Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 8: Who Are the Smart Matchup Plays?

Week 7 certainly wasn't heaven in the world of fantasy football, as a number of injuries to such prominent players as Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells and wide receiver Santana Moss of the Washington Redskins further diluted a pool of available talent already made shallower by the bye weeks.

As an aid to those fantasy owners scrambling to field a decent lineup for Week 8, here's a look at 10 players outside the Top 10 Players at Every Position who are solid matchup plays and should post decent statistical outings in the upcoming week.

1. Joe Flacco: QB, Baltimore Ravens (vs. ARI)

Quarterback Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens seems intent to alternate good games and stinkers during the 2011 season, following up his 305-yard outing against the Houston Texans two weeks ago by laying an egg against the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday night.

Luckily for Flacco and his fantasy owners, the table is set for the fourth-year pro to rebound this week, as the Arizona Cardinals come to town as the 10th-best fantasy matchup for opposing quarterbacks so far this season.

2. Ben Roethlisberger: QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. NE)

Ben Roethlisberger had best have his throwin' gloves ready this Sunday, as the New England Patriots roll into the Steel City for a big AFC matchup at Heinz Field that will likely feature plenty of offensive fireworks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller has been solid of late, averaging over 280 passing yards and two touchdowns over his past two games, and with the Patriots allowing the fourth most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, Big Ben should be set for another big day.

3. DeMarco Murray: RB, Dallas Cowboys (at PHI)

To call Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray's first start in the National Football League a success would be something of an understatement, as the rookie from Oklahoma shredded the St. Louis Rams for a staggering 253 yards on 25 carries last week, including a 91-yard touchdown scamper.

While he's almost certainly not going to top 250 rushing yards again, Murray should have a better than average chance of building on last week's explosion against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have surrendered the second most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs in the league.

4. Pierre Thomas: RB, New Orleans Saints

Running back Pierre Thomas of the New Orleans Saints had his most productive game of the season on Sunday night, as the fifth-year veteran racked up 125 total yards in the Saints 62-7 dismemberment of the Indianapolis Colts.

The heel injury suffered by running back Mark Ingram last week leaves his availability for Week 8 in doubt, which could mean additional touches for Thomas against a St. Louis Rams defense that has given up the third most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

5. Ryan Torain: RB Washington Redskins (at BUF (Toronto))

Stop looking at me like that.

Yes, I recommended Ryan Torain as a matchup play last week, and he "rewarded" fantasy owners who started him by gaining all of -5 yards on two carries.

However, with Washington Redskins starting running back Tim Hightower out for the year with a torn ACL head coach Mike Shanahan has little recourse but to roll the Torain train out of the station, and the Buffalo Bills have surrendered the seventh most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season.

6. A.J. Green: WR, Cincinnati Bengals (at SEA)

Rookie wide receiver A.J. Green of Cincinnati Bengals has been a large part of the Bengals surprising 4-2 start, developing a nice rapport with rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and snagging 29 passes for 453 yards and four touchdowns.

Green should have every opportunity to continue his solid first season in the National Football League this week against a Seattle Seahawks squad that has been decimated by injuries in their secondary and who are the seventh-best matchup in the NFL for opposing fantasy wideouts.

7. Brandon Lloyd: WR, St. Louis Rams (vs. NO)

Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd played fairly well in his first game as a member of the St. Louis Rams, reeling in six catches for 74 yards as the Rams were blown out of Dallas Cowboys Stadium 34-7 last Sunday.

Lloyd is going to be a fairly risky fantasy option so long as A.J. Feeley is under center for the Rams, but their opponent this week, the New Orleans Saints, have allowed the ninth most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season, and the Rams will almost certainly be forced to the air early and often.

8. Jake Ballard: TE, New York Giants (vs. MIA)

Tight end Jake Ballard of the New York Giants as emerged as a viable option in the Giants passing attack, averaging over 60 receiving yards a contest over the past three games and scoring a touchdown in two of those games.

The rookie from Ohio State should be able to continue that hot streak this week when the Giants face the winless Miami Dolphins, who have surrendered the fourth most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends so far this year.

9. Aaron Hernandez: TE, New England Patriots (at PIT)

The marquee matchup on this weekend's slate of games takes place in Pittsburgh, where the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers and 5-1 New England Patriots will take the field for a game that may well be a preview of an upcoming playoff contest.

If the Patriots are going to come away from the "Shrine to Ketchup" with a victory, it's going to take big games from all their offensive weaponry, including tight end Aaron Hernandez, and while the second-year pro is a risky play given the unfavorable matchup the possibility of a strong outing is certainly there, especially should fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski be held in to block more than usual.

10. Kansas City Chiefs Defense/Special Teams (vs. SD)

If you're a fantasy owner in a deep league scrambling to find a team defense to roll out in Week 8, may I suggest that you consider picking up the Kansas City Chiefs for their tilt with the San Diego Chargers on Halloween.

OK, you can stop laughing now.

The Chiefs are fresh off a 28-0 whitewashing of the Oakland Raiders and have now rattled off three consecutive victories, partially due to improved play from their defense. Meanwhile, the San Diego Chargers have been inconsistent on offense, and Arrowhead stadium isn't an easy place to play, especially at night.

Plus, it's Halloween, and weird things happen on Halloween.