NFL Fantasy Football: Matthew Stafford and the Must-Start Players for Week 8

There were some huge games in Week 7 of the NFL season.

While rookie DeMarco Murray grabbed most of the attention with his 253-yard rushing performance against the Rams, other running backs such as Darren Sproles, Arian Foster and Adrian Peterson also had huge games.

Much of the same is expected in Week 8 when these players face even more sub-par rush defenses.

While the running backs may steal the fantasy show, there are other players who have the right matchups to have a great week.

Here are your must start players for Week 8 in the NFL.

QB: Matthew Stafford at Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been a fantasy stud this season. In seven games, Stafford has thrown for 1,912 yards, 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Before last week's game against the Falcons, Stafford had thrown for over 219 yards and at least two touchdowns in every game this season.  

The Lions play the Broncos on Sunday, which should be a blowout in the Lions favor.

Denver, who ranks 19th in the league against the pass, has allowed the second most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, trailing only the Miami Dolphins.

The Broncos held Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore to only 197 yards and a touchdown last week. While that may seem great, remember that it's Moore they shut down, not a quarterback of Stafford's caliber.

QB: Eli Manning vs. Miami Dolphins

After referencing the Dolphins' fantasy points given up to quarterbacks in the previous slide, you had to know I was going with this pick.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning has surprisingly played great this season. Even though he didn't have a touchdown against Buffalo in Week 6, he still managed to throw for 297 yards and no interceptions.  

In his matchup against the Dolphins this week, Manning should rise to fantasy stardom. This season, the Dolphins have allowed an average of 21 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Don't expect anything different when the Dolphins travel to New York. Manning should have a great game and is a must-start in all league formats.

RB: DeMarco Murray at Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles defense is one of the worst in the league against the run, ranking 23rd. The Eagles have allowed 123.8 rushing yards per game. They have also allowed an average of around 25 fantasy points per game to running backs, fourth most among NFL defenses.

It only gets worse when you look at their opponent this week, the Dallas Cowboys.

This season, the Cowboys running game was irrelevant until last week against the Rams. Filling in for starting running back Felix Jones, rookie DeMarco Murray blew up. In his first career start, Murray rushed for 253 yards and a touchdown, putting the Cowboys running game back on track.

Expect much of the same from Murray against the weak Eagles run defense. Feel comfortable starting him this week as he should not disappoint.

RB: Chris Johnson vs. Indianapolis Colts

Chris Johnson has played terribly this season. Averaging only 2.9 yards per carry, Johnson has only reached the 100-yard rushing mark once this season, and has only scored one touchdown as well. Luckily for him this week, he faces one of the worst run defenses in the league, the Indianapolis Colts.

In last week's blowout loss against the Saints, the Colts allowed a total of 236 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. This just added to the Colts' defensive struggles, who have already allowed an average of 25 fantasy points per game to running backs.

If Johnson can't get things together this week against Indianapolis, it will be safe to say he won't be able to produce at all this season. This is a do or die week for Johnson. If the Colts stats say anything, Johnson should be able to put up big numbers in Week 8.

WR: Mike Wallace vs. New England Patriots

Mike Wallace has become an elite receiver in the NFL. In seven games this season, Wallace has recorded over 100-yards receiving in four of them. Not to mention, he has also scored a touchdown in five of those games. Every week he puts up great numbers, but still somehow goes unnoticed.

This week, Wallace goes up against the New England Patriots, who have the league's worst pass defense.  The Patriots defense gives up an average of around 29 points per game to wide receivers.

That's the most of any defense in the NFL.  Wallace should torch this Patriots secondary, just like most receivers have this season.

WR: Anquan Boldin vs. Arizona Cardinals

Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin hasn't had the best season. In six games, Boldin has recorded 100 yards or more receiving in only one this season. This week, things could turn around as he goes against the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona, ranked 28th against the pass, has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to receivers this season. While Boldin and the Ravens passing game struggled against the Jaguars in Week 7, they should play up to expectations when they face Arizona's porous pass defense on Sunday.

Look for the Ravens offense to get back on track and give Boldin a lot of chances to make plays.

TE: Vernon Davis vs. Cleveland Browns

Going into last week's bye, Vernon Davis had struggled. Against the Lions, Davis recorded only two receptions for eight yards. Before he struggled against Detroit, however, Davis had been putting up decent fantasy numbers.

In the three games before facing Detroit, Davis was on fire. Against the likes of the Bengals, Eagles and Buccaneers, Davis had a total of 15 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Great numbers for any tight end in the NFL.

Davis and the 49ers take on the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. While their pass defense has been good, the Browns still struggle with defending tight ends. Ranking fifth in fantasy points allowed against tight ends, the Browns have allowed the second most touchdowns to the position.

Vernon Davis is a must start in all formats, and will be depended upon even more due to the high level at which Cleveland's secondary is playing.

TE: Owen Daniels vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

A pleasant surprise this season, Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels has been nothing short of great for fantasy owners. Ranking seventh among tight ends in fantasy points, Daniels has become a fantastic target for quarterback Matt Schaub. It only gets better for Daniels when he faces the Jaguars this week.

Just like Cleveland, the Jaguars pass defense is superb. But when it comes to defending tight ends, they struggle. Averaging over nine fantasy points per game, tight ends have had some good success against this Jaguars squad.

If wide receiver Andre Johnson returns for this week's game, Daniels' stock will rise even more. He'll get more targets and more room to get open throughout the game. He is a must-start if you have him on your team.

Defense: Tennessee Titans D vs. Indianapolis Colts

It's hard to start the Titans defense after they've allowed 949 yards and 79 points in their last two games. That said, they do face the Colts in Week 8.

Defenses playing the Colts have capitalized all season. In seven games, defenses have scored three touchdowns and forced 12 turnovers against the Colts offense.

Yes, the Titans have struggled a lot recently, but remember that they were one of the top defenses in the league before Week 5. Start them against the Colts as they should have success against this struggling offense.

Defense: New Orleans Saints D at St. Louis Rams

What's not to like about the Saint defense? Last week, they held  the Colts to only seven points, while forcing three turnovers and scoring a touchdown. This week they face the Rams, a team that is well on their way to drafting first in this year's draft.

In their last four games, the most points the Rams have scored is 10. Overall this season, defenses who face the Rams have averaged the most fantasy points in the league.

Sunday's game shouldn't be any different. The Saints will roll over the Rams and should put up the most fantasy points among all defenses.