Fantasy football managers face critical quarterback decisions for Week 8, with Aaron Rodgers labeled a risky starter against the Cleveland Browns despite a strong showing in their earlier meeting.
Rodgers a Risky Play vs. Cleveland
Rodgers threw for 299 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions against the Browns in Week 4, scoring 27.9 fantasy points. However, Cleveland has allowed only two quarterbacks to reach 20 fantasy points this season — Trevor Lawrence in Week 1 and Rodgers. SportsLine projects Rodgers at 16.6 points, though expectations are closer to 18. The Steelers are expected to lean on Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in a low-scoring game with a 39.5-point total. Managers can pivot to Jacoby Brissett, Geno Smith or Kyler Murray as alternatives.
Quarterbacks to Start
Jayden Daniels (Washington) is projected for 24.1 points against Philadelphia. He has scored at least 25 points in each of his two games since returning from an elbow injury and averages 27.2 points in three career games vs. the Eagles. Jordan Love (Green Bay) projects at 22.8 points vs. Carolina; he has topped 20 points in 21 of 32 career games with 30+ pass attempts. Matthew Stafford (L.A. Rams) projects 21.8 points vs. the Chargers and has scored 20.9+ in five of his last six games. Kirk Cousins (Las Vegas) projects 23.4 points at the Jets, with top-10 upside after scoring 22.5+ in five of his last six outings.
Sleeper Options
Jacoby Brissett (Arizona) faces a Dallas defense ranked eighth in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks; only two QBs have failed to score 22.2+ points against the Cowboys this season. Brissett has posted 18.5+ points in three of his last five games. Geno Smith (N.Y. Jets) gets a revenge game against Las Vegas (fifth in fantasy points allowed to QBs), where five consecutive opposing quarterbacks have scored at least 21 points. Kyler Murray (Minnesota) draws Detroit, the league's most generous defense to quarterbacks; every opposing QB has scored 20.9+ points against the Lions this season.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Caleb Williams (Chicago) faces Seattle (second fewest fantasy points allowed to QBs) and has topped 20 points only twice in four games. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City) travels to Denver (third fewest allowed) after combining for 16.5 points with no touchdowns and two interceptions in his last two games. Bo Nix (Denver) meets Kansas City (third fewest allowed) and managed just 7.4 points in Week 1 against the Chiefs; he has only one multi-touchdown game this season.
Bust Alert: Jared Goff
Goff has scored 20.4 points in every game this season, but Minnesota ranks first in fewest fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. The Vikings have allowed just four passing touchdowns in their last 15 games. Goff averaged 17.1 points in six career meetings against defensive coordinator Brian Flores. He remains a start in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, but expectations should be lowered in standard one-QB formats.
