We have passed the eighth week 2025 nfl seasonAnd despite six teams having byes, the schedule is loaded. To get ready for it, our NFL analysts give you some last-minute preparation tips. Here’s everything you need to know before Sunday’s action begins with 11 matchups.
First, analytics writer Seth Walder breaks down three statistical trends that could be important this weekend. Then fantasy football writer Eric Moody looks at five players who have been covered under 50% espn fantasy football league By Saturday and can be started in the jam. NFL analyst Matt Bowen then predicted three potential big surprises and sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado revealed her favorite bets for Week 8.
Can the Steelers keep? Micah Parsons away from aaron rodgers On Sunday night? Can the Bears upset the Ravens in Baltimore? Should we expect more fantasy for this one? Joe FlaccoWhat else can we see Alec Pierce Find the end zone for the first time this season? Let’s dive in.
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state trends , imaginary sleeper
potential surprise , best bet
Walder: Three key statistical trends that could determine the winners of Week 8
Will the Patriots be able to hit a shot in the middle of the field? against The Browns’ defense?
New England’s passing attack is on fire, ranking second in EPA per dropback this season and first through week three. The Patriots operate more in the middle of the field than other teams, with 56% of their pass attempts going between the numbers – the second-highest rate in the NFL. But this is where the Browns stop goals, as only 43% of the goals against them have gone between the numbers, which is the second-lowest rate among defenses.
When teams attack Brown between the numbers, it usually works poorly. Cleveland has a minus-0.02 EPA per game and a 54% defensive success rate on those plays, both fourth-best in the league. So can the Patriots beat Cleveland in the middle of the field, or will they have to adapt to find success elsewhere?
Can the Steelers? prevent packers edge rusher Micah Parsons,
If we are trying to predict the probability that the newest Packers superstar (Parsons) will sack a former Packers superstar (aaron rodgers), there are some factors we have to consider. Three of them are favored to have at least one sack:
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Parsons is an amazing pass rusher who has an elite record, including exceptional play this season. He has 5.5 sacks, as well as a 26.1% pass rush win rate which is third best in the NFL.
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Parsons lines up opposite the left tackle compared to other positions. This means he’ll face Pittsburgh again and again Broderick JonesWhose 78% pass block win rate ranks 68th out of 69 qualifying tackles.
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Packers are favored in the game, so they are more likely to end up in a favorable game script.
But there’s also something to consider on the other hand: Rodgers is getting the ball off the ground quicker – an average of 2.63 seconds, second-fastest in the league – and is taking sacks at a 4.8% clip, which is better than average.
So where does that leave us? Parsons’ prognosis is still very good. According to my sack model, he has a 52% chance of recording at least 1.0 sacks this week, which is second best among all players in Week 8. But still…it’s not a lock.
What can bears do? slow down the crows are running back derrick henry,
Henry has had over 100 rushing yards twice this season – at the Ravens week 1 loss bills and their week 6 loss For Ram. But in the meantime, he failed to pass for more than 50 yards in any other game.
So which version of Henry will we see on Sunday? I think a big day is coming. For starters, quarterback lamar jackson can backThat should help open things up for Henry in the running game. But beyond that, the Bears defense is allowing 2.3 yards per carry after contact. That’s the worst in the NFL, and a tough pairing against a Ravens offense that is averaging 2.3 yards per carry after contact (third best).
The Ravens also run at a brisk pace out of the zone (46% of the time, fifth most), which the Bears have particularly struggled to stop. Chicago is allowing 5.8 yards per carry against those plays. It all works out in Henry’s favor.
Moody: Five fantasy sleepers you need to pick up – and start doing this week
cad otontee, tampa bay buccaneers (36.0% roasted)
Otton has emerged as a steady fantasy option, recording 15 goals in his last two games and scoring over 10 fantasy points in three straight games. he led the buccaneers week 7 With seven receptions for 65 yards and remains a major safety valve for the quarterback Baker Mayfield,
with mike evans Sidelined for the regular season (broken collarbone) And chris godwin jrreturn uncertain (fibula), Oton should continue to see strong volumes Against a mediocre Saints defense,
troy franklinwr, denver broncos (34.2% roasted)
Franklin sees top 10 goals in a season week 7Indication of increased involvement in the Broncos’ passing game. While he turned that volume into just three receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown, there’s opportunity for more production. week 8The Cowboys have allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers, giving Franklin a chance to surpass his season-high, 24-point outing. week 2,
fast johnsonwr, tampa bay buccaneers (29.9% roasted)
Johnson has become another reliable option for the Bucs and fantasy managers, scoring a touchdown in back-to-back games and seeing nine targets. against the lionsOver the past three weeks, he has accumulated 162 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. He should remain a key target for Mayfield against a Saints defense that has allowed the eighth-most touchdowns to wide receivers.
kyle monangaiRB, Chicago Bears (26.3% roasted)
Monangai is having his best game of the season, posting 17.4 fantasy points on a season-high 15 touches against the saintsCoach Ben Johnson appears committed to sharing the carries d’andre swift And Monangai, similar to his Detroit days Jahmir Gibbs And david montgomerypair now Ravens defense faces This is allowing running backs the second most fantasy points per game.
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Is Kyle Monangai a fantasy flex option in Week 8?
Mike Clay explains how Kyle Monangai isn’t ready yet to be the running back starter or flex option in fantasy for Week 8.
Joe Flaccocubby, cincinnati bengals (23.1% roasted)
Flacco has immediately revitalized the Bengals’ offense, throwing for 561 yards and five touchdown passes with no interceptions in two starts. He is getting the ball out quickly and reading defenses efficiently, which has increased production in Cincinnati’s passing game. And Flacco only scored 25.9 fantasy points against the steelerswith distinguished playwrights such as jammer chase And t higgins At his disposal.
Fantasy managers can count on him vs jetsEspecially with the Cardinals, Jaguars, Lions, Raiders, Rams and Seahawks all bye.
Bowen: Don’t be surprised if…
hawks are chasing bijan robinson rushes over 100 yards against dolphins
Robinson was limited to 40 rushing yards (on 12 carries) week 7 loss for the 49ers, but he has topped the 100-yard mark twice this season. We have to play a favorable matchup against the Miami defense here. Through seven weeks, the Dolphins are giving up a league-worst 159.3 rushing yards per game.
I had the same prediction for the Browns rookie running back quinshawn judkins against miami last weekAnd he ran for 84 yards (with three TDs). Robinson will clip 100 on Sunday.
colts wide receiver Alec Pierce catches a touchdown against the titans
As the Colts’ vertical stretch target, Pierce is averaging 19.8 yards per reception — but he has yet to find the end zone this season. I think that will change against the Titans.
look for the quarterback Daniel Jones Targeting Pierce while playing a shot which easily leads to six runs. Pierce has the straight line juice to create separation over the top against Tennessee, providing just that early protection. l jarius sneed But injured reserve,
books security antony winfield jrStops the Saints quarterback spencer rattler
Rattler has only thrown four interceptions this season, but three of them came last week Against a Bears defense that changed the picture after the snap. He will also have to face the same dilemma against a bucs unit He is in the top 10 in both blitzes and pressure rate, which could allow Winfield to earn his first pick of the season.
Maldonado: My favorite bet for Week 8
Chicago Bears at +6.5 Baltimore Ravens
turnover gap Talk can happen here. The Bears lead the league at plus-11, while the Ravens are 31st at minus-7. It’s an 18-possession swing between two teams that play at similar speeds and run-heavy rates.
Chicago just needs to protect the ball and shorten drives on Sunday. Baltimore’s offense falls apart at quarterback lamar jackson Makes mistakes, and the Bears defense has been opportunistic all season long. Even if the Ravens move the ball, extra possessions and short fields help the Bears cover. This is too big a difference to ignore in this volatile game.
