Fantasy: Week 8 Rankings - Analysis

Over the last two seasons, theScore's Justin Boone has finished in the top 10 in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. This year he's first overall after seven weeks. Scroll down to see his rankings for Week 8.

A final rankings update will be available on Sunday morning.

Quarterbacks

• Aaron Rodgers has been on cruise control over the last month, throwing for at least three touchdowns with no interceptions in four straight games. Rodgers has tossed 18 touchdown passes and just one pick this season and should continue that success against a soft Saints defense on Sunday night. The only thing that can stop Rodgers at this point is his bye next week. 

• Russell Wilson became the first player in NFL history to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 yards in a single game last week. Anyone who waited for Wilson in their draft is being rewarded. His matchup with the Panthers defense allowing the sixth most fantasy points to quarterbacks has him firmly in the top 5. 

• After his ridiculous 27:2 touchdown to interception ratio in 2013, Nick Foles has thrown 10 touchdowns and seven picks through six games this year. Foles' play hasn't slowed the 5-1 Eagles down much, but the team will need him to sharpen up if they are going to maintain that pace. Coming off a bye, a tough matchup on the road in Arizona will be a good test. 

• The Jaguars pass defense has been impressive the last two weeks, shutting down both Charlie Whitehurst and Brian Hoyer. However, Week 8 opponent Ryan Tannehill is a legitimate NFL starter who has found his game as of late. Tannehill has three multi-touchdown games in row and could sneak into the QB1 discussion this week. 

• If you're looking further down the list for help, Teddy Bridgewater gets a Buccaneers defense that has given up 13 passing touchdowns in their last four games, including five in the first half in their last game before the bye. Bridgewater has struggled the last two weeks, so he should be available on the waiver wire. 

• Zach Mettenberger is the latest rookie to get his shot as a starter. The move seems to be a sign the Titans are giving up on the season, but Mettenberger's big arm could help Justin Hunter find a spark. Unfortunately, his first matchup comes against J.J. Watt and a Texans defense that may also have Jadaveon Clowney back in the lineup. Good luck, Zach. 

Running Backs

• Consider this your weekly reminder to pick up Joseph Randle. We all want to see DeMarco Murray stay healthy and challenge for a 2,000-yard season, but somewhere deep down we all know better. 

• LeSean McCoy is coming off his best game of the season with 155 total yards prior to the Eagles' Week 7 bye. Yards won't be nearly as easy to come  by on the road against a Cardinals defense that allows the third fewest points to running backs, but McCoy's arrow is still pointing up the rest of the season. He's impossible to bench, especially coming off a bye. 

• Ben Tate had his worst game of the season in what should have been an excellent matchup with the Jaguars in Week 7. The loss of center Alex Mack doesn't help, but the Browns offense imploded in the loss. Tate gets another favorable matchup on Sunday facing a porous Raiders run defense. He remains in the top 10 despite his off week. 

• Shane Vereen proved he is the most valuable Patriots back to own and is a borderline RB1 in fantasy this week. Due to the unpredictable nature of Bill Belichick's backfield, there is a certain amount of risk that comes along with Vereen, giving him a lower floor than most running backs ranked near him.   

• This could be a huge week for Jerick McKinnon if the Vikings can take advantage of the Buccaneers defense like other teams have this season. Tampa Bay has given up the fourth most fantasy points to running backs and McKinnon is the clear lead back in Minnesota.  

• With Pierre Thomas sidelined, Mark Ingram is a solid RB2 play against the Packers this week. Travaris Cadet is also worth a look as someone who could pick up the passing down work in Thomas' absence. Cadet has 20 targets over the last three weeks, including a pair of games where Thomas was in the lineup. 

• If James Starks ends up being ruled out this week, Eddie Lacy will get a bump up the rankings. When Starks is in the lineup, this is more of a timeshare than people seem to realize. 

• If Darren McFadden has a strong outing against the Browns, his owners should search hard for a trade partner before next week. McFadden's schedule is vicious after the matchup with the Browns. 

• Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown are likely going to split touches in the Bills backfield, making both RB3 or flex plays. 

• Bobby Rainey is an interesting name to consider this week. The Vikings are giving up the sixth most fantasy points to running backs. Doug Martin hasn't done much to secure his starting job, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry this season, while Rainey has gained 4.9 yards per rush. 

Wide Receivers

• Calvin Johnson flew with the team to London, but my guess is that he still doesn't play. His presence overseas could be more for marketing the team and league than a sign he is on track to take the field. Golden Tate will remain a solid play if Megatron is out. 

• A.J. Green is tentatively ranked 20th, but it's situation that could change greatly depending on if he practices over the next two days. If Green is out, Mohamed Sanu would become a WR2. 

• You shouldn't have any worries playing Brandon Marshall this week, even after his reported post-game tirade in the locker room following the loss to the Dolphins. Marshall is an emotional player and he will come back strong. 

• Sammy Watkins is a borderline WR1 in fantasy for Week 8, facing one of the weakest secondaries in the league. If the Jets aren't able to get pressure on Kyle Orton, Watkins could have a monster day. 

• Everyone is predicting a regression for Terrance Williams, who has six touchdowns in seven games. Williams won't sustain that pace in the second half of the season, but he has a good chance to continue it this week against the Redskins, who have allowed 15 passing touchdowns in seven games. 

• Percy Harvin owners should be prepared for a slow start to his time in New York as he gets up to speed with the offense. Harvin's true impact may come in the form of freeing up Eric Decker, who could have a nice game against the Bills. However, you always have to remind yourself that Geno Smith is the one responsible for throwing passes in the Big Apple. 

• Doug Baldwin is a WR3 with WR2 upside the rest of the way. He isn't going to post 100-yard games every week, but when the Seahawks take to the air like they did on Sunday, Baldwin will lead the way. 

• Mike Evans should continue to get better as the season goes on and I like him more than most this week against the Vikings. The rookie has 15 targets over his last two games and hauled in a touchdown in both contests. He's a player I would be targeting in trades this week. 

• I wish I could quit on Cordarrelle Patterson, but for some reason I have held him on my bench all season... hoping. The Buccaneers give up more fantasy points to wide receivers than any other defense. If Patterson can't make it happen against Minnesota, I may finally be able to let go. 

Tight Ends

• Jimmy Graham owners were burned by his zero-catch game in Week 7, but that was the risk going with a player who was limited. Graham will likely see reduced snaps once again, but when he's active he has to be in your lineup. 

• The bye week may have caused owners to drop Zach Ertz, and if they did you should have picked him up for a fantastic matchup against the Cardinals. Arizona has struggled against tight ends in recent years and Ertz is coming off a 47-yard, one-touchdown game in Week 6. Ertz's snap count is worrisome, but his targets have remained consistent (5.2 per game). 

• Jordan Cameron had an awful game in Week 7 with one catch for five yards. Cameron did get six targets and was badly overthrown in the end zone for what would have been a short touchdown. I wouldn't be scared to roll with Cameron the rest of the way. 

• Owen Daniels had six catches for 58 yards a touchdown in last week's win over the Falcons, but didn't practice on Wednesday with a knee injury. You'll have to monitor his status all week, but if he does play, he'll go up against a Bengals defense giving up the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. 

• Travis Kelce's usage has been disappointing, but owners need to stay the course. Kansas City needs playmakers in the passing game and Kelce has far too much talent to keep him off the field. 

Defense/Special Teams

Kickers