Quarterback
MVP: Derek Carr (Raiders)
The game Derek Carr put together in Tampa Bay this past Sunday simply boggles the mind. Carr put together one of the most brilliant performances of 2016 so far (513 YDS/4 TD/13 rushing YDS) to help his Raiders overcome an NFL-record 23 penalties and pick up an overtime victory over the Buccaneers. Carr has had a phenomenal season thus far (Matt Ryan, Andrew Luck and Drew Brees are the only QB's with more fantasy points), but he'll be a risky start in Week 9 as he faces the stout Broncos D at home.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Tom Brady (Patriots), Blake Bortles (Jaguars)
LVP: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Russell Wilson's recent dry spell was stretched to 3 weeks with yet another underwhelming performance in Week 8. Wilson couldn't get anything going against the Saints horrendous defense, finishing with just 264 total yards (253 passing, 11 rushing) an INT and 0 TD on the day. The knee and pectoral ailments Wilson is playing through at the moment are clearly hurting his production, but his upside is far too high to move on from him right now. Wilson has a decent chance of ending his cold streak in Week 9 as the Seahawks return home to face a Bills pass defense that is unreliable at best.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cam Newton (Panthers), Matthew Stafford (Lions), Carson Wentz (Eagles)
Running Back
MVP: Jordan Howard (Bears)
The small number of people that actually started Jordan Howard last night were handsomely rewarded for their faith. The rookie rusher overcame a brutal matchup against the Vikings 4th-ranked rush defense to put together the best game of his young career to-date, picking up 202 total yards (153 rushing, 49 receiving) and a touchdown on 30 touches as he played a pivotal role in leading the Bears to an upset victory over the NFC North's current top dogs. Howard has cemented himself as the uncontested starting running back for the Bears and he should continue to be a solid fantasy option when he returns from bye in Week 10.
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Stewart (Panthers), Matt Forte (Jets), Theo Riddick (Lions)
LVP: Mark Ingram (Saints)
Mark Ingram decided to get an early start on Halloween by doing his best Casper impression on Sunday afternoon against the Seahawks. The Saints starting running back mustered just 5 yards on 3 carries and was promptly benched by head coach Sean Payton after losing a fumble that led to a defensive score for the Seahawks in the 1st quarter. Ingram has a tantalizing matchup against the 49ers porous run D this week, but the question mark surrounding his role in the offense make him hard to trust.
Dishonorable Mentions: James White (Patriots), Latavius Murray (Raiders), Chris Thompson (Redskins)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Amari Cooper (Raiders)
Amari Cooper was the primary beneficiary of Derek Carr's ridiculous performance in Week 8. Cooper turned his team-high 15 targets into 173 yards and a TD on 12 receptions as Vernon Hargreaves III and the rest of the Buccaneers secondary had no answers for the 2nd-year receiver on Sunday. Like Carr, Cooper has a strong chance of being limited by the Broncos excellent pass defense in Week 9, making him a low-end WR3 at best.
Honorable Mentions: Dez Bryant (Cowboys), Jamison Crowder (Redskins), Allen Hurns (Jaguars)
LVP: Julio Jones (Falcons)
Julio Jones put his 2nd stinker against a weak pass defense of the 2016 season in Week 8. Jones played a strangely small role in the Falcons come-from-behind victory against the Packers, finishing the afternoon with just 29 yards and 3 receptions on 5 targets. Jones has a tremendous shot of returning to his dominant form against the Buccaneers shaky secondary in Week 9.
Dishonorable Mentions: T.Y. Hilton (Colts), DeAndre Hopkins (Texans), Marvin Jones Jr. (Lions)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
I'm running out of ways to describe Rob Gronkowski's recent string of dominance. The Patriots tight end torched the Bills for 109 yards and 5 receptions as his team coasted to yet another easy win. Gronkowski is a cyborg and I don't think any other tight end will ever be able to match his absurd fantasy production.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Eifert (Bengals), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Jordan Reed (Redskins)
LVP: Jimmy Graham (Seahawks)
Jimmy Graham's return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome wasn't the bloodbath his fantasy owners hoped it would be. Graham was held to just 3 reception for 34 yards on a rough day for the Seahawks offense against the Saints notoriously inept defense. Even with Russell Wilson's recent struggles, Graham remains one of the strongest TE1 options out there and should continue to be started in all formats.
Dishonorable Mentions: Greg Olsen (Panthers), Zach Ertz (Eagles), Hunter Henry (Chargers)
Defense
MVP: Denver Broncos
After 2 straight middling performances, the Broncos defense returned to dominant form in Week 8. The Broncos eviscerated the Chargers offense, picking up 4 sacks, 3 INT, a blocked field goal and a touchdown while allowing just 13 points. The Broncos defense isn't quite the powerhouse they were last season, but they're still a reliable fantasy option with an elite ceiling.
Honorable Mentions: Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks
LVP: Minnesota Vikings
Outside of Julio Jones, there wasn't a more unexpected disappointment in Week 8 than the Vikings defense. The Vikings D failed to take advantage of the return of turnover-prone quarterback Jay Cutler and a banged-up offensive line as they mustered just 1 sack and failed to get a takeaway in their shocking 20-10 loss to the lowly Bears on Monday night. The Vikings defense has cooled off considerably in the last few weeks, but given their highly favorable schedule down the stretch, owners should ride out this current rough patch.
Dishonorable Mentions: New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals
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