Quarterback
MVP: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
In the year's most explosive quarterback showdown to-date, Russell Wilson came out on top. The Seahawks QB torched the Texans defense for 482 total yards (452 passing, 30 rushing) and 4 TD's through the air in a 41-38 shootout on Sunday afternoon. With the absence of a reliable running game, Wilson has put this offense on his back and with a pretty favorable schedule on the horizon, he should remain a top-tier QB1 throughout the 2nd half of the season.
Honorable Mentions: Deshaun Watson (Texans), Andy Dalton (Bengals), Josh McCown (Jets)
LVP: Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
Dak Prescott played the type of boring, mistake-free game (159 total YDS, 0 TD's or takeaways) against the Redskins that is completely acceptable in real life, but underwhelms in the fantasy game. With Ezekiel Elliott's suspension potentially going into effect this week, Prescott will be in a position to make more plays in the passing game, which could rise his fantasy stock.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers), Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Phillip Rivers (Chargers)
Running Back
MVP: Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
For a 2nd consecutive week, Ezekiel Elliott dominated the fantasy leaderboards at the running back position. After a fumble on his 1st carry of the game, Elliott went onto be the catalyst for the Cowboys offense with 150 YDS and a TD on 33 carries. Elliott has been excellent once again this season and if his 6-game suspension finally sticks this time around, it will be a devastating loss for all of his fantasy owners.
Honorable Mentions: LeSean McCoy (Bills), Jerick McKinnon (Vikings), Melvin Gordon (Chargers)
LVP: Jay Ajayi (Dolphins)
Jay Ajayi's underwhelming 2017 season continued with a monumental dud in Week 8. Like the rest of his teammates not named Kenny Stills, Ajayi had a horrific outing against the Ravens last Thursday, managing just 23 rushing YDS on 13 carries against the Ravens bottom-ranked rush defense. Ajayi will look to turn his season around as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles following a stunning trade from the Dolphins, but faces an incredibly difficult test as the Broncos #1 run defense comes into Lincoln Financial Field to face the Bird Gang in Week 9.
Dishonorable Mentions: Devonta Freeman (Falcons), Ameer Abdullah (Lions), Christian McCaffery (Panthers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)
The Seahawks might've won the game, but DeAndre Hopkins put together the most impressive fantasy line of any receiver in Sunday's ridiculous shootout in Seattle. Hopkins turned his team-high 8 receptions against the artists formerly known as the Legion of Boom into 224 YDS and 1 TD. The play of Deshaun Watson has revitalized Hopkins after a disappointing 2016 campaign and as long as Watson continues to play at a high level, he will be a legit WR1.
Honorable Mentions: JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers), Will Fuller V (Texans), Paul Richardson (Seahawks)
LVP: Devin Funchess (Panthers)
On a week where most of the top wideouts put up at least subpar numbers, Devin Funchess ended up being among the few starting-caliber WR's that laid an egg. Funchess only managed to secure 2 receptions for 11 yards against a Buccaneers secondary that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to receivers this season. Funchess, who has been a very pleasant surprise this season, will look to redeem himself against the Falcons mediocre secondary in Week 9.
Dishonorable Mentions: Brandin Cooks (Patriots), Nelson Agholor (Eagles), T.Y Hilton (Colts)
Tight End
MVP: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
Travis Kelce's importance to the Chiefs offense was on full display this week. Kelce's excellent performance (7 REC/133 YDS/1 TD) kept this unit afloat on a night where Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt struggled, and helped them secure an impressive 29-19 win over the rapidly-collapsing Broncos. Kansas City's star tight end will look to get in the endzone for a 3rd straight week against a surprisingly stout Cowboys defense that has allowed the 4th least fantasy points to TE's this season.
Honorable Mentions: Jack Doyle (Colts), Jimmy Graham (Seahawks), Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
LVP: Hunter Henry (Chargers)
Hunter Henry became the latest tight end to underachieve against the Patriots porous pass defense. Despite reeling in both of his targets, Henry only managed to pick up a mere 11 YDS on an afternoon where the Chargers were inexplicably reluctant to throw the ball. Henry won't be worth starting in a Week 10 tilt versus the Jaguars elite secondary.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jason Witten (Cowboys), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Jets), Tyler Kroft (Bengals)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Baltimore Ravens
The contingent of Dolphins fans that wanted Matt Moore to start over Jay Cutler are likely backtracking following the abundance of offensive atrocities that occurred under his watch. This Ravens defense spent 4 quarters demoralizing the career backup, dumping him for 3 sacks and returning a pair of INT's for TD's in a 40-0 loss last Thursday night. Dean Pees' troops should expect much tougher sledding against a Titans offense that has only surrendered 3 sacks and turned the ball over 1 time in their past 2 games.
Honorable Mentions: Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers
LVP: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were a popular streaming pick this week with the likes of the Jaguars, Rams and Packers on bye. Of course, Miami turned around and royally screwed all of the unlucky SOB's that were forced to put their trust in them. A pair of 2nd-half pick 6's by the Ravens and a blocked field goal were the only things that prevented this sorry-ass performance (0 sacks, 0 takeaways) from being a Hall-of-Fame-caliber fantasy disaster. Despite their solid pass-rush and generally decent output prior to Week 8, the Dolphins aren't worth rostering as a full-time starting defense.
Dishonorable Mentions: Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions
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