Week 8 Waiver Wire: Christian Ponder and 6 Guys To Grab Before It's Too Late

Week 7 was a rough week in terms of bye weeks. Fantasy owners were left with the tasks of replacing players like Tom Brady, Wes Welker, LeSean McCoy, Fred Jackson and Eli Manning.

Week 8 isn't much easier. Teams like the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears have bye weeks, keeping Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Roddy White and Matt Forte out of lineups in every league.

So that can only mean one thing.

It's time to scour the waiver wires one last time before setting lineups.

Here's a few names to look for.

Christian Ponder, QB, Minnesota Vikings

When Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder entered the game for Donovan McNabb two weeks ago, it was clear that a new era had begun in Minnesota.

Last week, in his first start, Ponder completed 13-of-32 passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against the Green Bay Packers.

This week, he goes up against the 23rd overall defense in the league, the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is 30th in rush defense, so while the Vikings will look to hand the ball off to running back Adrian Peterson a lot, the looks that Ponder gets should be good ones.

This should be a breakout game for the potential star quarterback as he matches up against another star rookie, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Last week was DeMarco Murray's coming-out party in Dallas.

The rookie running back got 25 touches and turned them into 253 yards and a touchdown against the Rams defense.

With Felix Jones still doubtful and Tashard Choice nursing a shoulder injury, Murray should get the bulk of the carries this Sunday night against the Eagles.

The Eagles are barely getting healthy after a bye and the defensive line should be a bit rusty, so Murray could have another big game on Sunday.

Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

It is still up in the air whether or not Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward will play this week against the New England Patriots after hurting his ankle. However, that won't stop Antonio Brown from getting his name in the mix.

Brown will likely get a fair amount of passes thrown his way as the Steelers will try to exploit the Patriots pass defense, the second-worst in the league. 

Last week against the Arizona Cardinals he caught seven passes for 102 yards and could do that again this weekend.

Chris Ivory, RB, New Orleans Saints

While rookie running back Mark Ingram is likely out this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, Chris Ivory is set to make his return to the New Orleans Saints lineup.

Ivory, last season's leading Saints rusher, has yet to make his 2011 debut because of a broken left foot but he will be back this weekend.

Going up against the worst rush defense in the league will only help make Ivory's return easier. He should be a good pickup for anyone waiting for Ingram to return to action.

Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe may have just gotten a quarterback who can get the ball to him consistently.

With rookie Christian Ponder now the starter in Minnesota he will need players like Shiancoe to make easy catches.

The Carolina Panthers, the Vikings' opponent this weekend, allow the 11th-most fantasy points to tight ends.

Shiancoe should have a solid game on Sunday and would be a good replacement for owners of Jermichael Finley of the Green Bay Packers.

Bernard Scott, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

So far this season, Bernard Scott hasn't done a whole lot. He has 30 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown.

But Week 8 is his week to shine.

Starter Cedric Benson is serving a suspension and that means Scott will be the feature back against the Seattle Seahawks.

In previous starts he has been on pace to rush for over 100 yards and could do so again versus Seattle. This starting role will most likely just be for this week so he is a good fit for owners of Benson.

Jabar Gaffney, WR, Washington Redskins

Jabar Gaffney is the new top wide receiver in Washington.

The Redskins' best receiver, Santana Moss, is out with a broken hand and tight end Chris Cooley is out for the season.

That leaves Gaffney to be the main target of quarterback Jon Beck this weekend and the rest of the season.

On Sunday, the Redskins will play the Buffalo Bills who rank 24th in passing yards allowed. The holes in their secondary will let Gaffney succeed. 

Honorable Mention: Shaun Hill, QB, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn't played badly and isn't likely to be benched.

But there is always a lingering question about his ability to stay healthy. Last weekend against the Atlanta Falcons, he injured his right ankle. While it looks like he is going to be in good enough shape to play against the Denver Broncos this Sunday, there will likely still be questions.

If he does re-injure it, Shaun Hill is the backup in Detroit and would be a good pickup for anyone who has Stafford on their team.

Last season he started 10 games when Stafford was hurt and he didn't play too poorly. Hill completed 66 percent of his passes and had 16 touchdowns but did throw 12 interceptions.

But with a wide receiver like Calvin Johnson, who is even better than he was last year, on his team, you have to like Hill's chances to put up serviceable numbers if his number is called.