Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 8: Projecting Stats for Top Stars with Ideal Matchups

Obscured in the background behind the above image of Seattle Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson is the word "defend."

Amid a 3-3 start to the season, the loss of a premier playmaker in Percy Harvin to a trade and massive expectations to stage a strong Super Bowl defense, Wilson continues to be among the top fantasy quarterbacks.

Sometimes even the NFL's best players can't be counted on weekly, but Wilson is a stud to rely on again in Week 8, even after a historic most recent performance.

ESPN Stats & Info highlighted what Wilson did in defeat last week against the St. Louis Rams—on the road, no less:

Individual players' matchups are often a big determinant in fantasy results. For those fortunate to own certain elite, consistent producers, several stand out among the Week 8 crowd as having particularly favorable circumstances to put up monster numbers.

Here is a closer look at Wilson, along with others at each offensive position who are positioned for another strong fantasy outing this weekend.

Note: Scoring information and ownership percentage courtesy of ESPN.com standard leagues.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Departed Seahawk Golden Tate is proving his worth in Detroit, ranking sixth in the NFL in receiving yards. Meanwhile, Wilson is left to throw to, yes, a pedestrian lot of targets yet is still getting the job done.

Wilson is arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in the game based on how devastating he can be with his legs and his comparable prowess from the pocket. That should reveal itself again when Wilson faces the Carolina Panthers on the road.

Carolina's defense was tremendous in 2013. Such is no longer the case, as the Panthers' unit ranks 29th in scoring and 27th in total yards allowed. Not only can the Seahawks do better to establish the ground game with Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, but the young QB should carve up the Carolina secondary in Charlotte.

Though not a passer on the level of someone like Aaron Rodgers, the third-year Seahawks signal-caller is still developing in that regard and doesn't have the greatest supporting cast. Wilson also has an exemplary attitude, per the Los Angeles Times' Sam Farmer:

The fifth-highest scorer in fantasy is Wilson, and he's facing a defense that is 27th in giving up points to opposing quarterbacks.

That sounds like the time is ripe for yet another virtuoso display from the Seahawks' face of the franchise. Wilson will take his team-first mentality to heart in willing Seattle to victory in a significant crossroads game against the NFC South leaders.

Projected Week 8 Stats: 20-of-30 passing for 275 yards, 2 TD; 8 carries, 50 yards, TD

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Ranking only behind Dallas Cowboys star DeMarco Murray in fantasy points among running backs, Forte is a no-brainer play no matter what the matchup is. For those in PPR formats, the Bears' all-purpose back is even more appealing.

Check out this stat from Footballguys' Chad Parsons:

Chicago has a 3-4 record thus far. When the Bears win, QB Jay Cutler has zero turnovers, but he has had multiple giveaways in all four losses. That ought to see an offensive paradigm shift to Forte as the foundation.

Heading into Foxboro to face the mighty New England Patriots, who are second in the NFL with a plus-nine turnover margin, it will be as critical as ever for Cutler to protect the ball. The best way to do that is to dump the ball off underneath or to hand it to Forte as much as possible.

New England head coach Bill Belichick knows it will be tough to prepare for Forte—even with a bit of extra time following Thursday's win over the New York Jets, via WEEI.com's Mike Petraglia:

"

He's a threat every time he steps on to the field in a number of different ways: passing game, running game. Any time he gets the ball in his hands he's a good solid player…He's tough, great vision, great balance. He definitely has the ability to turn nothing into something in a hurry and he can turn something into a lot in a hurry too. Hard guy to tackle, does a good job of creating space for himself and finding openings, getting to places where there are fewer defenders and then taking advantage of it.

"

The Patriots also have the league's top-ranked pass defense, featuring a secondary with Darrelle Revis. They are susceptible to the run thanks to the absence of Jerod Mayo in the linebacker corps.

In an ideal scenario, a heavy dose of Forte will keep Tom Brady and the Pats' prolific offense off the field, giving Chicago a chance to grind out a victory at Gillette Stadium. Whether the Bears pull it off or not, look for Forte to thrive and amass at least 100 yards from scrimmage.

Projected Week 8 Stats: 18 carries, 105 yards, TD; 7 receptions, 60 yards, TD

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos

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A sluggish start to 2014 had fantasy owners up in arms about drafting Thomas so high. How was he not producing more with Peyton Manning under center?

How things have changed. Thomas has been perhaps the best receiver in the game over his past three contests, per CBSSports.com's Joel Corry:

The Broncos will play host to the San Diego Chargers on Thursday in an all-important divisional clash in the AFC West. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has some insight into how thin San Diego's secondary could be at Mile High:

Without the dynamic, first-round rookie in Verrett playing the slot and absent Flowers' veteran presence on the outside, Manning is bound to have yet another field day.

That is great news for Thomas owners. The quick screens Thomas often thrives on will be most devastating with Verrett and Flowers absent from the Chargers' defensive backfield.

Manning is legendary for his preparation and attention to detail. With a quick turnaround, a home game, the prime-time stage and a familiar foe to look forward to, "The Sheriff" should be dealing, with Thomas and his fantasy owners serving as the chief beneficiaries if recent games are any indication.

Projected Week 8 Stats: 8 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TD

Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

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There is a certain amount of risk associated with Ertz in Week 8, but his matchup is almost everything in this situation.

Per ESPN.com, the Arizona Cardinals were last in the league in giving up fantasy points to tight ends last year and are 25th now. With an extra week to prepare, Eagles coach Chip Kelly ought to find ways to get the ball in Ertz's hands quite often.

Amid Ertz's three-catch, 47-yard showing that included a TD against the New York Giants in Week 6, ESPN's Ashley Fox analyzed Ertz's potential:

Philly QB Nick Foles has struggled to get on the same page with his leading receiver, Jeremy Maclin, who has 27 receptions on just 60 targets. Ertz has been far more proficient and equally as explosive, averaging over 16 yards per catch like Maclin but hauling in 19 of 30 passes that have gone his way.

In some leagues, the opportunity may present itself to grab Ertz off the waiver wire, as he has an ownership percentage of just 45.6. With a young player of his upside and catch radius, that is quite a steal, especially since top tight ends are often hard to come by.

Four of the 12 tight ends outscoring Ertz in fantasy are currently listed as questionable entering Week 8. Ertz may therefore be a wise pickup or potential trade-bargain acquisition for the rest of the year.

There appears to be some chemistry emerging between Foles and Ertz, which bodes well for Philadelphia's balance on offense moving forward. The Eagles have struggled at times this season in the beginning of games. Opening up plays down the seam to Ertz off play-action passes early can help solve that issue.

If Ertz can continue his promising progress, it will help Foles' confidence. As long as Philly's stellar ground game keeps up, it will be a fascinating race in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys down the stretch.

Projected Week 8 Stats: 5 receptions, 75 yards, TD