Fantasy Football Week 8: The Ultimate Guide to Sunday's Action

Who is more doubtful for Sunday morning? Reggie Bush (ankle) for the 9:30 a.m. ET action between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons from London, England...or you for actually being up and watching that game?

Odds are the Lions' Joique Bell will have double-digit fantasy points against the Falcons defense, fantasy's worst team against running backs (per FFToday.com), before you finish your morning beverage.

We get you ready in advance for this rare early start and all of Week 8 with B/R's Ultimate Guide to Sunday's Action. Every week we present our overall rankings and review the official NFL injury report, while giving you starts, sits, sleepers, busts and last-minute waiver options. It is your essential guide to finalizing your lineups and daily fantasy rosters.

Overall Rankings

There aren't any secrets on how to find fantasy points. They come from the elite quarterbacks and productive offenses guided by those passers.

Las Vegas knows them. They always get the biggest over-under numbers. This week's future Hall of Fame quarterback matchup between the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints has a 56-point total, according to OddsShark.com...for good reason(s).

Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees in a climate-controlled dome in a Sunday night matchup. Turn on the lights and get ready for prime-time football's version of pinball. Brees is ready for perhaps his biggest performance to date amid a so-so first half of the season by his lofty fantasy standards, telling Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune:

"

When you have Aaron Rodgers on the other side of the ball, that offense and the way they execute and the way they score points, it just makes you feel like you have to be even that more precise and execute that much better. It's all of the little things, all of the details that become that much more important.

"

Weston Hodkiewicz of the Press-Gazette cited Elias Sports Bureau for this gem of a detail for this showdown: 

"

Since Rodgers took over in 2008, the Packers' and Saints' average combined score of 70.3 points per game is the second-most between opposing teams that have met at least three times since 2008 behind the New York Giants and Saints (75.7)

"

So, here's what to do in fantasy leagues with the week's highest over-under games: load up. Start your Packers and Saints fringe options when other things might seem equal. You should do this every week for the players from the games with the highest totals by Las Vegas' numbers.

We have already gotten big points from Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers on Thursday night, so Rodgers and Brees are the next two highest-ranked players in B/R's final top 100 fantasy football plays for Week 8:

Week 8 Top 100 - Eric Mack

Rank	Flex Rankings	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Peyton Manning	DEN	vs. SD	1	0
2	Aaron Rodgers	GB	at NO	2	0
3	Drew Brees	NO	vs. GB	4	+1
4	Matt Forte	CHI	at NE	7	+3
5	DeMarco Murray	DAL	vs. Was	5	0
6	Dez Bryant	DAL	vs. Was	27	+21
7	Jamaal Charles	KC	vs. StL	17	+10
8	Demaryius Thomas	DEN	vs. SD	21	+13
9	Arian Foster	HOU	at Ten	11	+2
10	Rob Gronkowski	NE	vs. Chi	50	+40
11	Andrew Luck	IND	at Pit	3	-8
12	LeSean McCoy	PHI	at Ari	30	+18
13	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	at Car	19	+6
14	Jordy Nelson	GB	at NO	22	+8
15	Antonio Brown	PIT	vs. Ind	35	+20
16	Julius Thomas	DEN	vs. SD	54	+38
17	Le'Veon Bell	PIT	vs. Ind	25	+8
18	Andre Ellington	ARI	vs. Phi	28	+10
19	Julio Jones	ATL	vs. Det	39	+20
20	Eddie Lacy	GB	at NO	42	+22
21	Lamar Miller	MIA	at Jac	33	+12
22	Philip Rivers	SD	at Den	8	-14
23	Brandon Marshall	CHI	at NE	49	+26
24	Ben Tate	CLE	vs. Oak	34	+10
25	Randall Cobb	GB	at NO	40	+15
26	Alshon Jeffery	CHI	at NE	57	+31
27	Tom Brady	NE	vs. Chi	9	-18
28	Russell Wilson	SEA	at Car	6	-22
29	T.Y. Hilton	IND	at Pit	45	+16
30	Jimmy Graham	NO	vs. GB	82	+52
31	Joique Bell	DET	at Atl	37	+6
32	Ronnie Hillman	DEN	vs. SD	41	+9
33	Jordan Reed	WAS	at Dal	85	+52
34	Tony Romo	DAL	vs. Was	10	-24
35	Matthew Stafford	DET	at Atl	13	-22
36	Shane Vereen	NE	vs. Chi	46	+10
37	Golden Tate	DET	at Atl	48	+11
38	Giovani Bernard	CIN	vs. Bal	38	0
39	DeSean Jackson	WAS	at Dal	75	+36
40	Jerick McKinnon	MIN	at TB	44	+4
41	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	at Ari	56	+15
42	Ahmad Bradshaw	IND	at Pit	52	+10
43	Nick Foles	PHI	at Ari	12	-31
44	Pierre Garcon	WAS	at Dal	77	+33
45	Jordan Cameron	CLE	vs. Oak	97	+52
46	Mike Wallace	MIA	at Jac	58	+12
47	Alfred Morris	WAS	at Dal	63	+16
48	Michael Floyd	ARI	vs. Phi	61	+13
49	Justin Forsett	BAL	at Cin	51	+2
50	Roddy White	ATL	vs. Det	74	+24
51	Mark Ingram	NO	vs. GB	64	+13
52	Steve Smith	BAL	at Cin	66	+14
53	Sammy Watkins	BUF	at NYJ	59	+6
54	Jay Cutler	CHI	at NE	14	-40
55	Doug Martin	TB	vs. Min	79	+24
56	Doug Baldwin	SEA	at Car	81	+25
57	Vincent Jackson	TB	vs. Min	65	+8
58	Carson Palmer	ARI	vs. Phi	15	-43
59	Chris Ivory	NYJ	vs. Buf	71	+12
60	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	vs. Ind	23	-37
61	Andre Johnson	HOU	at Ten	70	+9
62	Branden Oliver	SD	at Den	55	-7
63	Cam Newton	CAR	vs. Sea	16	-47
64	Greg Olsen	CAR	vs. Sea	60	-4
65	Emmanuel Sanders	DEN	vs. SD	62	-3
66	Bishop Sankey	TEN	vs. Hou	91	+25
67	Matt Ryan	ATL	vs. Det	24	-43
68	Julian Edelman	NE	vs. Chi	73	+5
69	Tre Mason	STL	at KC	76	+7
70	Kelvin Benjamin	CAR	vs. Sea	69	-1
71	Keenan Allen	SD	at Den	89	+18
72	Antonio Gates	SD	at Den	72	0
73	Eric Decker	NYJ	vs. Buf	84	+11
74	Denard Robinson	JAC	vs. Mia	96	+22
75	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	vs. Phi	87	+12
76	Isaiah Crowell	CLE	vs. Oak	107	+31
77	Darren McFadden	OAK	at Cle	67	-10
78	Zac Stacy	STL	at KC	185	+107
79	Ryan Tannehill	MIA	at Jac	18	-61
80	Joe Flacco	BAL	at Cin	20	-60
81	Martellus Bennett	CHI	at NE	88	+7
82	Marques Colston	NO	vs. GB	90	+8
83	Terrance Williams	DAL	vs. Was	78	-5
84	Steven Jackson	ATL	vs. Det	131	+47
85	Mohamed Sanu	CIN	vs. Bal	83	-2
86	Kendall Wright	TEN	vs. Hou	98	+12
87	Jason Witten	DAL	vs. Was	126	+39
88	A.J. Green	CIN	vs. Bal	143	+55
89	Torrey Smith	BAL	at Cin	92	+3
90	Zach Ertz	PHI	at Ari	109	+19
91	DeAndre Hopkins	HOU	at Ten	86	-5
92	Travis Kelce	KC	vs. StL	106	+14
93	Cecil Shorts	JAC	vs. Mia	105	+12
94	Dwayne Allen	IND	at Pit	101	+7
95	Bryce Brown	BUF	at NYJ	102	+7
96	Trent Richardson	IND	at Pit	94	-2
97	Delanie Walker	TEN	vs. Hou	112	+15
98	Percy Harvin	NYJ	vs. Buf	114	+16
99	Brandin Cooks	NO	vs. GB	93	-6
100	Wes Welker	DEN	vs. SD	95	-5

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Injury Report

You think setting your lineup is tough now because of injuries? Wait for the next three weeks, as half of the NFL teams hit their bye week during that span.

We break down the top players impacted by ailments and missed practice time from the official NFL injury report (credentials required):

Game-Time Decisions

TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (shoulder)

He played last week, so we should fully expect him to be active Sunday night, as ESPN.com's Mike Triplett tweeted. Graham will be used on the important passing downs, including the red zone, which are the plays we want him to be available for. Keep him active in fantasy, even as limited as he is.

WR Calvin Johnson and RB Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions (ankles)

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is "looking big picture," so don't expect these two stars to play, according to ESPN insider Ed Werder. You have to love running back Joique Bell and wide receiver Golden Tate in their places Sunday morning against the Atlanta Falcons defense.

WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (toe)

Not only is Green doubtful for a division rivalry, but he is going to be hobbled for the rest of the season, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Head coach Marvin Lewis told Dehner Jr.:

"

Each day of this week he's looked better and better. (Friday) looked like football for him. So it was good. ... I don't want him to be frustrated by it. I want him to feel good about it. When he tells me, 'OK I'm ready to go and can deal with' — we know all the time guys deal with different circumstances. When he's 100 percent ready in his mind to deal with that then I'll be ready.

"

You should prepare to start your alternatives for Green this week, and consider Mohamed Sanu a more intriguing option as a starter in all leagues. Sanu is all Andy Dalton has downfield right now. 

RB Shane Vereen, New England Patriots (illness)

Vereen should be fine for game time. "At this point, it would be a surprise if Vereen does not play," ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss reported. You have to keep him active in all leagues, especially against the Chicago Bears' run defense.

WR Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (rib) 

He was limited in practice all week, but we should expect the veteran to play and be a viable start against the Minnesota Vikings. Only four teams have given up more touchdown passes to fantasy wide receivers, according to FFToday.com.

RB Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (hamstring)

If he plays, you might consider him a flex option. Only the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Colts have given up more rushing touchdowns to fantasy backs than the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to FFToday.com.

RB Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles (knee) 

He was limited in practice this week, so you should not count on him against the Arizona Cardinals' No. 2-ranked run defense. 

QB Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins (ankle)

The Redskins haven't ruled him out, perhaps only because Colt McCoy is the starting quarterback right now against the first-place Dallas Cowboys for Monday Night Football. RG3 might need a miracle to play. The only way you use him is if you have McCoy and RG3 on your roster. If you have to start McCoy, your fantasy team has bigger problems than we can fix.

The Probables

The following players, ranked by relative fantasy pertinence/ownership, are officially listed as probable and can started as needed:

1. WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
2. WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
3. RB Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals
4. WR Steve Smith, Baltimore Ravens
5. QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots
6. RB Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
7. RB Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals
8. WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
9. WR Eric Decker, New York Jets
10. WR Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
11. TE Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears
12. QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
13. TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
14. RB Chris Johnson, New York Jets
15. RB Toby Gerhart, Jacksonville Jaguars
16. TE Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins
17. RB Benny Cunningham, St. Louis Rams
18. RB James Starks, Green Bay Packers
19. RB Shonn Greene, Tennessee Titans
20. WR John Brown, Arizona Cardinals
21. RB Robert Turbin, Seattle Seahawks
22. WR Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams

Find Replacements

The following players are officially out, so bench them and consider their backups as viable alternatives:

1. WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts (elbow)
2. RB Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills (groin)
3. RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints (rib, shoulder)
4. RB Khiry Robinson, New Orleans Saints (forearm)
5. TE Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens (knee)
6. RB DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers (ankle)
7. TE Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings (abdomen, groin)
8. TE Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions (hamstring)

Start 'Em

Here are some of B/R's underrated Week 8 starts by position, based on favorable matchups, circumstances due to projected touches or opportunities created by injury:

QB Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

As we wrote in B/R's Week 8 Predictions on Thursday, Palmer's shoulder/nerve issues are behind him. That is great news heading into the week he gets to face the fourth-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks (FFToday.com). This should be a shootout, so start any of the Cardinals receivers, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and perhaps even John Brown, with confidence.

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

Reggie Bush (ankle) is on the wrong side of a game-time decision going into Sunday morning's game across the pond, so this should be a huge performance for Bell. The Falcons have given up league highs in attempts, yards and touchdowns (12) to fantasy running backs. They rank dead last against the position, according to FFToday.com.

WR Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Jimmy Graham (shoulder) is less than 100 percent and likely will not play all of the downs, if he even plays at all, so expect Colston to be Drew Brees' leading target like he was last week. The Packers secondary is improved from a year ago, but this matchup between future Hall of Fame quarterbacks should wind up being a shootout Sunday night. Season-best numbers should be coming for Colston.

TE Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins (at Dallas Cowboys)

A good tight end is a limited quarterback's best friend. Reed, who is finally healthy, is a good tight end, and Colt McCoy—if he starts—is a limited quarterback. It will be a lot of Alfred Morris and the play-action game Monday night. Get Reed active in all leagues.

D/ST Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)

They have played much better defense than anyone could have predicted coming into the season. Although the fantasy numbers haven't quite been there, you can like them as streaming play Monday night. The Redskins are the seventh-worst team in fantasy against opposing defense/special teams, per FFToday.com.

Sit 'Em

Here are some of B/R's suggested Week 8 sits because of unfavorable matchups this Sunday:

QB Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

There are myriad reasons Dalton is no longer among the viable fantasy starting quarterbacks in standard leagues. You can blame offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, perhaps, but the health of A.J. Green (toe), Tyler Eifert (elbow) and Marvin Jones (ankle)—actually, the lack thereof—are the biggest reasons for Dalton's statistical decline.

The Ravens are a top-10 team in fantasy against quarterbacks (FFToday.com), so Dalton is a bad play even in two-quarterback formats.

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

After a great start to the season, Detroit's run defense has shown some cracks, but the Lions are still a top-10 team against fantasy running backs (FFToday.com) and the third-best team against the run. Jackson should be considered washed up as a fantasy starter, particularly in a difficult matchup such as this one Sunday morning.

WR Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

We understand the temptation to use Benjamin on a regular basis, because he is the leading target for quarterback Cam Newton, but the Legion of Boom has a legendary nickname for a reason. They can take away what you want to do with the best of them still.

Benjamin is a marginal play even if the Seahawks are merely top 10 against fantasy wideouts (FFToday.com), as opposed to their customary No. 1 rank. 

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Kelce was limited in practice this week, so he cannot be considered in top form in a matchup that isn't top-shelf for us in fantasy. The Rams have given up just 23 receptions to fantasy tight ends (FFToday.com), which is good for third in the league. Only the Chiefs and Saints are better.

You should consider a healthier option here. 

D/ST Arizona Cardinals (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

It has been a disappointing year for all of the elite NFC West defenses, and the Cardinals are one of the primary culprits. A matchup against the potent, fast-paced Eagles should become a shootout. The Eagles are one of the 10 toughest opponents for opposing fantasy defense/special teams units for more than just points, too.

Sleepers and Busts

We present five under-owned sleepers to consider and five lineup busts you might not want to spend the premium on in daily fantasy lineups:

Five Week 8 Lineup Sleepers

1. QB Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. St. Louis Rams)—His downfield weapons are not great fantasy options, but this matchup against the second-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks (FFToday.com) makes Smith enticing as a stopgap.
2. RB Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns (vs. Oakland Raiders)—He has been a bust in some quality matchups this month, but a home game against the Raiders—second worst in fantasy against running backs (FFToday.com)—can help get Crowell back into the end zone.
3. WR Greg Jennings, Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)—Call us crazy, but this should be Teddy Bridgewater's best game to date. The Bucs are the worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks and wide receivers (FFToday.com), so Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson can both find the end zone this week.
4. TE Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)—The Jets have given up seven touchdowns to tight ends, second most in fantasy (FFToday.com). This is the week Chandler proves to be a red-zone target again.
5. D/ST Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Minnesota Vikings)—Lovie Smith's crew has been hideously porous, but it had the bye week to correct its issues, and the Vikings are the third-most forgiving opponent for fantasy D/STs (FFToday.com).

Five Week 8 Lineup Busts

1. QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (vs. Seattle Seahawks)—You cannot sit him, but the Seahawks defense can still make quarterbacks miserable even in a down year.
2. RB Chris Ivory, New York Jets (vs. Buffalo Bills)—The Bills haven't given up a touchdown to a running back all season. Don't expect them to start now against a one-dimensional team like the Jets.
3. WR Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears (at New England Patriots)—As we wrote in B/R's Week 8 Predictions, welcome to Revis Island, Mr. Marshall. You cannot sit him, but don't expect double-digit fantasy totals here.
4. TE Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans (vs. Houston Texans)—This opponent is a top-10 team against fantasy tight ends (FFToday.com), and we cannot be sure how Walker is going to work with rookie Zach Mettenberger right away.
5. D/ST New England Patriots (vs. Chicago Bears)—New England's defense is an elite unit at home, but the Bears can hurt it on the ground and are one of the few teams that can match up physically with its cornerbacks. The only saving grace is Jay Cutler's propensity for errors.

Last-Minute Waiver Options

We have presented Week 8's top alternatives on the waiver wire thoroughly in B/R's Insider Notebook, Big Board and Week 8 Predictions. If you're still hunting for some replacement options, we review the prospects of some of CBSSports.com's most-viewed players leading up to Sunday's kickoffs:

1. RB Jonas Gray, New England Patriots—The Pats are a between-the-tackles running team, and Gray has surpassed Brandon Bolden as the "big back." Shane Vereen will still get the majority of touches, but Gray could earn some goal-line touchdowns against the Bears.
2. RB Travaris Cadet, New Orleans Saints—Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson are out, as reported on the Injury Report slide. Mark Ingram cannot do everything, and the Green Bay Packers have the second-worst run defense in football.
3. RB Bryce Brown, Buffalo Bills—Anthony Dixon is the starter, but Brown has the breakaway juice. This is a potential top-20 fantasy back lying in the weeds.
4. RB Anthony Dixon, Buffalo Bills—They like his physical style, and he is the starter until Fred Jackson (groin) returns.
5. TE Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins—He has been banged up and a disappointment this season, but he draws the sixth-worst team in fantasy against tight ends (FFToday.com).
6. WR Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers—The rookie has a touchdown in two of the past three games, which makes him a must-own in the event something happens to Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb, who have a sordid injury past.
7. TE Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills—See Sleepers slide. He is a decent stopgap in this matchup. All it will take is one of his trademark goal-line touchdowns.
8. TE Gavin Escobar, Dallas Cowboys—Jason Witten has been showing his age this season, and Escobar has had his moments. This could be a burgeoning sleepers for the stretch run.
9. RB Stepfan Taylor, Arizona Cardinals—He could vulture touchdowns from Andre Ellington the rest of the season, particularly with Ellington's chronic foot issue.
10. RB Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers—That is a bad matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but the Panthers want to run the ball and their other backs are banged up, as always.

More NFL-Focused Tidbits from Bleacher Report...

There is NFL life after fantasy, so we want to give you all the angles to peruse as you weigh your fantasy options. NFL National Lead Writer Michael Schottey keeps you informed in the regard with his own Ultimate Guide to Sunday's Action.

He dives into the biggest questions, stats, trends, matchup breakdowns, notable injuries (including defensive players) and B/R's analyst picks. These odds and ends can make the difference for you, perhaps.

Follow @EricMackFantasy

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.