Fantasy Football Week 8 Predictions

Here's a prediction: You either didn't know the Detroit Lions are facing the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. ET, or you are going to forget. Regardless, you might sleep right through it. It is the rest of the world's brief experience of consuming the NFL as if they live on the West Coast of the United States.

If you don't know, now you know.

Bleacher Report opens your eyes to that and more, as it does every Thursday of the NFL season, with the Week 8 predictions for fantasy football. From a busy day for multipurpose running back Matt Forte to a quiet performance for outspoken diva wide receiver Brandon Marshall—is that even possible?—we give you the MVP, breakouts, busts, bounce-back players and top matchup plays by position.

If all of that doesn't help you complete your weekly lineups and stock your daily fantasy rosters, we even wrap things up with a review of the top waiver-wire options and some deeper sleepers off the scrap heap to consider at each position relative to matchup. This is your bold and definitive fantasy guide for the week. Don't miss it (or the Sunday morning game in London).

MVP

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears (at New England Patriots)

Projected stat line: 100 yards rushing, seven catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns

Forte has picked up the pace in recent weeks after a modest start, particularly in relation to his touchdown production. He has scored all five of his touchdowns in the past three games, including two in each of the past two.

Forte does it rushing and receiving in Marc Trestman's West Coast system, and the Patriots figure to be generous in both regards. The Pats have given up the fifth-most rushing yards to date and have allowed four receiving touchdowns to backs, good (bad?) for second worst in fantasy.

Forte draws extra attention in the passing game, but he has still been putting up great fantasy numbers as a receiver in addition to being a runner, averaging roughly nine catches for 81 yards in the past three games. He talked in his weekly conference call about the special coverage he has seen this season, per the Patriots' official website:

"

I've seen some different things, like this past week the Dolphins were dropping a defensive lineman to play underneath. After they would drop the linebackers, they had a defensive lineman underneath to try to I guess stop the underneath routes, too. I've seen that before. And also, I've seen them put an extra nickel back in to play man-to-man coverage on me because, obviously, he probably could guard better than a linebacker can. ... You don't [know] what to expect, but the best thing is to try to be prepared to adjust for it.

"

The Pats' best defense is the downfield pass coverage. They have the NFL's No. 1 pass defense thanks to Darrelle Revis and now Brandon Browner. The Bears are going to have to move the ball with Forte, who could have a huge game if the Pats stay hot at home offensively, as we all should expect.

Honorable Mention

RB Joique Bell, Detroit Lions (vs. Atlanta Falcons in London)

QB Tony Romo/WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)

QB Peyton Manning/WR Demaryius Thomas/TE Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos (vs. San Diego Chargers)

QB Aaron Rodgers/WR Jordy Nelson/WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers (at New Orleans Saints)

QB Drew Brees/WR Marques Colston/TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Biggest Breakout Star

Joique Bell, Detroit Lions (vs. Atlanta Falcons in London) 

Projected stat line: 85 yards rushing, three catches for 27 yards receiving and two touchdowns

By the time you are waking up from a hangover Sunday morning, Bell might have already hit double digits in fantasy points against the Atlanta Falcons in London. The game start is set for 9:30 a.m. ET, so don't forget to account for that before you go out Saturday night.

The Falcons have the NFL's third-worst defense, are sixth-worst against the run and dead last against fantasy running backs (FFToday.com). The Lions will have a limited Calvin Johnson (ankle)—if he even suits up. Also, Reggie Bush told the media that he will playing a bit banged up still, as reported by Kyle Meinke of MLive.com 

"I mean, I'm not 100 percent, but I haven't been 100 percent since high school," Bush said.

All this adds up to a huge day for the Lions' running game, especially the physical, big back Bell. The Falcons have allowed fantasy highs of 209 carries, 886 yards and 12 touchdowns to running backs. Even a plodder like Matt Asiata scored three times against them.

The Lions are making a concerted effort to fix their running game, which is the second-worst in the NFL. This will be a week to get healthy in it. Bell told Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official website:

"

It's really close. If you look at it on film, it's just one glitch that keeps us from having that explosive run, which is going to lead to more. We're right there, we just need to get over that hump. Obviously, we're not where we want to be as far as the running game, so you can obviously do more. You're never going to play a perfect game, but we're chasing perfection.

"

It should be no secret the Lions will try to pound the Falcons on the ground, something Bush even admits to:

"

It's very important for us. Every week our main focus is just to improve and especially in the run game, because we know in order for us to be successful throughout this season our run game has to improve. That's something that we are going to focus on this week, and we're going to try to do our best to just improve our run game this week.

"

Expect starter-quality numbers even out of a limited Bush, as well as potential Week 8 MVP totals from the early down and short-yardage guy Bell here. Get both active in all leagues.

Honorable Mention

RB Bryce Brown, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

RBs Mark Ingram/Travaris Cadet, New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)

RB Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans (vs. Houston Texans)

QB Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

Biggest Bust

Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears (at New England Patriots)

Projected stat line: Three catches for 30 yards and no touchdowns

Marshall has had a career of drawing attention to himself. He was not well served blowing up in the locker room last Sunday, a week before heading to Revis Island for a little fantasy vacation. You likely have to start Marshall in all leagues still, but this is not a great matchup for the outspoken diva.

No, Darrelle Revis is not the same player he once was with the New York Jets, but the New England Patriots have the No. 1 pass defense in football for a reason. Revis is as good of a reason as any. 

Marshall didn't fare well last week against a physical cornerback in Cortland Finnegan of the Miami Dolphins, being held to under 50 yards receiving for the fifth time in seven games. Marshall hasn't scored a touchdown since September. We should expect another modest-to-weak performance out of him against the Pats' physical corners, Revis and Brandon Browner.

Marshall might have another opportunity to be upset after this one. He reviewed his locker room antics this week on Showtime's Inside the NFL, as the Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell reported:

"

The only thing that I regret is that the door wasn't closed. I wouldn't change any of my reactions because they came from my heart, and that's how I felt, and that's how I still feel. I think that we have all the coaches we need. I think we have all the players that we need to get the job done. And 3-4 is unacceptable, but we have everything that we need to turn the ship right now.

"

Well, maybe not so much this week. It should be interesting to hear what Marshall and Jay Cutler have to say after this trip to New England.

Dishonorable Mention

QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions in London)

QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

RB Branden Oliver, San Diego Chargers (at Denver Broncos)

RB Chris Ivory, New York Jets (vs. Buffalo Bills)

RB Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions in London)

QB Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (at New England Patriots) 

Biggest Bounce-Back Player

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Projected stat line: Four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown

No, those are not the numbers you need on a regular basis out of your first-round pick, but they sure look good after Graham's zero catches for zero yards last week in his return from the bye week and a limiting shoulder issue. Consider this a vote of confidence for starting Graham in all leagues despite the bad mojo right now.

The Saints' Week 8 opponent, Green Bay, is just one of two teams in fantasy that have yet to give up a touchdown to a tight end (FFToday.com). They have not faced a tight end like Graham, even if he is limited to third-down and red-zone snaps again this week.

The two decent, fantasy-caliber tight ends the Packers have faced thus far this season, the Chicago Bears' Martellus Bennett (nine catches for 134 yards) and the Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (eight catches for 105 yards), both had very productive games. We expect Graham to do the same, even if he is something significantly less than 100 percent.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein:

"

Jimmie Graham is a tough matchup, no doubt. How you play him, that's really what the game is for. But he's a very talented individual just as far as the way he attacks the middle of the field. They use him down the boundary and on the corner routes, too. But he's definitely someone that you have to be smart with.

"

Drew Brees said Graham's shoulder has improved, per Silverstein:

"

He looks better this week than he did last week. The shoulder will continue to get better. I'm not worried or concerned in that regard. Jimmy is a tough guy. He's had to play through a lot in just his short career. He's battled multiple injuries over the course of many seasons. I know he's going to give us whatever he can. We'll see what that is.

"

Whatever it is, it will be better than your alternatives at tight end. Keep Graham active in all leagues.

Honorable Mention

RB Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks (at Carolina Panthers)

RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)

RB Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)

RB Giovani Bernard/WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Baltimore Ravens) 

RB Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins (at Dallas Cowboys)

QB Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)

QB Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

WR Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers (at Denver Broncos) 

Top QB Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy QBs, per FFToday.com:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
2. St. Louis Rams (at Kansas City Chiefs)
3. New York Jets (vs. Buffalo Bills)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (at Arizona Cardinals)
5. Washington Redskins (at Dallas Cowboys)
6. Carolina Panthers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
7. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
8. Chicago Bears (at New England Patriots)

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

Projected stat line: 310 yards passing, three touchdowns

Palmer's shoulder might not be 100 percent because of his nerve issue, but he hasn't thrown for less than 250 yards and two touchdowns in any of the three games he has started this season. This week against the Eagles, fourth-worst against fantasy quarterbacks (see above), we should expect a shootout that will make Palmer his most productive yet.

The matchup is good news, but Palmer's improving health is great news. The veteran quarterback told Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic:

"

Yeah, I'm there right now. I'm actually able to lift with my upper body, which I wasn't able to lift for five weeks or whatever it was. I definitely had a lot of atrophy, so I'm starting to get some strength back and put a little extra weight up top, which is good. You get sick of going into the weight room and not being able to do things. There was a month of that and it's good to be able to get back in there and do something.

"

Head coach Bruce Arians is thankful the shoulder issues are in the past.

"Yeah, knock on wood," Arians told McManaman. "Hopefully, we don't have to talk about that one anymore."

With the Eagles expected to put points on the board, we project Palmer to have his best game of the season to date. Consider him a top-12 fantasy option in all leagues. Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and perhaps even rookie third receiver John Brown are viable plays residually as well.

Honorable Mention

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (at Denver Broncos)

Tom Brady, New England Patriots (vs. Chicago Bears)

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (vs. Atlanta Falcons in London)

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (at St. Louis Rams) 

Top RB Matchup Plays

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy RBs, per FFToday.com:

1. Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions in London)
2. Oakland Raiders (at Cleveland Browns)
3. Carolina Panthers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
5. Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)
6. New York Giants (bye)
7. Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
8. New England Patriots (vs. Chicago Bears)

Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)

Projected stat line: 95 yards rushing, two catches for 20 yards and two touchdowns

The Lions running backs are the best play against the woeful Falcons run defense in London, but we are going to be talking just as much about another Big Ben. This one is the Browns' Tate, who is facing a Raiders team that is fourth-worst against the run and second-worst against fantasy backs (see above).

Tate has held off rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West to remain the Browns' feature back in a run-heavy attack. Until Josh Gordon returns from suspension in November, we have to expect the Browns to stay stubborn with the run, sans center Alex Mack or not.

Tate's matchup is favorable, but he also might get more of the workload, as head coach Mike Pettine intimated to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot. The Browns used all three backs against the Jags, but none of them got rolling in what should have been a productive day running the ball.

"We'll make a decision at the end of the week," Pettine told Cabot about the rotation plans. "I don't want to lock it in and say we're set on three."

It is possible the Browns turn more to Crowell, who is averaging a team-best 5.0 yards per carry, but our bet is on Tate at having the biggest game here. Keep Tate active in all leagues. 

Honorable Mention

Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos (vs. San Diego Chargers)

Shane Vereen, New England Patriots (vs. Chicago Bears)

Joique Bell/Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions (vs. Atlanta Falcons in London)

Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans (vs. Houston Texans)

Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)

Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders (at Cleveland Browns)

Top WR Matchup Plays

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy WRs, per FFToday.com:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
2. New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)
3. St. Louis Rams (at Kansas City Chiefs)
4. Carolina Panthers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
5. Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (at Arizona Cardinals)
7. Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)
8. Houston Texans (at Tennessee Titans)

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

Projected stat line: Six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown

The veteran isn't the downfield threat he used to be, but this matchup against the Eagles secondary should be one of his most favorable of the season. As we wrote in the top QBs slide, Carson Palmer's shoulder is healthier now, too.

Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis told Mark Frank of The News Journal (Delaware) that Fitzgerald isn't slowing down as much as accepting a role as one of the threats in a diverse offensive attack.

"

It has nothing to do with Larry not being Larry. It has to do with all the other weapons they've surrounded the quarterback with, and the options are everywhere. ... Larry's still Larry. He still makes all the catches and all the plays.

"

Fitzgerald has made big plays in the past against the Eagles, as Frank wrote:

"

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has tormented the Eagles for years, a veritable one-man wrecking ball. There was the three-touchdown game he had against the Eagles in the NFC championship game in January 2009. He has scored at least one touchdown in every game against the Eagles, and he has more TDs against them (10) than all but the three teams in the Cardinals' division, the NFC West. And Fitzgerald has done this in just six games against the Eagles, including playoffs.

"

You will want even an aged and less effective Fitzgerald in your fantasy lineups against this Eagles team again this week.

Honorable Mention

Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers (at Denver Broncos)

Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills (vs. New York Jets)

Golden Tate, Detroit Lions (vs. Atlanta Falcons in London)

Eric Decker/Percy Harvin, New York Jets (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)

Emmanuel Sanders/Wes Welker, Denver Broncos (vs. San Diego Chargers)

Top TE Matchup Plays

USA TODAY Sports

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy TEs, per FFToday.com:

1. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
2. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)
3. Seattle Seahawks (at Carolina Panthers)
4. New York Jets (vs. Buffalo Bills)
5. Tennessee Titans (vs. Houston Texans)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Miami Dolphins)
7. Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
8. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins (at Dallas Cowboys)

Projected stat line: Seven catches for 80 yards and a touchdown

Reed has enjoyed two productive games in his return from a nagging hamstring issue, and a potential Monday Night Football shootout looms against the Cowboys this week. We should start considering Reed one of the top five fantasy tight ends in all leagues, regardless who the quarterback is on a weekly basis for the Redskins.

Heck, even with the limited Colt McCoy throwing the passes, we should like Reed against the Cowboys. Not only is a good tight end a best friend for a shaky quarterback in the play-action game, but this opponent has given up a fantasy-high 50 receptions to tight ends thus far this season.

Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Jared Cook, Jimmy Graham and Larry Donnell each had big games against the Cowboys defense this season. Reed should be considered at least as viable as any of those this week. Get him active in all leagues.

Honorable Mention

Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)

Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles (at Arizona Cardinals)

Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills (vs. New York Jets)

Top D/ST Matchup Plays

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy D/STs, per FFToday.com:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Miami Dolphins)
2. St. Louis Rams (at Kansas City Chiefs)
3. Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
5. New York Jets (vs. Buffalo Bills)
6. Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)
7. Washington Redskins (at Dallas Cowboys)
8. Miami Dolphins (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars

Projected stat line: Three sacks, three turnovers and a touchdown

Starting the Cleveland Browns at the Jaguars didn't work a week ago, but we have to go back to the well in streaming defenses against the worst team in fantasy against them. Also, the Dolphins have played pretty good defense, particularly in fantasy terms. This is a top-12 scoring unit to date, per FFToday.com.

The Dolphins are third-best in forcing fumbles, and the Jags are starting an undersized running back, Denard Robinson, who used to be a quarterback at Michigan. Robinson put on weight to handle the pounding a running back takes, as ESPN.com's James Walker wrote, but you have to figure he is not at his career prime in ball security yet.

You have to love streaming a defense against a rookie quarterback, especially a defense that is starting a QB at running back, too—no matter what you think of Robinson long term.

Honorable Mention

Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)

Kansas City Chiefs (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Houston Texans (at Tennessee Titans)

Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)

New York Jets (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Top Waiver-Wire Options

We reviewed the top waiver-wire additions in-depth Tuesday in B/R's Insider Notebook, but if you are looking for more, here is how the top 10 most-added players at CBSSports.com unfolded:

1. RB Bryce Brown, Buffalo Bills—He won't start over grinder Anthony Dixon, perhaps, but Brown will prove to be far more explosive and productive until Fred Jackson (groin) returns.
2. RB Denard Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars—You have to love his breakaway ability. He adds a dimension to the Jags offense they haven't had in years.
3. WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks—Welcome to fantasy stardom. Russell Wilson is going to throw downfield to someone. Baldwin might be a must-start receiver now.
4. RB Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams—His matchup this week isn't great, and his schedule is tough in the coming weeks, but we have contended all along he was going to be an impact fantasy option in crunch time.
5. RB Anthony Dixon, Buffalo Bills—We wouldn't own him over Brown, but he is the starter and likely touchdown vulture.
6. RB Travaris Cadet, New Orleans Saints—The Green Bay Packers have the NFL's second-worst run defense, and Cadet will get opportunities with the Saints' other backs banged up. 
   
7. K Cody Parkey, Philadelphia Eagles—You have to love his offense getting him scoring chances.
8. QB Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins—It is the Jags. You can consider starting anyone against them.
9. TE Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins—He hasn't been as good this season as last, but he is healthier now than he has been in the early going.
10. TE Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens—We like him as a steady top-10 tight end the rest of the season in that TE-friendly offense. He might even be top five.

If you missed out on one of those options above, here are some additional alternatives by position that are available in at least one-third of CBSSports.com's leagues:

Quarterbacks

1. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. St. Louis Rams)
2. Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
3. Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)

Running Backs

1. Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. St. Louis Rams)
2. Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)
3. James Starks, Green Bay Packers (at New Orleans Saints)

Wide Receivers

1. Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers (at Denver Broncos)
2. Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Miami Dolphins)
3. Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots (vs. Chicago Bears)

Tight Ends

1. Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts (at Pittsburgh Steelers)
2. Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers (at Denver Broncos)
3. Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

Defense/Special Teams

1. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. St. Louis Rams)
2. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

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Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.