In four of the nine 1:00pm Eastern games, a quarterback was knocked out. The four impacted teams averaged only 16 points. Depending on the severity of those QB injuries, anywhere from five to 10 to 20+ fantasy players could be impacted -- i.e. see the kind of production dips that most managers can't afford to endure heading into November.
With that in mind, let's run down the most notable fantasy impact for each Sunday team, while focusing (when appropriate) on the guys I highlighted on Saturday:
Cowboys -- A long-awaited breakout for CeeDee Lamb, who entered this one averaging "only" 14.9 points per game. He operates in one of the league's most top-heavy WR corps, which is a big reason why I drafted him late in the first round. As long as he and Dak Prescott remain healthy, CeeDee should finish in the top 5.
Rams -- Matthew Stafford's injury (as of Sunday night) makes him questionable for next week in Green Bay. If Brett Rypien is forced to start that game, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua might be no better than fringe streamers. Even if Stafford's out there, there are warning signs that L.A. might not be able to handle strong secondaries. Weeks 13 and onward consist of the Browns, @Ravens, Commanders, Saints, @Giants, and @49ers. There should be at least modest concern about whether this Rams passing attack will come close to replicating its earlier success.
Vikings -- While confirmation will come shortly, it's almost certain that Kirk Cousins is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Brutal news, particularly for a suddenly playoff-contending franchise on the eve of the trade deadline. Will they frantically try to acquire a stop-gap quarterback to keep this team at least moderately competitive? Or will they roll with fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall (with former backup Nick Mullens on injured reserve)? I can't imagine any NFC team giving up their backup, so guys like Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston presumably are off the table. But keep an eye on Andy Dalton in Carolina. . . .
Packers -- My preseason love for Jordan Love looks increasingly outdated. While his once-impressive backfield limps along, he's done little to elevate the offense (aside from some impressive runs). Until/unless Aaron Jones gets fully healthy, the entire fantasy complexion of this team will remainin "ugh" territory.
Titans -- Sometimes, it's fair to wonder what took a head coach so long to make a move. I always trust that they know what they're doing (even if it looks like they don't). In this case, why did Mike Vrabel wait until Week 8 to unleash Will Levis? Granted, it's only one game. But Levis *looks* like the team's best QB. Still, at the risk of sounding somewhere between obvious and fatalistic, I would sell high on DeAndre Hopkins as soon as possible. A 4-128-3 receiving line on six targets makes me nervous. Two of their next three games are on the road versus Pittsburgh and Jacksonville. Those will be bigger tests for a rookie QB and his alpha receiver.
Falcons -- I expected more from Desmond Ridder this summer, and in fairness, he entered Week 8 averaging 14.0 fantasy points per game, which placed him alongside veterans like Matthew Stafford and Geno Smith. But whereas L.A. and Seattle were doing a little better than expected, Atlanta is now doing a bit worse, sitting at 4-4 with an inconsistent, low-ceiling passing attack. If Taylor Heinicke keeps the starting job, he should be a boon for Drake London (who might be questionable for Week 9), as well as Kyle Pitts. And Heinicke might also help open up the running game. It's a net win from a fantasy perspective.
Colts -- Michael Pittman got more points, but Josh Downs led all Indy receivers with 72 yards. Pittman needed 13 targets to collect 40 yards. Downs appears to be the Colts' best fantasy WR with Gardner Minshew under center, and I still can't understand why I dropped him a few weeks ago. Oh yeah, it was because Anthony Richardson wasn't feeding him consistently. Then Richardson got hurt a few hours after I dropped Downs, and I didn't spend enough FAAB to get him back. Congrats to those who held on.
Saints -- I talked about Chris Olave's capped ceiling on Saturday, and he once again disappointed. While Derek Carr did far better than I expected, it's a huge concern that Olave is stuck in neutral, thanks in large part to a low catch rate (33% entering yesterday) inside the red zone, with defenses potentially forcing the Saints to try to beat them with a secondary or tertiary option.
Dolphins -- Jaylen Waddle went toe-to-toe with Tyreek Hill. This is why I tried (and failed) to buy low on Waddle earlier this month. He's a certifiable weekly must-start WR who happens to play alongside one of the game's best playmakers.
Patriots -- Last week I suggested Demario Douglas would be New England's top receiver the rest of the season. Yesterday, he led the team with seven targets, and with Kendrick Bourne getting hurt, Douglas has a shot at becoming a streamer next week against Washington.
Giants -- Another team, another major injury. The gap between Tyrod Taylor and 25-year-old rookie QB Tommy DeVito is immeasurable. If Taylor and Daniel Jones are out next weekend, Saquon Barkley might be tasked with another 39-touch performance. Speaking of which, I understand that this organization promised Saquon they wouldn't trade him. But with a 2-6 record, they can either run him into the ground or get something decent in return.
Jets -- Breece Hall had only two targets in each of his first three games, as he was gradually ramping up after last year's season-ending injury. But yesterday's nine targets is part of a trend that began in Week 4, as Hall has become a bigger part of the passing game. As we saw on Sunday, that proved to be the difference between a disastrous fantasy showing and an elite fantasy showing.
Steelers -- Kenny Pickett's injury reminded us that he's deserving of his spot atop the depth chart. It remains unclear if his rib injury will keep him out in Week 9. While Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren look like longshots for top-35 RB production against Tennessee, George Pickens and Diontae Johnson are primed for double-digit scoring, especially if Pickett is back under center.
Jaguars -- The return of Calvin Ridley, marking only his third outing with more than 40 receiving yards. The good news is that he remains an integral season-long asset. The bad news is that Trevor Lawrence hasn't taken his game to the next level. And with Travis Etienne dominating in all facets of the game, Ridley probably will remain hit-or-miss most weeks.
Commanders -- If you heeded my urgency about not quitting on Jahan Dotson, then you're in considerably better shape heading into next week. Curtis Samuel's injury certainly helped Dotson's case. But the young wideout is back where he belongs as a streamer+ WR.
Eagles -- The same goes for DeVonta Smith, who I pushed alongside Dotson in my Saturday column, adding "healthy talent usually wins in the end." Smith is now in the top 25 with plenty of room to grow.
Panthers -- Chuba Hubbard out-touched Miles Sanders 17-2. Was it pretty? Absolutely not. But until further notice, this is Hubbard's backfield. If you're in a league where trading actually happens, it's a great time to sell high on Hubbard -- particularly to a manager who's trying to cobble together lineups featuring little-used RBs.
Texans -- Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary split touches (12 apiece). As shared last week, this is shaping up to be a no-win situation for managers. The Texans rise and fall with their passing attack, not with their ground attack. All managers can do is wait it out. But in the meantime, you might be able to find higher-upside streaming RBs, even in deeper leagues.
Seahawks -- Jake Bobo strike again! Honestly, when this season started, what were the odds that in Week 8, D.K. Metcalf would be the only top-four Seattle receiver not to score? In other news, Zach Charbonnet returned and looked great. Good news for those who've been stashing Charbonnet. Not ideal news for Kenneth Walker, whose usage dipped to a season-low.
Browns -- David Njoku has picked things up the past two games, collecting a combined 17 targets. There are plenty of sell-high vibes, as his elevated workload yesterday came at the expense of Elijah Moore.
Broncos -- With Patrick Mahomes under the weather and Denver mirroring Washington's strategy from last season when the Commanders knocked off the undefeated Eagles, the Chiefs didn't have much of a chance. Russell Wilson completed only five passes to his WRs and never targeted his TEs. His backfield handled 39 touches, and Wilson ran it eight times. It was a workmanlike effort for a team that had lost 16 straight to K.C. The big news is Javonte Williams' 30 touches. And while inefficiency might have plagued him in different circumstances, on this afternoon, it was one of his most impressive performances since his rookie campaign.
Chiefs -- They can't take a mulligan, but they can move on and forget this ever happened. Fantasy-wise, Rashee Rice still got his points with 56 yards on four catches. While every other Chiefs WR moves in and out of relevancy, Rice is the one constant.
Cardinals -- Emari Demercado has solidified his bellcow status with James Conner sidelined. More pointedly, I pushed Trey McBride after Zach Ertz landed on IR. McBride is the real deal, folks. He was the first TE off the board in the 2022 NFL draft. How he gels with Kyler Murray (when Murray returns, though it won't be next week) will determine whether McBride is a weekly must-start tight end.
Ravens -- I was wrong about Gus Edwards, who I still (wrongly) view through the lens of a two-down, TD-dependent option. Yes, he scored three times, and managers deservedly will take that to the bank. But he's getting a little more work in the passing game, and is doing a lot with those touches. There's room for growth, and he's seized on these initial opportunities.
49ers -- Remember when Brock Purdy was undefeated in the regular season? Three straight losses have put this franchise in a deep hole heading into their bye. Notably, Purdy's turnovers have grown from zero (in his last win), to one, and then two, and then three yesterday. They'll get the Jaguars in Week 10 on the road. Purdy might be no better than a fringe starter in 14-team leagues, even if Deebo Samuel's back.
Bengals -- Sticking with quarterbacks, Joe Burrow entered yesterday with a 14-14 rushing line. Yes, 14 yards on 14 carries. But against San Fran, he reeled off 43 yards on six carries. Needless to say, he appears to be as close to 100% as anyone can be midseason. That's incredible news for managers who have him and/or any of Cincy's key skill players. This offense appears to be what it always could be.
Chargers -- I could talk about how Austin Ekeler's continuing to scuffle on the ground, averaging an anemic 2.3 yards per carry in his last three outings. But let's not rain on anyone's parade, at least not now. Notably, Quentin Johnston earned more run alongside Joshua Palmer, culminating in the rookie's best showing of his brief career. In more negative or neutral game scripts, Johnston now looks more likely to be a mainstay fantasy presence, albeit still with a fairly low ceiling.
Bears -- A week after looking half-decent versus the hapless Raiders' defense, rookie Tyson Bagent couldn't get much going against a similarly beatable Chargers defense. Justin Fields can't return soon enough. Fantasy-wise, Roschon Johnson returned and looked as good as D'Onta Foreman, while Darrynton Evans somehow looked better than both. Although it's too early to know who will have a leg up next weekend, it might not matter unless Fields is back.