Nerds! The Dynasty Nerds writers are here to provide you with weekly start/sit advice all season long. We will be making our recommendations based on weekly consensus PPR rankings. Here is the Week 8 Quarterback Start/Sit from Staff Nerd Mike Hicks.
One thing to keep in mind when making quarterback start/sit decisions; it will ALWAYS depend on who your other options are. Don’t take the players below out of (or put them into) your lineups unless the alternates are worth it.
NOTE: Rankings are sourced from FantasyPros expert consensus expert rankings (ECR) and our terminology is for a 12-team PPR league. So, saying QB2 means top 24, or QB1 means top 12, etc.
Our writers answer all positional questions, including quarterback start/sit questions on Discord before the games exclusively for the #Nerdherd. The advanced metrics used in this article are courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite, use code NERDS for 25% off your own data suite subscription or All-in bundle.
| Player | FPts | Comp | Att | Yds | TDs | Int | Call | Rank | Result | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | 10.2 | 24 | 35 | 232 | 1 | 2 | Start | 12 | 21 | -6 |
| Justin Herbert | 14.8 | 27 | 39 | 349 | 0 | 0 | Start | 23 | 17 | +6 |
| Aidan O’Connell | 2.1 | 6 | 10 | 52 | 0 | 0 | Spotlight | 27 | 35 | -8 |
| Brock Purdy | 20.2 | 17 | 31 | 212 | 0 | 3 | Sit | 9 | 8 | +1 |
| Anthony Richardson | 9.8 | 10 | 24 | 129 | 0 | 0 | Sit | 15 | 22 | -7 |
1 QUARTERBACK START/sit
BO NIX I V. CAR I 15.5 FPPG I ECR 13 I 85% CONFIDENCE
Bo Nix has been a bright spot for the Denver Broncos and has given Broncos Country something to be proud of this season. Nix has passed for 1,246 yards and 5 touchdowns for a passer rating of 74.4. Nix and the Broncos have stepped up their game as of late, and Nix has proven his worth by throwing 4 of his TDs since Week 5. Nix has also shown his athleticism in the running game. He has 3 rushing TDs and is averaging 36.4 RuYPG, 6th amongst QBs with a minimum of 25 carries, according to Fantasy Points Data Suite.
Bo Nix will look to continue his recent success against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. This looks to be a juicy matchup for the Broncos offense. According to our Data Nerd Brad Custer’s (@moncalFF) DPOA chart (Defensive Percentage Over Average), the Panthers are expected to give up 18% over Nix’s average, making it the 3rd-most advantageous QB matchup in Week 8. According to our Dynasty Nerds GM Tool, Nix is projected for 18.3 points in Week 8, solidifying him as a top QB against the Panthers.
Expect Nix to continue to get his wide receivers involved, including his previous college teammate and fellow rookie, Troy Franklin. Not only is Nix a must start in Superflex leagues, but go ahead and start Nix in 1QB leagues as I expect him to have a top-10 performance.
1 QUARTERBACK start/SIT
KYLER MURRAY I V. MIA I 18.4 FPPG I ECR 9 I 60% CONFIDENCE
Kyler Murray’s season has had more ups and downs than a roller coaster. In both weeks following a top-5 performance, Murray finished outside the Top 15. In Week 8, Murray is following another top-5 performance. According to Fantasy Points Data Suite, out of quarterbacks with a minimum of 10 attempts, Murray is 8th in rushing attempts (36). However, he is 2nd in a yards per carry (YPC) with 9.03. Kyler Murray has the NFL’s 6th-highest first-read throw rate of 71.4% (FPDS). Murray will look to run after his first read more often than not.
The Miami Dolphins defense has been one of the only bright spots for Miami this season. Their offense has struggled, but the Dolphins have held their own. They are giving up a league-low 164.8 YPG (FPDS). They are also giving up a completion rate of 59.5%, the 3rd lowest in the NFL. According to Brad Custer’s DPOA chart, the Dolphins are expected to give up -41% less than Murray’s average. In Superflex leagues, Murray is a must start. But in 1QB leagues, I recommend sitting him for other borderline-or-better options.
SUPERFLEX QUARTERBACK START/sit
JUSTIN HERBERT I V. NO I 12.0 FPPG I ECR 26 I 75% CONFIDENCE
Bolt Up! The Los Angeles Chargers haven’t played consistently in 2024, and their 3-3 record is the only proof needed. In the Chargers’ Week 7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Justin Herbert had his first top-20 weekly performance. Herbert has 1,164 passing yards and 6 TDs. For a run-first team built like the Chargers, one of the best attributes a QB could have is ball security. Herbert only has 1 interception and has the 4th-best TWT at 1.4% (Turnover Worthy Throw Rate). He is starting to heat up the LA spotlight, throwing for 237 and 349 yards in Weeks 6 and 7, respectively.
The Los Angeles Chargers are at home against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8. The Saints defense has been a bend-but-don’t-break defense this season. They have given up the league’s 6th-most yards per game (261.3 YPG) but also have only given up 5 passing TDS. The Saints are ranked 2nd in interceptions (10), but don’t forget that Justin Herbert is one of the league’s best at not turning the ball over. Despite having a negative matchup (DPOA), Herbert is 9th in our Week 8 projections (Nerds GM). I recommend starting Herbert in Superflex leagues and expect him to finish as a top 20 QB, with the upside to finish around QB15.
SUPERFLEX QUARTERBACK start/SIT
Jared Goff I V. TEN I 18.3 FPPG I ECR 14 I 55% CONFIDENCE
Aggressive, gritty, powerful, and fun to watch! No, I am not describing a Ford Mustang. I am talking about the performance of quarterback Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions team. Goff is 3rd in the NFL in passing yards, averaging 268.3 YPG and has 10 passing TDs. Goff is an accurate QB with the league’s 2nd-best completion rate at 73.6% (FPDS). Even with Goff’s excellence, the Lions rely on the grittiness of the run attack when they get to in the red zone.
The Detroit Lions welcome the Tennessee Titans to the Motor City in Week 8. The Titans defense isn’t a unit to scoff at. They have given up only 179.8 passing YPG, the 2nd-best in the NFL (FPDS). They also have the 4th-best completion percentage against 59.6%. Jared Goff has a -5% matchup against the Titans (DPOA). More so, the Titans have struggled on offense, and the Lions should be in a positive game script more often than not in Week 8. The Lions rush for the league’s 2nd-best 155.5 YPG (FPDS). They also have the league’s 2nd highest rush rate at 48.4%. Due to the Titans’ defense and game script, feel free to keep Goff on your bench in Week 8.
QUARTERBACK SPOTLIGHT START/sit
TUA TAGOVAILOA I V. AZ I 13.6 FPPG I ECR 16 I 50% CONFIDENCE
Guess who’s back, back again? Tua’s back, tell a friend. Tua Tagovailoa is back for his first game after sustaining a concussion in Week 2. Since Tagovailoa’s injury, the Miami Dolphins have only averaged 10 PPG and a 1-3 record in his absence. He has a 1st read throw rate of 77.4% (FPDS), which seems to be by design. He will look to get his weapons Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, involved early, hoping to get the offense back on track. And he has a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, who are giving up the NFL’s 4th most fantasy points to QBs at 19.3 FPPG.
Some fantasy managers might be able to sit Tua Tagovailoa, but don’t be surprised with his fantasy success on Sunday. He is a must-start in Superflex leagues. I would consider starting him over QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, and Baker Mayfield.
QUARTERBACK SPOTLIGHT start/SIT
JAMEIS WINSTON I V. BAL I 1.9 FPPG I 30% CONFIDENCE
The inevitable has happened in Cleveland, but unfortunately, it’s due to injury. Jameis Winston is the new starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns after Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles in Week 7. Winston looks to spark an offense that has struggled badly this season. The Browns are facing a Baltimore Ravens defense that can be thrown against. The Ravens are giving up a league-high 308.4 passing YPG. I expect the Browns to be in a negative game script—a positive for Winston’s fantasy outlook, along with weapons David Njoku, Cedric Tillman, and company.
Jameis Winston should be on your radar when watching football on Sunday. If you can wait a week to start Winston, I recommend it. But many fantasy managers might not have other options in Superflex leagues. If you must, start Winston over players like Mason Rudolph and Gardner Minshew.
If you’ve been wondering what to do with those future dynasty rookie picks, check out our staff Superflex Mock Draft that includes video footage for every selection:
