Week 8 Early Games Recap

This week was definitely a challenge for me. I had some pretty good calls, but I had some really bad ones too. Y'know, like start Michael Vick! Or how about, Marvin Jones is okay, but I don't think he's fantasy relevant? It can be tough looking back at your own bad calls. But its important to acknowledge them and learn from them. I'll discuss some of them in my recap below!

Quarterbacks:
Normally I only review guys with numbers that seem out of place, but I'd like to give credit to Drew Brees playing like an elite QB should. Andy Dalton proved me wrong again. The defenses have gotten continually tougher over the past three games and he has played even better. Colin Kaepernick is playing good. Two straight games with a rush TD and no turnovers. I highlighted him as a rebound candidate and it looks like he as already met that. Alex Smith with another 40 rushing yards today, his mobility has made him a quality backup option against lesser defenses. I guess that isn't a ringing endorsement, but hey, it's an improvement. A bad day for Eli Manning, he hasn't had more than 15 points since week 1. With his bye coming up, he is completely droppable. Still owned in most leagues. Matt Ryan also had a bad day. Its hard to know what is real in the post-Julio Jones world. This week or last week? I'm still leaning with last week. Tom Brady with his third single-digit week of the last four. He isn't someone I would drop, but no confidence starting him week-to-week. Lastly, RG3 had a performance to forget, the mobility was gone and he left with a knee injury. Assuming its not a major injury, I'll be looking to buy him on the (very) cheap. Michael Vick left the game with more hamstring issues. If he is healthy I really like him, but you simply can't start him with confidence any more, and that's a damn shame.

Running Backs:
Andre Ellington leads the way with 21 points! Most of it on a big 80 yard run, but he played very well outside of that big one as well. Even with Mendenhall back in the future, he is a good RB2/Flex play. Darren McFadden exceeded my expectations. It wasn't pretty again, but two TDs. Another situation where just on volume of carries, he is a good performer. Stevan Ridley needs more touches! He has been playing fantastic. Three straight games with 10+ points. Pretty solid in these dark days for RBs. Giovani Bernard with his worst day yet. Two straight games with single digit carries. Definitely major reasons to be concerned. Fellow Rookie Le'Veon Bell didn't look good, but continues to see a lot of touches because everyone else is worse. As a result he got a touchdown. I like him especially because there is no way anyone else is taking that job from him. Darren Sproles owners should be very concerned. He is a decent buy if you can get him really cheap, but his role has definitely taken a step back. It should be noted he did have four catches.

Wide Receivers:
Calvin Johnson was amazing. There's nothing more to that! Marvin Jones continues to play well. Its finally time I acknowledge him as startable in every league. Definitely worth a grab if he is still out there. Kenny Stills with his second straight game with a deep touchdown catch. Two here in fact. 4.32 in the 40 dash, he is a great deep target and worth an add in 12 teams+. He will definitely be boom or bust, but nice games. Harry Douglas with another good game. 18 targets. He will remain very relevant even when Roddy is fully healthy. Aaron Dobson has clearly surpassed Kenbrell Thompkins. I don't think he is someone you can rely on, but he should be owned. A 4th straight game with a touchdown for Terrance Williams. Tony Romo really likes him. However, only two catches on ten targets today isn't good. Denarius Moore finally slowed down today against a tough Steelers D. Next two games are against the Eagles and Giants, buy low if you can. Pryor loves him. Same with Justin Blackmon. He still had 10 targets today. He has a bye next week so its a great time to try to buy low. Better days will come. Lastly, Marques Colston is not someone I can continue to say is a buy low. I'm not dropping him, but I'm only trying to acquire him if you can get him for the worst player on your team.

Tight Ends:
Jimmy Graham hardly played, but his speed and size allowed him to get two touchdowns and three catches on three targets. Obviously no worries going forward. Overall a really down day for tight end production. Jordan Reed had another nice day, but most of it was in garbage time. I like him, but I don't see him as a top 5 play or anything. Jordan Cameron with another productive day. I know some people are a bit disappointed with the lack of TDs, but 81 yards is not bad for those not named Graham or Gronk. Speaking of Gronk, it was a very poor day. Partly his fault, partly Brady's. I'm not concerned. Heath Miller had a TD called back in an otherwise bad day. I like him as a low TE1 option going forward. I'm done predicting big games for Zach Ertz right now, too much going on at the QB position. He will be good, but it might not be this year.

Week 8 WR Rankings!

1. Calvin Johnson
2. Dez Bryant
3. Victor Cruz
4. Wes Welker
5. Jordy Nelson
6. AJ Green
7. Demaryius Thomas
8. Antonio Brown
9. Desean Jackson
10. Pierre Garcon
11. Anquan Boldin
12. Eric Decker
13. Terrance Williams
14. Mike Wallace
15. Josh Gordon
16. Marques Colston
17. Justin Blackmon
18. Denarius Moore
19. Jarett Boykin
20. Larry Fitzgerald
21. Cecil Shorts
22. Harry Douglas
23. Hakeem Nicks
24. Danny Amendola
25. Dwayne Bowe*
26. Rueben Randle
27. Jeremy Kerley
28. Michael Floyd
29. Golden Tate
30. Kris Durham
31. Stevie Johnson
32. Julian Edelman
33. Greg Jennings
34. Brian Hartline
35. Leonard Hankerson
36. Brandon Gibson
37. Aaron Dobson
38. Kenbrell Thompkins
39. Donnie Avery
40. Marvin Jones
41. Rod Streater
42. Greg Little
43. Chris Givens
44. Jerome Simpson
45. Cole Beasley
46. David Nelson
47. Emmanuel Sanders
48. Robert Woods
49. Miles Austin
50. Tavon Austin
51. Sidney Rice
52. Kyle Williams
53. Kenny Stills
54. Mohamed Sanu
55. Mike Brown
56. Jerricho Cotchery
57. Stephen Hill
58. Andre Roberts
59. Brian Quick
60. Aldrick Robinson
61. Cordarrelle Patterson
62. Darius Johnson
63. Jason Avant
64. Santana Moss
65. Austin Pettis
66. Riley Cooper
67. Kevin Ogletree
68. Doug Baldwin
69. Lance Moore
70. T.J. Graham
71. Dexter McCluster

#3 Victor Cruz - (#8 on ESPN Rankings)

After a big start to the year, Cruz has been average lately. He's still getting you 5 points a game which is a nice floor for any player. In all four games in his career before week 5 vs. the Eagles, Cruz had scored a touchdown. He also had at least 100 yards in 3 of 4 games in the past two years. The Eagles defense is not good. I would be very surprised if they can keep Cruz quiet again.

#7 AJ Green - (#3 on ESPN Rankings)

Green has been about flawless in the past two games. His success rides on that of Dalton's. Unfortunately Dalton will face an extremely tough Jets defense. This ranking isn't really about Green, but I expect Dalton to struggle mightily against pressure.

#12 Anquan Boldin - (#17 on ESPN Rankings)

Boldin has played very poorly against tougher defenses, and very well against the lesser D's. Well if you weren't aware, the Jags fall into the latter category. The 49ers esentially throw to one WR only (After Boldin, Kyle Williams is 2nd with 10 catches). The Jags won't be able to stop it. Enjoy.

#14 Terrance Williams - (#21 on ESPN Rankings)

It looks like Miles Austin might play again, but he has been basically useless. The one good thing he has done is open things up for Williams. Williams now has touchdowns in three straight games and it appears Tony Romo is growing very comfortable with him. With one of the best in the game on the other side of this offense, Williams should have plenty of opportunities.

#24 Harry Douglas - (#18 on ESPN Rankings)

The Falcons face a much tougher Cardinals defense this week. I fully believe in Matt Ryan, but I expect him to spread the ball around more this week, something he isn't afraid to do if he has to.

Going deeper...A lot of people still think highly of Larry Fitzgerald & Marques Colston. So do I, but I'm a bit lower on them until I see their situations improve. Just a gut call, but Dwayne Bowe has a better game with 6+ catches. Sam Bradford was one of the best at spreading the ball around, unfortunately (as with Russell Wilson), it held back any WRs from having huge games this year. Kellen Clemens will probably find a favorite target. I expect it to be Chris Givens. Leonard Hankerson should be a nice sneaky play as the #2 in Denver, but for a really deep play, Aldrick Robinson is strictly a deep threat. You can certainly burn the Broncos.

55 & 5: Week 8 RB rankings

I lied, there are a lot of teams on bye, I don't think there will be 55 worthy players this week! Not that you were starting anyone that far down anyway.

1. LeSean McCoy
2. Jamaal Charles
3. Marshawn Lynch
4. Eddie Lacy
5. Knowshon Moreno
6. Adrian Peterson
7. Frank Gore
8. Reggie Bush
9. Stevan Ridley
10. Fred Jackson
11. Darren Sproles
12. Le'Veon Bell
13. Alfred Morris
14. Giovani Bernard
15. Darren McFadden
16. Jacquizz Rodgers
17. Zac Stacy
18. Steven Jackson
19. Andre Ellington
20. Lamar Miller
21. Chris Ivory
22. Roy Helu
23. Joseph Randle
24. Maurice Jones-Drew
25. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
26. Peyton Hillis
27. Pierre Thomas
28. Willis McGahee
29. Joique Bell
30. Brandon Bolden
31. Kendall Hunter
32. Joseph Randle
33. Marcel Reece
34. Daniel Thomas
35. Tashard Choice
36. Lance Dunbar
37. Bilal Powell
38. Alfonso Smith
39. James Starks
40. Khiry Robinson
41. Montee Ball
42. Daryl Richardson
43. Chris Ogbonnaya
44. Rashad Jennings
45. Anthony Dixon
46. Felix Jones
47. Michael Cox
48. Bryce Brown
49. Jonathan Franklin
50. CJ Anderson
51. Justin Forsett

#4 Eddie Lacy - (#8 on ESPN Rankings)

Over the past two weeks Eddie Lacy has shown me that he is an elite back and he has become matchup proof after playing very well against two of the tougher defenses. Play him and watch him perform wonderfully.

#13 Alfred Morris/#22 Roy Helu - (#9/#30 on ESPN Rankings)

I have cautioned people not to overreact to the Roy Helu touchdowns, but I definitely think Helu performed well enough to take away some of the touches from Morris. Either way, I expect both to perform well this week. My ranking of Helu isn't because I think he will steal touchdowns, but rather that if the Redskins fall behind, Helu is the better pass catching RB.

#16 Jacquizz Rodgers - (#28 on ESPN rankings)

I've mentioned this on twitter, but I really believe Jacquizz is the next smaller-sized back in the mold of Sproles and Danny Woodhead. He is great at catching passes out of the backfield. Because of that skillset I think he remains valuable when Steven Jackson comes back. This ranking probably goes down slightly if Jackson is confirmed for certain to be back.

#25 Peyton Hillis - (#35 on ESPN rankings)

Peyton Hillis did not look great in his New York Giant debut, but he got better as the game went along. This is another ranking that could change depending on Brandon Jacobs health. But if Jacobs is out, Hillis clearly played better than Michael Cox and as an RB #1 vs the Eagles, he is a starting option.

#29 C.J. Spiller - (#19 on ESPN Rankings)

No, I haven't given up on C.J. Spiller. Its just that I think he is clearly hurt and it would be a mistake to play him. If I have any reasonable option at all, I am very cautious unless we hear better things. Spiller is highly unlikely to play, confirming my original thoughts. Do not start.

Deeper Looks...I still like Andre Ellington better than Rashard Mendenhall. It's simply in my nature to be very weary of players getting their first start, such as Mike James. I don't see him as a viable option outside of a flex. Brandon Bolden & Daniel Thomas both saw way more time than expected. I actually though Bolden looked very good and even though I like Ridley a lot, Bolden won't be a bad play. Ronnie Hillman is definitely not reliable, but its another matchup where he could end up seeing 8-10 touches, which makes him a decent desperation play. I prefer Lance Dunbar over Joseph Randle in terms of talent. Don't be surprised if he slowly gets more playing time as that game progresses.

As always, if you have any questions about my thinking, leave a comment. You can also tweet me @LopsidedTrades for quick thoughts and suggestions!

Week 8 TE Rankings

The big question is whether Jimmy Graham plays this week. Even though he has hardly practiced at all, I will be ranking him and ranking him highly. If he plays, he is a must start.

1. Rob Gronkowski
2. Julius Thomas
3. Jimmy Graham
4. Tony Gonzalez
5. Jason Witten
6. Vernon Davis
7. Jordan Cameron
8. Jordan Reed
9. Charles Clay
10. Heath Miller
11. Jeff Cumberland
12. Tyler Eifert
13. Andrew Quarless
14. Jared Cook
15. Zach Ertz
16. Kyle Rudolph
17. Brandon Pettigrew
18. Zach Miller
19. Joseph Fauria
20. Benjamin Watson
21. Brandon Myers
22. Anthony Fasano
23. Rob Housler
24. Brent Celek
25. Jermaine Gresham
26. Marcedes Lewis
27. Scott Chandler
28. Mychal Rivera
29. Levine Toilolo
30. Lance Kendricks

#16 Kyle Rudolph - (#11 on ESPN Rankings)
With Rudolph if he doesn't get a touchdown, he doesn't do well. I don't chase touchdowns. He has been mediocre with all three QBs at different times. There is no reason to feel hopeful for him here.

#14 Jared Cook - (#17 on ESPN Rankings)
This one is a gut call, but I think Clemens will look for Cook a lot. In a sample size so small that it shouldn't be relevant, Clemens targeted Cook on 2 of his 4 throws last  week. Its reason for hope.

#13 Andrew Quarless - (#26 on ESPN Rankings)
This is another partial gut call, but hear me out. Jermichael Finley is not playing. James Jones is almost definitely not playing. Aaron Rodgers isn't going to throw to just two guys the whole game (Jordy and Boykin). Someone will have to step up to be that third target. Quarless should be the third option and that makes him a lot better than most other options here.

Quick thoughts...I've already explained my love for Zach Ertz too many times. That big game is coming. Joseph Fauria didn't have a touchdown last week. If you are really desperate, that makes him an option. Carson Palmer looks horrible for Arizona, but Rob Housler is very talented. I know a number of analysts are higher on him just because of his talent. I can't put my confidence in Palmer right now.

Week 8 QB Rankings

1. Peyton Manning
2. Aaron Rodgers
3. Matthew Stafford
4. Drew Brees
5. Robert Griffin III
6. Michael Vick
7. Tony Romo
8. Matt Ryan
9. Russell Wilson
10. Colin Kaepernick
11. Ben Roethlisberger
12. Tom Brady
13. Eli Manning
14. Alex Smith
15. Ryan Tannehill
16. Geno Smith
17. Terrelle Pryor
18. Andy Dalton
19. Carson Palmer
20. Jason Campbell
21. Christian Ponder
22. Chad Henne
23. Thad Lewis
24. Kellen Clemens

#6 Michael Vick - (#10 on ESPN Rankings)\

This call is a little risky because Vick is coming off injury. However, he faces the weak Giants, he has been preparing with the mindset that he is the starter since the beginning of the week. In addition, if Foles had played well last week, Vick was not getting his job back. Thats a big motivation to a QB. There is always the risk he gets hurt, but if he doesn't its a great game.

#11 Ben Roethlisberger - (#13 on ESPN Rankings)

I'm not sure I've ever ranked Big Ben ahead of Tom Brady, but such are the times. If you need an option for the big bye week, Ben is very safe, getting at least 12 points in every game since a disastrous week 1. The Raiders D isn't terrible, but its certainly not great.

#17 Terrelle Pryor - (#13 on ESPN Rankings)

A lot of people see Pryor as a pretty decent bye week QB. I do not. The Steelers are not a great fantasy defense because they don't get a lot of yards, but they are a great defense in terms of yards allowed. Steelers are 6th fewest in total yards allowed. They faced Geno Smith in week 6 and he is somewhat mobile, he had 3 carries for 8 yards. I'll pass for this week, but I do like Pryor long term still.

Quick Thoughts - One QB who has been on a hot streak is Andy Dalton. However he faces the very tough Jets defense and will face a lot of pressure. Dalton is not the type of QB to do well under pressure. Another bad week for Tom Brady last week despite the return on Gronk. I am not ranking him confidently until he shows us otherwise, but its still hard to imagine him struggling this bad normally when Gronk is there. I still like Alex Smith a bit just because of his mobility. Only one game with less than 25 yards rushing. That really adds up.