Fantasy Football Week 8: Big-Play Performers Sure To Be Point Machines
Fantasy football Week 8 is crucial for fantasy owners hoping to make a run at their league playoffs. A loss could cripple your team's chances heading down the stretch, while a victory could go a long way towards locking up a place in the playoffs.
That's where these guys come in. They're the 20 players with the best big-play potential in Week 8, due either to matchups or the fact that they're just that good. We're not talking just about scores here. It's more about the ability to haul in a 40-yard catch or break off a 25-yard run. Let's get started.
20. Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans
1 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Performer: Britt has the size and speed to be one of the best deep-ball wideouts in football, and he proved that with last week's 40-point outburst against Philadelphia. When you rack up 225 receiving yards on just seven catches, you're definitely capable of ripping off a big play or two.
Who's the Matchup: San Diego ranks second in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but something tells me they're going to focus more on shutting down Chris Johnson than Britt.
The Verdict: Britt isn't going to have another game like last week, but he should get some big plays regardless: four catches, 85 yards.
19. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
2 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Davis is the most reliable receiver in San Francisco right now. He's massive and fast, making him an incredibly tough cover for most teams.
Who’s the Matchup: The Broncos rank 24th against opposing tight ends and Davis is one of the NFL's most talented at that position.
The Verdict: Even with Troy Smith at the helm, expect Davis to get a steady diet of footballs: six catches, 90 yards.
18. Dwayne Bowe
3 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Back-to-back 20-point games have Bowe's owners singing his praises, and a third-straight favorable matchup has him poised for another big-play laden game. He's not the best wideout in the NFL, but he's the most reliable one Kansas City's got, so you know the ball's coming to him.
Who’s the Matchup: Buffalo doesn't have the defensive talent necessary to contain Bowe or any facet of the Chiefs' offense, really.
The Verdict: With the Bills' lack of run defense, Kansas City won't throw much. But when they do, it'll go to Dwayne: five catches, 90 yards.
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17. Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo Bills
4 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Evans' stock has soared since Ryan Fitzpatrick took over quarterbacking duties in Buffalo. He's a solid deep threat capable of blowing up at any time.
Who’s the Matchup: Kansas City has been solid against the pass but they're vulnerable to big plays, which the Bills seem to excel at making nowadays.
The Verdict: Evans should find plenty of space to work downfield, and with Fitzpatrick at the helm, he has a quarterback who can get him the ball: seven catches, 93 yards.
16. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
5 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: After a scalding hot start, Austin has cooled off noticeably in recent weeks, and just lost starting quarterback Tony Romo to injury. But with an incredibly juicy matchup coming down the pipe this week, it won't matter much. The speedy Austin should have ample opportunities to make big plays.
Who’s the Matchup: Jacksonville's defense ranks dead last in the NFL against the pass. Sometimes it seems like they're not even trying.
The Verdict: Even with Jon Kitna at quarterback, look for Austin to get some looks over the top against this terrible defense: six catches, 93 yards.
15. Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings
6 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Sure, Brett Favre might be hurt and Randy Moss might require lots of targets to stay happy. But Harvin has excelled in his return to the slot, becoming a reliable deep threat and a serious weapon on option plays. He seems to break off a big catch, run or return every single week.
Who’s the Matchup: The Patriots don't have the manpower in their secondary to close down an offensive weapon like Moss. What hope do they have at stopping a second option as dangerous as Harvin?
The Verdict: Even if the speedy wideout doesn't catch many passes, he impacts the game in so many ways that he's sure to make a big play or two in this one: four catches, 60 yards, one carry, 35 yards.
14. Ryan Torain, RB, Washington Redskins
7 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Torain has shown himself fully capable of putting up monster rushing totals the last two weeks. And with few reliable receiving options in D.C., he's going to be counted on to do that on a regular basis.
Who’s the Matchup: The Lions rank dead last in the NFL against the run and Torain's powerful, yet speedy, style is sure to give Detroit fits all game long.
The Verdict: Look for Torain to get the ball all game long: 20 carries, 95 yards.
13. Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts
8 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: How does a wideout who's got a case of the dropsies suddenly fall back into favor with his quarterback? Make sure almost every other receiving option gets hurt, that's how. Garcon is a big play threat, shaky hands or not.
Who’s the Matchup: Houston ranks second-to-last against opposing receivers and struggles to contain even the most middling of wideouts. A speed demon like Garcon should have no trouble finding space.
The Verdict: Look for Pierre to get more looks than usual, with so many injuries. He might drop some, but he'll haul a few in, as well: four catches, 95 yards.
12. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos
9 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Lloyd is Denver's primary deep threat in 2010, bumping Eddie Royal out of that post. Even when he struggles (like Week 7, when he only had one catch), Lloyd makes his catches count, racking up big plays every time he touches the ball.
Who’s the Matchup: Lloyd gets San Francisco's ninth-ranked defense this week. But the Niners are extremely vulnerable to big plays in the passing game—his area of expertise.
The Verdict: He drops the ball regularly, but when he pulls them in, he makes them count: four catches, 95 yards.
11. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
10 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Jennings has been finding plenty of space to work in recent weeks, racking up big plays despite being the only healthy wideout worth talking about in Green Bay. Even with a seemingly tricky matchup this week, he should get enough looks to put up big numbers.
Who’s the Matchup: The Jets have Darrelle Revis back, which hurts Jennings' potential, until you remember that the talented corner hasn't looked like himself this season.
The Verdict: Expect Greg to get free a couple of times this week and burn a suddenly shaky Jets' pass defense on some big plays: six catches, 95 yards.
10. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
11 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Now that he's fully healthy, there's not a wideout in the NFL who is a more dangerous player week-in and week-out than Johnson. Anytime a ball is thrown his way, he's a threat to rip off a huge gain.
Who’s the Matchup: Indianapolis ranks 11th against opposing wideouts and has closed down Johnson before. But he's healthy and motivated and should still get some looks over the top.
The Verdict: The Texans might not throw much, what with Indy's terrible run defense and all. But when they do, expect the passes to go to Johnson: eight catches, 99 yards.
9. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
12 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: He might not be the starter in Kansas City but don't be fooled; Jamaal Charles has developed into one of the NFL's most explosive running backs. He can make your week despite getting just 10-15 carries per game.
Who’s the Matchup: Buffalo stinks out loud against the run and is vulnerable to giving up big plays on the ground. Guess which back in Kansas City is capable of making them pay?
The Verdict: Big game from Charles against a soft Bills defense: 15 carries, 99 yards.
8. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
13 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Johnson is still one of the NFL's most explosive, dangerous runners. He's one of the fastest backs in the league and has enough power to make defenses pay.
Who’s the Matchup: San Diego ranks 10th against the run but it has given up four 100-plus yard rushing games this season.
The Verdict: Johnson should get a steady diet of carries, given the uncertainty at quarterback this week: 22 carries, 100 yards.
7. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
14 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Austin Collie and Dallas Clark are hurt, Blair White's unproven and Pierre Garcon has hands issues. Who else is Peyton going to throw to in this one?
Who’s the Matchup: Houston's defense ranks second-to-last against opposing receivers. Wayne is one of the top five wideouts in the NFL. Even if he's the only reliable option, Houston can't stop anything.
The Verdict: Big game from Reggie, who should get free plenty despite seeing heavy coverage from the Texans: nine catches, 105 yards.
6. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
15 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Calvin Johnson is one of the NFL's best receivers, frequently beating double-coverage to make huge plays.
Who’s the Matchup: Washington ranks 27th against opposing wideouts and Johnson is one of the league's best, fully capable of beating double-coverage on every play.
The Verdict: Look for Megatron to beat the Redskins' secondary on a regular basis in this one: eight catches, 110 yards.
5. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
16 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Anyone who's watched McFadden this season knows he's finally turning into the back people expected when the Raiders drafted him in the first round two years ago.
Who’s the Matchup: Seattle ranks 11th against the run, but McFadden is one of the most versatile backs they will have faced all season long.
The Verdict: Despite a formidable opponent, look for Darren to continue his torrid play in 2010: 17 carries, 90 yards, three catches, 20 yards.
4. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
17 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Jackson is the heart and soul of the Rams' offense, and he's heating up, breaking 100 yards in each of his last three games.
Who’s the Matchup: Carolina has been flat-out awful against the run in 2010, ranking 23rd in the NFL.
The Verdict: There's a chance Jackson may not play Sunday, so bear that in mind. However, if he does, he's poised to have a monster game: 20 carries, 110 yards.
3. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
18 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Forget about just tight ends; Gates has been one of the NFL's most dominant receivers period in 2010. Quarterback Philip Rivers is feeding him early-and-often, and the big, speedy tight end is making teams pay. He's got some of the best hands in football and creates matchup chaos for everyone the Chargers play.
Who’s the Matchup: Tennessee ranks fifth against opposing tight ends this season but Gates has been smoking everyone in sight.
The Verdict: Another huge game in the works for Antonio. Turf toe or not, he should have no trouble picking apart the Titans' defense: 10 catches, 115 yards.
2. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
19 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Gore has been one of the NFL's most consistent, reliable backs in 2010. He's capable of catching passes and running the ball with equal skill, making him twice as likely to make a big play.
Who’s the Matchup: The Denver Broncos' defense has been flat-out smoked the last four weeks against the run, giving up 687 yards in four games, good for a 171.75 yards per game.
The Verdict: With a back as talented as Gore squaring off with the Broncos, it could be a long day in London for the Denver defense. And with a new quarterback in Troy Smith under center, expect Gore to get plenty of work: 25 carries, 110 yards, one catch, 15 yards.
1. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
20 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Performer: Foster has been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL in 2010. He's a big play expert, capable of blasting off a 25-30 yard run at any time.
Who’s the Matchup: Indianapolis. For those of you who forgot what Foster did to the Colts in Week 1, here's a reminder: 33 carries, 231 yards.
The Verdict: Foster won't replicate that Week 1 performance, but he should have a fantastic game nonetheless: 20 carries, 140 yards.
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