If you’ve tried setting your fantasy lineup this week, you’ve probably noticed a frustrating trend that several of your star players are on bye. That’s because “Bye-Mageddon” has officially arrived in Week 8.
This week features the most teams on bye in the entire season, with six not in action: the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks. Here’s a look at how each team’s season has unfolded so far and how they can use the bye week to their advantage.
NFL Bye Week 8: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals enter the bye week with a rough 2–5 record to start the 2025 season, and the timing couldn’t be better. Quarterback Kyler Murray has missed the last two games, so the break should give him time to recover while head coach Jonathan Gannon figures out what’s gone wrong for the team so far.
Arizona’s offense has struggled through seven games, ranking 21st in the league according to PFSN’s OFFi metric. Their defense hasn’t fared any better, also sitting at 21st in PFSN’s DEFi metric. If the Cardinals have any hope of staying in the playoff race, they’ll need significant improvement on both sides of the ball coming out of the bye.
NFL Bye Week 8: Detroit Lions
The Lions have had a strong start to the 2025 season, emerging as one of the NFL’s top teams with a 5–2 record. The bye week comes at an ideal time, allowing players to recover from minor injuries and head coach Dan Campbell to refocus his team near the season’s halfway point as they prepare for a Super Bowl run.
Detroit’s offense has been among the league’s best, ranking sixth in the NFL according to PFSN’s OFFi metric. The defense has been nearly as impressive, sitting seventh in PFSN’s DEFi metric.
There isn’t much the Lions need to fix during the bye. Instead, they can use the time to rest, recharge, and prepare for their Week 9 NFC North matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
NFL Bye Week 8: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Week 8 bye couldn’t have come at a better time for the Jaguars. After starting the season 4–1, they’ve dropped their last two games, and the break provides a chance to regroup and address what’s gone wrong.
Jacksonville’s main issue has been its offense, which ranks 24th in the NFL according to PFSN’s OFFi metric. The defense, on the other hand, has been a bright spot, sitting 11th in PFSN’s DEFi metric. If head coach Liam Coen can get the offense back on track, the Jaguars should be in a strong position to compete for a playoff spot.
NFL Bye Week 8: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have had a miserable start to the 2025 season, sitting at 2–5 through seven weeks. Their playoff hopes are nearly gone, but head coach Pete Carroll can still use the bye week to regroup and salvage what’s left of the year.
The Raiders have struggled across the board. Their offense ranks 29th in the NFL according to PFSN’s OFFi metric, while the defense isn’t much better, coming in at 28th in PFSN’s DEFi metric. There isn’t much of a silver lining for Las Vegas, but the bye week offers a chance to hit the reset button and address the many issues that have hurt them so far.
NFL Bye Week 8: Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams once again look like one of the NFL’s elite teams under head coach Sean McVay, entering the bye week with a 5–2 record. Like Detroit, Los Angeles can use the break to regroup and recharge as it prepares for a Super Bowl push.
Through seven games, the Rams’ offense has been impressive, ranking eighth in the league according to PFSN’s OFFi metric. Their defense has been even stronger, sitting third in PFSN’s DEFi metric.
There isn’t much that needs to be addressed during the bye, and instead, the Rams should use the time to recover and prepare for the second half of the season.
NFL Bye Week 8: Seattle Seahawks
While many expected the Seahawks to be competitive in 2025, few predicted they’d enter the bye week at 5–2 and among the NFL’s best teams. Seattle has a legitimate chance to win the NFC West and can use the week off to fine-tune a few minor issues before the second half of the season.
Seattle’s offense has been strong, ranking 11th in the NFL according to PFSN’s OFFi metric. Head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense has been even better, ranking fifth in PFSN’s DEFi metric. The bye allows the Seahawks to identify what’s worked best so far as they prepare to battle through one of the league’s toughest divisions.