Weekend Wonderings: Week 08 (2025)

1. The two worst rushing teams in the NFL, in terms of yards per carry, are, as we suspected, the (checks notes), the (double-checks notes)… San Francisco and Philadelphia? They are tied at 3.3 YPC.  How is it possible that these two teams, with Christian McCaffrey (RB-SF) and Saquon Barkley (RB-Phi) are the two worst in the league, you might ask.  Well, the answer is… I have no idea, but I do not believe that is where they will finish.  In Philadelphia’s case, the amount of times they run the tush push/brotherly shove plays a part in that number, but Barkley is still only averaging 3.3 YPC this season.  Part of the issue with Barkley is that Philly’s OL is simply not as good as last year.  Barkley saw 3.8 yards before contact in 2024, but that number has dropped to 1.8 this season.  We saw signs of life in Week 07 with McCaffrey, as he averaged 5.4 YPC, and I think San Fran’s rushing attack will continue to see better production—the return of George Kittle (TE-SF) is underestimated in terms of the team’s rushing ability. For Barkley, we can hope that the continued development of Philly’s passing attack will open up the rushing attack.  A.J. Brown (WR-Phi) being ruled OUT might not be that bad, as it could mean more targets for Barkley.  The Week 08 match-up against the Giants should serve as a litmus test. 

 

2. Speaking of A.J. Brown (WR-Phi) being ruled out, it should be obvious that Jahan Dotson (WR-Phi) is a sneaky play for Week 08.

 

3. If I have Trey McBride (TE-Ari) on my fantasy team, I am hoping that Arizona stays with Jacoby Brissett (QB-Ari) at QB over Kyler Murray (QB-Ari).  He saw the 5th most targets (13) he has ever seen in a game in Week 07 with Brissett at QB, and he had his first 2 TD game of his career.

 

4. Reacting to TNF’s Minnesota-LA Charger game, Kimani Vidal (RB-LAC) and Oronde Gadsden II (TE-LAC) both appear to have staying power in fantasy football.  In addition, the idea that Ladd McConkey (WR-LAC) being the 3rd best fantasy receiver on this team seems to be no longer valid.  Quintin Johnston (WR-LAC) seems to have fallen off the fantasy radar.  It could be that his injury is affecting his play, but I would keep him on the bench until he reemerges.

 

5. I wonder if we should give up on TreVeon Henderson (RB-NE). Rhamondre Stevenson (RB-NE) has seen over 70% of the snaps the last two weeks while Henderson has not seen more than 30%. Henderson has also not seen a Red Zone target or touch in the last two weeks while Stevenson has seen 7.  I would still hold Henderson, though.  New England, as long as they are winning, are not going to make any big changes, but a loss, or a fumble or two by Stevenson, could alter that.  Neither, however, are really lighting it up rushing the ball—both are averaging 6 YPC.   

 

6. If you are looking for some deep league dart throws for this week, I wonder if I could interest you in Brashard Smith (RB-KC), Devin Neal (RB-NO), Kameron Johnson (WR-TB), or Malik Heath (WR-GB)–unless Christian Watson (WR-GB) is activated, 

 

7. Cole Kmet (TE-Chi) has been ruled out.  Colston Loveland (TE-Chi) has top 6 TE potential for Week 08, but I would still temper expectations.  The TEs combined on Chicago’s offense has accounted for a 17% target share in total, and this game has the look of Chicago running and running some more.

 

8. Week 08 was supposed to see the return of Lamar Jackson (QB-Bal) and Justin Fields (QB-NYJ) being replaced by Tyrod Taylor (QB-BYJ).  I wrote “supposed” because neither are happening.  Downgrade all Baltimore and Jets skill position players.

 

9. The players who gain the most from Jackson and Taylor not playing are the opposing teams’ RBs and Kickers, in my opinion.  I would updgrade Chase Brown (RB-Cin), D’Andre Swift (RB-Chi), Kyle Monangai (RB-Chi), Evan McPherson (K-Cin), and Jake Moody (K-Chi).

 

10. And finally…, I wonder who won the neck decorating contest.  I guess it was a tie.