Whether you are in first place or last place, there is still plenty of football left to be played and chances to move up in the standings.
Here's a recap of last week's big performances and here are my Week 9 likes.
Best of Week 8
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Ben Roethlisberger (QB, Pittsburgh) – **In one of the greatest performances in NFL history by a QB, Roethlisberger set team records for completions (40), passing yards (522) and passing touchdowns (6). He also became the first QB in league history to have two 500-yard passing games.
Arian Foster (RB, Houston) –Foster totaled 151 rushing yards with two scores and he added four receptions for 22 yards with one receiving touchdown. There's no question Foster is the key to the Texans making a run in the AFC South.
Rob Gronkowski (TE, New England) – Last Sunday he had one those Gronk-like games, recording season highs in receptions (9), receiving yards (149) and receiving scores (3). He just finds ways to get open and he produces week-in and week-out.
Jeremy Maclin (WR, Philadelphia) –Maclin totaled 12 receptions for 187 yards with two receiving touchdowns. Those kinds of numbers haven't been put up by an Eagle since the 1970s. He is just one of the many weapons the Eagles have on offense.
Tom Brady (QB, New England) –A month ago everyone said Brady was finished. In these last four weeks, Brady has averaged 300 yards per game and has thrown 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Last Sunday he threw five touchdowns as he picked apart the Bears' defense.
Week 9 Likes:
Quarterbacks
Nick Foles (at Houston) –The Texans are riding high after a big AFC South win last week, but their pass defense is below average, giving up 270 yards per game. Last week, Foles threw 62 times. He won't throw that many times this game but he will capitalize on Houston's weak secondary.
Russell Wilson (vs. Oakland) –Wilson's legs will be the key to his fantasy points this Sunday. The Raiders' pass defense is solid but their run defense is in the bottom 10 in the league. Wilson has recorded two 100-yard rushing games in his last four outings.
Cam Newton (vs. New Orleans) –I have a good feeling about Newton this Thursday night. The Saints have the second-worst pass defense in the league and the Panthers really need this game to get ahead of the Saints in the NFC South. I'm going with my gut on this pick.
Running Backs
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Arian Foster (vs. Philadelphia) –** Foster is Houston's man, and he has recorded 100 rushing yards in six games this season, including four straight 100-yard games. The Eagles are in the bottom half of the league in rush defense.
Le'Veon Bell (vs. Baltimore) –It's Steelers-Ravens and history has shown the contest usually comes down to a field goal. It will be Bell that gets his team in position to try to secure a victory. He hasn't totaled less than 100 yards from scrimmage all season.
DeMarco Murray (vs. Arizona) –Eight straight 100-yard games to start the season, and I bet you it will be nine come this Sunday. He has fumbling issues but he's the best back in the league and they will need a big game from him Sunday, especially if Tony Romo can't play Sunday.
Wide Receivers
A.J. Green (vs. Jacksonville) –Green hasn't played in three weeks but he will play on Sunday, which will be a huge boost for Cincinnati's offense. In three games this season when healthy, Green has recorded either 100 yards or one score.
Antonio Brown (vs. Baltimore) –Did you know Brown has recorded at least 80 receiving yards in all eight games played this year? That's second in NFL history to start a season, and he can tie that mark this week. He's never scored against Baltimore but that all changes Sunday night.
Dez Bryant (vs. Arizona) –If Romo is out, Brandon Weeden will get the nod, and he will look to Bryant as much as possible. The Cardinals have the worst pass defense in the league and Dez should have a big game.
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski (vs. Denver) –No disrespect to other tight ends, but Gronk is the No. 1 tight end in this league and he's at full health. His quarterback is on fire and they both will be poised for big games this Sunday.
Greg Olsen (vs. New Orleans) –Olsen had his worst game of the season last week but he's been so consistent that you take it with a grain of salt. He will bounce back this week against the Saints who give up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Dwayne Allen (at N.Y. Giants) –He has scored a touchdown in six-of-eight games played this season and has become one of Andrew Luck's favorite targets. The Giants' pass defense has allowed four touchdowns to tight ends the past two games.
Defense/Special Teams
Kansas City Chiefs (vs. N.Y. Jets) –I don't care if it's Michael Vick or Geno Smith starting, the Jets are struggling to say the least. And they are heading to the loudest stadium in the NFL. The Chiefs should have a field day against the Jets' offense.
Baltimore Ravens (at Pittsburgh) –The Ravens' defense is very good in the red zone and they simply don't allow that many points. The Steelers had a record-setting game last Sunday but they will struggle in this rivalry game.
Washington Redskins (at Minnesota) –Despite being 3-5, the Redskins' defense has played pretty well, including a solid effort last week at Dallas. The Vikings' offense is way too inconsistent and Washington will be able to capitalize on Minnesota's mistakes.
Kicker
Justin Tucker (at Pittsburgh) –Tucker has made multiple field goals in six-of-eight games played this season.
Cairo Santos (vs. N.Y. Jets) –Santos has double-digit points in his last two games, and that trend should continue this Sunday.
Stephen Gostkowski (vs. Denver) –He has made at least three field goals in five games this season and hasn't missed at home all year.
