Best/Worst Matchups - 2025 Week 8

BYE WEEKS HIT HARD.

LET'S HIT BACK.

This is a crucial week to play the matchup game and see which guys have a better chance to explode.

There are also some stout defenses still playing this week. It'll be best to avoid those matchups if possible.

Let's take a look at my favorites for this week...

QUARTERBACKS

START Caleb Williams vs Baltimore Ravens

His numbers weren't great last week in a plus matchup but he didn't need to do anything special in their win vs the Saints. Their RB's did all the work last week. This week, Lamar Jackson comes back to the Ravens to duel Williams and the Bears. Williams is going to need to be at his very best to keep up with Jackson. The best part of this: Williams gets a Swiss-cheese defense (2nd most points to opposing QBs) to go against so Williams is an underrated starter this week.

Honorable Mention: Joe Flacco vs NYJ, Jaxson Dart vs PHI

SIT San Francisco QB vs Houston Texans

Will Brock Purdy play again soon? He's played twice and they haven't been back-to-back starts. Mac Jones has filled in admirably in his stead. Purdy has put up decent stat lines when he's played but I think you need to lean away from either of these guys in this brutal matchup against a Top-5 defense in Houston. The Texans are BY FAR the toughest against opposing QBs and the passing game. They have given up 3 points LESS than the 31st team against opposing QBs. The Texans matchup should be avoided in fantasy purposes if possible each week this season and the choice of these two QBs is no exception.

Honorable Mention: Drake Maye vs CLE, Marcus Mariota vs KC

RUNNING BACKS

START Tyler Allgeier vs Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins will not be able to get through the Falcons stout defense. The game script is going to heavily favorite the Falcons and Allgeier will get plenty of show when the Falcons take over early. Bijan Robinson may be "That Guy" but Allgeier has shown plenty of flashes and what better game to do it in than the 3rd worst team against the run. With so many studs on bye, Allgeier is a sneaky FLEX option.

Honorable Mention: Breece Hall vs CIN, RJ Harvey vs DAL

SIT Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Kansas City Chiefs

What is with this guy? We thought he had broken out. This past week's game was supposed to be another huge game vs the Cowboys... NOPE. Absolute dud. 13 carries for 33 yards. The Commanders are so dead this week against the Chiefs where they won't have Jayden Daniels due to injury. It's best to sit your Commanders players, especially Bill. Chiefs are Top-10 against the run and if this guy can't run against the Cowboys, I don't know what he can do.

Honorable Mention: Jaylen Warren vs GB, Tony Pollard vs IND

WIDE RECEIVERS

START Wan'Dale Robinson vs Philadelphia Eagles

It's time to put some respect on Wan'Dale's name. He deserves some love after emerging as a reliable weekly option in this new Giants offense. In a tough matchup last week against Denver, he received 12 targets and caught 6 of them for 95 yards. I wouldn't call him "matchup-proof", but he certainly gives me more confidence going forward with playing him week-in and week-out. Two weeks ago when he played the Eagles (who they play this week as well), he had a similar stat line but also found the end zone. Robinson should be counted on as a weekly WR2/WR3 the rest of the season, but this was to remind you of his work.

Honorable Mention: Romeo Doubs vs PIT, Xavier Worthy vs WAS

SIT Khalil Shakir vs Carolina Panthers

Buffalo is a team that is run-first and that is what they're going to need to do to beat the Panthers and end their two-game skid. Josh Allen will tag-team rush all over the Panthers and Khalil Shakir will be an afterthought. Before the bye when the Bills faced off against the Falcons, Shakir caught 3 of 5 targets for 33 yards. The Bills have a gauntlet of tough passing matchups ahead of them with CAR, KC and HOU all within the next 5 weeks. Shakir will be tough to trust this week as well for the near future.

Honorable Mention: Jauan Jennings vs HOU, Terry McLaurin vs KC

TIGHT ENDS

START Pat Freiermuth vs Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers will be going up against his former team for the first time ever. He will look to exploit their biggest weaknesses to get his team the win. The one thing the Packers have been horrible at defending this season: TIGHT ENDS. They've allowed the 2nd most points to opposing TEs this season including 4 catches for 44 yards and a TD to Noah Fant last week against the Bengals. Enter Pat Freiermuth following his 111 yard, two-TD explosion last week. He has the opportunity to go off once again after supplanting Jonnu Smith as the TE1 in Pittsburgh. Don't miss out on this one!

Honorable Mention: Chig Okonkwo vs TEN, Noah Fant vs NYJ

SIT Theo Johnson vs Philadelphia Eagles

While the Eagles get gashed by opposing WRs, they have been able to completely shut down opposing tight ends this season (3rd least points to TEs) Theo Johnson has had some really good games lately but two weeks ago he was a non-factor against the Eagles with 2 catches for 27 yards. He is not to be trusted again this week but hopefully can rebound the following week.

Honorable Mention: TJ Hockenson vs LAC, Zach Ertz vs KC

#DRock313