Four years of high school French taught me how to conjugate verbs and navigate a menu.

It did nothing to explain why I was awake at 6:30 a.m. Sunday trusting Aaron Rodgers to quarterback two of my fantasy teams in Paris.

I understand French better than I speak it, but Pittsburgh’s second-half offensive philosophy needed no translation: Risk nothing, imagine less.

With Jalen Hurts sidelined by blood clots in one league and Josh Allen on bye in another, I’d entrusted two 3-3 teams to Rodgers.

France gave us Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, who wrestled with absurdity and the search for meaning. My question was simpler: Why was I doing this to myself?

It wasn’t supposed to be an existential crisis. Rodgers had thrown multiple touchdown passes in four straight games and was finally taking shots downfield instead of retreating into recent seasons’ checkdown-heavy conservatism. I expected fireworks across the pond.

Instead, I got a Federico Fellini film: dreamlike sequences, meandering detours and a leading man consumed by his own mythology. Considering Rodgers’ fondness for philosophical monologues, the casting was inspired. The football wasn’t.

The French stormed the Bastille and were back in the streets Saturday protesting living costs and public services. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, acted as though throwing beyond the sticks might start a revolution. Rodgers managed 212 yards and one TD.

At least Fellini produced masterpieces.

I won my matchup where I lost Hurts and lost the one without Allen. Rodgers contributed precious little to either outcome.

My overseas-game rule stands: Unless they’re studs, let someone else gamble on players before sunrise.

With the Saints, Giants, 49ers and Texans on bye, Week 8 demands more imagination.

Priority targets

— WR Omar Cooper Jr., Jets (ESPN: 35%; Yahoo: 48%): Cooper has turned 12 targets into 11 receptions, 218 yards and two TDs over the last two games, including five catches for 115 yards and a TD against Miami. His increasing route participation and explosive-play ability give him legitimate WR2 upside against a Raiders defense that has surrendered 16 passing TDs.

— RB Jonah Coleman, Broncos (ESPN: 24%; Yahoo: 35%): Coleman immediately led Denver’s backfield in playing time upon returning from injured reserve, producing 54 yards on nine carries and adding two receptions for 15 yards against Arizona while handling 50% of the offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. His contact balance and receiving ability offer a path to overtaking J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, making him an immediate flex consideration with RB2 upside despite a difficult matchup with Kansas City.

— QB Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (ESPN: 26%; Yahoo: 25%): Mayfield returned from his thumb injury Sunday and completed seven of 11 passes for 64 yards and a TD in a 43-13 demolition of Carolina, with the lopsided score eliminating the need for substantial passing volume. Atlanta’s vulnerable secondary and Emeka Egbuka’s potential return from a concussion make Mayfield an appealing Week 8 streamer with another favorable matchup against Chicago looming.

— TE Chig Okonkwo, Commanders (ESPN: 5%; Yahoo: 17%): Okonkwo has produced at least four receptions and 60 yards in consecutive games, including seven catches for 69 yards against San Francisco in Week 6. Terry McLaurin’s season-ending patellar tendon injury creates an opportunity for Okonkwo to command more intermediate targets, giving him legitimate PPR TE1 potential beginning against Philadelphia.

— D/ST Bengals (ESPN: 16%; Yahoo: 25%): Cincinnati is tied with Denver for fifth in fantasy D/ST scoring, according to FantasyPros, having generated 21 sacks and nine takeaways through six games with an 8.8% sack rate that ranks second in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. Tennessee’s struggling offense and Cam Ward’s five consecutive games with an interception make the Bengals an especially attractive Week 8 play, but their consistent pressure and takeaway production warrant consideration as a weekly starter rather than merely a streaming option.

Other top targets

— QB Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (ESPN: 13%; Yahoo: 18%): Penix completed 25 of 34 passes for 213 yards and three TDs against San Francisco, giving him consecutive performances exceeding 20 fantasy points. His improving efficiency, including 8.0 yards per attempt and a 6.3% touchdown rate, supports QB2 value with streaming upside despite a potentially difficult matchup against Tampa Bay.

— QB Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (ESPN: 20%; Yahoo: 27%): Brissett completed 27 of 48 passes for 272 yards and a TD against Denver, continuing to compensate for modest efficiency with substantial passing volume. Dallas has struggled mightily against the pass, making Brissett a high-volume Week 8 streamer with QB1 upside if Arizona is forced into another pass-heavy game script.

— QB Geno Smith, Jets (ESPN: 13%; Yahoo: 19%): Smith completed 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards and three TDs against Miami after three consecutive performances below 14 fantasy points. Cooper’s emergence alongside Garrett Wilson raises his ceiling against a Raiders defense that has allowed 16 passing TDs, although his inconsistent weekly floor makes him matchup-dependent.

— WR Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars (ESPN: 67%; Yahoo: 45%): Meyers entered Jacksonville’s bye after catching five of 10 targets for 83 yards against Houston, giving him 20 receptions for 285 yards and two TDs through six games. His dependable intermediate route-running and potential for additional targets as Brian Thomas Jr.’s role fluctuates make him an appealing PPR flex against Indianapolis.

— WR Jordyn Tyson, Saints (ESPN: 34%; Yahoo: 49%): Tyson has yet to debut because of a hamstring injury, but the eighth overall pick possesses the route-running polish and explosiveness to eventually challenge for substantial targets opposite Chris Olave. New Orleans’ Week 8 bye provides additional recovery time, making him an upside stash for managers who can afford to wait until at least Week 9.

— WR Antonio Williams, Commanders (ESPN: 7%; Yahoo: 9%): Williams has 18 receptions for 205 yards and a TD on 26 targets, with his offensive participation climbing to roughly two-thirds of Washington’s snaps in recent games. McLaurin’s season-ending injury creates an opportunity for the third-round rookie to expand his route participation and target share, making him an intriguing PPR flex candidate against Philadelphia.

— WR Makai Lemon, Eagles (ESPN: 37%; Yahoo: 37%): Lemon delivered his best NFL performance Monday night, catching seven of eight targets for 67 yards and his first career TD against Dallas, leading Philadelphia in receptions, targets and receiving yards despite the Eagles’ 38-21 loss. With DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks sidelined, the first-round rookie has an opportunity to establish himself as Tanner McKee’s preferred receiver, making him an increasingly attractive PPR flex with WR3 upside.

— WR Ja’Kobi Lane, Ravens (ESPN: 12%; Yahoo: 17%): Lane has caught seven passes for 65 yards on 10 targets in two games since returning from a wrist injury, drawing Baltimore’s second-most targets against Cincinnati. Lamar Jackson’s anticipated return could elevate the passing game’s efficiency, giving the rookie’s size and red-zone potential greater value in deeper leagues.

— WR Konata Mumpfield, Rams (ESPN: 10%; Yahoo: 8%): Mumpfield caught one of two targets for 15 yards against Las Vegas, but encouragingly was the only Rams wide receiver besides Puka Nacua to draw a target despite Davante Adams’ injury. Los Angeles leaned heavily on multiple-tight-end formations, but Adams’ expected six-to-10-week absence gives Mumpfield time to establish a larger role, making him a speculative deeper-league stash rather than an immediate fantasy starter.

— RB Seth McGowan, Colts (ESPN: 4%; Yahoo: 7%): McGowan established season highs with 11 carries and 46 rushing yards against Minnesota, offering a glimpse of his potential if Indianapolis expands his workload. Jonathan Taylor remains the unquestioned starter, but speculation surrounding a possible deadline trade creates intriguing contingent value for managers with room to stash McGowan.

— RB Kaelon Black, 49ers (ESPN: 22%; Yahoo: 28%): Black rushed 12 times for 63 yards and a 30-yard TD against Atlanta after Christian McCaffrey suffered a thigh injury that limited his effectiveness. San Francisco’s Week 8 bye prevents an immediate payoff, but Black’s demonstrated ability to handle early-down work in Kyle Shanahan’s offense makes him a priority insurance policy.

— RB Bam Knight, Cardinals (ESPN: 17%; Yahoo: 25%): Knight produced 48 rushing yards on seven carries and added three receptions for 15 yards against Denver, giving him 128 rushing yards on 22 carries over the last two games while Jeremiyah Love has been sidelined. His superior efficiency relative to Tyler Allgeier offers emergency flex appeal against Dallas if Love remains unavailable.

— TE Brenton Strange, Jaguars (ESPN: 36%; Yahoo: 46%): Strange entered Jacksonville’s bye with 19 receptions for 207 yards on 23 targets over his previous three games, producing top-eight PPR tight end numbers during that stretch without a TD. His growing involvement in Trevor Lawrence’s intermediate passing game creates a dependable receiving floor and low-end TE1 upside against Indianapolis.

— TE Terrance Ferguson, Rams (ESPN: 13%; Yahoo: 15%): Ferguson is eligible to return from injured reserve after a high-ankle sprain, potentially joining a Rams passing attack searching for alternatives following Adams’ hamstring injury. Los Angeles distributed 14 targets among its tight ends against Las Vegas, and Ferguson’s downfield athleticism could eventually distinguish him from Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen.

— TE Eli Raridon, Patriots (ESPN:

— D/ST Jaguars (ESPN: 28%; Yahoo: 41%): Jacksonville returns from its bye to face an Indianapolis offense that managed 215 total yards and 10 points against Minnesota, with Daniel Jones absorbing four sacks and throwing an interception. The Jaguars’ league-leading run defense, allowing just 72.2 yards per game, could force the Colts into obvious passing situations and create opportunities for sacks and turnovers.

— D/ST Rams (ESPN: 72%; Yahoo: 74%): The Rams face a Chargers offense that has surrendered 21 sacks while Justin Herbert has thrown just five TD passes against eight interceptions through six games. Los Angeles generated 16 quarterback pressures against Las Vegas, according to Pro Football Focus, making its pass rush especially attractive against the Chargers’ injury-ravaged offensive line.

— D/ST Patriots (ESPN: 60%; Yahoo: 65%): New England draws a Miami offense averaging just 16.3 points per game while allowing pressure on a league-high 44.3% of dropbacks, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

— D/ST Raiders (ESPN: 5%; Yahoo: 5%): Las Vegas faces a Jets offense that has allowed Geno Smith to be sacked 21 times through seven games despite his three-TD performance against Miami. The Raiders’ aggressive pass rush creates sack and turnover potential, making them a desperation streamer for managers unable to secure more dependable options.

Drop candidates

— QB Kyler Murray, Vikings: Murray completed 14 of 24 passes for 150 yards and a TD against Indianapolis, adding 39 rushing yards while Minnesota again leaned heavily on its defense and running game. His limited passing volume and inconsistent downfield production make him expendable in conventional one-QB leagues, although his rushing ability preserves value in superflex formats.

— WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers: Godwin caught four of five targets for 27 yards against Carolina and hasn’t exceeded 40 receiving yards since Week 2. His limited explosive-play production, lack of TDs and Egbuka’s potential return create an increasingly crowded target hierarchy with little dependable fantasy upside.

— RB Kendre Miller, Saints: Miller managed six rushing yards on eight carries against Pittsburgh, adding three receptions for 22 yards as New Orleans totaled just 18 rushing yards. His inefficient early-down role and limited receiving opportunities offer little stand-alone value, especially with the Saints on bye in Week 8.

— TE Kenyon Sadiq, Jets: Sadiq caught his only target for six yards against Miami, giving him four receptions for 21 yards over his last three games. Mason Taylor’s five-catch, 62-yard, two-TD performance reinforces his advantage in New York’s tight end receiving hierarchy, leaving Sadiq without a dependable path to weekly production.

— RB MarShawn Lloyd, Packers: Lloyd managed 20 yards on six carries and added two receptions for 15 yards against Detroit, continuing a disappointing season in which he’s averaging just 2.6 yards per carry. Josh Jacobs’ return from the commissioner’s exempt list reduces Lloyd to a complementary role in an inefficient Green Bay backfield, making him expendable in most standard leagues despite retaining some handcuff value.

More online

Need help setting your lineup? Look for Eddie Brown’s weekly Fantasy Football Start/Sit Guide at sandiegouniontribune.com before the first NFL game each week, typically on Thursdays, with matchup-by-matchup advice on who to start, sit and stream.

©2026 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.