Fantasy Football Week 8: Big-Play Performers Sure To Be Point Machines

The day fantasy owners around the world were dreading has finally arrived. That's right, it's Aaron Rodgers' bye week. Now I know the thought of that probably makes many people want to curl up in a corner and hibernate until he's back on the field, but not all is lost.

There are several other players who will rack up big totals this week and, if you own any of them, your team might be able to overcome Rodgers' absence. And don't worry, even if you lose this week, he'll be back in Week 9 to lead “Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood” to the promised land.

All joking aside, here are the players who will dominate Week 8.

QB: Drew Brees

Drew Brees is coming off one of the best quarterbacking performances of the season as he led the New Orleans Saints to a blowout win over the lowly Indianapolis Colts. He had five touchdowns and just four incompletions while throwing for 325 yards. He totaled 36 fantasy points.

The emergence of Jimmy Graham has allowed Brees' top targets, most notably Marques Colston, more room to operate. It's the team's depth (eight different players caught a pass last week) that really makes the offense nearly impossible to stop, though.

The Purdue product should be in line for another mammoth outing thanks to a St. Louis Rams defense that ranks 29th against opposing fantasy quarterbacks. While it will be difficult to replicate his mastery from last week, he should approach 30 points again.

Week 8 Projection: 28 fantasy points

RB: Ray Rice

Ray Rice, along with his Baltimore Ravens teammates, couldn't have played much worse than they did on Monday Night Football. Rice gained just 28 on the ground and finished with three fantasy points, by far his lowest total of the season.

Although his performance probably cost a lot of fantasy owners their Week 7 matchups, don't hold a grudge for long because he should bounce back in a big way this week. The Arizona Cardinals are the opponent and they have allowed some monster performances this season.

Most recently the Cardinals allowed Adrian Peterson to run wild, giving up 122 yards and three touchdowns to the All-Pro back. Rice is a rare breed in today's NFL. He plays every down and doesn't get taken out at the goal line. One miserable outing doesn't change his fantasy value.

Week 8 Projection: 21 fantasy points

WR: Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace has strung together three straight weeks with a touchdown and a double-digit fantasy point total, furthering illustrating why he's one of the game's elite wide receivers. He has scored at least seven points in every week, which is remarkable consistency for a wideout.

What makes him even more valuable, as proven by his week Week 6 performance, is that he's a serious deep threat. That means he only needs a couple catches to have a big game, unlike a receiver like Wes Welker, who needs 10 or 11 catches to accomplish the same numbers (PPR withstanding).

Wallace might be able to break the 20-point barrier for the second time in 2011 thanks to a porous New England secondary. The Patriots rank dead last against opposing fantasy receivers and don't have anybody who can match up with Pittsburgh's burner.

Week 8 Projection: 20 fantasy points

TE: Antonio Gates

Fantasy owners who exhibited patience with Antonio Gates instead of trying to trade him were rewarded with an 11-point outing in his first game back from a foot injury. As long as he can manage the pain effectively, he'll return to his elite tight end status.

Hopefully Gates' return can help jump start the San Diego offense, which hasn't lived up to its usual high-powered status. At its current rate, there wouldn't be enough room for both Vincent Jackson and Gates to be productive in the same week and guessing games are no fun.

That said, Gates should be in line for another strong game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He scored 13 points in his only game against Kansas City last season and there's nothing to make an owner believe he won't be able to at least match that total on Monday.

Week 8 Projection: 14 fantasy points

D/ST: San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers defense ranks second in average scoring among fantasy defenses and have scored in double digits in four of their six games. The only exceptions were the Cowboys and Eagles, which isn't a major surprise.

They get a great matchup against the Cleveland Browns, who are averaging 16 points per game. If Peyton Hillis is forced to miss another week with his bothersome hamstring, it could turn into a huge week for Patrick Willis and Co.

San Francisco has a very favorable schedule during the home stretch and it wouldn't be surprising to seem them chase down the Ravens as the highest-scoring fantasy defense.

Week 8 Projection: 13 fantasy points