Managing expectations. It’s a cornerstone to modern-day dwelling. A mantra employed by tech bros and youth soccer coaches alike. A well-intentioned warning that caps hope as a way to guard in opposition to disappointment. Although I’m undecided what’s worse; Coaching one’s self to accept much less or truly being let down?
I had a supervisor again in my table-waiting days who would begin each crew assembly with a reminder to speak cook dinner occasions and bar delays to our friends. He believed this method delivered and maintained decorum. It ensured that patrons remained content material … whereas additionally protecting him from having to comp an apologetic dessert from somebody’s tab. He wasn’t incorrect. The pasta at all times got here out before the filet, and our diners deserved to know that.
Generally, although, we get so wrapped up in what can’t occur that we neglect to permit ourselves to ponder what could possibly be.
That’s what caught out to me on the heels of my journey to Austin, the place I coated the Method 1 United States Grand Prix for ESPN final weekend. I’ve been lucky sufficient to broadcast from the Vegas and Miami Grand Prix races, however had by no means attended the Circuit of the Americas. Whereas this wasn’t my first F1 rodeo (if you’ll), I had a basic sense of how race weekends unfold. Nonetheless, I’m comparatively new to the game and to the people who find themselves deeply concerned in its interior workings. Plus, I had by no means been to Austin earlier than. Actually, I had no thought what to anticipate.
I initially caught myself hedging, waffling about whether or not a query was too private for the driving force I used to be interviewing or if a take wasn’t knowledgeable sufficient. I received nervous about whether or not the opposite journos within the paddock would settle for me, or if my earlier race expertise would afford me mutual respect. My mind was (fairly aptly) on overdrive. After which, quite serendipitously, a reporter from Sky Sports activities approached me and sheepishly requested me for assist setting his fantasy soccer lineup.
The ice was damaged. The expectations had been tabled. The journey was on.
And what an journey it was! From sitting down with four-time World Champion Max Verstappen to sweating by means of three reside exhibits (actually and figuratively, the Texas warmth isn’t any joke) to seeing Garth Freaking Brooks carry out on my birthday to choking again responsible tears whereas FaceTiming my children from the media middle. I attempted my greatest to step into every second because it arrived. Quite than staying in my very own lane, I swerved throughout the entire observe, cautious to not put the automotive within the wall, but in addition unbothered by a stopwatch. Consequently, the expertise delivered large wins each professionally and personally.
That’s what I’m pondering as we head into “bye-mageddon.” With six groups out of the combo and quite a few starters sidelined, expectations are out the window. There isn’t a changing Amon-Ra St. Brown or discovering worth versus the Raiders’ protection. We will’t dwell on the absences. As an alternative, let’s deal with discovering the shock stop-gaps. That is one go to in a 17- (or 18-) week journey. The forecast might not initially appear promising. But, I assure the sport will jolt an unassuming hero into the non permanent highlight. Quite than fret about what’s lacking, let’s get enthusiastic about who may present up.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders: Presently fantasy’s QB18 general, Daniels has underwhelmed in his sophomore marketing campaign, from a faux soccer perspective. Two missed video games have clearly depressed his totals, however even on a per-game foundation his manufacturing has been extra ground than ceiling. Whereas Daniels has posted a minimum of 17 or extra fantasy factors in every outing, he has cleared 20 fantasy factors solely twice and ranks eleventh on the place in fantasy factors per recreation (19.3).
The exits of Austin Ekeler and Noah Brown had been obstacles Daniels tried to beat early within the season. More moderen accidents to Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel have additional stymied the electrical signal-caller from a passing perspective (7.1 YPA, QB21). Sadly, given a possible hamstring downside and this week’s matchup at Kansas Metropolis, a top-five bounce-back appears unrealistic. The Chiefs are holding opposing QBs to underneath 11 fantasy factors when taking part in at Arrowhead. In actual fact, solely two of seven signal-callers have managed to go over 17 fantasy factors when going through Steve Spagnuolo’s unit in any respect this season. On the plus aspect, Kansas Metropolis has allowed the sixth-most dashing yards to quarterbacks.
Whereas mobility is a trademark of Daniels’ recreation, the aforementioned mushy tissue situation may subdue his dashing numbers. The Commanders play on Monday evening, so there’s time for Daniels to get wholesome. If Daniels had been to endure a setback, nonetheless, Marcus Mariota could be in line to start out. Managers may need to contemplate rostering Joe Flacco or Michael Penix Jr. as attainable backup plans ought to the information not be encouraging by Sunday morning.
Breece Corridor, RB, New York Jets: The Jets have been a tough watch, averaging 18.4 factors per outing (sixth fewest) because the begin of 2025. Whereas there’s no disputing that the offensive inefficiencies have negatively affected Corridor’s manufacturing, the 24-year-old continues to see ample alternatives, managing greater than 14 carries (RB11) and 4 targets (RB8) per recreation. In actual fact, Corridor has touched the ball a minimum of 18 occasions in three of his previous 4 contests. He was on tempo to match these numbers earlier than exiting simply previous to halftime final Sunday. Quantity stays king in fantasy. And in a plus matchup at Cincinnati, the embattled RB figures to ship stable fantasy beginning numbers.
Cincinnati has allowed essentially the most fantasy factors to the operating again place. For context, the Bengals have given up 23 or extra fantasy factors to backfields in each recreation. Extra particularly, 9 operating backs have logged 15 or extra fantasy factors in seven totally different outings when going through Cincy. Whereas questions surrounding New York’s quarterback scenario proceed to swirl, Corridor endures because the crew’s surest producer. His lack of purple zone publicity stays an issue, however the Bengals’ generosity close to the tip zone (10 TDs to RBs) may assist to ship Corridor his first rating of the season. Counting on Corridor doesn’t really feel nice, however the information present him with top-10 positional attraction in Week 8.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson has delivered for digital buyers, rumbling his approach to almost 150 fantasy factors (24.2 per recreation) to date in 2025. In the meantime, his backup has carved out a nifty function, offering some standalone worth to savvy stashers. Allgeier has in no way “damaged the sport,” however he has recorded double-digit fantasy totals in three of his previous 5 outings. Apparently, Allgeier has logged 10 or extra touches in every of Atlanta’s 4 wins and fewer than 5 touches within the crew’s two losses. Betting on recreation script is at all times a doubtful endeavor, however on condition that the Falcons are 7.5-point favorites (third-largest favorites in Week 8), the 25-year-old gives streaming potential this specific Sunday.
The Dolphins’ protection has emerged as a balm to opposing backfields, permitting the third-most fantasy factors to RBs. For context, Rico Dowdle, Rhamondre Stevenson and Kimani Vidal every cleared 130 scrimmage yards versus Miami. And if you happen to want additional reminding, Quinshon Judkins hung three scores on the Fins simply three days in the past. It must be no shock, then, to see Robinson atop consensus rankings. Don’t depend out Allgeier, although. With six groups on bye and loads of stars banged up, the Falcons’ RB2 tasks as a top-30 positional play in Week 8.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos: Sutton might need dispatched a pair of duds, however he has been fantastically constant in any other case. The Broncos’ No. 1 WR has recorded 5 video games of 16 or extra fantasy factors this season. For context, solely three different wideouts have logged extra: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua. That’s spectacular firm, particularly given Sutton’s seventh-round ADP.
Sutton is in line to eat once more versus a beneficiant Dallas secondary in Week 8. Along with permitting the second-most fantasy factors to vast receivers, the Cowboys’ protection has additionally given up 12 receiving scores to the place (essentially the most within the NFL). Furthermore, Dallas is permitting the second-highest catch price (71%), which figures to make for some Bo Nix-to-Sutton fireworks. In what’s projected to be an in depth (3.5-point unfold) and high-scoring (51.5-point over/underneath) contest, Sutton ought to submit high-end WR2 fantasy numbers at Mile Excessive on Sunday.
Tez Johnson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: On a squad filthy with dangerous harm luck, Johnson appears to have emerged as digital managers’ highest hope. Discovering the tip zone in back-to-back contests whereas recording 4 grabs and greater than 55 receiving yards in two of his previous three outings, Johnson has flashed. The rookie has averaged 12.4 fantasy factors per recreation throughout the previous three weeks, a few of which included the on-field abilities of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. and/or Emeka Egbuka, signaling the Oregon product’s ascent up the depth chart. With Evans (collarbone) out for the quick future and with Johnson coming off of a nine-target effort, his contributions can now not be shrugged off as flukey.
The Bucs’ 15-point loss at Detroit wasn’t a fairly watch, however Johnson demonstrated a handful of Madden-level strikes, notably when side-stepping tackles on his approach to the tip zone within the third quarter of Monday evening’s tilt. Showcasing that sort of twitch on a crew determined for dynamism issues. It additionally doesn’t damage that Johnson has recorded an aDOT of 12.9 yards. When evaluating his common depth of goal to that of the opposite starters (Evans 13.5, Godwin 11.4 and Sterling Shepard 8.2), it seems as if the first-year wideout has staked a declare on deeper and higher-value alternatives. In a matchup in opposition to an exploitable Saints protection, Johnson tasks as a ceiling-reaching flex.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans: Schultz has lengthy thrived as a high-floor safety blanket for QBs and fantasy managers alike. The veteran tight finish recorded six targets and 5 grabs in three straight outings previous to his nine-catch, 98-yard outburst this previous Monday evening. With Nico Collins sidelined with a concussion, Schultz tied a profession excessive with 11 seems. These alternatives may lengthen into the approaching week if Collins had been unable to go well with up on Sunday.
Even with Collins on the sector, Schultz figures to remain busy. The Texans’ offensive line has remained a legal responsibility all season, rating twenty sixth in run block win price. That has pressured C.J. Stroud to throw quick, repeatedly counting on his sure-handed tight finish. Moreover, this week’s matchup ought to assist Schultz convert. Whereas San Francisco’s protection has stayed impressively stiff regardless of the absences of Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, the 49ers have allowed 45 or extra receiving yards to opposing tight ends for six consecutive efforts. The enigma that’s Kyle Pitts Sr. even managed a seven-catch (out of 10 seems), 62-receiving-yard outing at Levi Stadium final Sunday evening. Think about Schultz an appropriate substitute with low-end TE1 potential in Week 8.
Chig Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans: Now we have reached that time within the season, people! It’s time for me — maybe in honor of this weekend’s impending Nationwide Tight Finish Day — to extoll the virtues of Chig and his (nonetheless) yet-to-be-unlocked potential. The very fact is, Okonkwo was blanked in Week 7. However I really feel a bounce-back approaching in Week 8.
Okonkwo ranks third on the crew in seems drawn (34, one fewer than Calvin Ridley) and second on the squad in routes run (171). Whereas the vet was out-targeted by Gunnar Helm in Week 7, Okonkwo recorded extra snaps (31 to Helm’s 27) and ran extra routes (22 to Helm’s 14) than the rookie. With a juicy matchup across the nook and given the state of the place, I’m keen to lean into Okonkwo’s upside, viewing final Sunday as an anomaly quite than a altering of the guard.
The Colts have allowed the fifth-most fantasy factors per recreation to opposing tight ends. For context, Trey McBride managed a 8-72-1 stat line at Lucas Oil Stadium simply earlier than rising star Oronde Gadsden II hung a 7-164-1 complete versus Indianapolis this previous weekend. Apparently, Okonkwo himself managed a season-high 66 receiving yards and 11.6 fantasy factors versus the Colts as not too long ago as Week 3. With Ridley’s availability in jeopardy and along with his Titans as 14.5-point highway canine, Okonkwo ought to draw an ample variety of alternatives, serving up stable substitute vibes for stream-seeking players.
For extra start-sit selections, try Liz Loza’s Week 8 rankings