ClutchPoints
The fantasy football gods are not taking it easy on anyone this week. Welcome to Week 8, where six teams (you read that right) are off the board. They include some of the league’s biggest backfield stars. Between injuries, unpredictable workloads, and brutal matchups, Week 8 will separate the savvy fantasy managers from the desperate ones. Whether you’re holding steady atop your league or clawing for playoff position, every lineup decision matters more than ever. So grab your coffee, brace your roster, and let’s sort through the chaos with this week’s running back rankings.
Again, six teams (the Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, and Seahawks) are out of action. Of course, this strip fantasy football managers of several top-tier backs including Jahmyr Gibbs, Kyren Williams, Travis Etienne Jr, Kenneth Walker III, and David Montgomery. Add in a slew of injuries across the league, and Week 8 is shaping up to be a true test of roster depth and waiver-wire strategy. The silver lining? For the first time since Week 3, there’s no international game on the schedule. This means you can actually sleep in on Sunday before the chaos unfolds.
With fantasy football seasons reaching the midpoint, this is where great managers separate themselves from those caught scrambling. Let’s dive into this week’s Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 8. We will highlight who’s hot, who’s fading, and which under-the-radar backs could steal you a win.
Here we will look at our NFL Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings entering Week 8 of the 2025 regular season.
If anyone can defy matchup logic, it’s Christian McCaffrey. The Falcons entered Week 7 with the league’s stingiest defense. They allowed just 253 yards per game, until CMC shredded them for 201 scrimmage yards in a vintage performance. That game reaffirmed what fantasy football managers already know: McCaffrey is matchup-proof.
This week’s opponent, Houston, presents another challenge. The Texans boast the NFL’s third-ranked defense in total yards allowed. That said, the Texans have shown cracks against versatile backs who can create mismatches through the air. McCaffrey remains the gold standard for dual-threat production. Expect another 20+ touch outing and at least one trip to the end zone.
De’Von Achane’s explosiveness continues to make him must-start material. That’s even in games where Miami struggles offensively. Last week against Cleveland’s elite defense, Achane still managed nearly 100 yards from scrimmage. His six touchdowns in seven games underscore his big-play upside. Meanwhile, the Falcons pose a similar defensive challenge to the Browns. As we said, they just got torched by McCaffrey.
If there’s one player who could replicate that level of efficiency, it’s Achane. His speed stretches defenses horizontally. He can just force linebackers into impossible angles. The Falcons will likely key in on him early. However, Achane’s ability to score from anywhere keeps him squarely in the top-five conversation. Temper expectations...
