Week 8 Rankings

So for my first post I will be critiquing ESPN.com Week 8's Fantasy Football Rankings. Here are their QB rankings. For the most part I agree with their rankings for the Quarterback position heading into week 8. They did not include Cam Newton or Mike Glennon because Carolina and Tampa Bay played one another on Thursday Night Football. Cam Newton put up very solid numbers and is looking like a top 3 QB this week. They did disagree with me in terms of where we decided to rank Russell Wilson. They put him at the #7 spot where as I have him ranked 7 spots lower at 14th. He is facing a Rams team on MNF who are fighting for their playoff lives so I expect their defense come ready to play. Once Percy Harvin returns for the Seahawks, Wilson should be a lock Top 10 QB weekly. Another area where we disagreed was in the top 5 spots. I agree that Peyton is likely to be the #1 QB again this week but I have Brees at the 2 spot followed by RGIII, Rodgers, and Romo. I wouldn't be surprised if Brees does better than Manning this week playing at home against Buffalo. Rodgers is ranked 4th for me because I feel like Green Bay is set up for a trap game Sunday Night in Minnesota. Rodgers will be without Randall Cobb, Jermichael Finley, and James Jones. The Vikings will be at home and they may be able to tame Rodgers to under 20 fantasy points. I have Stafford dropped down 3 spots at 7 simply because I think the Lions will lose to the Cowboys and Romo having the bigger fantasy day. A couple of sleeper QB's I like are Matt Ryan and Carson Palmer who play each other this week. I think that this match-up could be high scoring with each QB throwing the ball at least 40 times. 

Rank	Name	Team	Opp.	Berry	Harris	Karabell	Cockcroft	Avg.
1	Peyton Manning	DEN	Wsh	1	1	1	1	1.0
2	Aaron Rodgers	GB	@Min	2	2	3	3	2.5
2	Drew Brees	NO	Buf	3	3	2	2	2.5
4	Matthew Stafford	DET	Dal	4	5	5	4	4.5
4	Robert Griffin III	WSH	@Den	5	4	4	5	4.5
6	Tony Romo	DAL	@Det	6	9	6	7	7.0
7	Russell Wilson	SEA	@StL	7	7	7	8	7.3
7	Matt Ryan	ATL	@Ari	9	6	8	6	7.3
9	Colin Kaepernick	SF	@Jac	8	8	9	9	8.5
10	Michael Vick	PHI	NYG	10	10	11	10	10.3
11	Tom Brady	NE	Mia	11	11	10	11	10.8
12	Eli Manning	NYG	@Phi	14	15	12	12	13.3
13	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	@Oak	13	12	13	17	13.8
13	Terrelle Pryor	OAK	Pit	12	13	16	14	13.8
15	Andy Dalton	CIN	NYJ	16	14	15	13	14.5
16	Alex Smith	KC	Cle	15	16	14	16	15.3
17	Carson Palmer	ARI	Atl	17	17	19	15	17.0
18	Geno Smith	NYJ	@Cin	18	18	18	18	18.0
19	Ryan Tannehill	MIA	@NE	19	19	17	19	18.5
20	Chad Henne	JAC	SF	22	20	20	20	20.5
21	Thad Lewis	BUF	@NO	20	21	21	21	20.8
22	Christian Ponder	MIN	GB	21	23	22	22	22.0
23	Jason Campbell	CLE	@KC	23	22	23	24	23.0
24	Kellen Clemens	STL	Sea	24	24	24	23	23.8

Now on to the RB position. Below are ESPN's top 30 rankings. The top 10 RB's for ESPN and my own rankings are very similar. I agreed with Berry and Harris that Marshawn Lynch is the top ranked RB for week 8 facing a poor defensive team in St. Louis. I don't like how high they have Knowshon ranked so I put him at the 7 spot. I don't fully trust him yet because of the 3 backfield committee that Denver uses. I like Reggie Bush this week to rake in the yards through the ground and air so I have him ranked #5. I like Stevan Ridley this week as well as Lamar Miller. I would stay away from Steven Jackson even though ESPN ranks him 19th. You just don't know how healthy this guy is going to be so I wouldn't expect more than 20 carries. Plus Jacquizz Rodgers is a better passing down back and has been great in his absence. I would expect that they split carries while Rodgers gets the downs on passing plays. I also don't like Darren McFadden as he is returning from injury. A couple sleeper guys I like to have a potential big week are Lamar Miller, Andre Ellington, and Peyton Hillis.

Rank	Name	Team	Opp.	Berry	Harris	Karabell	Cockcroft	Avg.
1	Jamaal Charles	KC	Cle	2	2	1	1	1.5
2	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	@StL	1	1	2	4	2.0
3	LeSean McCoy	PHI	NYG	6	4	4	2	4.0
3	Knowshon Moreno	DEN	Wsh	5	5	3	3	4.0
5	Adrian Peterson	MIN	GB	4	3	5	5	4.3
6	Frank Gore	SF	@Jac	3	6	7	6	5.5
7	Reggie Bush	DET	Dal	10	7	6	7	7.5
8	Eddie Lacy	GB	@Min	7	8	8	8	7.8
9	Fred Jackson	BUF	@NO	8	10	10	9	9.3
10	Alfred Morris	WSH	@Den	11	9	9	11	10.0
11	Le'Veon Bell	PIT	@Oak	9	12	13	12	11.5
12	Stevan Ridley	NE	Mia	12	14	12	10	12.0
13	Darren Sproles	NO	Buf	16	13	11	13	13.3
14	Darren McFadden	OAK	Pit	14	11	16	14	13.8
15	DeMarco Murray	DAL	@Det	13	15	14	15	14.3
16	Giovani Bernard	CIN	NYJ	15	17	15	16	15.8
17	Zac Stacy	STL	Sea	17	19	19	17	18.0
18	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	SF	19	18	17	19	18.3
19	Steven Jackson	ATL	@Ari	18	16	21	21	19.0
20	Chris Ivory	NYJ	@Cin	20	21	20	24	21.3
21	Lamar Miller	MIA	@NE	24	24	22	18	22.0
22	Pierre Thomas	NO	Buf	21	20	27	23	22.8
23	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	CIN	NYJ	26	25	23	20	23.5
24	Andre Ellington	ARI	Atl	23	22	28	22	23.8
25	Roy Helu	WSH	@Den	22	23	30	32	26.8
26	Jacquizz Rodgers	ATL	@Ari	25	30	24	29	27.0
27	Willis McGahee	CLE	@KC	29	29	25	27	27.5
28	Joique Bell	DET	Dal	28	27	35	25	28.8
29	Bilal Powell	NYJ	@Cin	33	26	29	28	29.0
30	Peyton Hillis	NYG	@Phi	31	28	32	26	29.3

Next up, Wide Receivers. The deepest fantasy position is for sure the WR spot so not having a top 10 WR isn't going to kill you in fantasy. ESPN continues to rank Calvin Johnson #1 but once again I don't seem him outperforming Dez. Dez all week has been saying that he can do anything Calvin can so I expect him to back it up on the field on Sunday while their playing one another. Jordy Nelson could have a big week with all the Green Bay injuries he becomes Aaron Rodgers most reliable guy. I also think that Wes Welker begins to slow down. He is the definition of a gamble in fantasy football because the Broncos have so many red zone targets I would expect his TD's to decrease. I also don't like Eric Decker this week because of the uncertainty of who will be getting the ball. I think that DeSean Jackson and Victor Cruz may both have huge games as their teams face one another. I've been all aboard the Antonio Brown bandwagon all season long and have him ranked in the top 10 this week which ESPN does not. Larry Fitzgerald could have a huge day against Atlanta. Sleeper picks are Harry Douglas, Terrance Williams, and Brian Hartline. I don't like ESPN's rank of Mike Wallace at all. If Aqib Talib is playing then I would not recommend starting Wallace. Wallace is already one of the streakiest WR's in the league so his value this week drops significantly if Talib plays.

Rank	Name	Team	Opp.	Berry	Harris	Karabell	Cockcroft	Avg.
1	Calvin Johnson	DET	Dal	1	1	2	1	1.3
2	Dez Bryant	DAL	@Det	2	2	1	5	2.5
3	A.J. Green	CIN	NYJ	5	3	4	4	4.0
4	Jordy Nelson	GB	@Min	4	6	6	2	4.5
5	Demaryius Thomas	DEN	Wsh	3	5	3	9	5.0
6	Wes Welker	DEN	Wsh	6	4	5	7	5.5
7	Victor Cruz	NYG	@Phi	10	8	7	3	7.0
8	DeSean Jackson	PHI	NYG	8	7	9	6	7.5
9	Pierre Garcon	WSH	@Den	9	9	11	8	9.3
10	Eric Decker	DEN	Wsh	7	10	8	14	9.8
11	Antonio Brown	PIT	@Oak	14	11	10	10	11.3
12	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	Atl	11	12	15	11	12.3
13	Marques Colston	NO	Buf	12	15	13	13	13.3
14	Josh Gordon	CLE	@KC	15	13	14	20	15.5
15	Anquan Boldin	SF	@Jac	16	20	12	15	15.8
16	Justin Blackmon	JAC	SF	19	17	20	12	17.0
17	Harry Douglas	ATL	@Ari	20	19	16	16	17.8
18	Jarrett Boykin	GB	@Min	13	21	21	19	18.5
19	Danny Amendola	NE	Mia	21	14	24	18	19.3
20	Terrance Williams	DAL	@Det	17	22	19	22	20.0
21	Cecil Shorts	JAC	SF	18	18	26	23	21.3
22	Mike Wallace	MIA	@NE	25	16	22	25	22.0
23	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	@Phi	33	24	17	17	22.8
24	Steve Johnson	BUF	@NO	26	25	23	31	26.3
24	Denarius Moore	OAK	Pit	24	23	28	30	26.3
26	Julian Edelman	NE	Mia	22	26	25	33	26.5
27	Michael Floyd	ARI	Atl	28	28	27	27	27.5
28	Rueben Randle	NYG	@Phi	29	27	33	24	28.3
29	Greg Jennings	MIN	GB	32	30	31	21	28.5
30	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	@Cin	27	31	29	44	32.8
30	Golden Tate	SEA	@StL	30	38	35	28	32.8
30	Dwayne Bowe	KC	Cle	38	32	32	29	32.8
33	Brian Hartline	MIA	@NE	31	29	30	42	33.0
34	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	Mia	41	36	37	32	36.5
35	Sidney Rice	SEA	@StL	42	NR	34	26	38.3
35	Kris Durham	DET	Dal	34	35	44	40	38.3
37	Emmanuel Sanders	PIT	@Oak	43	33	36	47	39.8
38	James Jones	GB	@Min	NR	NR	18	NR	42.8
39	Rod Streater	OAK	Pit	37	NR	47	37	43.0
40	Riley Cooper	PHI	NYG	44	41	43	45	43.3

The very valuable position of Tight Ends is next. This year more than ever I am realizing how valuable a top 5 TE is in Fantasy. If your able to have one you have a significant advantage over other owners who are working the waiver wire weekly to start a TE. The emergence of Julius Thomas, Jordan Cameron, and potentially Jordan Reed have made this position deeper. Vernon Davis ranks as #3 this week who I think is a huge hit or miss TE against the Jaguars. The one guy to keep an eye on is Jordan Reed. After a couple good weeks the third week for him is key to knowing if he will be a top 10 TE guy or one of the waste pickups of the week. Berry (ESPN Expert) ranks Tony Gonzalez 2nd which I wouldn't be surprised if it happened. Atlanta is bound to score points against Arizona and Gonzalez is one of their big red zone threats with Julio Jones done for the year and Roddy White out. Sleeper pick of the week is Jeff Cumberland as he has developed good chemistry with Geno Smith. 

Rank	Name	Team	Opp.	Berry	Harris	Karabell	Cockcroft	Avg.
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	Buf	5	1	1	1	2.0
1	Rob Gronkowski	NE	Mia	1	2	2	3	2.0
3	Vernon Davis	SF	@Jac	4	3	5	2	3.5
4	Julius Thomas	DEN	Wsh	3	5	3	4	3.8
5	Tony Gonzalez	ATL	@Ari	2	6	6	5	4.8
6	Jordan Cameron	CLE	@KC	8	4	4	7	5.8
7	Jason Witten	DAL	@Det	6	7	7	8	7.0
8	Jordan Reed	WSH	@Den	7	9	8	6	7.5
9	Heath Miller	PIT	@Oak	9	8	9	10	9.0
10	Charles Clay	MIA	@NE	10	10	10	9	9.8

Ehhh Kickers and Defenses are up next. Who cares right? Not so fast Jack. Kickers and Defenses are usually taken at the end of drafts whereas RB's, QB's, WR's and TE's are taken in the first couple of rounds. Well If you've been an owner of the Kansas City Chiefs Defense they have outscored every single running back except for Jamaal Charles throughout the year. That's like owning a top 5 RB with there production. ESPN ranks them #1 again this week but has New Orleans in at 7. I like New Orleans to blow Buffalo out this week so there D becomes a top 5 play. New England drops on my board simply because of all their injuries. Sleeper Defense and Kicker this week are Cincinnatti Defense and Matt Bryant. 

Rank	Name	Opp.	Berry	Harris	Karabell	Cockcroft	Avg.
1	Kansas City Chiefs	Cle	3	1	1	1	1.5
2	Seattle Seahawks	@StL	1	3	2	2	2.0
3	San Francisco 49ers	@Jac	2	2	4	3	2.8
4	Green Bay Packers	@Min	4	4	3	5	4.0
5	Cincinnati Bengals	NYJ	8	5	5	4	5.5
6	New England Patriots	Mia	5	6	7	6	6.0
7	New Orleans Saints	Buf	6	7	8	7	7.0
8	Pittsburgh Steelers	@Oak	12	9	6	8	8.8
9	Cleveland Browns	@KC	10	8	11	9	9.5
10	Arizona Cardinals	Atl	11	10	13	13	11.8

Rank	Name	Team	Opp.	Berry	Harris	Karabell	Cockcroft	Avg.
1	Matt Prater	DEN	Wsh	1	1	1	2	1.3
2	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	Mia	2	2	2	1	1.8
3	Mason Crosby	GB	@Min	4	4	4	3	3.8
4	Steven Hauschka	SEA	@StL	9	5	3	4	5.3
5	Garrett Hartley	NO	Buf	8	3	7	5	5.8
6	Dan Bailey	DAL	@Det	6	7	5	6	6.0
7	Nick Folk	NYJ	@Cin	5	6	8	13	8.0
8	Matt Bryant	ATL	@Ari	3	13	6	11	8.3
9	David Akers	DET	Dal	12	8	12	10	10.5
10	Alex Henery	PHI	NYG	18	9	9	7	10.8

Below are my rankings for Week 8.

QB Rankings RB Rankings WR Rankings 1. Peyton Manning 1. Marshawn Lynch 1. Dez Bryant 2. Drew Brees 2. Jamaal Charles 2. Calvin Johnson 3. Robert Griffin III 3. LeSean McCoy 3. Jordy Nelson 4. Aaron Rodgers 4. Adrian Peterson 4. A.J. Green 5. Tony Romo 5. Reggie Bush 5. Demaryius Thomas 6. Michael Vick 6. Frank Gore 6. DeSean Jackson 7. Matthew Stafford 7. Knowshon Moreno 7. Victor Cruz 8. Cam Newton 8. Fred Jackson 8. Wes Welker 9. Colin Kaepernick 9. Eddie Lacy 9. Antonio Brown 10. Matt Ryan 10. Alfred Morris 10. Larry Fitzgerald 11. Tom Brady 11. Stevan Ridley 11. Pierre Garcon 12. Eli Manning 12. Darren Sproles 12. Marques Colston 13. Carson Palmer 13. Le'Veon Bell 13. Justin Blackmon 14. Russell Wilson 14. Giovani Bernard 14. Anquan Boldin 15. Ben Roethlisberger 15. DeMarco Murray 15. Harry Douglas 16. Terrell Pryor 16. Lamar Miller 16. Eric Decker 17. Ryan Tannehill 17. Darren McFadden 17. Josh Gordon 18. Andy Dalton 18. Maurice Jones-Drew 18. Terrance Williams 19. Geno Smith 19. Andre Ellington 19. Steve Johnson 20. Alex Smith 20. Pierre Thomas 20. Hakeem Nicks 21. Thaddeus Lewis 21. BenJarvus Green-Ellis 21. Jarrett Boykin 22. Christian Ponder 22. Chris Ivory 22. Danny Amendola 23. Chad Henne 23. Zac Stacy 23. Cecil Shorts 24. Mike Glennon 24. Steven Jackson 24. Brian Hartline 25. Brandon Weeden 25. Jacquizz Rodgers 25. Julian Edelman TE Rankings K Rankings DEF Rankings 1. Jimmy Graham 1. Matt Prater 1. Kansas City 2. Rob Gronkowski 2. Mason Crosby 2. San Francisco  3. Julius Thomas 3. Garrett Hartley 3. Seattle 4. Tony Gonzalez 4. Stephen Gostkowski 4. New Orleans 5. Jason Witten 5. Dan Bailey 5. Green Bay 6. Vernon Davis 6. Steven Hauschka 6. Pittsburgh 7. Jordan Reed 7. Matt Bryant 7. New England 8. Jordan Cameron 8. Nick Folk 8. Cincinnatti 9. Charles Clay 9. David Akers 9. Cleveland 10. Jeff Cumberland 10. Ryan Succop 10. NYJ