2012 PPR Fantasy Football Week 8: Flex Play Rankings (RB/WR)

It’s been a tough start for the Lions passing game, and the loss of Nate Burleson won’t help. Then again, it might be just what this team needs, as rookie Ryan Broyles will find more playing time. Broyles is an ideal slot receiver and should be a nice compliment to what Calvin Johnson, Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew bring to the table.

While Matthew Stafford continues to struggle with his mechanics, Detroit is still counting up over 40 pass attempts per game.

Before Burleson broke his leg, he received target totals of 12, eight and nine in the team's previous three games. Broyles picked up four targets, converting over to three receptions (the first three of his career) for 51 yards and the Lions' only touchdown.

Granted, the touchdown came as the lions played from behind on their final drive of the game, but that’s been a common trend for this team all year.

Broyles is coming back from a lower-leg injury of his own that happened back in college, but before that setback, he enjoyed one of the more prosperous careers in college history.

It will take some time (as it does for just about every unproven player in this league) before defenses see major improvement from Broyles, or before they take him seriously. This should play to his advantage, and while teams focus on Johnson, Pettigrew and Young, it should be Broyles who plays at a WR3 level in PPR leagues.

Consider him a solid roll-of-the-dice option as we work our way through bye weeks.

Panthers Wanted To Give Jonathan Stewart The Football More

According to Steve Reed of the San Francisco Chronicle, Head Coach Ron Rivera said the NFL" target="_blank">plan last week was to use Stewart as the feature back. While Stewart only received 10 carries and three receptions on the day, he dwarfed DeAngelo Williams in terms of snap count by 58 to five.

A big deal for sure if this trend continues, but the bottom line is: Stewart needs to touch the football over 20 times a game.

I expect it to happen this week, and if that’s the case, Stewart could quickly emerge as a solid RB2 option weekly. This would be a good time to move on him in a trade offer in your fantasy leagues.

That said, what we need to see from the Panthers is a movement away from the option offense before the Panthers running backs can maximize their potential. Defenses know the option in coming, and that predictable play-calling is hurting them.

1	Jamaal Charles	Raiders
2	Adrian Peterson	Buccaneers
3	Victor Cruz	@ Cowboys
4	Brandon Marshall	Panthers
5	Demaryius Thomas	Saints
6	Chris Johnson	Colts
7	Matt Forte	Panthers
8	Percy Harvin	Buccaneers
9	Jordy Nelson	Jaguars
10	Eric Decker	Saints
11	Ryan Mathews	@ Browns
12	Vincent Jackson	@ Vikings
13	Roddy White	@ Eagles
14	Reggie Wayne	@ Titans
15	Wes Welker	@ Rams
16	Marshawn Lynch	@ Lions
17	Willis McGahee	Saints
18	LeSean McCoy	Falcons
19	Julio Jones	@ Eagles
20	Calvin Johnson	Seahawks
21	Larry Fitzgerald	49ers
22	Frank Gore	@ Cardinals
23	Marques Colston	@ Broncos
24	Darren McFadden	@ Chiefs
25	Mike Wallace	Redskins
26	Randall Cobb	Jaguars
27	Doug Martin	@ Vikings
28	Alfred Morris	@ Steelers
29	Jeremy Maclin	Falcons
30	Ahmad Bradshaw (I)	@ Cowboys
31	Antonio Brown	Redskins
32	Miles Austin	Giants
33	Denarius Moore	@ Chiefs
34	Hakeem Nicks	@ Cowboys
35	Stevan Ridley	@ Rams
36	James Jones	Jaguars
37	Mikel Leshoure	Seahawks
38	Darren Sproles	@ Broncos
39	Steve Smith	@ Bears
40	DeSean Jackson	Falcons
41	Rashad Jennings	@ Packers
42	Michael Turner	@ Eagles
43	Jonathan Dwyer	Redskins
44	Reggie Bush	@ Jets
45	Mike Williams	@ Vikings
46	Kenny Britt	Colts
47	Dwayne Bowe	Raiders
48	Dez Bryant (I)	Giants
49	Steven Jackson	Patriots
50	Jeremy Kerley	Dolphins
51	Shonn Greene	Dolphins
52	Jonathan Stewart	@ Bears
53	Montario Hardesty	Chargers
54	Felix Jones (I)	Giants
55	Josh Gordon	Chargers
56	Alex Green	Jaguars
57	Vick Ballard	@ Titans
58	Sidney Rice	@ Lions
59	Kendall Wright	Colts
60	Brandon Lloyd	@ Rams
61	Santana Moss	@ Steelers
62	LaRod Stephens-Howling	49ers
63	Michael Crabtree	@ Cardinals
64	Phillip Tanner	Giants
65	Pierre Thomas	@ Broncos
66	Shane Vereen	@ Rams
67	Malcom Floyd	@ Browns
68	Brandon Gibson	Patriots
69	Andre Roberts	49ers
70	Ryan Broyles	Seahawks
71	Danny Woodhead	@ Rams
72	Brian Hartline	@ Jets
73	Devery Henderson	@ Broncos
74	Joique Bell	Seahawks
75	Daryl Richardson	Patriots

Week 8 PPR Rankings: RB | WR | Flex | Waivers | Start/Sit |