1. Reggie Wayne (IND) – Wayne has all the ingredients in place for another huge game this week. He matches up against a very mediocre Carolina pass defense, he should see the majority of the Colts looks and touches, he carries a ton of momentum into this week’s game, and he has Peyton Manning getting him the ball. We would be shocked if Wayne was not a top fantasy performer in week 8.2. Randy Moss (NE) – He will face one of the better pass defenses in the league this week in the Redskins. Regardless, defenses have double and even triple teamed Moss all season, without even a hint of success. Since teaming up with Tom Brady, he is virtually impossible to silence. Moss is a lock under almost any circumstance, and he should always be in your starting line up without question.
3. Laveranues Coles (NYJ) – He should have another monster game this week. Coles has turned torching the Bills secondary into a biannual tradition, and this week should be no different. He smoked them in week 4 with an 8-catch performance, 1 of which was a TD. Barring any setbacks with his calf, Coles should not disappoint in week 8. (Check injury report: calf)
4. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (CIN) – He is a fantasy owners dream this season. Housh has found pay dirt in 6 straight games and 8 times total this season. He has a pretty solid track record against the Steelers, and should be Carson Palmer’s top target this week. You should start him with confidence.
5. Braylon Edwards (CLE) – Since Derek Anderson took over at QB, few offenses have been as potent as the Browns, and no player has benefited more than Braylon Edwards. The potential for another huge game is in place against the Rams in week 8. You would be crazy to leave him out of your starting line up.
6. Plaxico Burress (NYG) – He was kept out of the end zone for the first time this season last week, but Burress has 8 TD’s on the season. Burress matches up well against the Miami secondary, and is a likely candidate to find the end zone and begin a new streak. He is a must start for week 8.
7. Torry Holt (STL) – With the likely return of Steven Jackson this week, the Rams offense looks poised to begin their quest to return to greatness. They face a very poor Cleveland defense, so it is a perfect opportunity for them to get back on track, and no one should benefit more than Torry Holt. He has been the only bright spot for this offense in a dismal last few weeks. Holt will have a big game if things fall into place as anticipated.
8. Steve Smith (CAR) – His level of success this week will likely be dictated by who starts under center for the Panthers. Either way, Smith should have a solid game, but his stats seem to suggest that he has a better rapport with Testaverde taking the snaps. Expect good to great numbers for Smith this week, and start him as a top fantasy WR.
9. Chad Johnson (CIN) – Ocho Cinco has lost a bit of his fantasy appeal in the last few weeks, failing to find the end zone, and taking a back seat to Houshmandzadeh. Otherwise, he continues to put up respectable fantasy numbers, including a 100-yard performance last week. While he does not have a great history against the Steelers, Johnson is capable of a big day against any defense. He is way too talented to leave on the bench. (Check injury report: ankle)
10. Jerricho Cotchery (NYJ) – If you like consistency in your fantasy line up, there are few better option at WR than Cotchery. He is coming off a solid performance last week which included a TD, and faces a weak Bills secondary that he posted 8 catches for 107 yards against back in week 4. Cotchery is a solid WR, and should find his way into your starting roster.
11. Wes Welker (NE) – After falling off of the fantasy radar in weeks 4 and 5, he has rebounded with back to back monster games. With the variety of weapons Brady has at his disposal, Welker could fall off the map again any week. For now, Welker remains a top target for Brady, and so long as he continues to post big numbers, he should be in your starting line up.
12. Kevin Curtis (PHI) – He has big play ability, and few secondaries give up more big plays than Minnesota. Curtis has become McNabb’s favorite target, and is starting to become a consistent fantasy performer. You probably won’t get a better match up for Curtis the rest of the season, so he should be a starter this week for your fantasy team.
13. Santonio Holmes (PIT) – He is starting to develop great chemistry with QB Ben Roethlisberger. Holmes has 12 catches and 3 scores in his last 2 starts, and this week’s match up against a lousy Bengals secondary is very promising. This is a great week to put Holmes in your line up.
14. Donald Driver (GB) – He will face a big test this week in the form of Champ Bailey and the Denver secondary. As much as the Green Bay offense throws the ball, and moves its WR’s around, Driver will be targeted often. He should provide solid numbers on Monday night.
15. Marvin Harrison (IND) – (UPDATE: HARRISON WILL REPORTEDLY NOT PLAY) Harrison is still limited a bit by his sprained knee, but he will likely play, and he is better than most wide outs even with a bum knee. Don’t expect a monster game from Harrison, but you can never rule it out with a player of his caliber. (Check injury report: knee)
16. Roy Williams (DET) – Williams has failed to impress on the fantasy stat sheet in the last few weeks. The biggest reason for this is related to the Lions offense turning more to the run, a concept abnormal to their general philosophy. You should see a more balanced Lions offense this week, but the pass first mentality will likely be more evident than it has been in the past couple of games. If the Lions go back to the sky, Williams should benefit greatly, and rebound in week 8.
17. Brandon Marshall (DEN) – He has built a great rapport with QB Jay Cutler. With the absence of star wide out Javon Walker, Marshall has become the Denver passing game’s top option, and has benefited nicely. Marshall has been one of the more consistent WR’s out there, but if he has a downside, it’s his inability to find the end zone on a regular basis.
18. Chris Chambers (SD) – It is difficult to anticipate Chambers’ fantasy value in San Diego until he actually plays a game, but on paper this looks like a match made in heaven. He will likely give the Chargers offense the extra spark they need to be considered an elite offense once again. He should be quickly acclimated with this offense, which is almost identical to the one he left in Miami. Look for Chambers in the starting line up with a great match up against a shaky Texans secondary. He should be in your starting line up as well, but do not expect monster numbers right off the bat.
19. Donte’ Stallworth (NE) – There are no guarantees that he will have a big game, but Stallworth has the potential to be the top fantasy WR any week. Stallworth is riding high right now, and Brady continues to target him, so he should be on your starting roster.
20. Hines Ward (PIT) – He continues to struggle with knee issues, but he returned last week with a pretty solid outing against a very tough secondary. Ward has a rich history against the Bengals, and this week’s match up against them looks better than ever. If his knee is game ready, Ward could have a dominant week 8. (Check injury report: knee)
21. Bernard Berrian (CHI) – He is looking at a great match up this week against the Lions 30th ranked pass D. Berrian produced 8 catches for 99 yards in an earlier meeting with Detroit, and has the potential to surpass those figures this time around. He should be a solid contributor for your fantasy squad in week 8.
22. Kevin Walter (HOU) – Walter has been on a tear the last few weeks, and managed to find the end zone last week. He should continue to see plenty of attention in the Texans offense as long as Andre Johnson is out with injury. He is a very nice option for your line up at this time.
23. Ike Hilliard (TB) – He is slowly but surely stealing the spotlight from fellow WR Joey Galloway. He may take that honor again this week, as he will have the better match up in the secondary. Hilliard is on a hot streak to say the least, so our best advice is to ride it out, and reap the benefits.
24. Ronald Curry (OAK) – He can not always be counted on for a big performance, but he is starting to gain some consistency. Curry is always a strong candidate for a TD, and could provide a decent stat line against the Titans defense, whose only weakness lies in their 24th ranked secondary.
25. Joey Galloway (TB) – He has taken a back seat to Ike Hilliard in the Bucs offense the last few weeks, and faces a tough match up this week. Despite his slight decline, Galloway has managed to produce decent fantasy numbers, and retains his big play potential. He is always a threat to find pay dirt, so he should probably be in your starting line up.
26. Greg Jennings (GB) – He should make for a decent fantasy option in week 8. With Driver likely to spend much of the game covered by top DB Champ Bailey, Jennings should see his fair share of touches.
27. Lee Evans (BUF) – He has only managed to have two solid games all season, one of which was last week. The other came against the Jets in week 4, the same Jets defense he faces this week. Evans remains a risky proposition for your starting roster with a knack for inconsistency, but this week’s match up bodes well.
28. Calvin Johnson (DET) – Johnson has not been a huge fantasy success in his rookie campaign, but he has a powder keg of potential that could explode any week. He probably won’t provide a lot in terms of receptions and yardage this week, but he does have 3 TD’s in 5 games played, making him a candidate to find the end zone again in week 8.
29. Isaac Bruce (STL) – He has a solid match up this week against a very bad Browns secondary. Look for him to be more involved in the offense this week, and a TD is not out of the question. This may be a good week to pull Bruce off the shelf for your starting roster.
30. Andre Davis (HOU) – He continues to provide fantasy owners with moderate to high production on a weekly basis. Davis should be a consideration for your line up until Andre Johnson returns from injury. Nice match up against the Chargers 26th ranked pass D.
31. Amani Toomer (NYG) – He is still a bit of a wild card, but he has managed to hit pay dirt for two consecutive weeks now, and faces a Dolphins secondary that has been making WR’s famous giving up TD’s. He may be worth the risk for week 8.
32. Reggie Brown (PHI) – He is not considered a huge threat for a monster game, but this week’s match up against a very soft Vikings secondary looks promising. Brown has moderate value as a starter this week.
33. Marques Colston (NO) – He is quickly becoming just another receiver in an ever revolving door of WR’s in the Saints offense. Colston is plenty capable, but this week he will be paired against top corner Nate Clements, which makes his risk to reward ratio higher than usual. If you like to gamble, he may be worth rolling the dice on in week 8.
34. Muhsin Muhammad (CHI) – He is still considered a risk as a starter due to inconsistent play, but Muhammad has played well in 3 out of the last 4 weeks, finding the end zone 3 times during that stretch. He could be worth a shot if you are in need of a third or flex starter for week 8.
35. Roydell Williams (TEN) – In the grand scheme of things, Williams has been fairly inconsistent, but he has been productive in his last two starts. Brandon Jones should return this week, so Williams numbers will likely drop a bit, but he has deep threat potential, and may make a decent bye week fill in.
36. Shaun McDonald (DET) – He got off to a very hot start, but has since cooled down. McDonald has the potential to get back on track any week, but do not count on it. At this time he makes for a fairly decent fill in.
37. Brandon Stokley (DEN) – He is coming off a great week 7 performance, and will be in the Broncos starting line up again in week 8 against the Packers 22nd ranked pass defense. Stokley has been very quiet until last week, but he should continue to see passes come his way as long as Walker is sidelined.
38. Arnaz Battle (SF) – Despite the fact that Alex Smith will be back at QB this week, this offense is still bad. Battle has been the recent exception in the atrocious Niners offense, scoring TD’s in his last two games. Battle could be worth a look for a needy fantasy owner.
39. Antwaan Randle El (WAS) – His fantasy stat lines this season have been all over the map, but he has been the only Redskin receiver producing anything. Randle El faces a tough match up against New England, but he should get you a few points, and retains some value as a return specialist for those of you in leagues that account for those stats.
40. James Jones (GB) – He had been a very consistent performer up until his shut at the hands of Washington in his last game. Do not expect anything major from him, but Jones should garner some production this week against Denver.
41. Vincent Jackson (SD) – He has not exactly scorched opposing defenses this season, and he will now be delegated to the #2 WR spot with the acquisition of Chris Chambers. Jackson has some value this week against a poor Houston secondary, but he should be considered a fill in at best.
42. Jerry Porter (OAK) – Porter may be a decent option for you if you are in desperate mode for a WR. While he has 3 TD’s on the season, he has yet to catch more than 3 passes in any game.
43. Darrell Jackson (SF) – He finally found the end zone in week 7, but had a pretty weak day otherwise. The only word that comes to mind when considering the play of Jackson to this point is BAD. He should get Alex Smith back at QB this week, but he has been pretty useless even with Smith. Jackson has potential and the match up looks good, which may be enough to consider him as an emergency starter this week. (Check injury report: quad)
44. Ted Ginn (MIA) – Ginn has yet to prove he has any real fantasy value, but we really like his upside. He has increased his role in the Dolphins offense, he is a deep threat with game breaking speed, and he offers value as a return specialist. Ginn is still very risky to just throw into your line up, but we surmise that he will start to produce as soon as week 8.
45. Marty Booker (MIA) – While other Dolphin WR’s have benefited from the departure of Chris Chambers, Booker has maintained his mediocre pace. He is the Dolphins #1 WR, but he must prove he deserves that spot for you to seriously consider him for your line up. He should provide a few needy points this week.
46. Drew Bennett (NO) – Bennett has been riddled with injuries all season limiting his production and fantasy value. He is fully participating in practice this week, and may provide some relief as a bye week replacement against an awful Browns secondary. (Check injury report: hamstring)
47. Santana Moss (WAS) – He may be the biggest fantasy bust since the invention of the genre. We all know what he is capable of accomplishing on a football field, but for whatever reason, Moss is not getting it done. We suggest leaving him on the bench until he can prove himself worthy again. If you are in a deep league, are in bad need of a WR, and like to take risks; he could be your man.
48. Joe Jurevicius (CLE) – He is unlikely to do much, if anything, for your fantasy team this week or any week, but he does have some value as a red zone threat. This week’s match up looks fairly promising for him to find his way back to the end zone, but do not count on it.
49. Derek Hagan (MIA) – He has moved into the #2 WR spot, and has increased his production in the last couple of weeks. Hagan remains a huge fantasy risk, but he may make for a surprising week 8 fill in against the Giants.
50. Dennis Northcutt (JAC) – Northcutt has minimal fantasy value this week with starting QB David Garrard on the shelf with an injury. He also faces a stingy Bucs pass D. He should see some targets, but expect little.
* Other considerable options at WR include: Justin Gage (TEN), Devery Henderson (NO), Mike Furrey (DET), David Patten (NO), Brandon Jones (TEN), Lance Moore (NO), Bobby Wade (MIN), Jacoby Jones (HOU), and Roscoe Parrish (BUF)
