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Week 8's Top Three Performers:
Calvin Johnson, WR –14 receptions for 329 yards and one touchdown. Only Flipper Anderson (336) had more receiving yards in a single game in NFL history. That's Johnson's fourth 100-yard receiving game so far this season. That's his fifth career game with at least 200 receiving yards. In a points-per-reception league, Johnson had 50 points. He scored more fantasy points last week than A.J. Green, DeSean Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald and Mike Wallace combined.
Drew Brees, QB –332 passing yards, five touchdowns and zero picks. Buffalo's defense was no match, as he added to his already impressive season with a victory against the Bills. That was already his fifth 300-yard passing game this season. He's on pace to throw for 5,000 yards and 35 touchdowns. You'll find his name near the tops of any major statistical category for QBs, including third in completion percentage (67.5).
Marvin Jones, WR –I'm sure some of you are thinking, who? In Weeks 6-7, Jones has had at least 50 receiving yards and a score. But eight receptions for 122 receiving yards and four touchdowns? I don't think anyone besides the Bengals saw that coming. Jones had a career game. He became just the 38th player in NFL history and first Bengal to record at least four receiving touchdowns in a single game as the Bengals improved to 6-2.
Suggested Week 9 Starters:
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers (at Washington) –Rivers has the sixth-most fantasy points for a QB and he is coming off a bye week. He's facing a Redskins' pass defense that is tied for 27th in the NFL and has given up 15 passing touchdowns.
Cam Newton (vs. Atlanta) –The Falcons are 22nd in rush, pass and total defense in the league. Newton hasn't rushed for less than 25 yards in the past five games, has thrown for 200 yards in six straight contests and has eight total touchdowns his last three games.
Tony Romo (vs. Minnesota) –Romo has 18 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He's fourth in fantasy points for a QB. Minnesota is 29th in pass defense, has given up 400 total net yards five times and have given up 16 passing touchdowns.
Running Backs
Eddie Lacy (vs. Chicago) –Earlier this season, the Packers broke a streak of 44 straight games without a 100-yard. Lacy has four 80 yard games in his last four contests, including a 120-yard effort in Week 6. The Bears rank 25th in rush defense.
Adrian Peterson (at Dallas) –Somehow Adrian Peterson has only 81 yards less than what he had last season at this time. He's due. He has to be. His career numbers against the Cowboys are good. Dallas is dead last in total defense.
Alfred Morris (vs. San Diego) –The NFL's second-leading rusher from a year ago is quietly having another solid season. Since Week 1, Morris hasn't rushed for less than 70 yards. He's currently sixth in the NFL in rushing yards, and he's facing a San Diego rush defense that is ranked 16th in the NFL.
Wide Receivers
Jordy Nelson (vs. Chicago) –The Bears are tied for 27th in pass defense and 27th overall in total defense. Nelson is seventh in the league in receiving yards and has four scores in his last three games. And Aaron Rodgers is his QB.
Andre Johnson (vs. Indianapolis) –The Texans' franchise player has 48 receptions already this season despite the team's struggles. The Colts' pass defense is in the top-half of the league. Johnson's career numbers against the Colts are superb: 17 games, 105 receptions, 1,275 yards and six scores.
Antonio Brown (at New England) –The Steelers have yet to get their ground game going. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown the ball 99 times in his last two meetings vs. the Patriots. Brown leads the league in receptions and hasn't recorded fewer than five receptions or fewer than 50 yards in any game this season.
Tight Ends
Antonio Gates (at Washington) –I really like his QB, Philip Rivers, this week against a 27th ranked Washington pass defense. Gates is by far Rivers' favorite target, and the Redskins have given up a touchdown to a tight end in all but one game so far this season.
Jordan Cameron (vs. Baltimore) –Cameron has the most receptions for tight ends in the league (49), is second in yards (596) and is fourth in touchdowns (6). Baltimore has the 16th rated pass defense in the NFL but they give up their fair share of fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Rob Gronkowski (vs. Pittsburgh) –Gronk has yet to score in two games this season, but has had great success vs. Pittsburgh in two career meetings, recording 12 receptions for 166 yards and three scores. Tom Brady has targeted him 22 times in just two games this season. I'd expect the same for this game.
Defense/Special Teams
New Orleans (at N.Y. Jets) –I don't think the Jets will be as bad as they were last week but I do think the Saints are a legit defense. They already have 24 sacks, nine interceptions, eight forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. And they are facing a rookie QB, Geno Smith.
Kansas City Chiefs (at Buffalo) –They lead the league in sacks, and they give up the fewest points per game. They have 20 takeaways and face a Bills team with a bunch of key injuries on offense.
Cleveland Browns (vs. Baltimore) –I know they are the Browns, but they are top-12 in the league in total, pass and rush defense. And of course, which Joe Flacco is going to show up? He threw five picks at Buffalo earlier this season.
Kicker
Nick Folk (vs. New Orleans) –Now 19-of-19 on the season and has made at least three in three of his last four games.
Stephen Gostkowski (vs. Pittsburgh) –As I said last week, he's the only kicker in the league to have two made field goals in every game.
Dan Carpenter (vs. Kansas City) –Going against arguably the best defense in the league, Carpenter is the Bills' best scoring option.
Waiver Wire Week 9:To help you get through your bye week woes…
Jason Campbell, QB (vs. Baltimore) –Campbell last week put up almost 300 passing yards and two scores against an undefeated Chiefs team.
Marlon Brown, WR (at Cleveland) –He has three touchdowns this season and has been effective in the red area.
Blair Walsh, K (at Dallas) –He already has three 50 yard field goals.
Indianapolis Colts Defense/Special Teams (at Houston) –The Texans have a lot of injuries and Case Keenum is starting at QB.
