Week 8 Fantasy Football Instant Reactions: Tucker Kraft makes statement on National Tight Ends Day, helps spoil Aaron Rodgers' revenge game

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Running backs stole the spotlight from the TEs on National Tight End Day with monster performances. From Jonathan Taylor and James Cook to RJ Harvey, they reminded us why the position still matters. Quarterbacks like Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud restored some faith with sharp, confident outings, while others like Caleb Williams and Dillon Gabriel left us with even more questions heading into Week 9.

Whether you’re celebrating a week-winning performance or staring at your roster wondering what went wrong, there was no shortage of fireworks, frustrations and fantasy chaos. Here are your Week 8 Instant Reactions.

Tucker Kraft Shines as Jordan Love and the Packers outduel Aaron Rodgers

Sunday Night Football was supposed to be Aaron Rodgers’ revenge game — his chance to take down the franchise he helped lead to a Super Bowl and cement his Hall of Fame legacy by becoming the fifth quarterback in NFL history to beat every NFL team. But instead of Rodgers having the storybook ending, it was Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers who stole the show. The student outplayed the teacher and Love looked every bit like the quarterback the Packers believed he could become when they drafted him back in 2020.

Love was in complete command all night, finishing 29-of-37 for 360 yards and three touchdowns. He wasn’t sacked once and didn’t turn the ball over. It was a calm, clinical performance against a Steelers defense that couldn’t convert pressures to sacks.

Love’s favorite target and the star of National Tight End Day was Tucker Kraft, who exploded for seven catches, 143 yards and two touchdowns. Kraft dominated every matchup he faced, rumbling through would-be tacklers and working the seams with confidence. Kraft also leaves Sunday Night Football as the leader in receiving yards for Week 8.

Christian Watson finally returned from a knee injury and showed flashes of his trademark explosiveness, grabbing four passes for 85 yards while Romeo Doubs added three catches for 44 yards. On the ground, Josh Jacobs was mostly bottled up with 33 yards on 13 carries but still found the end zone while Emanuel Wilson quietly led the team with 61 rushing yards.

The night didn’t go the way Rodgers hoped. He completed 24-of-36 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, showing moments of the precision and control that made him one of the greats. But despite his efforts, this Steelers offense simply doesn’t have enough juice. DK Metcalf caught five balls for 55 yards and a score and Roman Wilson hauled in four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown but beyond that, there was little help. Jaylen Warren ran hard for 62 yards and Kenneth Gainwell added 31, yet the offense struggled to sustain drives when it mattered most.

Defensively, Pittsburgh continues to look far more vulnerable than its reputation suggests. Even with Josh Jacobs struggling on the ground, Green Bay moved the ball at will through the air. This isn’t the intimidating Steelers defense we’ve come to expect and from a fantasy perspective, it’s no longer a matchup to fear.

That said, Rodgers deserves credit. For all the criticism he faced coming into the season, he’s playing as well as anyone could, given the limitations of this roster. Wilson is developing, Calvin Austin is still finding his footing and while Metcalf remains a reliable weapon, this offense lacks another difference-maker. Don’t be surprised if the Steelers look to add a wide receiver before the trade deadline.

Instant Reaction: Jordan Love and Tucker Kraft were the story. The Packers have a rising fantasy football star at tight end — and momentum heading into Week 9.

If you still needed confirmation, you got it on Sunday. Jonathan Taylor is the fantasy football MVP through eight weeks. In a slate where running backs stole the show, nobody came close to what Taylor did. Fourteen touches, 36 fantasy points, his third overall RB1 finish of the season and his fourth career game with at least three total touchdowns. Efficiency like that doesn’t make sense, but Taylor’s making the extraordinary routine.

This wasn’t a game the Colts needed him to dominate. They blew out Tennessee 38-14, improving to 7-1 while the Titans dropped to 1-7. Yet even in limited work, Taylor ripped off chunk gains and reminded everyone why he’s a league-winner. His 80-yard touchdown run, where he hit 21.21 mph, was his sixth time topping 20 mph as a ball carrier this year, twice as many as any other running back in the league according to NextGenStats. He’s a cheat code right now.

Through eight games, Taylor sits at 14 total touchdowns, more than double the entire Titans offense with seven. He’s the first player since Jamaal Charles in 2013 to record 500 scrimmage yards and 10 scores across a four-game span. Only a few legends like LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, Priest Holmes and Shaun Alexander have ever posted as many three-touchdown games in a single season.

Taylor has already joined that company, and it’s only October.

What makes it scarier for the rest of your league is that he’s doing it in a balanced, functional offense. Daniel Jones threw three touchdowns with just eight incompletions. Michael Pittman Jr. hauled in eight grabs for 95 yards and a score. Josh Downs and Alec Pierce both contributed as well. The Colts aren’t leaning on Taylor because they have to, they’re leaning on him because, when he touches the ball, good things happen.

This is what a fantasy MVP looks like: A player who can singlehandedly swing matchups and break projections even on limited volume.

Don’t overthink it. Don’t get cute. Jonathan Taylor is a locked-in RB1 every week and a league-winner. If you roster him, buckle up because this ride’s far from over.

Instant Reaction: Jonathan Taylor is the fantasy football MVP and the ultimate league-winner through eight weeks.

James Cook is one of the best in the game

The Buffalo Bills didn’t just beat the Carolina Panthers, they dismantled them 40-9 in a game that was over before halftime. But while Josh Allen is the unquestioned face of the franchise, it was James Cook who completely stole the show. Nineteen carries, 216 yards, two touchdowns and a long run of 64 yards. This was the kind of performance that makes you sit up, rewind the highlights and realize you might be watching one of the best backs in football hit his stride.

Cook has been rock solid all season, but this was different; this was dominance. He averaged 11 yards per carry, and if Carolina had even been remotely competitive, he might have threatened the NFL single-game rushing record. That’s how explosive he looked. The speed, the vision, the burst — it was all there. He went into Sunday Night Football with his fifth top-10 fantasy finish of the year and could walk out with his third top-five performance if things hold through Monday. He also posted his first 30-point game in half-PPR scoring, proving he’s more than just a steady back-end RB1. He’s a true difference-maker.

According to NextGen Stats, Cook generated 121 rushing yards over expected, the fourth-most in a game since 2018. He gained 189 of his 216 rushing yards outside the tackles and 141 yards before contact. That’s not just a good game; that’s offensive-line domination paired with elite efficiency. The Panthers defense should be embarrassed.

The Bills coaching staff deserves credit, too. They came out of the bye week with a clear plan — simplify things, lean on the ground game and let Cook go to work. Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox were barely involved. Allen only threw for 163 yards with one passing touchdown, adding two short rushing scores, but make no mistake: This was James Cook’s day from the jump.

Fantasy managers have waited for this kind of ceiling game from Cook and it finally arrived. He’s now a top running back option the rest of the way, playing with confidence behind an offense that looks rejuvenated when it runs through him.

Instant Reaction: James Cook is a top-five fantasy running back rest-of-season and deserves every bit of his flowers.

Tip of the hat to Justin Fields

The New York Jets finally got into the win column, pulling off their first victory of the season as road underdogs over the Cincinnati Bengals. And while Breece Hall was the engine, Justin Fields was the spark that brought this team to life. After a brutal week filled with criticism from owner Woody Johnson and whispers about his future, Fields responded with his best performance of the season. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown, added 31 rushing yards and most importantly, didn’t turn the ball over or take a single sack.

It wasn’t flashy, but it was exactly what the Jets needed — poise, leadership and control.

Everything about this game felt like a make-or-break moment for Fields. Woody Johnson publicly questioned his play, the media buried him and fans assumed Tyrod Taylor would start. But when Taylor couldn’t go, Fields got the nod and delivered. He wasn’t perfect, but he commanded the offense with confidence. He found Tyler Johnson for three catches, 64 yards and a score, and made the right reads all afternoon. Without Garrett Wilson in the lineup, Fields still kept the offense moving and spread the ball where it needed to go.

Then there was Hall, who reminded everyone that he’s one of the most underrated running backs in football. Hall piled up 133 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, plus threw a touchdown to rookie TE Mason Taylor. When the offense needed balance, Hall provided it. When it needed a spark, Fields gave it. Together, they helped the Jets put up 39 points and walk out with a well-earned win.

On the other sideline, it was another collapse for Cincinnati. Joe Flacco finished with three total touchdowns and was a top-five fantasy quarterback, Ja’Marr Chase went for 12 catches and 91 yards and Chase Brown added two scores. Yet, despite all that production, the Bengals lost again — their 13th defeat since the start of 2024, and in five of those losses they’ve scored at least 33 points. That tells you how bad this defense has been.

Fields still has a long way to go, but this was the kind of performance that quiets the noise. Mistake-free football, efficient passing and composure in a game he wasn’t supposed to win. The Jets might not be fixed, but this was a step forward.

Instant Reaction: Tip of the hat to Justin Fields for silencing the critics and delivering when his team needed it most.

Caleb Williams has to be better

At some point, potential has to turn into production. Caleb Williams was drafted No. 1 overall in 2024 to change the Chicago Bears, not just flash highlight-reel plays every few weeks. Through eight games, it’s starting to feel like the hype is fading. The Bears fell 30-16 to the Baltimore Ravens, and while the box score shows 285 passing yards, an interception and 24 rushing yards, the tape told a different story. Once again, Williams struggled with consistency, accuracy and situational awareness.

We know the arm talent is real; that cross-field throw to DJ Moore was a thing of beauty, the kind of play that reminds you why he was the top pick. But it’s the routine stuff that’s holding him back. Overthrows on short routes. Late reads over the middle. Missed timing with his receivers. The Bears have surrounded Williams with legit talent — Moore, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III — and he’s still leaving too many plays on the field.

Odunze finally returned to his early-season production with seven catches for 114 yards, and Moore made the most of his four grabs for 73 yards, including a 42-yard strike. Olamide Zaccheaus hauled in seven short catches, but for just 33 yards. Colston Loveland caught three balls for 38 yards, but this offense felt disconnected from the jump. Ben Johnson’s scheme can only do so much if the quarterback isn’t executing.

On the other side, Tyler Huntley and Derrick Henry controlled the game. Henry pounded the rock 21 times for 71 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens didn’t need flash — they just played steady, mistake-free football, and that was enough.

This is three straight weeks of subpar play from Williams, and the pressure is mounting. He doesn’t need to be Superman. He just needs to be consistent. For a player who once said Chicago wouldn’t need its punt team, it’s time to start proving it.

Instant Reaction: Caleb Williams has all the tools, but it’s time for results — the Bears need him to start looking like the franchise quarterback he was drafted to be.

Tua Tagovailoa torches Atlanta while the Falcons fall flat

The Atlanta Falcons should be embarrassed by what happened in their own building. With Michael Penix Jr. sidelined, Kirk Cousins got the start — the same quarterback the team handed over $100 million to last offseason — and he gave them absolutely nothing. Fantasy managers thought this was a get-right spot. Bijan Robinson against a Miami defense giving up nearly 170 rushing yards per game felt like a lock. But this game was anything but that.

Bijan was a massive bust. Nine carries, 25 yards, one fumble. He added three receptions for 23 yards and still couldn’t make a difference. That’s not the type of production you expect from a first-round fantasy pick in a prime matchup. Cousins was lifeless, completing 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards with no touchdowns. Kyle Pitts Sr. led the team with nine receptions for just 59 yards while KhaDarel Hodge and Robinson combined for a handful of short gains. With no Drake London on the field, this offense looked toothless.

Meanwhile, on the other sideline, Tua Tagovailoa gave everyone in Miami reason to still believe in him. Twenty-of-twenty-six passing, 205 yards and four touchdowns. Precision, rhythm and total command of the game. Jaylen Waddle went off for 99 yards and a touchdown. De’Von Achane added five catches for 24 yards and another score. Malik Washington caught four balls for 36 yards and a touchdown, and Ollie Gordon II added one more through the air. It was a clinical showing from the Dolphins offense and a complete embarrassment for Atlanta’s defense.

Mike McDaniel’s group looked sharp, explosive and confident again — the version of Miami that fantasy managers have been waiting to see.

Instant Reaction: Keep starting your Dolphins for now.

C.J. Stroud rediscovers rookie-year swagger

If you’ve been waiting for C.J. Stroud to look like that guy again, Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers was the performance you were hoping for. The Texans’ young quarterback was in complete control from the jump — decisive, accurate and calm against one of the most physical (albeit injured) defenses in football. Stroud finished 30 of 39 for 318 yards, two touchdowns and 30 rushing yards, putting together one of his best fantasy outings of the season and one of his sharpest real-life performances since his 2023 rookie campaign.

What makes this outing even more impressive is who wasn’t on the field. Stroud did all of this without Nico Collins, who sat out with a concussion and with Dalton Schultz battling through an injury. Yet, the offense never sputtered. The Texans controlled the ball for most of the game, running 36 times and holding possession for over 10 minutes in the first quarter alone. Nick Chubb wasn’t efficient (56 yards on 17 carries), but he kept the defense honest on the ground, while rookie Woody Marks gave Houston the spark it needed. Marks totaled 62 yards on the ground and added four receptions for 49 yards, looking like a real threat both as a runner and receiver.

The Texans’ receivers also stepped up. Xavier Hutchinson caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Jayden Higgins, a rookie, found the end zone on a 12-yard grab. Jaylin Noel, the other rookie, added five catches for 63 yards, flashing quickness and separation ability. This was as balanced and composed as we’ve seen this offense all year.

The 49ers, however, looked drained. Christian McCaffrey could only muster 25 yards on eight carries. Mac Jones threw two touchdowns and one pick but the Niners never found rhythm. This was a total statement from the Texans, who are starting to look like a team that can move the ball on anyone when Stroud is in rhythm.

Instant Reaction: You have to feel encouraged about this Texans offense and both rookies, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, should be on your fantasy radar moving forward.

TreVeyon Henderson giveth and taketh away

The New England Patriots handled business at home, taking down the Cleveland Browns 32-13 behind a dominant performance from quarterback Drake Maye, who threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns while adding 50 yards on the ground. But the real story here for fantasy managers is rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson — the rookie RB who giveth and then taketh away.

After being buried on the depth chart for most of the season, Henderson finally got meaningful work and made the most of it early. He looked explosive, decisive and fast through the hole, ripping off chunk plays against a Cleveland front that was missing its gap discipline all afternoon. He finished with 10 carries for 75 yards, showing the burst and vision that made him a top prospect out of college. For a player who was supposed to be known for his pass-catching ability, Henderson didn’t register a single reception, but it didn’t matter — his impact on the ground was felt immediately.

And then came the fumble. Late in the game, Henderson lost the ball near the goal line, coughing up what should’ve been a statement moment in a breakout performance. The good news? The Patriots were never in real danger, as Dillon Gabriel and the Browns couldn’t move the ball through the air. But for Henderson, that play will linger. It’s a reminder that rookie mistakes can erase big gains in the eyes of coaching staffs.

Still, the flashes were undeniable. Henderson looked like New England’s most dynamic running back on Sunday, and if the Patriots want to keep Maye upright and balanced, they need to get him more touches moving forward.

Instant Reaction: TreVeyon Henderson showed why he deserves more work — the fumble stings, but the upside is too explosive to ignore.

Dillon Gabriel’s struggles continue in Cleveland

For a few brief moments, it looked like Cleveland might have something. Dillon Gabriel came out firing, completing five of his first six passes for 43 yards and a touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. The Browns led 7-3 after the first quarter, and for the first time in weeks, there was a flicker of optimism. Then reality hit — and it hit hard. From that point on, Gabriel went 16 of 29 for just 113 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while also committing one of the most baffling plays of the NFL season.

Late in the fourth quarter, backed up in his own end zone, Gabriel inexplicably threw the ball to no one, resulting in a safety and sealing what was already an ugly loss. He finished the day 21 of 35 for 156 yards, two touchdowns, two picks and one sack. It was sloppy, panicked football from a quarterback who looks completely overwhelmed and unsure of where to go with the ball.

Fannin was the lone bright spot, catching six of eight targets for 62 yards and a score. David Njoku also found the end zone, but outside of those two, this offense looked lifeless. Jerry Jeudy had two targets and no catches. Jamari Thrash and Dylan Sampson made small contributions, but nothing that moved the needle. Quinshon Judkins struggled before exiting with a shoulder injury, rushing for just 19 yards on nine carries.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Gabriel will remain the starter next week, but that decision feels more like a necessity than confidence. The chants for Shedeur Sanders are only going to get louder if Gabriel keeps playing like this.

Instant Reaction: Dillon Gabriel looks completely lost, and outside of Harold Fannin Jr. or David Njoku, there isn’t a single Browns player you can trust for fantasy right now.

Denver’s offense explodes against a broken Dallas defense

If you’ve been paying attention, this shouldn’t surprise you; start everyone against the Dallas Cowboys defense right now. They’re banged up, they’re missing playmakers and the Denver Broncos exposed every weakness. Dallas came into this game without All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs, both starting safeties and a linebacker group held together by duct tape. The result? Denver hung 44 points on Dallas — and made it look easy.

Bo Nix was efficient and composed, completing 19 of 29 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns. He didn’t even need to use his legs — the Dallas secondary was that vulnerable. Rookie running back RJ Harvey finally had the breakout performance fantasy managers have been waiting for, scoring three total touchdowns: Two on the ground and one through the air.

J.K. Dobbins was excellent on the ground, rushing for 111 yards on just 15 carries. The Broncos’ ground game was dominant, averaging over six yards per carry and keeping Dallas completely off balance. Through the air, Troy Franklin led the way with six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie receiver Pat Bryant added a score of his own, and Courtland Sutton posted a steady 67 yards on four grabs. This offense looked confident, balanced and aggressive — everything Sean Payton probably wanted when he drafted Nix.

As for the Cowboys, it was a disaster. Dak Prescott threw two interceptions, failed to record a passing touchdown and finished under 200 yards. Javonte Williams found the end zone twice but did little else. Both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens had solid days, combining for 15 receptions and over 150 yards, but it never mattered.

This game was over by halftime, and the Broncos never looked back.

Instant Reaction: Denver’s offense is hitting its stride, but the real takeaway is simple — you start every fantasy option against the Dallas Cowboys defense until further notice.

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