If you like watching elite receivers play against standout cornerbacks then this is the week for you. We should have some incredible matchups on hand.

The highlight of the week should be the Packers, who are fully healthy with Davante Adams (ankle) back to go with Randall Cobb and James Jones, against the Broncos with Chris Harris and Aqib Talib, who are arguably the best cornerback duo in the NFL. I would start Cobb, but Jones and Adams could struggle.

Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree have a tough assignment at home against Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Cooper was great last week against San Diego's Jason Verrett, but I'd be wary about Cooper's performance this week. And Crabtree is just a No. 3 receiver at best.

Josh Norman leads a strong secondary for the Panthers, and they will take on T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief. Both are still worth starting in the majority of leagues, but lower your expectations for the Colts receivers this week.

Verrett, who had his worst game of the season against Cooper at home, should see plenty of time on Steve Smith in Baltimore. Smith was OK last week against Patrick Peterson, and I would still consider Smith a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in this matchup. Peterson, also, should have success against Cleveland's No. 1 receiver in Travis Benjamin.

And we could get Dez Bryant (foot) back for the first time since Week 1, and he would face Richard Sherman and the Seahawks secondary with a shaky quarterback situation thanks to Matt Cassel as the starter. Bryant should be started as at least a No. 2 Fantasy receiver, but it would be hard to expect a dominant performance coming off the injury and with Cassel against that defense.

This should be a fun week for the passing games, especially with Ben Roethlisberger (knee) also expected to return. We'll find out how some of the upper echelon receivers do against some of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Just use your judgment with these receivers when setting your lineup, as you'll read below, because some of them could struggle in Week 8.

Start of the Week: Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers

Philip Rivers IND • QB • 17 at BAL Projections PROJECTION 19.2 View Profile

The Chargers gave Philip Rivers a huge contract extension this offseason with a four-year deal worth $84 million, including $65 million guaranteed. So far, they are getting a good return on their investment, as Rivers' arm might fall off with all the passing he's done this season.

Rivers leads the NFL in pass attempts with 311, and he's completing 69.1 percent for 2,452 yards, which also leads the NFL. He has attempted at least 48 passes in three games in a row, including 65 passes at Green Bay in Week 6 and 58 passes last week against Oakland. The results have been great for Fantasy owners.

Rivers has four games in a row with at least 24 Fantasy points and has passed for 300 or more yards in four consecutive games, which is the longest streak in the NFL and longest run in his career. We don't see him slowing down this week.

Saying to start Rivers, let alone putting him in this spot, typically goes against my feeling on players from the West Coast playing on the East Coast for a 1 p.m. start. And Rivers isn't always great on the road, with his two worst games this season at Cincinnati (17 Fantasy points) and at Minnesota (11 points).

But the Ravens are awful against opposing quarterbacks this season (No. 1 in Fantasy points allowed to the position) with five guys scoring at least 23 Fantasy points, including three in a row. Some of the quarterbacks to beat up Baltimore are Derek Carr, Josh McCown and Colin Kaepernick, and Rivers is definitely better than that trio. And last year, Rivers went into Baltimore and had 383 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception and 19 rushing yards for 32 Fantasy points.

San Diego can't run the ball now, which is the reason Rivers is throwing so much, and the Chargers defense has been awful. Rivers should again have a big performance, and he has the chance to be a Top 3 Fantasy quarterback this week. We just hope his arm doesn't fall off in this game.

I'm starting Rivers over: Aaron Rodgers (at DEN), Andrew Luck (at CAR), Russell Wilson (at DAL), Peyton Manning (vs. GB) and Drew Brees (vs. NYG)

Quarterback

Start 'Em

Andy Dalton DAL • QB • 14 at PIT Projections PROJECTION 19.9 Dalton was on fire prior to the bye in Week 7, and we hope he doesn't slow down now. He's scored at least 22 Fantasy points in five of six games, and his worst outing was Week 4 against Kansas City with 19 points. In three road games, Dalton has averaged 28.3 Fantasy points against the Raiders, Ravens and Bills, and the Steelers have struggled with quarterbacks at time this season. Tom Brady, Kaepernick and Rivers all scored at least 24 Fantasy points, and we expect Dalton to be in that range as well. In his past four games against Pittsburgh, Dalton is averaging 22 Fantasy points. He has the chance to be a Top 5 quarterback again this week. View Profile

Eli Manning NYG • QB • 10 at NO Projections PROJECTION 20.6 Manning has been terrible of late with 16 Fantasy points combined against the Eagles and Cowboys in his past two games. He has one touchdown over that span and has failed to pass for 200 yards in either outing. We hope this matchup against the Saints can get him going again, even on the road, and there's a lot to like about Manning this week. Brandon Weeden in Week 4 is the lone quarterback to not score at least 20 Fantasy points against New Orleans, and the Saints have allowed 16 touchdowns to quarterbacks with just four interceptions. The last time Manning went to New Orleans was 2011 when he passed for 406 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and we'll gladly take that kind of performance again this week. View Profile

Cam Newton NE • QB • 1 vs. IND Projections PROJECTION 23.8 The Colts held Drew Brees to 15 Fantasy points in Week 7, which snapped a streak of four games in a row of quarterbacks scoring at least 20 Fantasy points against their defense. Brady, Brian Hoyer, Blake Bortles and Marcus Mariota all had productive games against the Colts, and we expect Newton to play well in this matchup. He's scored at least 19 Fantasy points in four of his past five games, but he needs to cut down on the turnovers with five interceptions in the past two weeks against Seattle and Philadelphia. His rushing totals have been huge for him with at least eight Fantasy points on the ground in four of six games, and the Colts should struggle to defend Newton on the road. He also is averaging 26 Fantasy points in three home games this year. View Profile

Ben Roethlisberger PIT • QB • 7 vs. CIN Projections PROJECTION 14.3 Roethlisberger is expected to play this week for the first time since hurting his knee in Week 3 at St. Louis, and he should be ready to produce at a high level. He gets to play with Martavis Bryant for the first time this year since Bryant was suspended to open the season, and that gives Roethlisberger one of the most explosive receiving corps in the NFL with Antonio Brown. The Bengals have only allowed two quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points this season in Joe Flacco and EJ Manuel, but Roethlisberger was great against Cincinnati last season with an average of 27 Fantasy points in two games. This game should be a high-scoring affair, and Roethlisberger and Dalton should have the chance for plenty of production. View Profile

Matthew Stafford DET • QB • 9 at KC Projections PROJECTION 19.2 Stafford is starting to come around as a Fantasy option with his performance the past two games against the Bears and Vikings. He combined for 63 Fantasy points in those outings with 661 passing yards, six touchdowns and one interception and 42 rushing yards. He now goes to London for the second year in a row, and Stafford was great there last season against the Falcons with 23 Fantasy points. The Chiefs have been relatively stingy of late against opposing quarterbacks with only Jay Cutler in Week 5 scoring at least 20 Fantasy points, but three passers scored at least 23 Fantasy points in the first three games of the year. The Lions won't be able to run the ball this week, so look for Stafford to carry the offense. I'm buying into him as a starter in this matchup. View Profile

Sleepers

Brian Hoyer (vs. TEN): He has 20-plus Fantasy points in four in a row.

Jay Cutler (vs. MIN): He has 21 Fantasy points in three straight games.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (at OAK): Five QBs have at least 21 Fantasy points vs. OAK.

Sit 'Em

Peyton Manning DEN • QB • 18 vs. GB Projections PROJECTION 17.8 It used to be that getting Manning back from a bye meant you had the best Fantasy quarterback at your disposal again, and the rest of your league should be concerned. Now, the other owners in your league are hoping you continue to start Manning, who has been brutal this year. He's thrown an interception in every game this season, with 10 over that span, and he only has two games with multiple touchdowns and one outing with 300 yards. We hope the bye week allowed Manning and his receivers to get on the same page, and it's hard to imagine things getting worse. But Green Bay is a tough matchup, even at home, and the Packers have allowed seven passing touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. Manning just looks like a risky starting option in the majority of leagues, and he'll need to prove a lot to Fantasy owners before you can feel comfortable starting him again. View Profile

Colin Kaepernick SF • QB • 7 at STL Projections PROJECTION 16.5 It's hard to make an argument for Kaepernick to be a starter even in two-quarterback leagues at this point. After two solid games in a row prior to Week 7 where he averaged 25 Fantasy points against the Giants and Ravens, Kaepernick predictably struggled against Seattle with four Fantasy points. This is now three games on the season with at least 24 Fantasy points and four games with 10 points or less. If there's a side to lean toward this week, it would be another performance with 10 points or less since no quarterback has scored 20 Fantasy points against the Rams this season, including matchups with Russell Wilson, Carson Palmer and Aaron Rodgers. Kaepernick is just not consistent enough to trust on the road against a tough opponent like St. Louis. View Profile

Russell Wilson SEA • QB • 3 at DAL Projections PROJECTION 23 Wilson has a great opportunity to play well this week since the Cowboys have allowed three quarterbacks to score at least 26 Fantasy points this season, but he's been a terrible Fantasy option for most of the year. Wilson has just one game with multiple touchdowns this season and just two games with at least 20 Fantasy points. He has yet to run for a touchdown, and his offensive line has been brutal since he's been sacked at least four times in six of seven games. The Cowboys have 10 sacks in their past three games, and they have also held three quarterbacks to eight Fantasy points or less. Most Fantasy owners can't afford to bench Wilson given his upside, but he's scored 17 Fantasy points or less in five games and all five of his interceptions have been on the road. Until he starts playing at a high level on a consistent basis I'd be nervous to start him in the majority of leagues. View Profile

Derek Carr LV • QB • 4 vs. NYJ Projections PROJECTION 17.4 Carr was a Fantasy stud coming off Oakland's bye in Week 6 with 29 Fantasy points at San Diego last week. He passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns, and this was his first game with at least 20 Fantasy points since Week 3. We doubt he'll have a productive encore performance against the Jets, who have locked down every opposing quarterback they have faced not named Brady. Aside from last week when Brady had 33 Fantasy points, the Jets had not allowed a quarterback to score more than 15 points in a standard league. The Raiders could be chasing points here, which would mean garbage-time production for Carr, but he's too risky for me to trust in most formats. View Profile

Jameis Winston NO • QB • 2 at ATL Projections PROJECTION 17.6 Winston had his best Fantasy game of the season in Week 7 at Washington with 23 points, and he's now gone two games in a row without throwing an interception. But he'll likely regress this week against the Falcons on the road, and Atlanta has allowed just two quarterbacks to score more than 18 Fantasy points this season, which were Eli Manning and Hoyer. For the season, the Falcons have allowed just eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) could return this week, but Vincent Jackson (knee) is likely out. We like the outlook for Mike Evans this week because of the number of targets he should get, but Winston should get back to being turnover prone in this matchup. He's just a low-end starting option in two-quarterback leagues this week. View Profile

Ryan Tannehill TEN • QB • 17 at NE Projections PROJECTION 18.1 If this game was Sunday then I'd be all in on Tannehill, and he could still play well this week. But since it's Thursday night there's a good chance Tannehill could struggle. Now, he does have multiple touchdowns against the Patriots in three of his past four games, but he's only scored more than 17 Fantasy points in one of those outings. If you believe in Tannehill then you'll love his performance in Week 7 against Houston with 35 Fantasy points, but that was just the second time this year he's scored more than 19 points. New England has allowed four quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points, but the short week tends to impact quarterbacks on Thursday night. Take out Week 1 when teams have time to prepare for the short week, and the 12 other quarterbacks on Thursday night are averaging 15.9 Fantasy points in a standard league this year. Five quarterbacks have scored at least 20 Fantasy points on Thursday night from Week 2 on, and five have scored 13 points or less. We expect Brady to be on the positive side this week, and only Matt Hasselbeck and Hoyer in Week 5 both scored 20 Fantasy points in the same game on Thursday. View Profile

Running back

Start 'Em

Chris Johnson ARI • RB • 23 at CLE Projections PROJECTION 10.1 The streak continues for the Browns after Todd Gurley had 19 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns and four catches for 35 yards in Week 7. Cleveland has now allowed a running back to score double digits in Fantasy points in 10 games in a row going back to last year, and Johnson will hopefully keep the streak alive this week. He's been Arizona's best running back this season and has scored at least nine Fantasy points in four of his past five games in a standard league. Touchdowns (three) and receptions (five) have been an issue for Johnson over that stretch, and there's the chance Andre Ellington and David Johnson steal enough production to make things frustrating for Chris Johnson at times. But he should lead Arizona in carries, and the matchup is incredible. Johnson has the chance to be a Top 10 running back in all formats this week. View Profile

Jonathan Stewart NYG • RB • 28 vs. IND Projections PROJECTION 9.8 Maybe Stewart was bored early in the year. How else can you explain his lackluster performances in easy matchups against Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans and Tampa Bay to open the season before blowing up against Seattle and Philadelphia the past two games? Whatever it is, we'll take it, as Stewart had 19 Fantasy points at the Seahawks in Week 6 and 12 points against the Eagles last week. We hope he keeps his foot on the gas this week against the Colts, who have allowed seven running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points this season, including one in every game since Week 3. Touchdowns (two) and receptions (six) are a concern for Stewart, but we'll buy in with 44 carries the past two games heading into this favorable matchup Monday night. View Profile

Charcandrick West IND • RB • 36 vs. DET Projections PROJECTION 10 West crushed Fantasy owners in Week 6 during his first game in place of the injured Jamaal Charles (torn ACL) at Minnesota when he had one Fantasy point. He looked like a failure after every Fantasy owner spent plenty of bid points on him with the thought he would take over for Charles and play at a high level. It took two games, but we saw West's upside in Week 7 against Pittsburgh with 22 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 19 yards. He became the first running back to score against the Steelers, and he should carry that momentum to London against the Lions. Detroit has allowed seven running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points, including five in the past three games. West has the chance to head into his bye in Week 9 with another standout performance, and the Chiefs backfield should hopefully be in good hands with Charles out for the year. View Profile

Danny Woodhead BAL • RB • 39 at BAL Projections PROJECTION 9.3 Woodhead is a must-start running back in PPR leagues every week, and he's No. 3 in scoring behind Devonta Freeman and Mark Ingram for the season. But he's not far off in standard formats as well as the No. 6 running back behind Freeman, Ingram, Matt Forte, Chris Ivory and Doug Martin. His floor is six Fantasy points, which he's reached six times in seven games, but he also has three games with at least 13 points and has carried this backfield with Melvin Gordon struggling. The Ravens have struggled this season with running backs who get volume work as the four running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points each had at least 15 touches, and Woodhead has done that just twice this season. But based on his role for the Chargers and his continued production this year he's worth trusting as a starter in all leagues this week. View Profile

Giovani Bernard CIN • RB • 25 at PIT Projections PROJECTION 9.8 Bernard went into the bye week playing at a high level, and we hope he didn't cool off. He scored double digits in Fantasy points in three games in a row, with two touchdowns over that span, and he should play better than Jeremy Hill again this week. The Steelers have only allowed two running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points this season, and only West has scored a touchdown, but this game should be high scoring with Bernard seeing plenty of playing time. In four career meetings with the Steelers, Bernard has scored four touchdowns and reached double digits in Fantasy points in three of those outings. He also has at least three catches in four of six games, which is great for owners in PPR leagues. View Profile

Sleepers

Antonio Andrews (at HOU): If he gets the work he'll thrive this week.

Duke Johnson (vs. ARI): He's averaging six catches a game since Week 3.

Alfred Blue (vs. TEN): He's worth using as a flex in a plus matchup.

Orleans Darkwa (at NO): Hopefully he gets increased work this week.

Charles Sims (at ATL): ATL allows the most catches to running backs this year.

Sit 'Em

Carlos Hyde SEA • RB • 30 at STL Projections PROJECTION 9.3 It's too risky to trust Hyde after he revealed prior to Week 7 against Seattle that he's playing with a stress fracture in his left foot. He was limited to 11 carries for 40 yards against the Seahawks, and he now has just one game with double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league in his past six outings. The Rams have allowed four running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points this year, but it's doubtful Hyde will reach that level unless he scores. And St. Louis has allowed just two running backs to run for touchdowns this season. Until we see Hyde playing at a high level with his foot issue he should remain benched in the majority of leagues. View Profile

C.J. Anderson DET • RB • 26 vs. GB Projections PROJECTION 8.4 I didn't mention Ronnie Hillman as a starter this week because I wanted to focus more on Anderson as a sit candidate. We should get some clarity on Denver's backfield coming off the bye in Week 7, and hopefully the Broncos lean on Hillman and keep Anderson as the backup. That doesn't mean Anderson won't touch the ball, but Hillman should get the majority of work after he's run well in two of the Broncos past three games. Anderson, meanwhile, has yet to score this season or topped 70 total yards in a game. Maybe things change for him after the bye, but we're expecting Hillman to be the better Denver running back moving forward. As for the matchup with Green Bay, the Packers have allowed three running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points with Matt Forte, Charles and Gurley, so hopefully Hillman can join that list. We'd be shocked if it was Anderson based on his lackluster performance so far this season. View Profile

Melvin Gordon DEN • RB • 25 at BAL Projections PROJECTION 5.3 Gordon played through his ankle injury in Week 7 against Oakland and again struggled with seven carries for 29 yards. He's still looking for his first touchdown, and it's clear this offense works best when Woodhead gets more work. We hope Gordon can turn things around in the second half of the season, but this isn't the time for Fantasy owners to trust him. He also faces a Ravens defense that has allowed just two running backs to run for more than 65 yards. We don't expect Gordon to play at a high level this week, and he should be benched in all formats until further notice. View Profile

Rashad Jennings NYG • RB • 23 at NO Projections PROJECTION 8.2 This could be a week where Jennings is the best Giants running back. Or maybe it's Shane Vereen. Or Andre Williams. Or, as we saw last week against Dallas, it's Darkwa. No one knows with the Giants, so the safe bet is to bench all of them unless you're stuck, in which case I'd gamble on Darkwa in a standard league and Vereen in PPR. Jennings really has one good play since Week 1 when he stiff-armed Buffalo safety Bacarri Rambo for a 51-yard touchdown catch in Week 4. Otherwise he's scored six Fantasy points or less in a standard league in five games this season. This is a great matchup for the Giants to run the ball, but hopefully Darkwa gets more work after he had eight carries for 48 yards and a touchdown last week against Dallas while Jennings was held to five carries for 19 yards. If Jennings again does nothing this week you can feel safe dropping him in the majority of leagues. View Profile

Latavius Murray NO • RB • 28 vs. NYJ Projections PROJECTION 10.5 Murray has been one of the easier running backs to predict this season because when he's had good matchups he's performed well (Week 2 vs. BAL, Week 3 at CLE and Week 7 at SD), and when he's faced a tough defense he's struggled (vs. CIN in Week 1 and vs. DEN in Week 5). The lone time he fooled us was Week 4 at Chicago when he had just five Fantasy points in a favorable matchup, but this week he should struggle against the Jets. New York allows the fewest Fantasy points to opposing running backs with Ryan Mathews in Week 3 the only one to score double digits in Fantasy points. Mathews is also the only running back to have more than 57 rushing yards against the Jets, and Murray will likely need a touchdown to save his value this week. It's hard to bench him in most formats, but don't expect a quality outing if you do keep him active this week. View Profile

Darren McFadden DAL • RB • 20 vs. SEA Projections PROJECTION 9.8 I listed McFadden as a sleeper last week against the Giants because I expected him to do well catching the ball out of the backfield. I never expected him to take over for an injured Joseph Randle (oblique) and have a dominant performance with 29 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 10 yards. He will start this week against Seattle with Randle likely out, but I would expect him to struggle based on the opponent. The Seahawks have allowed just Stewart to score against them this season, and that was with standout linebacker Bobby Wagner out with a pectoral injury. McFadden could still post a decent stat line with his total yards, but his production will definitely decline from the 22 Fantasy points he scored in Week 7. If you can, I'd bench McFadden in most shallow leagues this week. View Profile

Wide receiver

Start 'Em

Jeremy Maclin BAL • WR • 18 vs. DET Projections PROJECTION 10.6 Maclin is expected to play this week after sitting out in Week 7 against Pittsburgh with a concussion. And this is a great situation for him to play well. The Lions have been terrible against opposing No. 1 receivers this season with Keenan Allen, Demaryius Thomas, Larry Fitzgerald, Alshon Jeffery and Stefon Diggs all scoring double digits in Fantasy points. Maclin was on a nice roll before getting hurt against the Vikings in Week 6 with at least eight Fantasy points in three games in a row. He had eight catches in each of those games, and he has a good history against the Lions with nine catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns in two career meetings. As long as he's cleared to play Sunday morning, which is expected, start him with confidence in every format. View Profile

Stefon Diggs BUF • WR • 14 at CHI Projections PROJECTION 7.5 The more you watch Diggs play the more you see the upside of this rookie from Maryland, and he continues to get better each week. He had six catches for 108 yards and his first NFL touchdown in Week 7 at Detroit on nine targets, and he's now scored at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in three games in a row. He has at least nine targets in each of those games, and Teddy Bridgewater realizes the asset he has with Diggs, who has proven to be his No. 1 receiver. Teams will start giving him extra attention, which could happen this week, but the Bears have struggled with receivers all season, allowing 11 touchdowns and seven to score at least nine Fantasy points. Diggs should play well again this week and is worth starting in all leagues. View Profile

Kendall Wright ARI • WR • 12 at HOU Projections PROJECTION 8 There's something about Texas that brings out the best in Wright, who is from Mount Pleasant and played at Baylor. Wright has played at Houston three times in his career, and he's scored in all three games. Last year was his best performance with seven catches for 132 yards and a touchdown, and he should do well again this season since the Texans are terrible against opposing receivers. Houston has allowed 10 touchdowns to receivers and eight have scored double digits in Fantasy points, including Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews combining for eight catches, 158 yards and three touchdowns last week. Wright should get Marcus Mariota (knee) back this week, and he's coming off a solid game last week against Atlanta when he had four catches for 46 yards and a touchdown. He should be considered at least a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in this matchup. View Profile

Eric Decker NE • WR • 81 at OAK Projections PROJECTION 9.2 Decker didn't score for the first time this season in Week 7 at New England, but he was once again consistent with nine Fantasy points thanks to six catches for 94 yards on 12 targets. He has now scored at least nine Fantasy points in every game this year, and he has a great track record against the Raiders going back to his days with the Broncos. In his past five meetings with Oakland, Decker has 32 catches for 401 yards and three touchdowns, and he's scored at least seven Fantasy points in each of those matchups. Oakland has only allowed two touchdowns to opposing receivers this year, but four receivers have scored double digits in Fantasy points. Decker and Brandon Marshall should excel this week, and Decker is worth starting as a No. 2 receiver in most formats. View Profile

Martavis Bryant LV • WR • 12 vs. CIN Projections PROJECTION 8.9 Now the fun begins for Bryant with Roethlisberger expected to return. No offense to Landry Jones, who helped Bryant score three touchdowns in the past two games, but Bryant has the chance to reach elite status now that Roethlisberger is healthy. He scored in two games against the Bengals last year with five catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns over that span, and Cincinnati has allowed six touchdowns to opposing receivers this year and five to score double digits in Fantasy points. This game has the chance to be high scoring, and Bryant should continue to see the eight targets he had in each of the past two games. The best of Bryant is yet to come now that Roethlisberger is back. View Profile

Sleepers

Malcom Floyd (at BAL): The Ravens struggle to defend the deep ball.

Nate Washington (vs. TEN): HOU could be throwing a lot once again.

Marvin Jones (at PIT): He scored in each of his past two road games.

Michael Floyd (at CLE): If John Brown is out then he should be great.

Golden Tate (at KC): The matchup suggests he should (finally) play well.

Sit 'Em

James Jones LAC • WR • 89 at DEN Projections PROJECTION 7.9 I know this is hard to believe, but at some point Jones is going to stop scoring touchdowns. He's scored six touchdowns in six games this year, and he's definitely helped the Packers get over the loss of Jordy Nelson (torn ACL). Adams is expected to return this week, which will limit some of Jones' targets, and the matchup is daunting against the Broncos, who are second behind Seattle for fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Denver has allowed just one touchdown to an opposing receiver, which was Mike Wallace in Week 4, and he and Travis Benjamin are the only receivers to score double digits in Fantasy points. Talib and Harris will make things tough on Jones, Adams and Cobb, and I would try to avoid Jones and Adams this week if possible. Cobb should be OK since he plays in the slot, but his value is also lower because of this tough matchup on the road. View Profile

Terrance Williams DAL • WR • 83 vs. SEA Projections PROJECTION 5.6 Williams has to deal with this tough matchup against the Seahawks and the return of Dez Bryant, which will obviously limit his production. He's also hampered by Matt Cassel being his quarterback, so there's a lot working against him this week. Seattle has allowed just one touchdown to an opposing receiver this year, which was Jones in Week 2, and Cobb is the only receiver to score double digits in Fantasy points. Even Bryant would have a tough time in this matchup if he plays, especially with Cassel. Last year, Williams had two catches for 70 yards at Seattle, and that would likely be his ceiling this week. He's been held to seven Fantasy points or less in three of his past four games, so it's hard to trust him in this tough matchup with the Seahawks. View Profile

Travis Benjamin SF • WR • 17 vs. ARI Projections PROJECTION 7.2 We'll likely see plenty of Peterson on Benjamin since he's proven to be Cleveland's No. 1 receiver this year. He finally had a down game in Week 7 at St. Louis with two Fantasy points, but prior to that he had scored at least seven Fantasy points in a standard league in each of his first six outings. He also has four games with at least 10 targets, and he scored four touchdowns in his first three games. Josh McCown (shoulder) is expected to start despite being hurt, and that limits Benjamin's upside. And Peterson has held some elite receivers to minimal production with Steve Smith, Antonio Brown, Calvin Johnson and Anquan Boldin all finishing with seven Fantasy points or less and no touchdowns. Benjamin is not worth starting in most leagues this week. View Profile

Brandon LaFell LV • WR • 19 vs. MIA Projections PROJECTION 7.3 You should definitely add LaFell in the majority of leagues because his upside down the stretch could be great, but you don't have to start him this week. Clearly he's still working off the rust of a six-game layoff thanks to a foot injury landing him on the PUP list to open the year. He played in Week 7 against the Jets and finished with just two catches for 25 yards on eight targets, and he was plagued by drops. He'll improve, but the Patriots have plenty of mouths to feed now with Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Amendola and Dion Lewis. The Dolphins haven't been great against opposing receivers this season, so take that into account, but I'd like to see LaFell play at a high level first before starting him in the majority of formats. View Profile

Willie Snead BAL • WR • 83 vs. NYG Projections PROJECTION 7.7 We should find out soon enough if Snead was a flash in the pan Fantasy option or he has staying power because he's struggled of late, and Drew Brees is starting to lean on other guys. Brandin Cooks is worth starting this week, and Benjamin Watson has played great the past three games. But Snead has struggled in his past two games and could just be a complementary option and not a featured guy in this offense. He hasn't scored since Week 2, and in his past two games against Atlanta and Indianapolis he's combined for seven catches for 80 yards. We hope he can start performing at a high level again (he had at least eight Fantasy points in three of his first five games), but he's only worth using as a low-end No. 3 receiver this week in the majority of leagues. View Profile

Amari Cooper DAL • WR • 19 vs. NYJ Projections PROJECTION 10.8 I was burned last week when I listed Cooper as a sit candidate, and he dominated the Chargers with five catches for 133 yards and a touchdown on six targets. His big-play ability is off the charts, and he could easily shake off tough coverage like he did with Verrett. But now he gets another tough matchup with Revis, and the Jets have been stellar against opposing No. 1 receivers this year. Benjamin scored a touchdown against the Jets in Week 1, and Pierre Garcon scored on Revis in Week 6, but Hilton, Jordan Matthews, Landry and Edelman each had five Fantasy points or less against this secondary. Cooper has double digits in Fantasy points in four of six games this season, so use caution if you plan to bench him. Just understand that Revis should make things difficult on this standout rookie, even at home. View Profile

Tight end

Start 'Em

Tyler Eifert JAC • TE • 88 at PIT Projections PROJECTION 9.8 Eifert should continue to play well coming off his bye week. He's scored at least nine Fantasy points in four of six games this season, and he continues to be a reliable target for Dalton. The Steelers have struggled with opposing tight ends, mostly because Gronkowski and Antonio Gates combined for five touchdowns, but Eifert is on that level. Even Travis Kelce had five catches for 73 yards against the Steelers last week, and that should be Eifert's floor in this matchup. View Profile

Benjamin Watson NE • TE • 84 vs. NYG Projections PROJECTION 4.3 Watson just missed two touchdowns last week against the Colts when he was tackled at the 1-yard line, and that would have given him a touchdown in three games in a row. His three best games have been the past three weeks against the Eagles, Falcons and Colts, and he gets a great matchup this week against the Giants. Seven tight ends have had either a touchdown or at least 70 receiving yards against the Giants, including one in every game except Week 6 against the Eagles. Watson and Brees are clicking now, and he should have the chance to be a Top 10 Fantasy tight end this week. View Profile

Martellus Bennett NE • TE • 88 vs. MIN Projections PROJECTION 7 There's a lot to like about Bennett this week with his matchup against the Vikings and his targets. Minnesota has allowed five tight end groups to either score or total 90 total yards this season, with Eric Ebron twice scoring at least 10 Fantasy points and Kelce reaching eight points. Bennett has at least 11 targets in each of his past three games. He's only scored once during that span, but the usage should lead to positive production if it continues, especially in a favorable matchup like this. I'd be surprised if Bennett wasn't a Top 10 Fantasy tight end this week if he continues to see this amount of targets against Minnesota. View Profile

Sleepers

Ladarius Green (at BAL): If Gates is out then Green should be awesome.

Delanie Walker (at HOU): He should continue to hog targets for TEN.

Jason Witten (vs. SEA): SEA has been miserable vs. tight ends this year.

Sit 'Em

Jordan Cameron MIA • TE • 84 at NE Projections PROJECTION 3.8 The Patriots haven't exactly faced many elite tight ends this season, and Heath Miller and Charles Clay each scored at least seven Fantasy points against them in the first two games of the year. But New England has held Witten and the Colts duo of Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener to a combined seven Fantasy points, and Cameron should struggle this week. Cameron wasn't needed last week against the Texans with the Dolphins winning in a rout, and he finished with just two Fantasy points in a standard league. But he now has single digits in Fantasy points in a standard league in every game this season, and his lack of overall production is a concern, especially in a potentially tough matchup. I would be hesitant to start Cameron this week in the majority of leagues. View Profile

Dwayne Allen MIA • TE • 89 at CAR Projections PROJECTION 3.4 I thought Allen had a chance to help Fantasy owners last week with his matchup against the Saints at home, but he continued to struggle with one catch for 10 yards. Fleener also was limited with three catches for 47 yards, and these tight ends will continue to be frustrating when both are healthy. This matchup with the Panthers is tough, especially on the road, and only Jimmy Graham has scored double digits in Fantasy points against Carolina this year. Allen will only save his Fantasy production if he scores a touchdown, and he has just one on the season in Week 1 at Buffalo. He's an easy tight end to bench this week, and so is Fleener whenever Allen is active. View Profile

Eric Ebron PIT • TE • 85 at KC Projections PROJECTION 7.5 Ebron has been awesome this season when healthy, and he came back from a two-game absence with a knee injury in Week 7 against Minnesota with five catches for 89 yards and a touchdown on five targets. That gave him three games of the five he's been able to play with double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. But I expect him to struggle this week against the Chiefs. Kansas City has yet to allow a tight end to score double digits in Fantasy points despite giving up two touchdowns to Virgil Green and Kyle Rudolph. Only Eifert had more than 35 receiving yards against the Chiefs, and this could be one of Ebron's worst games of the season. I'd sit him this week if you have a better alternative on your roster. View Profile

Gary Barnidge CLE • TE • 82 vs. ARI Projections PROJECTION 7.7 Barnidge has been among the best surprises this season, and I hope he continues to play at a high level moving forward. His scoring streak ended at four games in Week 7 at St. Louis, but he still managed to catch six passes for 101 yards on seven targets. I'm nervous about his production this week because the Cardinals are No. 1 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends with no touchdowns allowed to the position and five Fantasy points the season high from Crockett Gillmore last week. Also, with McCown hurt, Barnidge would really suffer if the Browns turned to Johnny Manziel because the two had little rapport when he started for McCown earlier this season. It's extremely difficult to sit a player of Barnidge's caliber with the way he's played the past five games, but this could be his worst game since Week 2 when he scored just one Fantasy point. View Profile

Defense/Special teams

Start 'Em

Falcons (vs. TB): We've been talking about the Falcons DST for several weeks now because of their schedule, and they've been hit or miss of late. They have three games with at least 13 Fantasy points in a standard league in their past four outings against Houston, Washington and Tennessee, but they also scored one point at New Orleans. At home, Atlanta has scored three DST touchdowns with five interceptions and three fumble recoveries, and Winston could struggle this week if he's chasing points, especially if Jackson is out. Winston did not throw an interception in his past two games, but he did have seven interceptions in his first three outings. I'm expecting a couple of turnovers for Tampa Bay this week, which should help the Falcons DST post a solid stat line.

Sleepers

Chiefs (vs. DET): Stafford was sacked nine times in the past two games.

Packers (at DEN): Manning has seven picks in his past three games.

Vikings (at CHI): MIN has 15 sacks in the past four games.

Sit 'Em

Dolphins (at NE): The Patriots allow the third-fewest Fantasy points to opposing DST units because they rarely turn the ball over and they score at will. Brady has one interception, and the team has just two fumbles. The Patriots have allowed only one DST touchdown against Indianapolis in Week 6, but the Colts DST scored just 10 Fantasy points in a standard league in that game. New England has averaged 35.5 points per game this year, and the Dolphins DST should take a step back from the past two games where they dominated the Titans and Texans for an average of 21 Fantasy points in a standard league. The Dolphins DST is an easy unit to bench this week.

Kicker

Start 'Em

Nick Folk (at OAK): Josh Lambo had two field goals against the Raiders last week, which continued their streak of kickers scoring multiple field goals at seven going back to last year. Three kickers have scored at least 10 Fantasy points against Oakland this year, including two at home with Justin Tucker and Brandon McManus. Folk has done a good job of late with multiple field goals in three games in a row and at least nine Fantasy points in each game over that span. He's also made at least two field goals in all three of his road games this season at Indianapolis, Miami (in London) and New England.

Sleepers

Blair Walsh (at CHI): He's made 10 field goals in his past three games.

Graham Gano (vs. IND): Six kickers have multiple field goals vs. IND.

Josh Brown (at NO): Four kickers have at least eight Fantasy points vs. NO.

Sit 'Em

Adam Vinatieri (at CAR): We don't often talk about kickers being a bust, but Vinatieri has been awful this season. He's only made field goals in two games this year, otherwise he's been held to five Fantasy points or less in a standard league in five games. The Panthers have allowed their past two opposing kickers to score multiple field goals with Steven Hauschka and Caleb Sturgis, but the first four opponents for Carolina made just four field goals on seven attempts. It's not worth trusting Vinatieri this week, especially on the road, and he's an easy player to cut in the majority of leagues.

Full Disclosure from Week 7

Todd Gurley more than delivered as the Start of the Week for Week 7 when he scored 27 Fantasy points in a standard league to finish as the No. 2 running back for the scoring period. Including Darren McFadden (No. 4) as a sleeper, I had three of the Top 4 running backs in Week 7 with Lamar Miller (No. 1) and Gurley. And Latavius Murray was the No. 10 running back as well.

My other good start suggestions, including sleepers, were Ryan Tannehill as the No. 1 quarterback, along with Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, Matthew Stafford and Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, Stefon Diggs, John Brown, Rishard Matthews and Martavis Bryant at receiver and the No. 1 DST with the Rams. I also said to sit, among others, Steve Smith, Carlos Hyde and Jordan Matthews, and each of them struggled.

The bad calls included saying to start Eli Manning, Cam Newton, Jordan Cameron and Julius Thomas. And I said to sit Derek Carr, Charcandrick West and Amari Cooper. We'll find out this week if Cooper can again beat a tough opponent when he takes on Darrelle Revis and the Jets.