardson at QB as opposed to Joe Flacco - and you can do better than starting Pittman outside of pure desperation.

Written by Ben Hossler