Week 8 Fantasy Football Projections: Reggie Bush and Players Set to Explode

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush played a quiet part in the 185 rushing yards his team racked up against the New York Jets earlier this season. In our Week 8 fantasy football projections, Bush is expected to be a much bigger contributor the second time around against the Jets. 

Bush is not the only fantasy player we are projecting to explode in Week 8 of the NFL season. 

In the following slides, we give you several players at quarterback, running back, receiver and tight end who could come up big for your fantasy team in Week 8.

Peyton Manning and QBs

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

26/38, 364 yards, 4 TDs

Manning has over 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns over his last four weeks, and there's no fantasy defense giving up more points this season to fantasy quarterbacks than the New Orleans Saints. He'll be the projected No. 1 quarterback in most leagues in Week 8. 

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

23/31, 302 yards, 4 TDs

The only thing holding back Rodgers from being the No. 1 quarterback this week is the chance that he could be pulled early by Packers coach Mike McCarthy. The Jaguars are that bad, and Rodgers has been that hot the last two weeks. 

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

28/40, 329 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INTs

The Redskins, Roethlisberger's Week 8 opponent, have allowed at least 325 yards in three straight weeks and in five of seven games overall this season. Big Ben has thrown for an average of 315 yards the last two weeks, so projecting him over 325 is no stretch. 

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

25/38, 301 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INTs

The passing stats haven't been great the past two weeks (zero touchdowns, two interceptions), but the Titans have allowed 363 and 450 yards over their last two home games, respectively. Luck travels to Tennessee in Week 8. 

Reggie Bush and RBs

Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

22 rushes, 121 yards, TD

In Week 3 against Miami, the Jets gave up their most fantasy points of the season to opposing running backs (182 yards, two touchdowns). While Bush only had 61 yards, he wants a bigger piece of the pie in Week 8 against New York's 22nd ranked fantasy run defense. 

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

16 rushes, 112 yards, TD

Things are starting to turn around for Johnson, who has at least 90 yards rushing in three out of the last four games. He could make it four of five Sunday. The Colts can be run on (fourth-most fantasy points allowed to backs in 2012), and the Titans seem to be fixing the problems they had running the football earlier in the season. 

Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos

25 rushes, 145 yards

McGahee hasn't cracked 60 yards in three weeks, but he hasn't faced a defense as soft as the Saints for a long time. Opposing running backs have run for at least 85 yards in every week against New Orleans this season. 

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

18 rushes, 101 yards, TD

The Falcons may be 6-0, but their run defense has been defeated this season. In all six games, the Falcons have allowed at least 100 yards to opposing running backs. Hopefully after a bye week, Andy Reid has discovered how to give his star running back the football. 

Mike Wallace and WRs

Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

5 catches, 147 yards, 2 TDs

Wallace gets the pleasure of facing fantasy football's worst defense (Redskins) against opposing receivers in Week 8, which could mean one his typical monster days catching the deep ball. Washington has allowed 24 or more fantasy points to opposing receivers in every game this season. Wallace only needs a few chances to ensure that happens again. 

Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

8 catches, 142 yards, TD

Someone has to be on the receiving end of what should be another huge statistical day for Peyton Manning. Eric Decker is capable, but Thomas is the big play guy. The Saints have been awful defending against explosive plays in the passing game, and just awful against the pass in general. 

Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans

5 catches, 77 yards, 2 TDs

The Colts have allowed seven touchdowns to opposing receivers over the last three weeks, so Britt should have plenty of opportunities to catch a score at home in Week 8. Opposing receivers are averaging over 26 fantasy points a game, too. 

Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns

4 catches, 100 yards, TD

Surprise pick of the week. The Chargers have allowed a whopping seven receiving touchdowns over the last two weeks, and Gordon has been consistently getting behind coverages this season. Quarterback Brandon Weeden isn't afraid to unleash one deep, either. If Gordon can hang on, a big fantasy day could follow.

Tony Gonzalez and TEs

Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons

8 catches, 82 yards, TD

Gonzalez has arguably been the one dominant tight end of this season, but even he's had some lapses (51 yards in Week 4, 43 in Week 6). Still, Gonzalez has touchdowns in four games and more than 70 yards in three. Also, the Eagles allowed 119 yards to the Lions' tight ends in Week 6. 

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

6 catches, 112 yards

The Rams have allowed just a single touchdown to tight ends this season, so maybe Gronk doesn't find paydirt in Week 8. However, 78 yards and two scores is something to build on after an up-and-down fantasy start. 

Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts

3 catches, 45 yards, 2 TDs

No fantasy defense has allowed as many touchdown as the Titans, who have eight already this season. That's substantial. Allen has the Colts' two receiving touchdowns from the position this season (Coby Fleener, zero), which gives the rookie from Clemson a better chance to score Sunday.