Week 8 Waiver Wire: Christian Ponder and the Best Bye Week Subs

Bye weeks in fantasy football are always tricky to navigate around, and the next batch of NFL teams get a break in Week 8.

What does that mean? It's time to go to the waiver wire to plug in the holes left by those teams that will be watching games this Sunday. 

Here are the some of the big names with bye weeks and how you might go about subbing for them on the waiver wire:

QBs with byes: Aaron Rodgers, Packers; Jay Cutler, Bears; Matt Ryan, Falcons

Sub: Christian Ponder, Vikings

If you're missing Rodgers this week, good luck. He's one fantasy player that you simply can't replace. While Ponder is certainly no Rodgers, he's facing a Panthers defense that gives up points against opposing quarterbacks in bunches.   

RBs with byes: Michael Turner, Bears; Matt Forte, Bears; Shonn Greene, Jets; Darren McFadden, Raiders 

Sub: Pierre Thomas, Saints 

Mark Ingram looks doubtful to play against the Rams, who just gave up 253 yards on the ground to DeMarco Murray. Truth is, they've been slashed and gashed by opposing running backs all season. With Thomas likely taking Ingram's carries, there is some serious breakout potential here. 

WRs with byes: Greg Jennings, Packers; Roddy White, Falcons; Mike Williams, Buccaneers; Santonio Holmes, Jets 

Sub: Jabar Gaffney, Redskins 

John Beck doesn't inspire much confidence at quarterback, but his targets were slimmed down by injuries to Santana Moss and Chris Cooley. Gaffney still stands, however, and he stands to take some of those targets moving forward. 

TEs with byes: Jermichael Finley, Packers; Tony Gonzalez, Falcons; Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers; Dustin Keller, Jets

Sub: Jared Cook, Titans 

If you missed last week's Sunday night game, you might want to check that boxscore. The Colts gave up 55 offensive points—including two scores to tight end Jimmy Graham—in their 62-7 loss to the Saints. It just so happens that the Titans get their turn to feast on that defense this week. A big, athletic target like Cook could do some damage. 

DEF/ST with byes: Bears, Packers, Jets, Falcons, Buccaneers, Raiders 

Sub: Buffalo Bills 

The Bills defense has given up plenty of points and yards this season, but they've also intercepted 12 passes and scored three touchdowns (with special teams). They could add to both totals against the Redskins, who start the aforementioned Beck at quarterback. Washington has turned it over two or more times in every game besides Week 1.   

Ks with byes: Mason Crosby, Packers; Robbie Gould, Bears; Matt Bryant, Falcons 

Sub: David Akers, 49ers 

Kickers are so hit and miss, both in fantasy and in games, that's it's a fruitless endeavor to get too worked up about their week-to-week scoring. However, sometimes five to 10 points can make all the difference between a win and a loss. Replace your bye week kicker with Akers, who has five games of nine or more fantasy points this season.