Quarterback
MVP: Drew Brees (Saints)
Drew Brees made up for his disappointing fantasy performances in the early stages of the season in a major way in Week 8 by putting an absurd 505 yard, 7 TD performance against the Giants. Not even a pair of ugly INT's including a freak pick 6 stemming from Willie Snead's inability to control a routine pass in the 4th quarter could put a damper on Brees' magical afternoon as he became the 8th quarterback in NFL history to throw 7 TD in a game. While Brees has had his share of struggles this season (this was only his 3rd multi-TD performance in his 7 starts this season) and he faces a surprisingly stout Titans secondary in Week 9, you'd be insane to bench him after a performance like this.
Honorable Mentions: Eli Manning (Giants), Carson Palmer (Cardinals), Tom Brady (Patriots)
LVP: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
Even bonafide fantasy studs lay an egg every once in a while. Aaron Rodgers had the single worst fantasy performance of his entire career against the Broncos suffocating defense in Week 8, picking up just 77 yards through the air and failing to throw a single TD. Rodgers was able to soften the blow from his rough passing day a bit by adding 31 yards on 2 rushes, but that wasn't nearly enough salvage his horrid fantasy performance. Rodgers has another rough matchup in Week 9 as the Packers go up against a Panthers defense that has allowed the 3rd fewest fantasy points to QB's this season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Andy Dalton (Bengals), Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins)
Running Back
MVP: Todd Gurley (Rams)
The 49ers were the latest team to fall victim to the wrath of Todd Gurley (aka the St.Louis Rams offense) as the rookie phenom picked up 146 total yards (133 rushing, 13 receiving) and a TD on 23 touches. Gurley is in the midst of one of the most impressive rookie seasons in NFL history and you should be absolutely giddy if you're lucky enough to have him on your roster.
Honorable Mentions: Charcandrick West (Chiefs), Ronnie Hillman (Broncos), Dion Lewis (Patriots)
LVP: Chris Johnson (Cardinals)
Chris Johnson's unexpected resurgence since joining the Arizona Cardinals has been one of the biggest surprises in all of fantasy football this season. However, Week 8 was not particular kind to the 30-year old running band. His 109 yards on the ground against the Browns league-worst rush defense was completely respectable, but a pair of lost fumbles tarnished his fantasy day. Johnson is entering a really rough patch in his schedule as the Cardinals have to face Seahawks and Bengals after their week 9 Bye, but he should remain a viable RB2 during the push for the fantasy playoffs.
Wide Receiver
MVP: Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants)
Odell Beckham Jr. once again proved why he's the real deal with his week 8 performance. Beckham Jr. burned the Saints secondary for 130 YDS and 3 TD on 8 receptions in Sunday's absurd shootout at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Beckham Jr. hasn't been as consistently lights out as he was during his inhuman rookie campaign a year ago, but he's still a top-flight WR1 who has a very good chance of finishing the year as a top 5 fantasy WR.
Honorable Mentions: Tavon Austin (Rams), Brandin Cooks (Saints), Julio Jones (Falcons)
LVP: Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos)
Peyton Manning played his sharpest game of the year so far in the Broncos beatdown victory over the Packers in Week 8, but Emmanuel Sanders didn't benefit much from Manning's strong outing. Manning frequently looked Demaryius Thomas' way (11 targets, 8 receptions, 168 YDS), which left Sanders to pick up a mere 22 yards on 2 receptions and 5 targets. Sanders has looked excellent in 2015 in spite of Manning's struggles and he should be able to get back on track against the Colts horrendous secondary in week 9.
Dishonorable Mentions: Mike Evans (Buccaneers), T.Y. Hilton (Colts), James Jones (Packers)
Tight End
MVP: Benjamin Watson (Saints)
I doubt even the biggest Benjamin Watson supporters thought that he would become the primary cog in the Saints passing attack after Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills were traded this offseason. Watson was the primary beneficiary of Drew Brees' absurd performance in Week 8, leading the team in both receptions (9) and receiving yards (147) while also pulling in 1 of Brees' 7 TD's on the afternoon. Watson has seemingly emerged as the top target in the Saints spread-the wealth passing attack over the past few weeks and is a rock-solid TE1 option for those aren't fortunate enough to have Rob Gronkowski or Gary Barnidge on their roster.
Honorable Mentions: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Gary Barnidge (Browns)
LVP: Tyler Eifert (Bengals)
Tyler Eifert put the first real clunker of his breakout 2015 campaign, registering just 39 yards on 4 receptions against a Steelers defense that has gotten killed by TE's all season long. Eifert has a good shot of returning to the realm of fantasy glory in Week 9 against the Browns suddenly vulnerable defense.
Dishonorable Mentions: Martellus Bennett (Bears), Jason Witten (Cowboys), Jordan Cameron (Dolphins)
Defense
MVP: Houston Texans
The Texans defense has arisen from their coma. This unit didn't show any of the problems that have plagued them through 2015 as they picked up 7 sacks, an INT, a fumble recovery and allowed just 6 points against the Titans offense in Week 8. This dominant performance must be taken with a grain of salt as The Texans dominated a lowly Titans team that was without their starting quarterback and has next-to-no talent at the skill positions. Until they are able to string together a few impressive performances in a row, the Texans D can not be started with any sort of confidence.
Honorable Mentions: New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals
LVP: New York Jets
You wouldn't know that the Jets had one of the league's best defenses if you watched them played in Week 8. The Jets allowed 34 points and failed to register a takeaway or sack against the surging Raiders offense on Sunday. To be fair, the Raiders have quietly assembled one of the best offensive lines in the league and Derek Carr has done a tremendous job of limiting turnovers this season (3 INT's and 2 lost fumbles in 7 starts), but it's still odd to see a defense that has been so great all year long be so ineffective for an entire game. The Jets should be able to bounce back in Week 9 against a Jaguars squad that is averaging 2 turnovers and 3.7 sacks allowed over their past 3 games.
Dishonorable Mentions: Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers
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