Fantasy Football Player Rankings

Week Eight Match-ups

Quarterbacks

Bye Weeks: Michael Vick, Peyton Manning, Vinny Testaverde, Brooks Bollinger, Matt Hasselbeck

Plus Play:

Jake Delhomme, CAR – This is one of several good QB plays this week. Delhomme has been decent this season (58%, 1,336 yards, 10 TD and eight INT), thanks to the presence of Steve Smith. Delhomme was knocked out of his last game with a concussion, but he had the bye week to recover and prepare for Minnesota. The Vikings have given up the fourth-most passing TDs in the league (11) and ranks 15th against the pass (205 ypg).

Kerry Collins, OAK – Collins hasn’t lit up the scoreboard as expected, but he has been virtually mistake-free (56%, 1,644 yards, seven TDs and only one INT). The Titans are decent against the pass yardage-wise (199 ypg, 13th) and have accumulated the fourth-most sacks (22), but they have allowed the second-most passing TDs in the league (14). Expect the Raiders to exploit the scoring advantage with their fine group of WRs.

Drew Brees, SD – Brees has played well (64%, 1,505 yards, 10 TDs and six INT), especially last week (299 yards, two TDs, two INT) when LT2 was shut down. He will be going up against a weak Chiefs’ pass defense (30th against the pass, 264 ypg) that has allowed 10 TDs thus far. Whether the Chiefs can duplicate the Eagles’ success last week against LT2 is debatable, but either way, Brees should do well.

Byron Leftwich, JAX – Leftwich is another QB coming off a bye week that is facing a poor pass defense. Leftwich has been steady (56%, 1,205 yards, eight TDs and four INT) and has begun including his other receivers in the passing game, taking some of the pressure off of Jimmy Smith. The Rams have the 28th-ranked passing defense, having allowed 246 ypg and the second-most passing TDs (14). Plus, the Rams have given up an average of nearly 400 yards in total offense and four TDs in the last three games.

Chris Simms, TB – This should be Simms’ coming-out party as his Bucs face the pitiful Niners pass defense. He was 6-for-10 for 69 yards without a TD or INT in his only appearance this season. Coming off a bye week, Simms faces the last-place Niners (329 ypg, and 15 passing TDs allowed) that teams score on at will. Simms and his Bucs should do the same.

Negative Play:

Tom Brady, NE -- While the Patriots have struggled this season, Brady has been fantastic (63%, 1,821 yards, eight TDs, four INT) – showing that he very well may not be this generation’s Troy Aikman after all (Super Bowl-winning QB/Horrid fantasy QB). However, the Pats face the third-ranked pass defense of the Bills (154 ypg), which has allowed just five passing TDs. It looks like a tough go for Brady, as they should do what most other teams do against Buffalo and emphasize the run.

Eli Manning, NYG – Manning’s last-second heroics last week was stuff dreams are made of, salvaging an otherwise mediocre game. Manning has been a strong play this season (53%, 1,414 yards, 12 TDs and four INT), but he goes up against a tough Redskin pass defense. The squad allows 158 ypg (fourth-best in the league) and just four passing scores thus far (the second fewest). They rank low on INT and sacks, but those would be tough to get on Eli, anyway. He will have a much tougher test this week.

Jeff Garcia, DET – Garcia (predictably) breathed some life into the Lions’ offense last week, but only by his presence, not by his stats (65%, 210 yards, no TDs, no INT). He will face a tough Bears’ defense – one that has allowed 177 ypg (ninth) and six TDs thus far. They are also ninth in the league in sacks (11). It will be tough for the Lions to see any improvement this week.

1 Carson Palmer, CIN
2 Donovan McNabb, PHI
3 Mark Brunell, WAS
4 Daunte Culpepper, MIN
5 Jake Delhomme, CAR
6 Kerry Collins, OAK
7 Brett Favre, GB
8 Drew Brees, SD
9 Drew Bledsoe, DAL
10 Tom Brady, NE
11 Byron Leftwich, JAX
12 Aaron Brooks, NO
13 Eli Manning, NYG
14 Steve McNair, TEN
15 Jake Plummer, DEN
16 Trent Green, KC
17 Josh McCown, ARI
18 Chris Simms, TB
19 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
20 Jamie Martin, STL
21 Kelly Holcomb, BUF
22 Trent Dilfer, CLE
23 Gus Frerotte, MIA
24 David Carr, HOU
25 Jeff Garcia, DET
26 Anthony Wright, BAL
27 Kyle Orton, CHI
28 Ken Dorsey, SF

Running Backs

Bye Weeks: Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett, Edgerrin James, Dominic Rhodes, Curtis Martin, Jerald Sowell, Shaun Alexander, Maurice Morris

Plus Play:

Domanick Davis, HOU – Davis has been the Texans’ saving grace this season, as their passing game has been non-existent. Davis has gained 606 total yards with three TDs this season, including 346 total yards and two scores over the last three weeks. This week, he faces the 28th-ranked Browns run defense (137 ypg), which happens to have only allowed three rushing TDs. Davis should get a lot of touches and yards and should find the end zone one way or another.

Corey Dillon, NE – The well-rested Dillon got the game off against the Broncos two weeks ago and is coming off the bye week. While Dillon has five TDs thus far, he gained 329 yards at only a 3.4 ypc clip, so hopefully the rest would have done him some good. Another plus is that he’s facing division-rival Buffalo, whose run defense is ranked 31st against the run (159 ypg) and has given up the most rushing TDs thus far (11). Oakland gained 162 yards and scored four times on the ground last week against the Bills.

Reuben Droughns, CLE – It looks like Droughns may finally break through into the end zone this week. Buoyed by his first 100-yard game last week, Droughns is posting some decent numbers this season (431 yards, 4.1 ypc). The Browns will be facing the 32nd-ranked run defense of the Texans (167 ypc). They have allowed the second-highest number of rushing TDs (10), so it looks good for Droughns.

Stephan Davis, CAR – The bye week came just in time for Davis – he gained just 27 yards on 13 carries against Detroit in the Panthers’ last game. Davis has tallied seven TDs this season, but has seen his yards-per-carry drop to 3.1. The Vikings have the 30th-ranked run defense (142 ypg) and have allowed seven TDs to date. As long as Davis continues to get 70% of the carries, he should do well this week.

Negative Play:

Mewelde Moore, MIN – The Vikings are ranked 26th in the league in running the football (85 ypg) and has managed just one TD on the ground. Last week, Moore did improve his outlook with 105 combined yards and a receiving TD, but this week, he faces the third-ranked run defense in Carolina (78 ypg). The Panthers have allowed just three TDs thus far. Plus, they have been stingier the last three weeks (62 ypg).

Kevin Jones, DET – Jones’ troubles are well documented, but he is still getting a lot of touches, so his future outlook remains decent. However, this week, he faces the fourth-ranked Bears run defense (83 ypg) that has yet to allow a rushing TD to date. He will not find success against this stellar defensive front.

Jamal Lewis, BAL – Lewis continues to stink (as expected), as he averages just 2.8 ypc this season. HEY, Brian Billick – Chester Taylor is averaging SIX YARDS PER CARRY! Anyway, the Ravens face the sixth-ranked Steelers’ defense (90 ypg) that has allowed five TDs thus far. Lewis will continue to suffer.

1 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
2 Lamont Jordan, OAK
3 Priest Holmes, KC
4 Willis McGahee, BUF
5 Thomas Jones, CHI
6 Domanick Davis, HOU
7 Corey Dillon, NE
8 Steven Jackson, STL
9 Cadillac Williams, TB
10 Clinton Portis, WAS
11 Tiki Barber, NYG
12 Rudi Johnson, CIN
13 Ronnie Brown, MIA
14 Brian Westbrook, PHI
15 Reuben Droughns, CLE
16 Stephen Davis, CAR
17 Fred Taylor, JAX
18 Mike Anderson, DEN
19 Mewelde Moore, MIN
20 Willie Parker, PIT
21 Kevin Jones, DET
22 Antowain Smith, NO
23 Marion Barber, DAL
24 Tony Fisher, GB
25 Chris Brown, TEN
26 Tatum Bell, DEN
27 Jamal Lewis, BAL
28 Larry Johnson, KC
29 Kevan Barlow, SF
30 Jerome Bettis, PIT
31 Michael Pittman, TB
32 DeShaun Foster, CAR
33 Marcel Shipp, ARI
34 Travis Henry, TEN
35 Aaron Stecker, NO
36 Chris Perry, CIN
37 Patrick Pass, NE
38 Chester Taylor, BAL
39 Frank Gore, SF
40 Marshall Faulk, STL
41 J.J. Arrington, ARI
42 Shawn Bryson, DET
43 Greg Jones, JAX
44 Ricky Williams, MIA
45 Ladell Betts, WAS
46 Tyson Thompson, DAL
47 Zack Crockett, OAK
48 Shaud Williams, BUF
49 ReShard Lee, GB
50 William Henderson, GB

Wide Receivers

Bye Weeks: Brian Finneran, Michael Jenkins, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokely, Laveranues Coles, Justin McCareins, Wayne Chrebet, Joe Jurevicius, Darrell Jackson, Bobby Engram

Plus Play:

Jimmy Smith, JAX – The old man has continued to excel this season (23 receptions for 404 yards and four TDs). This week, his Jaguar squad faces the 28th-ranked Rams defense, so look for Smith to continue his fine play.

Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton, TB – Galloway has emerged as the No. 1 WR in Tampa, as he has been targeted in double-figures the last three weeks (31 receptions, 499 yards and four TDs on the season) On the other hand, Clayton has seen his targets drop to less then three per game the last three weeks (19 receptions, 223 yards, no TDs this year). Galloway will continue to thrive, while Clayton should finally see the end zone, against the 32nd-ranked Niners this week.

Keenan McCardell, SD – McCardell has increasingly become a main target in the Chargers’ passing offense – his 44 targets are second only to Antonio Gates’ 49. He has had a great season thus far (26 receptions, 371 yards, six TDs) and the success should continue against the 30th-ranked Chiefs’ passing game.

Muhsin Muhammad, CHI – Yeah, this pick looks odd, as the Bears’ passing game is non-existent. Plus, the Lions have a top-12 pass defense (182 ypg) and has the second-most interceptions. However, the Lions have allowed eight passing TDs, so there’s a solid chance that Muhammad could reach the end zone this week if you need to reach for a third WR.

Negative Play:

Anquan Boldin, ARI – Boldin always remains a threat to score in this offense, but he was held without a catch last week by the Titans. Add that to the fact that the Cowboys have shown some improvement on defense of late, improving to 14th against the pass (201 ypg). The Cowboys rank fifth in the league in sacks (21), while the Cards allow the sixth-most sacks (19). It probably will be slow going for Boldin once again.

Chris Chambers, MIA – Gus Frerotte, after having a decent start to the season, has underperformed over the last three weeks (50%, 618 yards, two TDs and four INT). Despite 11 targets last week, Chambers only managed two receptions for 88 yards and a garbage-time TD. This week, the Dolphins face the eighth-ranked Saints defense (175 ypg), despite allowing nine TDs. Expect the Dolphins to run against the weak Saints defensive front and limit Chambers’ output.

Deion Branch, NE -- Branch has seen an increased number of targets over the last three weeks (six, eight and 12) and has converted 58 targets into 37 receptions for 437 yards and a TD. As the Pats face the third-ranked Bills pass defense, expect Branch to be kept out of the end zone once again.

Donte Stallworth, NO – It’s all or nothing for Stallworth this season – very unpredictable. When Joe Horn was in the line-up, Stallworth was not to be seen. Once Horn went down, Stallworth started to perform (24 targets, 12 receptions, 142 yards, two TDs), but it has been Az-Zahir Hakim that has benefited most from Horn’s absence (30 targets, 17 receptions, 293 yards, one TD). What makes it more difficult to predict is that Horn has his best chance at returning this week, but Hakim was banged up and not a sure play this week. That leaves Stallworth as either a No.1, 2, or 3 WR this week against the 16th-ranked Dolphins passing defense. In other words, who knows – but that’s commonplace with Stallworth.

1 Chad Johnson, CIN
2 Steve Smith, CAR
3 Santana Moss, WAS
4 Terrell Owens, PHI
5 Randy Moss, OAK
6 Plaxico Burress, NYG
7 Jimmy Smith, JAX
8 Donald Driver, GB
9 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
10 Terry Glenn, DAL
11 Joey Galloway, TB
12 Hines Ward, PIT
13 Anquan Boldin, ARI
14 Rod Smith, DEN
15 T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
16 Keenan McCardell, SD
17 Chris Chambers, MIA
18 Keyshawn Johnson, DAL
19 Deion Branch, NE
20 Kevin Curtis, STL
21 Eric Moulds, BUF
22 Derrick Mason, BAL
23 Muhsin Muhammad, CHI
24 Eddie Kennison, KC
25 Az-Zahir Hakim, NO
26 Nate Burleson, MIN
27 David Givens, NE
28 Donte Stallworth, NO
29 Ashley Lelie, DEN
30 Antonio Chatman, GB
31 Jerry Porter, OAK
32 Michael Clayton, TB
33 Antonio Bryant, CLE
34 Lee Evans, BUF
35 Mike Williams, DET
36 Jabar Gaffney, HOU
37 Braylon Edwards, CLE
38 Doug Gabriel, OAK
39 Amani Toomer, NYG
40 Brandon Jones, TEN
41 Brandon Lloyd, SF
42 Reggie Williams, JAX
43 Travis Taylor, MIN
44 Joe Horn, NO
45 Greg Lewis, PHI
46 David Patten, WAS
47 Roy Williams, DET
48 Reche Caldwell, SD
49 Tyrone Calico, TEN
50 Shaun McDonald, STL

Tight Ends

Bye Weeks: Crumpler, Dallas Clark, Chris Baker, Jerramy Stevens

1 Antonio Gates, SD
2 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
3 Randy McMichael, MIA
4 Todd Heap, BAL
5 Tony Gonzalez, KC
6 Jason Witten, DAL
7 L.J. Smith, PHI
8 Chris Cooley, WAS
9 Heath Miller, PIT
10 Jermaine Wiggins, MIN
11 Erron Kinney, TEN
12 Ben Troupe, TEN
13 Marcus Pollard, DET
14 Desmond Clark, CHI
15 Bubba Franks, GB
16 Daniel Graham, NE
17 Jeb Putzier, DEN
18 Ben Watson, NE
19 Ernie Conwell, NO
20 Courtney Anderson, OAK
21 Steve Heiden, CLE
22 Aaron Shea, CLE
23 Kris Mangum, CAR
24 Alex Smith, TB
25 David Martin, GB
26 Stephen Alexander, DEN
27 Mark Campbell, BUF
28 Billy Bajema, SF
29 Brandon Manumaleuna, STL
30 Kyle Brady, JAX
31 Anthony Becht, TB
32 Teyo Johnson, ARI
33 Robert Royal, WAS
34 George Wrighster, JAX
35 Mike Sellers, WAS
36 Jim Kleinsasser, MIN
37 Matt Schobel, CIN
38 Reggie Kelly, CIN
39 Jason Dunn, KC
40 Donald Lee, GB

Kickers

Bye Weeks: Josh Brown, SEA, Mike Vanderjagt, IND, Todd Peterson, ATL, Mike Nugent, NYJ

1 Shayne Graham, CIN
2 Adam Vinatieri, NE
3 Neil Rackers, ARI
4 Jason Elam, DEN
5 Nate Kaeding, SD
6 John Kasay, CAR
7 Josh Scobee, JAX
8 Lawrence Tynes, KC
9 Rob Bironas, TEN
10 Matt Bryant, TB
11 Jeff Reed, PIT
12 Jay Feely, NYG
13 John Carney, NO
14 Sebastian Janikowski, OAK
15 Jeff Wilkins, STL
16 Rian Lindell, BUF
17 Paul Edinger, MIN
18 Shaun Siusham, DAL
19 Phil Dawson, CLE
20 Ryan Longwell, GB
21 Jason Hanson, DET
22 Olindo Mare, MIA
23 Matt Stover, BAL
24 Jose Cortez, PHI
25 Kris Brown, HOU
26 John Hall, WAS
27 Robbie Gould, CHI
28 Joe Nedney, SF

Team Defenses

Bye Weeks: Indianapolis, Atlanta, New York Jets, Seattle

1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 Pittsburgh Steelers
3 Chicago Bears
4 Dallas Cowboys
5 Detroit Lions
6 Cleveland Browns
7 Carolina Panthers
8 Cincinnati Bengals
9 Jacksonville Jaguars
10 New England Patriots
11 Philadelphia Eagles
12 Baltimore Ravens
13 Miami Dolphins
14 Denver Broncos
15 Buffalo Bills
16 New Orleans Saints
17 New York Giants
18 Arizona Cardinals
19 St. Louis Rams
20 San Diego Chargers
21 Washington Redskins
22 Tennessee Titans
23 Houston Texans
24 Oakland Raiders
25 Kansas City Chiefs
26 San Francisco 49ers
27 Green Bay Packers
28 Minnesota Vikings

Defensive Backs

1 Gibril Wilson, NYG
2 Adam Archuleta, STL
3 Mike Brown, CHI
4 Greg Wesley, KC
5 Terrance Kiel, SD
6 Michael Lewis, PHI
7 Adrian Wilson, ARI
8 Tony Parrish, SF
9 Roy Williams, DAL
10 Troy Polamalu, PIT
11 Charles Tillman, CHI
12 Ronde Barber, TB
13 Darrent Williams, DEN
14 Pacman Jones, TEN
15 Daylon McCutcheon, CLE
16 Deltha O'Neal, CIN
17 Nate Clements, BUF
18 Rashean Mathis, JAX
19 Sammy Knight, KC
20 Lawyer Milloy, BUF
21 Chris Crocker, CLE
22 Brian Dawkins, PHI
23 Lamont Thompson, TEN
24 Brian Kelly, TB
25 Fred Smoot, MIN
26 Marcus Coleman, HOU
27 Ken Lucas, CAR
28 Kevin Kaesvham, CIN
29 Corey Chavous, MIN
30 Terence Newman, DAL
31 Tory James, CIN
32 Donovin Darius, JAX
33 Dre' Bly, DET
34 Chris Gamble, CAR
35 Will Demps, BAL
36 Ike Taylor, PIT
37 Kenoy Kennedy, DET
38 Lito Sheppard, PHI
39 Travis Fisher, STL
40 Chris McAlister, BAL
41 Darren Sharper, MIN
42 Shawntae Spencer, SF
43 Sean Taylor, WAS
44 Eugene Wilson, NE
45 Terrence McGee, BUF
46 Stuart Schweigert, OAK
47 Brian Russell, CLE
48 Champ Bailey, DEN
49 Sheldon Brown, PHI
50 Robert Griffith, ARI

Linebackers

1 Brian Urlacher, CHI
2 Keith Bulluck, TEN
3 Jeremiah Trotter, PHI
4 Zach Thomas, MIA
5 Donnie Edwards, SD
6 London Fletcher, BUF
7 Andra Davis, CLE
8 Antonio Pierce, NYG
9 Nick Barnett, GB
10 Odell Thurman, CIN
11 Karlos Dansby, ARI
12 James Farrior, PIT
13 Will Witherspoon, CAR
14 Danny Clark, OAK
15 Kawika Mitchell, KC
16 Kirk Morrison, OAK
17 Mike Peterson, JAX
18 Derek Smith, SF
19 Morlon Greenwood, HOU
20 Angelo Crowell, BUF
21 Pisa Tinoisamoa, STL
22 Tommy Polley, BAL
23 Boss Bailey, DET
24 Sam Cowart, MIN
25 Demarcus Ware, DAL
26 Shelton Quarles, TB
27 Adalius Thomas, BAL
28 Derrick Brooks, TB
29 Julian Peterson, SF
30 Kendrell Bell, KC
31 Brad Kassell, TEN
32 Channing Crowder, MIA
33 Joey Porter, PIT
34 Al Wilson, DEN
35 Scott Fujita, KC
36 Lance Briggs, CHI
37 Lemar Marshall, WAS
38 Ben Taylor, CLE
39 Courtney Watson, NO
40 Kenard Lang, CLE
41 Tedy Bruschi, NE
42 Dexter Coakley, DAL
43 Larry Foote, PIT
44 Lavar Arrington, WAS
45 Derrick Johnson, KC
46 Dat Nguyen, DAL
47 James Darling, ARI
48 Ian Gold, DEN
49 Chad Brown, NE
50 Earl Holmes, DET

Defensive Linemen

1 Kyle Vanden Bosch, TEN
2 Bert Berry, ARI
3 Orpheus Roye, CLE
4 Julius Peppers, CAR
5 Michael Strahan, NYG
6 Simeon Rice, TB
7 John Henderson, JAX
8 Reggie Hayward, JAX
9 Derrick Burgess, OAK
10 Adewale Ogunleye, CHI
11 Aaron Schobel, BUF
12 Jason Taylor, MIA
13 Mike Rucker, CAR
14 Cornelius Griffin, WAS
15 Anthony Hargrove, STL
16 Will Smith, NO
17 Charles Grant, NO
18 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
19 Aaron Kampman, GB
20 Greg Ellis, DAL
21 Chike Okeafor, ARI
22 Justin Smith, CIN
23 Terrell Suggs, BAL
24 Matt Roth, MIA
25 Greg Spires, TB
26 Osi Umenyiora, NYG
27 Alex Brown, CHI
28 Chris Kelsay, BUF
29 James Hall, DET
30 Bryant Young, SF
31 Darwin Walker, PHI
32 Tommie Harris, CHI
33 Eric Hicks, KC
34 Aaron Smith, PIT
35 Jared Allen, KC
36 Travis LaBoy, TEN
37 Darnell Dockett, ARI
38 Warren Sapp, OAK
39 Dewayne White, TB
40 Kalimba Edwards, DET
41 Kendrick Clancy, NYG
42 Marcus Stroud, JAX
43 Richard Seymour, NE
44 Jevon Kearse, PHI
45 Kelly Gregg, BAL
46 Pat Williams, MIN
47 Kevin Williams, MIN
48 Phillip Daniels, WAS
49 Darren Howard, NO
50 Antwan Odom, TEN

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