Fantasy football Week 8: Should you start Baker Mayfield?

In Week 8 of fantasy football, the decision of whether to start Baker Mayfield remains a risky one for many managers. Mayfield helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers end their losing streak in Week 7, but his performance against the Carolina Panthers was far from reliable. The Buccaneers' offense prioritized running the ball, with Emeka Egbuka out and the team relying heavily on designed plays.

Mayfield completed just 7 of 11 passes for 64 yards and 1 touchdown, while the rest of the offense focused on the ground game. Tampa Bay ranks third in rushing offense and last in passing offense, making the pass-heavy matchup against the Atlanta Falcons a challenging one. Atlanta allows fewer yards against the run but more against the pass, potentially forcing Tampa Bay to throw more often.

However, Mayfield's passing volume since returning from a thumb injury is still limited, and his recent production is uncertain. Without Egbuka, Mayfield will need to count on Chris Godwin and others to compensate. For fantasy managers, it's best to find an alternative QB option for Week 8, as Mayfield's ceiling remains unclear until Tampa Bay demonstrates a stronger passing game.