Fantasy managers must exercise extreme caution this week, as four specific defenses are primed for significant underperformance. While the Carolina Panthers’ defense has shown volatility in 2026, their matchup against the Green Bay Packers presents a critical red flag. Carolina currently allows the most rushing yards per game in the NFL at 153.2, a statistic that makes them a dangerous liability regardless of opponent.
Avoid these four units in Week 8 to protect your lineup from catastrophic scoring floors.
The threat is amplified by Green Bay’s offensive resurgence. Although the Packers have averaged the fewest rushing yards per game, the return of RB Josh Jacobs significantly alters their dynamic. Jacobs played only 52% of snaps last week but is expected to see a full workload in Week 8. This increased volume, combined with one of the league’s most potent passing attacks, creates a balanced offensive threat that Carolina’s porous run defense is ill-equipped to handle.
Consequently, the Panthers’ defense joins the Buffalo Bills and two other units on the mandatory sit list for Week 8. These matchups offer negligible upside and high risk of zero-point outcomes. Smart fantasy managers should prioritize streaming viable alternatives or benching these defenses entirely to avoid dragging down their weekly totals against elite offensive schemes.
Source: Yahoo Sports
