Caleb Williams confronts the toughest matchup in fantasy football, Trevor Lawrence comes off bye as a massive home favorite, and Patrick Mahomes searches for chunk gains against the Broncos.

Week 8 Quarterbacks

QB Notes: It’s been a while since we’ve had a national nightmare as long as Lamar Jackson’s absence with an ankle issue. Stop us if you have heard this one before, but it supposedly ends now. It couldn’t come at a better time for the Ravens or fantasy managers, as Jackson’s return arrives in time for a measuring stick matchup with the Bills. The game total is well north of 50, and the Bills’ defense has been anything but impressive. Despite the lingering question marks and bad taste, you return Jackson to your starting lineup without hesitation. … Although the Commanders’ bye week was mixed in, Jayden Daniels is the QB4 by average fantasy points since returning in Week 5. The production has felt somewhat fragile, but it has involved a big day both on the ground and through the air. He’s looking like the quarterback you thought you were drafting, while the same is very much not true of the Eagles defense Daniels is facing at home. … Dak Prescott finally had a multi-score start in the month of October. He was facing an Eagles defense that seems to be giving up on the season, though the Cardinals’ defense never even really started. Only the Bears are permitting more yards per opposing pass attempt than Arizona’s 8.5.

Trevor Lawrence had his best back-to-back starts of the year heading into the Jaguars’ Week 7 bye. He comes off the open date as a monstrous home favorite against the tanking Colts. Perhaps the Jags will try to get really established on the ground, but “the matchup is too easy” is never a good reason to pivot off a QB1. … Matthew Stafford has thrown for multiple touchdowns in 5-of-7 games, including three straight. The Chargers’ defense isn’t bad despite the team’s 0-6 start, but is slightly more vulnerable through the air than on the ground. Translation, Stafford is perfectly positioned for what is becoming his standard low-end QB1 outing. … Jared Goff has by far the most touchdown passes (14) of a quarterback who has yet to be intercepted. Our Jared is all grown up. It will be put to the test against a Vikings defense tied for fourth in picks (seven) and tied for first in sacks (21). This, even though Brian Flores’ unit has already had its bye. We almost never even worry about Goff at home, let alone bench him. But you are permitted a bit of Week 8 concern.

Caleb Williams has looked like an MVP contender with the major exception of Week 2 against the Vikings. That was at home. Now he must head on the road vs. the only defense to allow fewer aerial tallies than Minnesota, Seattle. Stunningly, the Seahawks are coughing up just 5.2 yards per attempt, 0.8 fewer than the next best unit, the Rams. Despite Williams’ stellar play and coach Ben Johnson’s creativity, this is a matchup to be feared. … Bryce Young is coming off his worst start of the season to a short-week road date with a Packers defense that quietly has as many interceptions (nine) as touchdowns allowed. Green Bay is one of only five Ds surrendering a QB rating below 80.0. Shootout conditions could still develop and help Young to a QB1 day, but he is a borderline option rather than set-and-forget starter. … Kyler Murray has completed four starts. He has three total touchdowns. He needs a big day in the worst way against a Lions defense that is not amongst the league’s best but has improved on its horrendous September form. Between his legs and above-average weapons, Murray has to spike a week at some point in the near future.

The good news: Kirk Cousins is getting votes of confidence from the Raiders’ coaching staff. The bad news … Kirk Cousins is getting votes of confidence from the Raiders’ coaching staff. The end is nigh. The Jets’ defense is mediocre enough that is is unlikely to be Week 8. … The end also appears nigh for Jacoby Brissett, though unlike Cousins, he doesn’t have a ready-made heir apparent waiting in the wings. Third-round rookie Carson Beck has been battling back issues of late. That means Brissett should be cleared for 60 minutes of ball against the Cowboys’ highly-unimpressive defense. … I’m just not sure what Patrick Mahomes is supposed to do. This is the worst collection of receiving talent in the league when Rashee Rice is on the shelf, and it’s not a whole lot better even when Rice plays. It makes Mahomes vulnerable to tough matchups, and the Broncos are another one for Week 8. … Baker Mayfield made his first start in a month and attempted only 11 passes. That will not be happening again, to put it mildly, but his status as a QB2 play vs. the Falcons’ good but far from great pass defense will depend on Emeka Egbuka’s (foot) health.

Micheal Penix Jr. has cracked the top 10 in EPA per play. He’s also top 10 in yards per attempt and top five in touchdown percentage. He is playing exceptionally well. It’s nevertheless not translating to elite fantasy play because of his limited overall volume. With the Bucs defense quietly playing quite well, Penix does not have an overly appealing Week 8 streamer spot. … Malik Willis is finally cutting loose on the ground just as his young skill corps gets healthy. It makes the QB2 streamer vision much easier to see, even for tough dates like Sunday’s showdown with the Patriots. … Cam Ward had his best overall start of the year against the Browns. It resulted in a QB26 finish. That was step one. He still needs to complete steps 2-9 before putting himself in the streamer mix. … The QB1 dream died long ago for Justin Herbert. The question coming out of the Chargers’ bye week is if he can even push for streamer value. He won’t against the Rams’ tough defense, but what changes the Bolts made during their bye will determine if Herbert is someone who can even be mentioned in this column.