Week Eight in Review

Ballers of the Week

Brian Westbrook

, RB

Philadelphia Eagles

After missing a few games with rib and ankle injuries, Westbrook returned in a big way in week eight. He had a career high 167 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns. He also had six catches for 42 yards. This was the dominating Brian Westbrook that owners thought they were getting when drafting him in the first round. If he can stay healthy the rest of the season, he should put up great numbers the rest of the way.

Drew Brees

, QB

New Orleans Saints

Brees has been the best fantasy QB all season and that trend continued in week eight as he threw for 339 yards and three TDs against the Chargers. The completion percentage and yards continue to rise for him and is almost single-handedly keeping the Saints afloat while Reggie Bush is sidelined with a knee injury.

Santana Moss

, WR Washington Redskins

Santana has had a somewhat inconsistent season in 2008, but wow was he awesome on Sunday! Moss caught nine passes for 140 yards and found the endzone once. He also put together one of the best plays of the season when he returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown. It has been either all or nothing with Moss this season, but owners must start him every week because at any time he’s capable of going off, like he did in week eight.

Busts of the Week

Ben Roethlisberger,

QB Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Ben had one of the worst starts of his career, throwing four INTs against the Giants. He finished the night 13-29 for 189 yards and did have a touchdown pass, but overall his performance really killed fantasy owners. He was sacked five times and constantly pressured, so he could never find a rhythm.

Jonathan Stewart

, RB

Carolina Panthers

Stewart, who has been quite a surprise this season, didn’t do much in week eight. He received just eight carries and totaled 10 yards. Meanwhile, DeAngelo Williams had 17 carries for 108 yards and a TD. It looks as if Williams could be the feature back for the Panthers for the rest of the year. Owners will want to monitor this situation closely.

Edgerrin James

, RB

Arizona Cardinals

James had another dismal fantasy outing on Sunday, rushing for just 17 yards on seven carries. He also lost a fumble against the Panthers and is publicly unhappy with his role in

Arizona. Edge is not the fantasy player he once was and should be benched until he starts getting more carries, although that doesn’t look very realistic.

Waiver Wire

Donnie Avery

, WR St. Louis Rams

Avery continued to get targets in the less-than-impressive

St. Louis offense as he hauled in six passes for 163 yards and one score. He has been the primary receiver for QB Marc Bulger over the past three weeks and found paydirt for the second straight week. Grab this guy if you can because he is on the verge of breaking out in the NFL.

Shocker Special

Ted Ginn, Jr.

, WR Miami Dolphins

Ginn finally showed off his true NFL potential on Sunday in a huge way as he tallied 175 receiving yards on seven receptions for the Dolphins. He made a few spectacular catches against the Bills and showed off his yards-after-the-catch skills in busting off a few big runs. Although he failed to score a touchdown, Ginn is becoming a focal point in the offense and should continue to mature and put up decent numbers this season.

Keep on your Fantasy Radar

Ryan Torain

, RB

Denver Broncos

This rookie RB could be the next big thing in

Denver. Although he is yet to play this season, Torain has all the skills to be a solid fantasy RB down the stretch. Head Coach Mike Shanahan raves about his young back and if you have an open roster spot, it would be wise to stash him there and reap the benefits in a few weeks when he gets a chance to start for the Broncos.

Must Start of Week Nine

David Garrard

, QB Jacksonville Jaguars

Garrard has thrown for over 275 yards in each of his last two games with three touchdown passes and one INT. So what does he win? A chance to play the Cincinnati Bengals in week nine! Garrard has also been running more lately and should do just fine next week against a terrible team. It should be a no-brainer for owners to start him in week nine.

Please Bench of Week Nine

Ryan Grant

, RB

Green Bay Packers

I am kind of torn on this decision, but between injuries and a tough stretch of opponents Grant has simply not gotten it done so far this season. Although he did rush for 105 yards and a touchdown in week seven against the Colts, Grant has to go up against arguably the best run defense in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans in week nine. Bench him if you have another option.