FlurrySports’ AI take on Lamar Jackson for Week 8 fantasy football, using the rankings and data from the FlurrySports Playbook.
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Quick answer: Start Lamar Jackson in Week 8. He’s back from a high ankle sprain after missing three games, and the FlurrySports Playbook ranks him QB4 this week in both half-PPR and PPR. Buffalo allows the 4th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and the game total is 54.5, one of the highest on the slate. The one question is his rushing: a high ankle sprain could limit how much he runs, but the passing setup is strong enough that he’s a locked-in QB1 either way.
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
Lamar sprained his ankle (a high ankle sprain) against Tennessee in Week 4. He played just 52% of the snaps that day before leaving, then missed Weeks 5, 6 and 7.
He’s back. Head coach Jesse Minter said Lamar had “a really good week of practice,” and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports he’ll start Sunday in Buffalo.
Baltimore needs him. The Ravens went 1-2 in Tyler Huntley’s three starts and enter Week 8 on a two-game losing streak.
The thing to watch is whether Baltimore limits his designed runs in his first game back from a high ankle sprain. Those injuries tend to linger, and rushing is a big part of Lamar’s fantasy value.
Lamar Jackson Fantasy Football Outlook
Lamar was playing like a top-five fantasy quarterback before the injury:
| Week | Opp | Snap % | Comp/Att | Pass Yds | Pass TD | INT | Rush Yds | PPR Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at IND | 100% | 17/25 | 324 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 25.0 |
| 2 | vs. NO | 100% | 21/31 | 235 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 14.8 |
| 3 | at DAL | 100% | 15/20 | 186 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 20.4 |
| 4 | vs. TEN | 52% | 15/20 | 222 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 18.9 |
| 5–7 | Out (ankle) |
His Week 4 line stands out: 222 yards and two touchdowns on just 33 snaps, before he left with the injury.
The FlurrySports Playbook’s Advanced Rushing Data tool shows how explosive he’s been as a runner:
- 7.6 yards per carry on 19 carries
- 8 runs of 10+ yards, an explosive play on 42% of his carries
- 0.26 EPA per carry, elite efficiency for any ball carrier
He’s also a threat near the goal line. The Playbook’s Paydirt tool ranks him 8th among quarterbacks in opportunities inside the 5. And remember, Jackson has been out injured as well.
The Matchup: Bills Defense Is a Shootout Setup
Baltimore visits Buffalo at Highmark Stadium on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Bills are 3-point favorites, and the game total has climbed from 53.5 to 54.5.
The Playbook’s Fantasy Points Against tool shows Buffalo has struggled against quarterbacks all season:
- 21.8 fantasy points per game allowed to QBs, 4th most in the NFL
- 298.7 passing yards per game allowed
- 2.5 passing touchdowns per game allowed
- Only 15.5 rushing yards per game allowed to QBs, the one area where Buffalo has held up
The Playbook’s Team Opportunities data explains why this could become a shootout:
- Buffalo’s defense allows 68.5 plays per game (2nd most) and 4.5 red-zone trips per game (2nd most).
- Opponents score touchdowns on 70.4% of those red-zone trips.
- Buffalo’s offense leads the NFL with 4.8 red-zone trips per game and scores TDs on 69% of them.
Baltimore usually runs the ball. The Ravens rank 31st in pass rate (51.4%). But Buffalo should keep scoring, and that could force Lamar to throw more than usual.
The weather is about as good as it gets for Buffalo in November. The Playbook’s Weather forecast calls for 63 degrees, partly sunny skies and 3 mph winds.
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Lamar Jackson Fantasy Picks: Our Best Pick
Here are the five Lamar Jackson picks available this week, with the side the FlurrySports Playbook data supports:
| Pick | Line | Our Side | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing Touchdowns | 1.5 | Higher | Highest |
| Interceptions | 0.5 | Lower | Strong |
| Completions | 19.5 | Lower | Strong |
| Passing Yards | 236.5 | Higher | Lean |
| Rushing Yards | 24.5 | Lower | Coin flip |
Our Pick: Lamar Jackson Higher 1.5 Passing Touchdowns
This is the pick the data backs most clearly. Lamar needs 2 touchdown passes, and the setup favors it:
- Buffalo allows 2.5 passing touchdowns per game, one of the highest rates in the NFL.
- The Bills allow the 2nd-most red-zone trips per game and give up touchdowns on 70.4% of them.
- Lamar threw 2 touchdowns in each of his last two games, including Week 4, when he played just 33 snaps.
- The 54.5-point game total points to a shootout, with Buffalo leading the NFL in red-zone trips.
- If the ankle limits his running, more of Baltimore’s red-zone scoring should come through the air.
Why the others go the way they do:
- Interceptions (0.5): Lower. He’s thrown 1 interception in 96 attempts this season.
- Completions (19.5): Lower. He’s cleared 19.5 just once in four games. Baltimore’s run-heavy offense keeps his attempts low, averaging 17 completions per game.
- Passing yards (236.5): Higher lean. It’s his big-play passing (14.2 yards per completion) against a defense allowing 298.7 yards per game. He’s only cleared 236.5 once, though, which keeps it a lean.
- Rushing yards (24.5): Coin flip. He’s cleared it in 3 of 4 games, but a high ankle sprain and Buffalo’s stingy QB run defense make this the hardest one to call.
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The Risks: What Could Go Wrong?
The ankle. High ankle sprains often linger. If Baltimore cuts his designed runs, he loses a big piece of his fantasy floor.
Rust. Lamar hasn’t played a full game since Week 3.
Low passing volume. Lamar has averaged just 24 pass attempts per game, and Baltimore is one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL. His passing production comes from big plays, not volume.
A Buffalo rush defense that’s tough on quarterbacks. The Bills have held QBs to 15.5 rushing yards per game, so his rushing upside is limited even if the ankle is fine.
Rest-of-Season Outlook: Enjoy This Week
Buffalo might be Lamar’s best matchup for a while. The Playbook’s Strength of Schedule tool shows a tough stretch ahead:
| Week | Opponent | QB Pts Allowed Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | at BUF | 4th |
| 9 | vs. JAX | 20th |
| 10 | vs. LAC | 26th |
| 11 | at CAR | 17th |
| 12 | at HOU | 11th |
| 13 | BYE | – |
| 14 | vs. TB | 27th |
| 15 | at PIT | 29th |
| 16 | vs. CLE | 25th |
| 17 | at CIN | 19th |
(Rank 1 = the defense that allows the most points to QBs.)
Baltimore’s remaining QB opponents average a 19.8 rank, and the fantasy playoffs are rough: Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Cleveland all rank among the eight toughest QB matchups.
His trade value reflects the injury and schedule. In the Playbook’s Trade Value Chart, Lamar dropped 2.7 points to 22.7, but he’s still the QB3 on the chart. If he puts up a big game in Buffalo, that could be the time to check his value against a playoff-friendly QB in our Trade Calculator.
Lamar Jackson Fantasy Week 8 FAQ
Should I start Lamar Jackson in Week 8?
Yes. The FlurrySports Playbook ranks him QB4, and Buffalo allows the 4th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in a game with a 54.5-point total.
Is Lamar Jackson playing in Week 8?
Yes. He had a full week of practice, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports he’ll start against the Bills.
What is Lamar Jackson’s injury?
A high ankle sprain suffered in Week 4 against Tennessee. He missed Weeks 5, 6 and 7.
How did the Ravens do without Lamar Jackson?
Baltimore went 1-2 with Tyler Huntley starting.
When is the Ravens’ bye week?
Week 13.
Final Verdict: Should I Start or Sit Lamar Jackson in Week 8?
Lamar returns to a high-scoring shootout against a defense that’s given up big passing numbers all season. The ankle might cut into his rushing, but his passing efficiency and the matchup make him an easy start. Start Lamar Jackson as a QB1 in Week 8.
