Fantasy Football: Top 5 Quarterbacks in NFL Week 8

Peyton Manning is primed for a big week as the New Orleans Saints march the NFL's worst defense into Denver.
Harry How/Getty Images

If you have a great quarterback on your fantasy team this week, you're in luck because there are no significant names on a bye.

If you don't happen to have a great quarterback, watch out. It could be a brutal week as many top QBs are facing off against defenses that absolutely cannot stop the pass.

Tarry not with tinkering with your running backs because they won't have an impact like the quarterbacks this week. It will be a high-scoring week in fantasy, so adjust your lineup accordingly if you're facing any of these five signal-callers. 

If you don't, it could be very tough to pull out a win.

5. Philip Rivers

He's had a tough season, but look for Philip Rivers to break out against the Browns.
Harry How/Getty Images

Nothing about Philip Rivers has been impressive this year. The typically consistent quarterback has had a tough time protecting the football, and his rising propensity to throw interceptions is worrying.

But that's not going to be an issue this week. Rivers is facing the Cleveland Browns and has had the bye week to stew over his terrible performance in Week 6 against the Broncos. Expect Rivers to rebound in a big way against the NFL's 26th-ranked pass defense.

The Browns do find ways to force interceptions, but they've only snagged six picks since their four-interception performance against the Eagles in Week 1. 

Philip Rivers could find a way to throw for 320 yards and three touchdowns this week. You may not believe in him (which is perfectly understandable), but he will have a big game.

4. Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger will go up against the Redskins' pass defense, which is giving up historically bad numbers against the pass.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Ben Roethlisberger has always been considered more of a winner than a fantasy stud. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, people have always waited for him to have another 30-touchdown season, so he can rise in the ranks of elite fantasy QBs.

Big Ben is putting together an excellent season, tossing 11 touchdown passes against just three interceptions, and he has thrown for 659 yards and six touchdowns in the last two weeks. In Week 8, he faces the dreadful Washington Redskins pass defense, a unit that is on track to give up more passing yards than any other team in NFL history.

Because of that, expect Roethlisberger to go for at least 330 yards and two touchdowns. Washington gives up 328 yards per game through the air (that is not a typo), so Roethlisberger will probably find a way to throw for more. It should be a big week for Big Ben.

3. Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III is facing a very good Steelers defense, but it shouldn't matter to the electrifying rookie.
Al Bello/Getty Images

Robert Griffin III is facing an excellent Steelers defense this week, but considering it a potential hindrance to the rookie's blazing start is just silly. Griffin has only played seven games in his entire career, and he's already reached the status of "fantasy must-start."

He leads all players in points in most leagues and, barring an injury, should be able to put up ridiculous numbers against any defense. His style of play is almost unstoppable, and the Redskins' No. 1 ranked rushing attack plays right into his hands. Griffin leads all quarterbacks in rushing, rushing touchdowns and completion percentage. What more could you want?

The Steelers have an excellent defense, but it doesn't seem to matter which team RGIII plays against. He should be a first-tier starter week in and week out.

2. Drew Brees

Drew Brees continues to set the fantasy world on fire, and he won't slow down against Denver.
J. Meric/Getty Images

There's one perpetual rule in fantasy, and it's that Drew Brees is always a top-five start. Always. Brees is on pace for another 5,000-yard season and has thrown 18 touchdowns in six games this year.

The best thing about Brees is that he's the closest thing to a guarantee as there is in fantasy football. For people who hate the fact that fantasy is generally unpredictable, Brees is a godsend. The Saints' game plans regularly call for him to throw 40 times per game, and his stable of capable wide receivers gives him numerous options to throw to.

In what figures to be a shootout with Peyton Manning, Brees should go for at least 350 yards and three scores. Think that's a little ridiculous? Well, in his last three games, Brees has thrown for 1,193 yards and 11 touchdowns. Case closed.

1. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning will shred the Saints defense and be the top quarterback in fantasy football in Week 8.
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

For all that talk about a "noodle arm," Peyton Manning seems to be doing pretty well for himself. The veteran seems to have adjusted perfectly to life in Denver, as he already has 14 touchdown passes and is on pace for over 4,800 passing yards, which would represent a career high.

Peyton is a top-five start in any week, but this week is special because he's playing against the New Orleans Saints. If a great quarterback plays against the Saints, he instantly becomes a must-start.

The Saints defense is so bad that it gave up over 500 yards of offense to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who entered the game with the 32nd-ranked offense in the NFL.

Expect Manning to go for 350 yards and three touchdowns. It's not a stretch to expect four or five scores, especially since neither team will be able to stop the other. There's nothing Peyton Manning likes better than a good, old-fashioned shootout, and he will rip up the Saints from start to finish.