Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Kickers and Team Defenses Fantasy Football Week 8

Eagles should have an easy time in the battle of Pennsylvania.

Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Josh Allen, Jonathan Taylor or Cooper Kupp. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the NFL season.

Fabs Top 10 team defenses

1. Eagles D/ST vs. Steelers
2. Cowboys D/ST vs. Bears
3. Bills D/ST at Packers
4. 49ers D/ST at Rams
5. Patriots D/ST at Jets
6. Broncos D/ST at Jaguars 
7. Jets D/ST vs. Patriots
8. Titans D/ST at Texans
9. Dolphins D/ST at Lions
10. Jaguars D/ST vs. Broncos

Byes: Chargers, Chiefs

Updated Week 8 Rankings | Flex Rankings

Week 8 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Week 8 Start ‘Em: Defenses

Start of the Week

Eagles D/ST vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Eagles field one of the best D/ST units in fantasy land, and this week’s matchup against Kenny Pickett and the Steelers makes it a must start. Pickett’s been a real turnover machine, throwing seven interceptions in four games. He’s also been sacked six times in that span.

Start ‘Em

Falcons D/ST vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Falcons don’t field one of the better fantasy defenses in the league, but this unit can be worth a look when the matchup is favorable. That’s the case this week, as Atlanta hosts P.J. Walker and a Panthers offense that’s averaging just 17.7 points and the fewest yards per game.

More Starts

• Cowboys D/ST vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Dolphins D/ST at Lions (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Colts D/ST vs. Commanders (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains

• 49ers D/ST at Rams ($3,100)
• Patriots D/ST at Jets ($3,000)

Week 8 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Cardinals D/ST at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Cardinals defense ranks sixth in fantasy points at the position, but I’d fade this unit in a matchup against the Vikings. Defenses have averaged the third-fewest points against their offense, which has committed just six giveaways and allowed the sixth-fewest sacks.

Sit ‘Em

Steelers D/ST at Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Steelers D/ST has struggled in fantasy land this season, and this week’s game against the Eagles is anything but favorable. Defenses have averaged the sixth-fewest points against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, who have committed a league-low two giveaways after six games.

More Sits

• Rams D/ST vs. 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Packers D/ST at Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
• Saints D/ST vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades

• Raiders D/ST at Saints ($3,400)
• Vikings D/ST vs. Cardinals ($3,300)

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Fabs Top 10 kickers

1. Daniel Carlson at Saints
2. Tyler Bass vs. Packers
3. Brett Maher vs. Bears
4. Justin Tucker at Buccaneers (TNF)
5. Evan McPherson at Browns (MNF)
6. Jason Myers vs. Giants
7. Jason Sanders at Jets
8. Graham Gano at Seahawks
9. Jake Elliott vs. Steelers
10. Ryan Succop vs. Ravens (TNF)

Byes: Chargers, Chiefs

Week 8 Start ‘Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

Jason Myers vs. Giants (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Myers has quietly been one of the top kickers in fantasy football, ranking third at the position after seven weeks. I’d be sure to start him this week, as the Seahawks face a Giants defense that’s allowed 20 field-goal attempts and an average of 8.6 fantasy points a game to kickers.

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More Starts

• Tyler Bass vs. Packers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
• Jason Sanders at Lions (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Jake Elliott vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Bass over 7.5 points (-133)

Week 8 Sit ‘Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Wil Lutz vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Lutz has been hot in the stat sheets lately, scoring nine or more points in three straight games. Still, he’s a fade for me this week, as the veteran faces a Raiders defense that's allowed just nine field-goal conversions and an average of fewer than seven points a game to kickers.

SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Boswell under 1.5 field goals made (-158)

More Sits

• Brandon McManus at Jaguars (London, 9;30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
• Nick Folk at Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Mason Crosby at Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

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Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business to help you win a fantasy championship!