Fantasy Football Week 8: Mark Sanchez And 10 Players You Need To Start

Approaching Week 8 of the 2010 NFL season, there are many exciting matchups to prepare for.  

This season we have seen many new players making a name for themselves as well as some legends proving that they still belong.

Some players that you may have thought about sitting out this week will have major performances, so don't forget to start the following.

RB Darren McFadden

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DENVER - OCTOBER 24: Running back Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 24, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Week 8 Opponent: Seattle Seahawks

Coming off of his most explosive game of the season, you might think that there is no way he'll have another great game in Week 8.  Well let me tell you I'm expecting a similar performance to last week when he rushed 16 times for 165 yards and three touchdowns, along with a receiving touchdown.  

Now I'm not saying that he's going to record 43 fantasy points for your team once again, but another big game is likely for McFadden and the Raiders who will be taking on the Seattle Seahawks.

QB Matt Cassel

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after passing to Dwayne Bowe #82 for a touchdown during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 24, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Miss

Week 8 Opponent: Buffalo Bills

Matt Cassel has performed outstanding in his last two games scoring at least a pair of touchdowns in each.  This week, against the struggling 0-6 Buffalo Bills, Matt Cassel should have a field day.

This Sunday should be one of his best games of the season, so be sure to start Matt Cassel.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets looks on against the Minnesota Vikings at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 29-20. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Week 8 Opponent: Green Bay Packers

The way LT has been playing this season there is no reason you should sit this future Hall-of-Famer, no matter what.  He's coming off a two-touchdown performance in a season in which he wasn't expected to be much of a threat at 31.

Well, Tomlinson is one of the best backs in the league right now, and he will not be slowing down anytime soon.  

WR Patrick Crayton

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 10: Patrick Crayton #12 of the San Diego Chargers warms up before their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Week 8 Opponent: Tennessee Titans

With Antonio Gates shaken up and Malcolm Floyd being sidelined with an injury, Patrick Crayton will have a fantastic week for the San Diego Chargers. 

In his last two games Crayton made a combined 13 receptions for 199 yards.  This week you can expect him to score his first touchdown of the year, possibly multiple.

RB Steven Jackson

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 10: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams runs for a first down during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 10, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Week 8 Opponent: Carolina Panthers

Now, normally it would be a given to keep this beast of a running back in your starting lineup, but you must make sure to start him this week because it will be his best game of the season.

Against the 1-5 Carolina Panthers Steven Jackson will continue his reign of terror this season having his first multiple-touchdown performance of the season.  The first four weeks of the 2010 NFL season, Jackson didn't reach the 100 yard mark once.  

But, in all of the last three games Jackson has eclipsed the 100-yard mark.  This will not end in Week 8.  Jackson will show a stellar display of rushing this Sunday, right before the St. Louis Rams' bye week.

QB Drew Brees

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints prepares to snap the ball during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeat

Week 8 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

Drew Brees had one of the worst games of his entire career last week against the Cleveland Browns, throwing four interceptions.

In the big Week 8 game against the Steelers, you can bet your bottom dollar that Brees will redeem himself.  He is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and he is the reigning Super Bowl champion.

After his poor play last week, don't be hesitant in starting Brees when selecting your Week 8 roster.  This will be a game you won't want to miss out on.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates what he thinks is a touchdown that was called back for a penalty in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orc

Week 8 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys

Maurice Jones-Drew has broken the 100-yard mark in only one game so far this season.

Going up against the Dallas Cowboys who give up an average of 117.3 rushing YPG, 21st rushing defense overall in the NFL, Jones-Drew should have a 100-yard game along with a pair of touchdowns. 

The Cowboys have been miserable this year, and although I think Dallas will win, Jones-Drew will have an explosive game. 

WR Kenny Britt

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Wide receiver Kenny Britt #18 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Week 8 Opponent: San Diego Chargers

Kenny Britt sat out the first four series this past Sunday due to disciplinary actions, but still managed to have a career-best game.

Against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, Britt made seven receptions for 225 yards and three touchdowns.  After this spectacular outing, Britt now averages one touchdown every game.

Expect Britt to build off of this performance and become more of a target for Vince Young and/or Kerry Collins for the rest of the season.

WR Santana Moss

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LANDOVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Houston Texans at FedExField on September 19, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans defeated the Redskins in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Imag

Week 8 Opponent: Detroit Lions

Santana Moss has gotten off to a good start this season, but has struggled to find the end zone often.  With only two touchdowns on the year, Moss will have an extremely productive game this week being a reoccurring target for Donovan McNabb.

A pair of touchdowns is a big possibility for the 10-year receiver out of the University of Miami.

QB Mark Sanchez

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to throw a pass in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 29-20

Week 8 Opponent: Green Bay Packers

Mark Sanchez was off to a great second year until the first half of the Week 6 game against the Denver Broncos.  He was struggling a bit, throwing two interceptions in the early going.

But, different from the Sanchez of last year, he kept his composure and came out of the hard fought battle with a W.

Maybe this kid really is the Sanchise.  Make him the franchise of your fantasy team.  Start him this week over any quarterback you may have because this Sunday will be a special one.