The leaves are turning, pumpkins are toon to be glowing, and the fantasy football graveyard is officially open for business. This week, six teams are on bye: the Cardinals, Jaguars, Raiders, Lions, Rams, and Seahawks, leaving fantasy managers scrambling through the fog for replacements. I managed to best my wife in our fantasy matchup last week, earning some bragging rights around the house (though she’s already talking about kicking my ass in the playoffs). Still, not everything was a “Graveyard Smash” last week. Tua Tagovailoa haunted one of my rosters with a chilling -9 points that almost sent my team to an early grave. Thankfully, I escaped the week with my dignity intact. It’s a traditional NFL week ahead with no international games and just one Monday Night Football showdown to close the curtain. As Halloween approaches, this slate feels like a return to normalcy, but make no mistake, the fantasy spirits are still restless, and the fantasy football benches have never been more full of skeletons.

So, light your candles and check your benches twice, because Week 8 is where the fantasy ghosts come out to play. With six squads resting in peace on their bye weeks, the waiver wire becomes a haunted house filled with tricks disguised as treats. I might’ve conquered my household foe last week, but the fantasy gods rarely let you sleep easily, as every week is different. This weekend’s games promise both thrills and screams, especially for those sickos who dare to trust Tua this week against the Falcons after his nightmare performance in week 7. With only one Monday night game lurking at the end, there’s no safety net; what you lock in on Sunday is what you live (or die) by. Between the disappearing stars, spooky stat lines, and under-the-radar heroes rising from the grave, this week could make or break your season as it is just over the halfway point in the 2025 season. Keep your crucifixes and garlic close. Keep your lineup cleaner than a freshly carved pumpkin, and whatever you do, don’t get tricked by the bye-week boogeymen.

“The numbers, Mason, what do they mean?!?” Here are some tidbits and data from this week that caught my eye. Stats are from ProFootballReference.com, and snap percentages come from the game summaries over at NFL.com (you can also see player played percentages on Sleeper.com underneath the game log tab in each player’s personal profile). I use Sportac.com when reviewing and discussing player contracts, and will primarily refer to the depth charts from Ourlads.com.

Streaky Good Players

Players who have had a strong start to the season are more likely to maintain consistency, which in turn increases their chances of receiving a shout. I will conduct a brief analysis of the players and, in some weeks, provide insight into why they are having success when time allows. The more times I write this weekly article, the longer the list will become, keeping players on the consistent list if they stay consistent, and adding new faces to avoid it becoming too stale. FantasyPros scoring settings, which I reference in the player notes, can be found here. Any questions about the players mentioned? Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter, and I’ll be happy to provide more details.

Position PlayerTeamFPTS WK 3-7
Defensive LinemanDeForest BucknerIndianapolis Colts6/14/13.3/3.8/19.8
Defensive LinemanQuinnen WilliamsNew York Jets8.5/11.8/6.3/6.3/10.8
Defensive LinemanMontez SweatChicago Bears9.5/3.8/BYE/9.3/19
LinebackerDevin WhiteLas Vegas Raiders11.8/16.8/6/27.5/19
LinebackerNate LandmanLos Angeles Rams7/8.3/23.5/18.8/17.5
LinebackerCedric GrayTennessee Titans6/22.8/16/12.8/15.3
LinebackerCarson SchwesingerCleveland Browns17.8/8.3/9.8/10.8/9.3
Defensive BackDeShon ElliottPittsburgh Steelers-/26/BYE/12/11.3
Defensive BackQuentin LakeLos Angeles Rams12/13/15/15.8/21
Defensive BackTyson CampbellCleveland Browns16/9.8/9.8/13/16.3

Offensive / DST Mentions (Half PPR):

PositionPlayerTeamFPTS WK 3-7
QuarterbackAaron RodgersPittsburgh Steelers12.7/12.8/BYE/17.5/24.6
Running BackD’Andre SwiftChicago Bears7.8/12/BYE/23.5/19.8
Wide RecieverJordan AddisonMinnesota Vikings-/13.4/12.6/BYE/17.3
Tight EndTucker KraftGreen Bay Packers4.4/8.1/BYE/11.3/14.3
DefenseN/AHouston Texans5/14/11/BYE/18
KickerEddy PineroSan Francisco 49ers12/7/17/18/11

Streaky Bad Players

The opposite of good streaks is that you must have the other. This section highlights some players who may be performing consistently, nonetheless, but in a way that is detrimental to your fantasy team. I dive into what’s going on with the player, why the struggles are occurring, and whether to pivot in your leagues.

PositionPlayerTeamFPTS WK 3-7
Defensive LinemanGeorge Karlaftis IIIKansas City Chiefs26.5/9.5/8.3/1.5/1.5
Defensive LinemanDanielle HunterHouston Texans0/18.3/0/BYE/4.5
Defensive LinemanJoey BosaBuffalo Bills0.8/13.5/1.5/4.5/BYE
LinebackerPayton WilsonPittsburgh Steelers11.5/20.8/BYE/8.5/4.5
LinebackerDaiyan HenleyLos Angeles Chargers4.5/12.8/7.5/7.5/1.5
LinebackerJihaad CampbellPhildelphia Eagles9.8/11/15.3/8.3/4.5
Defensive BackKyle HamiltonBaltimore Ravens10.5/8.3/-/4.5/BYE
Defensive BackChamarri ConnerKansas City Chiefs4.5/4.5/7.5/19.8/2.3

Key IDP Injuries To Monitor

PositionPlayerTeamInjuryStatus
QBKyler MurrayArizonaFootQ- WK9
LBDivine DeabloAtlantaForearmDoubtful
QBMichael Penix Jr.AtlantaFootQ
DL/LBJalon WalkerAtlantaGroinQ
QBLamar JacksonBaltimoreHamstringQ
LBRoquan SmithBaltimoreHamstringQ
LBMatt MilanoBuffaloPectoralQ
TEDalton KincaidBuffaloObliqueQ
LBTerrel BernardBuffaloAnkleQ
QBBryce YoungCarolinaAnkleDoubtful
TECole KmetChicagoBackQ
DLTrey HendricksonCincinattiHipQ
DLAdin HuntingtonClevelandConcussionQ
TEDavid NjokuClevelandKneeQ
CBTrevon DiggsDallasConcussionQ
DLMarshawn KneelandDallasAnkleQ
DL/LBJonah EllissDenverShoulderQ
DBKerby JosephDetroitKneeQ
DLDevonte WyattGreen BayKneeQ
DLLukas Van NessGreen BayFootQ
KBrandon McManusGreen BayQuadricepsQ
WRDontayvion WicksGreen BayCalfQ
WRJosh DownsIndianapolisConcussionQ
LBDevin LloydJacksonvilleCalfQ
WRBrian Thomas Jr.JacksonvilleShoulderQ
DBEric MurrayJacksonvilleNeckQ
TEBrock BowersLas VegasKnee-PCLQ
WRJacobi MeyersLas VegasKneeQ
DLMaxx CrosbyLas VegasKneeQ
WRPuka NacuaLos Angeles (R)AnkleQ
DBKamren KinchensLos Angeles (R)ToeQ
TEDarren WallerMiamiPectoralQ
DBJaylinn HawkinsNew EnglandHamstringQ
RBKendre MillerNew OrleansKnee-ACLQ
WRDarius SlaytonNew York (G)HamstringQ
DBJevon HollandNew York (G)KneeQ
DL/LBBrian BurnsNew York (G)FootQ
WRGarrett WilsonNew York (J)KneeQ
DBSauce GardnerNew York (J)ConcussionQ
WRCalvin Austin lllPittsburghShoulderQ
DLBryce HuffSan FranciscoHamstringDoubtful
QBBrock PurdySan FranciscoToeQ
DBUpton StoutSan FranciscoAnkleQ
WRRicky PearsallSan FranciscoKnee-PCLQ
WRCalvin RidleyTennesseeHamstringQ
DLArden KeyTennesseeQuadricepsQ
DLJeffery SimmonsTennesseeHamstringQ
DLDorance ArmstrongWashingtonKneeOut
WRTerry McLaurinWashingtonQuadricepsQ
WRDeebo SamuelWashingtonHeelQ
QBJayden DanielsWashingtonHamstringQ

Waiver Wire Additions

Yes, it is only Tuesday, but some of these guys may be hanging around, so keep a keen eye out, and remember not every fantasy application’s projections are the final say. Conduct thorough research to ensure you have the most comprehensive knowledge to make the most informed decision possible when setting your lineups. Don’t flex out on Thursday; keep those players who have a short week game in their actual position, so you have more flexibility for your team on Sunday.

Offensive Players:

  1. QB: Joe Flacco, Cincinatti Bengals
  2. QB: Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
  3. RB: Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
  4. RB: RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
  5. WR: Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
  6. WR: Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans
  7. WR: Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
  8. TE: Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants
  9. TE: Tanner Conner, Miami Dolphins
  10. DST: Cincinatti Bengals
  11. K: Jake Moody, Chicago Bears

Defensive Players:

  1. DL: Tuli Tuipulotu, Los Angeles Chargers
  2. DL: K’Lavon Chaisson, New England Patriots
  3. LB: Devin White, Las Vegas Raiders
  4. LB: Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans
  5. LB: Barrett Carter, Cincinatti Bengals
  6. LB: Justin Strnad, Denver Broncos
  7. LB: Tatum Bethune, San Francisco 49ers
  8. DB: Tyson Campbell, Cleveland Browns
  9. DB: Christian Benford, Buffalo Bills

Deep, Deep, DEEEEEP Sleepers for the Sickos:

  1. DL: Dallas Turner, Miami Vikings
  2. DL: Arnold Ebiketie, Atlanta Falcons
  3. DL: Jihad Ward, Tennessee Titans
  4. DL: Sam Okuayinonu, San Francisco 49ers
  5. LB: Drue Tranquill, Kansas City Chiefs
  6. LB: Henry To’oTo’o, Houston Texans
  7. DB: Marte Mapu, New England Patriots
  8. DB: Ashtyn Davis, Miami Dolphins
  9. DB: Roger McCreary, Tennessee Titans
  10. RB: Devin Neal, New Orleans

That’s all I have for this week. Stay like water; don’t use your Flex spot on Thursday. Always watch your waiver wires and league transactions. Best of luck in week 8, my fellow IDPer’s and fantasy friends.

@Caliking49er17