The fantasy football quarterback situation is getting juicier with Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season on deck. With injuries, benchings, and trades already affecting the landscape, there’s a lot to digest to stay ahead of the game.
### Injuries Impacting Week 8
Injuries remain a major factor on both ends of the spectrum. On the positive side, Lamar Jackson looks poised to return from a multi-game absence, potentially saving his fantasy football managers. However, those who invested in Jayden Daniels will be without him yet again in Week 8, giving Marcus Mariota another spot start. Meanwhile, Bryce Young believers will have to look elsewhere as the Carolina Panthers turn to Andy Dalton under center.
### Coaching Changes and Quarterback Evaluations
Week 8 could also mark the beginning of coaching shakeups. Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets are the primary team to watch, with the first-year head coach openly evaluating both Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor for the starting quarterback job. Fans have also speculated about Tua Tagovailoa’s status as the Miami Dolphins’ starter, but for now, he appears to be safe.
Though the 2025 NFL season isn’t at its midway point yet, the pressure is definitely mounting for fantasy football managers. For those desperate for a last-minute quarterback, here are five players who could surprisingly produce meaningful fantasy weeks in Week 8.
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## 1. Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
We’ve reached the Andy Dalton phase in the Panthers’ quarterback cycle for the second consecutive season. Dalton isn’t anyone’s first choice, but he did deliver multiple fantasy-relevant performances around this point in 2024.
Last season, Dalton started five games and was a mediocre fantasy quarterback in three of them. He surpassed 220 passing yards with at least two touchdowns in three of his first four starts, finishing as a top-20 fantasy QB each week. Unfortunately, his Week 8 matchup is much tougher — the Buffalo Bills have allowed only 167.2 passing yards per game, the second-fewest in the league.
While the matchup is difficult, game script will likely force Dalton to throw at least 50 times. He shouldn’t be a priority pickup but could prove more useful than most currently expect. Dalton is worth adding in two-quarterback leagues and might immediately produce better numbers than Bryce Young has all season.
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## 2. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. has been subpar for most of the season but faces arguably his best matchup of the year in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins.
Quarterbacks have feasted against Miami’s defense all season, and Penix is next in line. He is dealing with a minor knee injury but is expected to be available for Week 8. Even if his mobility is limited, it may not impact him much against a Dolphins pass rush that ranks in the bottom half of the league in sacks.
Miami has been a bottom-10 defense against fantasy quarterbacks and continues to struggle across the board. The Dolphins have allowed the third-most points per game, the seventh-most total yards, the fourth-most yards per pass, and the highest completion percentage in the league.
Though Penix’s inconsistency makes him a wild card, the Falcons have yet to lose two consecutive games in 2025. Atlanta’s offense revolves around Bijan Robinson, but Penix could have his biggest game of the year in Week 8.
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## 3. Justin Fields, New York Jets
There was a time when it seemed Justin Fields might revive his career with the Jets, but those hopes have dimmed. After a hot start, Fields has been the worst quarterback in the NFL over the last month, entering Week 8 with just 90 passing yards combined in his last two games.
After his latest poor performance, head coach Aaron Glenn considered benching Fields. However, with veteran backup Tyrod Taylor dealing with a knee injury all week, Fields is likely to get one final chance to start.
The Jets face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, who have been a bottom-10 fantasy defense against quarterbacks. Cincinnati currently allows the third-most passing yards per game, the fifth-most yards per pass, and the most touchdown passes. They also have a bottom-five sack rate, giving Fields the opportunity to make plays.
Though Fields is far from an NFL-caliber passer, the Bengals’ struggling defense might allow him to produce a solid fantasy line. Cincinnati also has the league’s highest number of missed tackles (79), further benefiting a mobile quarterback like Fields.
While the Jets’ offense would ideally have Taylor under center, Fields should get at least one more “vintage” performance. He’s one of the top sleepers in Week 8, but fantasy managers need to monitor the situation closely in case Taylor recovers and claims the starting job.
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## 4. Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
With Jayden Daniels sidelined once again, Marcus Mariota gets another start for the Washington Commanders in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. This marks Daniels’ third absence of the season.
The Chiefs are a tough matchup, but the Commanders received major injury news late in the week — both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel are expected to return and play together for the first time since Week 3.
Mariota may not be as dynamic as Daniels, but his similar playing style allows head coach Kliff Kingsbury to maintain a consistent game plan. Since joining Washington in 2024, the Commanders have gone 3-1 in games where Mariota has played at least 40% of offensive snaps. In those contests, he’s completed 71.9% of his passes with seven touchdowns and just one interception.
The Chiefs have struggled to contain opposing quarterbacks on the ground, allowing the sixth-most rushing yards to QBs this season. With McLaurin and Samuel back, Mariota has a fighting chance to put up a meaningful fantasy stat line.
His insertion also makes the game more competitive than many anticipate, giving quarterback-needy managers a viable option in Week 8.
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## 5. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
In perhaps the biggest storyline of Week 8, Aaron Rodgers will face his former team, the Green Bay Packers, for the first time in his career.
Though there are no hard feelings between Rodgers and Green Bay, the matchup carries extra significance for the 41-year-old veteran. Rodgers’ days as an MVP candidate are behind him, but he has been more effective than expected in 2025.
Since moving to Pittsburgh, Rodgers is surprisingly fifth in the league with 14 touchdowns through seven weeks and holds a top-10 passer rating.
Head coach Arthur Smith’s offense remains run-heavy, but Rodgers’ efficiency keeps him fantasy relevant. Green Bay’s defense is strong on paper, yet it ranks middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
The Packers’ biggest defensive strength is their pass rush, but the Steelers have protected Rodgers well — he’s taken just nine sacks so far. Only Bo Nix, Dak Prescott, and Daniel Jones have been sacked fewer times among quarterbacks starting at least six games.
This matchup will be emotionally charged for Rodgers. Expect the best version of him to show up at Acrisure Stadium, where Green Bay fans will have limited influence on the game.
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### Final Thoughts
Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season brings plenty of intrigue at the quarterback position for fantasy football managers. Whether dealing with injuries, benchings, or coaching decisions, there are valuable opportunities for savvy owners to capitalize on.
Keep a close eye on these five quarterbacks—Andy Dalton, Michael Penix Jr., Justin Fields, Marcus Mariota, and Aaron Rodgers—as their unexpected performances could make all the difference in your fantasy matchup this week.
https://clutchpoints.com/fantasy-sports/last-minute-fantasy-football-streaming-options-nfl-week-8-quarterback-2025
