Before we get into my favorite running backs for fantasy football Week 8, let's take a look back at some of the players I liked in Week 7.

I'm just trying to set expectations appropriately low.

As of Tuesday evening, here's an early look at my (preliminary) favorite Week 8 fantasy plays—the guys who (in some combination) …

  • Might be high in my fantasy rankings relative to the industry consensus.
  • Need to be started in most season-long leagues.
  • Must be added if they are on waivers.
  • Possess underappreciated upside.
  • Have advantageous matchups.
  • Should be considered in daily fantasy.
  • Make for desirable dynasty acquisition targets.
  • Are on teams with player-friendly betting odds.
  • Catch my eye with their player projections.
  • Stand out in our Fantasy Life Player Prop Tool.

Some notes.

Updates: After I submit this piece, any changing opinions I have will be reflected in my rankings and my projections (accessible with a FantasyLife+ subscription), which I will update throughout the week.

Scoring & Ordering: All fantasy points are half-PPR scoring unless otherwise stated. Players are ordered within position roughly (but maybe not precisely) according to my rankings.

Abbreviations: Check out the end of the piece for abbreviations I might use.

Bye Week: This week, every team is in action. Why? Nobody knows.

Sports Betting Data: Odds are as of 11:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and based on the consensus lines in our Fantasy Life Odds Page.

Freedman's Favorites: Although we publish this piece as four separate articles broken out by position, I think of it as one cohesive whole and write it as such. With that in mind, please be sure to check out the rest of my favorite Week 8 fantasy football plays in the other positional previews:

Best RBs for Fantasy Football Week 8

Kenneth Walker (Seahawks) vs. Bills

  • Seahawks: +3
  • O/U: 47
  • TT: 22

Walker missed Weeks 2-3 with an oblique injury, but in his five games he has piled up 463 yards and seven TDs while amassing 65 carries and 26 targets and ranking No. 3 in our Fantasy Life Utilization Score (8.8). 

With back-to-back seasons of 1,150-plus yards and nine TDs from scrimmage, Walker has a solid weekly floor, and with his established role in new OC Ryan Grubb's system, he now has a slate-winning ceiling.

While I'm normally not bullish on underdog RBs, Walker is a reasonable exception because of his matchup: The Bills are No. 3 in most fantasy points allowed to RBs (+25.0), without EDGE Von Miller (suspension) and LB Matt Milano (biceps, IR), and also at risk of not having LBs Terrel Bernard (ankle) and Dorian Williams (knee), both of whom suffered injuries last week. 

Kareem Hunt (Chiefs) at Raiders

  • Chiefs: -10
  • O/U: 41.5
  • TT: 25.75

Just a little over a month ago, Hunt was an afterthought free agent available for any team to sign. Winning organizations make winning moves—and now (at least for the time being) Hunt is the No. 1 RB for the league's last undefeated team.

Since being elevated to the active roster from the practice squad in Week 4, he has put up 285 yards and three TDs from scrimmage on 63 carries and six targets. His usage last week out of the bye was especially encouraging—63% rush share, 47% route rate, and 100% of the team's goal-line carries (per our industry-leading Fantasy Life Utilization Report)--given that RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire was available after opening the season on the reserve list.

The Raiders are No. 3 in largest fantasy boost allowed to RBs (+4.6) and without DT Christian Wilkins (foot, IR).

As a massive favorite, Hunt could enjoy 20-plus opportunities for the third game in a row, and HC Andy Reid has historically dominated on the road in division, going 22-10-1 ATS (33.2% ROI) and 27-6 ML (37.7% ROI) in this spot.

It's gross, but Hunt is the focal point of the Chiefs offense.

Javonte Williams (Broncos) vs. Panthers

  • Broncos: -9
  • O/U: 43.5
  • TT: 26.25

Even with the recent return of rookie RB Audric Estime, the veteran Williams has maintained his leading role in the Broncos backfield over the past two weeks (7.7 Utilization Score, 65% snap rate), and over the past month he has leveraged 49 carries and 18 targets into a respectable 338 yards and two TDs from scrimmage.

Having played last on Thursday Night Football, Williams should be comfortably rested, and he could see an expanded workload as a large home favorite.

And I hardly need to say that the Panthers are terrible, ranking No. 32 in defensive rush DVOA (12.7%).

The Checkdown

  • Derrick Henry (Ravens -9, TT: 26.75) at Browns: A worthy +110 Offensive Player of the Year favorite, Henry has an NFL-high 935 scrimmage yards and at least one TD in every game, thanks in part to his league-best 11 carries inside the five-yard line. He should have his usual workload as a big favorite.
     
  • J.K. Dobbins (Chargers -7.5, TT: 40) vs. Saints: Dobbins is in something of a widowmaker's spot with a rare four-day rest disadvantage, but he has a strong 71% snap rate, 69% rush share, and 41% route rate in his two games without No. 2 RB Gus Edwards (ankle, IR) since the Week 5 bye. The Saints are No. 31 in defensive rush EPA (0.064), SR (49.1%), and DVOA (12.6%).
     
  • David Montgomery (Lions -11.5, TT: 28.5) vs. Titans: Montgomery has 70-plus scrimmage yards in every game this year and a TD in all but one. While he missed part of last week to a knee injury, he returned to action, finished the game, and emerged fine. The Lions have a week-high implied point total, and the Titans could be without DT Keondre Coburn (knee) and LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder).
     
  • Najee Harris (Steelers -6.5, TT: 21.25) vs. Giants: Harris has at least 70 yards on 16 opportunities in every game, and over the past two weeks he has put up 224 yards and two TDs on 35 carries and three targets. He should get a similar workload this week as a notable home favorite.
     
  • Chase Brown (Bengals -2.5, TT: 25.25) vs. Eagles: Despite opening the season behind teammate Zack Moss, Brown has emerged as the backfield leader with 263 yards and four TDs on 52 carries and 11 targets over the past four games. Laying points in Cincinnati, the Bengals could rely on Brown against the Eagles, who might be without LB Zack Baun (shoulder).

More Fantasy Football Plays for Week 8

Abbreviations

  • Fantasy Points per Game (FPPG)
  • Against the Spread (ATS)
  • Over/Under (O/U)
  • Team Total (TT)
  • Moneyline (ML)
  • Return on Investment (ROI)
  • Adjusted Yards per Attempt (AY/A)
  • Expected Points Added (EPA)
  • Success Rate (SR)
  • Completion Percentage Over Expected (CPOE)
  • Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA)
  • AirYAC (Air Yards + Yards After Catch)
  • Weighted Opportunity Rating (WOPR)
  • Average Depth of Target (aDOT)
  • Short Down and Distance (SDD)
  • Long Down and Distance (LDD)