Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings: Mike Wallace and WRs Set to Explode

This week's most explosive performances by wide receivers will come from the same stadium, but that doesn't mean they'll be the only guys putting up monster numbers.

Here are the week's best receiver plays who are sure to light up the scoreboard.

Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

In the Steelers' attempts to keep up with the Patriots No. 1 offense they will be airing it out.  And who better to air it out to than possibly the league's fastest receiver.  Mike Wallace already set a record for consecutive 100-yard games to start the season this year.   

He's at it again: He eclipsed 100 yards on just three grabs last week against the Cardinals, mostly due to a 95-yard catch and run for a score. 

That's Wallace's game—he stretches the field like few other receivers in the league can.

The Patriots have the last ranked pass defense in the NFL and have given up yards in big chunks.  I don't expect them to have figured it all out just in time to stop Mike Wallace. 

He is my biggest performer out the the Week 8 wide receivers.

Wes Welker, New England Patriots

Wes Welker and Tom Brady will be bringing their "A" game to Heinz Field this week as they try to take down Pittsburgh.  Wes Welker had 20 targets and 16 catches in a shootout against the Bills earlier this year.

I think Welker will gain his yards much differently than Mike Wallace, with a lot of short precision routes.  The Steelers have the league's top pass defense and won't be shredded for that many big plays, but it's nearly impossible to stop Brady and Welker's short timing routes.

In what I expect to be a very close, emotionally-charged game, Welker could be looking at 15-plus targets en route to a big fantasy day.

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton and Steve Smith have not slowed down a bit. They have connected for four games over 140 yards already this season.  The first three big outbursts were against pass defenses ranked No. 26 or worse.  Last week Smith had 143 yards against the No. 11 ranked Redskins' pass defense.

If they have figured out how to shred solid pass defenses it shouldn't be hard to beat the Vikings' No. 29 pass defense this week.  I'm sure everyone saw Greg Jennings score on a deep ball last week against Minnesota where the nearest defender was at least 20 yards away.

There are a lot of mistakes being made in the Minnesota secondary, and Newton will exploit them with his favorite target.  Steve Smith will have over 150 yards this week.

Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

Hakeem Nicks is a touchdown machine, he has 20 touchdowns over his first two-plus seasons.  He is the Giants best red-zone threat, and the Giants are due for a good home performance after two straight iffy outings.

Against the winless Dolphins this week, the Giants should be able to move the ball rather easily. 

When they do get to the redzone, Ahmad Bradshaw won't get three touchdowns again.  Eli Manning will throw multiple touchdowns this week and Nicks will get at least one. He'll be one of the week's best performers at wide receiver.