Fantasy Football Week 8: Pierre Thomas and 5 RBs with Huge Upside

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Week 8 presents many easy matchups that running backs will be able to use to their full advantage. Pierre Thomas owners should be drooling when they see the New Orleans Saints face off against the league's worst rush defense in the St. Louis Rams. 

When we speak of RBs with huge upside, we will not be talking about the obvious plays like Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson. Instead, we will look at any RB ranked 20th or lower on ESPN.com.

If you're in need of some upside plays for Week 8 due to byes or injuries, then you're in luck.  

5. Javon Ringer

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ESPN.com Rank: 49th

Did anyone see what the New Orleans Saints running backs did to the Indianapolis Colts rush defense last week? The Colts allowed a total of 236 rushing yards in a 62-7 blowout. 

Right now, the Colts are allowing 150.9 rushing yards per game, which bodes very well for Chris Johnson and Javon Ringer as well. 

Ringer is obviously a deep sleeper for Week 8, but has huge upside. The Tennessee Titans should be in control for the majority of the game, so if you are looking for some waiver wire help, Ringer is your guy. 

4. Brandon Jacobs

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ESPN.com Rank: 34th

Brandon Jacobs is questionable going into Week 8 with his knee injury, although it is looking as if he will play. 

With the Miami Dolphins coming into town, the entire New York Giants offense should have a huge day. Ahmad Bradshaw is an obvious must-start, but Jacobs still has plenty of upside. 

Jacobs scored a touchdown in each of the three games prior to his knee injury. Look for the Giants to dominate, and Jacobs to find the end zone in a blowout. 

3. Roy Helu

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ESPN.com Rank: 28th

If you are a Ryan Torain owner, you must be scratching your head. Even with the loss of Tim Hightower for the season, there is no telling if he will come through. 

The Buffalo Bills have allowed 135.7 rushing yards per game, and there is no telling how Mike Shanahan will handle the snaps between the Washington Redskins' running backs. 

Roy Helu has more upside than Ryan Torain just based on his ability to catch balls out of the backfield. Helu has 12 targets on the season, while Torain has yet to be targeted. 

2. Knowshon Moreno

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ESPN.com Rank: 25th

With Willis McGahee out for the Denver Broncos, Knowshon Moreno will step into the spotlight looking to resurrect his 2011 season. 

Many people fear the Detroit Lions defense, but they rank 28th against the run allowing 129.4 rushing yards per game.

Not that scary, huh?

Moreno has huge upside in Week 8, both as a runner and a receiver. He has an opportunity to accumulate 100 total yards and a touchdown against a sketchy Lions run defense. 

1. Pierre Thomas

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ESPN.com Rank: 20th

Who led the New Orleans Saints in rushing and receiving yards combined out of the backfield last week? That's right, it was Pierre Thomas with 125 yards combined. 

Did anyone see what DeMarco Murray did to the Rams rush defense last week? With Mark Ingram not looking likely for Week 8, that provides Pierre Thomas with plenty of upside. 

Thomas has accumulated a total of 428 rushing and receiving yards combined on the season with only one touchdown. Look for Thomas to break out in a big way against the St. Louis Rams' league-worst rush defense.