Nguyen studied Murray’s film in the Minnesota offense and noted the veteran is often late to reocognize an open pass catcher. That could be related to Murray’s clear discomfort in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, as Nguyen noted. “When his first read doesn’t open up, he holds the ball and runs backwards,” leading to drive-killing sacks. That’s exactly what unfolded a few times in high-leverage situations against the Lions in Week 8. Justin Jefferson on Sunday appeared frustrated by Kyler’s inability to make the proper reads on critical downs. All of this has an outsized impact on Murray’s fantasy prospects. He now ranks 31st among QBs in expected fantasy points per game, below Bo Nix and Daniel Jones.

Jones apparently isn’t happy with Pickens’ usage through Week 8. Pickens has been targeted on 22 percent of his pass routes on the season, well below CeeDee Lamb’s 34 percent rate. He’s accounted for 31 percent of the team’s air yards, nearly the same rate he saw in 2025. In the Cowboys’ humiliating Week 8 loss to the Cardinals, Pickens had nine targets, one short of Lamb’s ten. Perhaps Jerry has not adequately studied the spreadsheets. Either way, Pickens remains an upside WR2 headed into Week 9.

Slovis could, unbelievably, get the start Thursday night against the Jaguars with Lamar Jackson (thumb) and Tyler Huntley (toe) out, and Joe Fagnano (ankle) iffy to suit up. If Fagnano can play, Slovis would presumably serve as Baltimore’s backup. Fagnano completed 48 percent of his passes for 91 yards and a pick last week against the Bills. Look for the Ravens to be ultra run-heavy against Jacksonville, one of the league’s best run defenses. It will be tough to trust anyone in the Ravens offense as a viable fantasy option for now.

Mike Washington, Jr. in Week 8 against the Jets took over as the team’s lead rusher, logging 25 carries to just two carries for Ashton Jeanty. While Kubiak said after the game that Jeanty would remain a part of the offense, it’s clear the Raiders are willing to experiment with backfield touches. “You see where your team is at and who’s playing the best ball at the time. It’s a 17-game regular season where things change every week. They’ve been changing at guard, they change up front defensively, they change at corner,” Kubiak said. “That’s the NFL. We have a young roster and we’re going to give guys opportunities and see what fits us best. But your 11, whether you’re playing really well or not playing well at all, it’s always going to change a little bit.” The Raiders through Week 8 rank dead last in EPA per rush and second to last in rushing success rate. Jeanty should remain viable as long as he’s the team’s primary pass catcher out of the backfield. Jeanty ranks fifth among all RBs in expected fantasy points per game.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has knocked down suggestions that the Jets would trade Hall before the league’s trade deadline, as Braelon Allen continues as one of the NFL’s most productive rushers. When asked about how the backfield might look when Hall returns from his quad injury, Reich seemed to say Hall would remain the de factor lead runner. “Well, that’s obviously coach’s decision, but they’re both the guy … I mean, that’s a good problem to have,” Reich said. “That’s coach’s decision, but to me … Breece is our guy. I’m assuming Breece is our guy, you know what I mean? He’s one of the best in the NFL, but I think what’s been so excited is like, oh my gosh, we’ve got two of them. I mean, we’ve got two. This Braelon guy, he’s a beast as well.” Allen this season ranks third among running backs in rushing success rate; 11th in rush yards over expected per attempt; eighth in yards after contact per rush; and over the past three weeks he ranks eighth among RBs in expected fantasy points per game, proving the haters wrong along the way. Hall is expected to return to action this week against the Chiefs.

Smith-Njigba was the entire offense in the first half, accumulating 92 yards through the air while the rest of the offense managed only two, including his receiving touchdown. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made adjustments after the break that confined JSN to only 26 additional yards the rest of the way. Smith-Njigba now has seven 100-yard receiving games in eight appearances as he extended his league-leading yardage totals, far and away the top overall wide receiver in fantasy circles. That position will not change ahead of a Week 9 meeting with the Cardinals.

Burden’s opening drive score was the first touchdown surrendered by the Seahawks on an opening possession in the previous 26 games, finishing tied with tight end Colston Loveland for the team lead in targets while catching the only passing score from quarterback Caleb Williams. He continues to operate as the team’s top option through the air in a role that is most malleable, which can either be concentrated on the short areas against zone or extended in the vertical against man. Burden is a WR2 in a pass-funnel matchup against the Buccaneers in Week 9.

Swift managers were sweating early as he alternated drives with Roschon Johnson. Those worries were swiftly erased as the veteran lead back played almost the entirety of the second half, scoring all three of his short yardage touchdowns after the break. The three trips to paint marked his second game with three touchdowns through the first eight weeks, now the only player in the league with multiple three-touchdown games. Swift will be a matchup-based RB2 when the Bears host the Buccaneers in Week 9.

Williams marched the Bears down the field for a 17-play opening possession touchdown, snapping a 26-game streak in which the Seahawks kept opponents out of the end zone on first possessions in the process. The two teams traded defensive stops for much of the remainder of the first half before the Bears opened the flood gates after the break, vaulting to a 6-2 record and now just half a game behind the Vikings for the lead in the NFC North. Williams’ ball placement was impeccable in this one, the most notable of which came just after the half on three absolute dimes to Rome Odunze for chunk gains. Two surging teams meet in Week 9 when the Bears host the pass-funnel Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, where Williams will remain a back end QB1.

Tuten briefly left the team’s Week 8 win in the first quarter but returned to amass 159 total yards and two touchdowns against the overmatched Colts. Fantasy managers will want to track his status closely as the team makes a quick turn to face the Ravens on Thursday Night Football.