Retro TBL Week 8 Preview – Surviving Byemageddon

 

By Retro Boomin’ Breakdown

Welcome to Week 8, the week circled on every calendar: Byemageddon. With six NFL teams on a bye—the Lions, Raiders, Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks, and Jaguars—this is the ultimate test of roster depth and a GM's foresight. Benches across the league are decimated, stripping away safety nets and forcing GMs to ride or die with the starters they can field. There are no easy pivots. There are no emergency subs. This week, the contenders will be separated from the pretenders based on who built a roster to survive the storm.

---

Atoms (3-4) vs. Terrors (3-4)

A desperate battle of 3-4 teams in the LTC. Both squads are sliding and need a win to stay in the wildcard hunt. The Atoms are leaning on a monster 34-point day from Justin Herbert. The Terrors are a sleeping giant, rostering three bell-cow running backs, but they need their QB to step up. This is a must-win for both franchises.

QB Atoms: Justin Herbert (LAC) Terrors: Carson Wentz (MIN) Edge: Atoms

RBs Atoms: Ray Davis (BUF) Terrors: Derrick Henry (BAL), D'Andre Swift (CHI), Jonathan Taylor (IND) Edge: Terrors

WRs Atoms: Jerry Jeudy (CLE), Jordan Addison (MIN), Matthew Golden (GB) Terrors: Romeo Doubs (GB) Edge: Atoms

TE Atoms: Kyle Pitts (ATL), Mason Taylor (NYJ) Terrors: George Kittle (SF), Pat Freiermuth (PIT) Edge: Terrors

K Atoms: Cameron Dicker (LAC) Terrors: Brandon McManus (GB) Edge: Atoms

DEF Atoms: Dallas Cowboys Terrors: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Edge: Atoms

The Bottom Line: The Terrors have an absurd trio of RBs, but can Wentz and Kittle do enough to support them? The Atoms need Herbert to be superhuman again, because their RB room is dangerously thin. Prediction: Atoms 195 – Terrors 210

---

Rebels (4-2-1) vs. Condors (3-3-1)

This LTC tilt features two teams trending in opposite directions. The Rebels are flying high at 4-2-1, riding the arm of Josh Allen, who just dropped 40 points in his last game. The Condors are treading water at 3-3-1 and need C.J. Stroud to match Allen's firepower. The Rebels look like a serious contender, while the Condors are fighting to stay above .500.

QB Rebels: Josh Allen (BUF) Condors: C.J. Stroud (HOU) Edge: Rebels

RBs Rebels: Josh Jacobs (GB), Devon Achane (MIA) Condors: Jaylen Warren (PIT) Edge: Rebels

WRs Rebels: D.K. Metcalf (PIT), Terry McLaurin (WAS), Jauan Jennings (SF) Condors: Zay Flowers (BAL), Xavier Worthy (KC), Jalen Coker (CAR), Luther Burden III (CHI) Edge: Rebels

TE Rebels: Oronde Gadsden II (LAC) Condors: Tyler Warren (IND) Edge: Rebels

K Rebels: Chris Boswell (PIT) Condors: Harrison Butker (KC) Edge: Condors

DEF Rebels: New York Giants Condors: Kansas City Chiefs Edge: Condors

The Bottom Line: The Rebels look dominant on paper. The Condors are banking on their high-ceiling KC stack (Worthy, Butker, Chiefs) and hoping Stroud can keep pace with an MVP candidate. Prediction: Rebels 230 – Condors 170

---

BadM'fers (4-3) vs. Bulls (4-3)

A heavyweight bout between two 4-3 squads fighting for position in their respective conferences. The BadM'fers boast an iconic, veteran-heavy lineup with Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Keenan Allen, Mike Evans, and Stefon Diggs. The Bulls counter with a powerful Dallas stack (Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson) and the high-upside Chargers D/ST that just dropped 41 points.

QB BadM'fers: Aaron Rodgers (PIT) Bulls: Dak Prescott (DAL) Edge: Bulls

RBs BadM'fers: Christian McCaffrey (SF), Alvin Kamara (NO) Bulls: Quinshon Judkins (CLE), Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) Edge: BadM'fers

WRs BadM'fers: Keenan Allen (LAC), Mike Evans (TB), Stefon Diggs (NE) Bulls: CeeDee Lamb (DAL), Tee Higgins (CIN), Rashid Shaheed (NO) Edge: Even

TE BadM'fers: Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) Bulls: Jake Ferguson (DAL) Edge: Bulls

K BadM'fers: Wil Lutz (DEN) Bulls: Evan McPherson (CIN) Edge: Bulls

DEF BadM'fers: New England Patriots Bulls: Los Angeles Chargers Edge: Bulls

The Bottom Line: This comes down to two philosophies. Can the BadM'fers' established superstars outgun the Bulls' explosive, stack-heavy lineup? The Bulls' Dallas core gives them a massive ceiling. Prediction: BadM'fers 205 – Bulls 220

---

Bombers (5-2) vs. Jackrabbits (3-4)

The LTC-leading Bombers are an absolute juggernaut, rolling out the Mahomes-Kelce stack plus Justin Jefferson and Saquon Barkley. This lineup is pure fantasy nightmare fuel. The Jackrabbits (3-4) are simply outgunned, but they have a puncher's chance with Jalen Hurts, who can win a week all by himself.

QB Bombers: Patrick Mahomes (KC) Jackrabbits: Jalen Hurts (PHI) Edge: Even

RBs Bombers: Saquon Barkley (PHI), Javonte Williams (DAL) Jackrabbits: J.K. Dobbins (DEN), Cam Skattebo (NYG) Edge: Bombers

WRs Bombers: Justin Jefferson (MIN), Jaylen Waddle (MIA), Alec Pierce (IND) Jackrabbits: Courtland Sutton (DEN), Emeka Egbuka (TB) Edge: Bombers

TE Bombers: Travis Kelce (KC) Jackrabbits: Zach Ertz (WAS), Hunter Henry (NE) Edge: Bombers

K Bombers: Chase McLaughlin (TB) Jackrabbits: Nick Folk (NYJ) Edge: Jackrabbits

DEF Bombers: Pittsburgh Steelers Jackrabbits: Indianapolis Colts Edge: Bombers

The Bottom Line: The Bombers' lineup is a fantasy All-Star team. The Jackrabbits need Hurts to score 50 and hope for multiple touchdowns from their supporting cast. It's a tall order. Prediction: Bombers 260 – Jackrabbits 165

---

Yinzers (4-3) vs. Juggernauts (2-5)

The 4-3 Yinzers are looking to solidify their playoff standing against the struggling 2-5 Juggernauts. The Yinzers have a solid, balanced lineup led by Jordan Love and elite TE Mark Andrews. The Juggernauts are patching it together, starting three RBs and hoping rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. can spark some magic.

QB Yinzers: Jordan Love (GB) Juggernauts: Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) Edge: Yinzers

RBs Yinzers: James Cook (BUF) Juggernauts: Jeremy McNichols (WAS), Rachaad White (TB), Kyle Monangai (CHI) Edge: Even

WRs Yinzers: Marquise Brown (KC), Michael Pittman Jr. (IND), Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) Juggernauts: Josh Reynolds (NYJ), George Pickens (DAL) Edge: Yinzers

TE Yinzers: Mark Andrews (BAL), Juwan Johnson (NO) Juggernauts: Cade Otton (TB) Edge: Yinzers

K Yinzers: Ryan Fitzgerald (CAR) Juggernauts: Eddy Pineiro (SF) Edge: Juggernauts

DEF Yinzers: Philadelphia Eagles Juggernauts: Buffalo Bills Edge: Yinzers

The Bottom Line: The Yinzers are stronger at almost every key position, especially QB and TE. The Juggernauts need a surprise boom game from Pickens or White to pull off the upset. Prediction: Yinzers 200 – Juggernauts 150

---

Believers (0-7) vs. Mudhawx (3-4)

The hunt for the first win continues for the 0-7 Believers. They face the 3-4 Mudhawx, who are desperately trying to climb back to .500. The Believers have some nice pieces in Breece Hall and Ladd McConkey (33 pts last week), but the Mudhawx counter with MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and a surprisingly deep RB room.

QB Believers: Jaxson Dart (NYG) Mudhawx: Lamar Jackson (BAL) Edge: Mudhawx

RBs Believers: Breece Hall (NYJ) Mudhawx: Rhamondre Stevenson (NE), Chase Brown (CIN), Kimani Vidal (LAC), Woody Marks (HOU) Edge: Believers

WRs Believers: Christian Kirk (HOU), Drake London (ATL), Kayshon Boutte (NE), Ladd McConkey (LAC) Mudhawx: Chimere Dike (TEN) Edge: Believers

TE Believers: Dalton Kincaid (BUF) Mudhawx: Jonnu Smith (PIT) Edge: Believers

K Believers: Jake Elliott (PHI) Mudhawx: Brandon Aubrey (DAL) Edge: Mudhawx

DEF Believers: Atlanta Falcons Mudhawx: Minnesota Vikings Edge: Mudhawx

The Bottom Line: Can Lamar Jackson single-handedly beat the Believers? Pretty much. The Believers have the better skill-position depth, but the QB and Kicker gap is massive. Prediction: Believers 175 – Mudhawx 215

---

MadDawgz (4-3) vs. Lions (6-1)

The Matchup of the Week! The PHC-leading 6-1 Lions look to continue their dominant run against the 4-3 MadDawgz, who are second in the league in total points. The Lions are balanced and deep, with studs like Bijan Robinson and T.J. Hockenson. The MadDawgz are banking on an explosive Cincy stack, pairing Joe Flacco with Ja'Marr Chase, and hoping DeVonta Smith booms.

QB MadDawgz: Joe Flacco (CIN) Lions: Baker Mayfield (TB) Edge: Lions

RBs MadDawgz: Aaron Jones (MIN), Rico Dowdle (CAR) Lions: Bijan Robinson (ATL) Edge: Lions

WRs MadDawgz: Ja'Marr Chase (CIN), DeVonta Smith (PHI) Lions: Chris Olave (NO), Rashee Rice (KC), Rome Odunze (CHI) Edge: MadDawgz

TE MadDawgz: Evan Engram (DEN), Tucker Kraft (GB) Lions: T.J. Hockenson (MIN), Theo Johnson (NYG) Edge: Lions

K MadDawgz: Riley Patterson (MIA) Lions: Ka'imi Fairbairn (HOU) Edge: Lions

DEF MadDawgz: Denver Broncos Lions: Houston Texans Edge: Lions

The Bottom Line: The MadDawgz have the firepower at WR to hang with anyone, but the Lions are just too solid from top to bottom. The Flacco-Chase stack needs to connect for multiple scores to give the 'Dawgz a chance. Prediction: MadDawgz 180 – Lions 225

---

 

What's at Stake

 

• Byemageddon's Test: With six NFL teams on bye, GMs have no room to maneuver. This week is a pure test of who built the best roster, as benches are loaded with unavailable stars.

• The PHC Showdown: Can the 6-1 Lions solidify their claim as the league's undisputed heavyweight, or will the high-scoring MadDawgz prove they are vulnerable?

• The LTC Logjam: The 5-2 Bombers look to create distance, while the Rebels (4-2-1) try to keep pace.

• The 3-4 Bubble: It's desperation time for the Atoms, Terrors, Jackrabbits, and Mudhawx. A loss this week makes the path to a wildcard spot incredibly narrow.

• The Hunt for Win #1: Will this be the week? The 0-7 Believers face a beatable Mudhawx squad in their best chance yet to get off the schneid.