Quarterback
MVP: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
Remember when people said Ben Roethlisberger didn't have it anymore? Roethlisberger showed the world that he can still dominate with his video-game like 522-yard/6 touchdown performance against the Colts on Sunday afternoon. What makes Roethlisberger's performance that much more impressive is that it came against a Colts secondary that had only allowed 2 passing touchdowns in their previous 4 games. While its highly unlikely he'll repeat these numbers again, Roethlisberger has another solid matchup against the Ravens in Week 9.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Brady (Patriots), Andrew Luck (Colts), Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
LVP: Cam Newton (Panthers)
Cam Newton wasn't completely horrible on Sunday, its just that his presence in fantasy was pretty much invisible. Newton finished Sunday's home loss against the Seahawks with 171 yards through the air, 22 yards on the ground, 0 touchdowns and an interception. Newton has struggled a bit over the last couple of weeks, but with a soft schedule in the second half of the season and his health back to 100%, look for him to become a top-end QB1 in the coming weeks.
Dishonorable Mentions: Joe Flacco (Ravens), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Tony Romo (Cowboys
Running Back
MVP: Arian Foster (Texans)
Arian Foster is a beast. Foster once again carried the Texans offense with 173 total yards (151 rushing, 22 receiving) and 3 TD's (2 receiving, 1 rushing) in their victory over the Titans on Sunday. If it wasn't obvious already, Foster is a weekly must-start in fantasy.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Forte (Bears), Jammal Charles (Chiefs), Mark Ingram (Saints)
LVP: Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks)
After a strong start to the year, Marshawn Lynch has cooled down substantially over the past few weeks. Lynch had another subpar outing against the Panthers erratic defense on Sunday finishing the game with a mere 62 yards on the ground on 14 carries. Lynch's lack of volume is a bit distressing, but he's far too important to this offense to become a weekly non-factor. Lynch has a potentially huge bounceback game against the Raiders ghastly run D in Week 9.
Dishonorable Mentions: Joique Bell (Lions), Ben Tate (Browns), Shane Vereen (Patriots)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Jeremy Maclin (Eagles)
In a relatively off-day for the Eagles explosive offense, Jeremy Maclin still thrived. Maclin tormented the Cardinals defense with his 12 reception, 187-yard performance on Sunday afternoon. Maclin has looked great all year long coming off the torn ACL that sidelined him for all of 2013, and has nicely filled the top wideout role that DeSean Jackson had in this offense a year ago.
Honorable Mentions: Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos), Antonio Brown (Steelers), Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)
LVP: Jordy Nelson (Packers)
For the first time all season, Jordy Nelson was silenced. Nelson was held to just 25 yards on 3 receptions in the Packers contest with the Saints on Sunday night. Nelson's lack of production is actually shocking given the fact that Aaron Rodgers threw for 418 yards in this game. Nelson faces the banged-up Bears secondary when the Packers return from bye in Week 10.
Dishonorable Mentions: Vincent Jackson (Buccaneers), Julian Edelman (Patriots), Brandon Marshall (Bears)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
Rob Gronkowski was back in kill mode against the Bears on Sunday. Gronkowski took advantage of the Bears injuries at linebacker and safety, and finished the game with 149 yards and 3 TD's on 9 receptions. Gronkowski is 100% and barring one of his trademark late-season injuries, he could challenge Julius Thomas for the title of top fantasy tight end in 2014.
Honorable Mentions: Antonio Gates (Chargers), Heath Miller (Steelers), Martellus Bennett (Bears)
LVP: Greg Olsen (Panthers)
With Cam Newton struggling, Greg Olsen got almost completely shut out on the Sunday against the Seahawks. Olsen ended up with just a single catch for 16 yards in a game that was dominated by strong defensive play. Clunkers like this shouldn't come up too often from now until the end of the season. As Newton's safety belt, Olsen will arguably be the prime beneficiary from the Panthers soft schedule in the latter stage of the season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Julius Thomas (Broncos), Charles Clay (Dolphins), Jared Cook (Rams)
Defense
MVP: Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins defense were the latest team to take advantage of the Jacksonville Jaguars horrendous, turnover-prone offense. The Dolphins picked up 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, a fumble recovery, blocked field goal and 2 touchdowns in their victory on Sunday. The Dolphins have shown a pretty strong pass rush and a decent ability to take the ball away, so they're a solid, unheralded fantasy option for owners looking for a defense.
Honorable Mentions: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns
LVP: Detroit Lions
Week 8 was actually a pretty strong week for defenses as basically every defense that was supposed to put up big numbers ended up delivering. The sole exception to that was the Detroit Lions; who picked up a disappointing 2 sacks and 1 INT against a struggling Falcons offense. The Lions certainly weren't awful, but their output was still disappointing given the matchup and how well they've played this season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles
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