If any of you listened to me last week spouting off and praising the projections of new Dallas quarterback Jon Kitna and actually started him - you're welcome.
He was the top-rated QB in Week 8 with 379 yards and a touchdown. The four interceptions - three on tipped balls- was a bit much but we can live with it. I started Kitna in two leagues and won both games.
It baffles me how so many NFL and fantasy football "experts" were so hesitant to offer Kitna up as a solid play. To me it was a no brainer - an experienced QB champing at the bit get a start with all the offensive weapons a QB could ask for in Dallas.
Other top QB plays were Kyle Orton (Denver) 369 yards, 1 touchdown; Jason Campbell (Oakland) 310 yards, 2 touchdowns; Drew Brees (New Orleans) 305 yards, 2 touchdowns; and Philip Rivers (San Diego) 305 yards, 2 touchdowns.

It was only a matter of time before speedy and shifty running back Jamaal Charles of Kansas City found the right matchup fora solid day. He didn't score a TD but he did rush for 177 yards and had four receptions for 61 receiving yards. One of the hot running back waiver picks of the week will be LaGarrette Blount of Tampa Bay. All he did was rush or 120 yards and score two touchdowns.
Other top running back performances were Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville) 135 yards; Frank Gore (San Francisco) 118 yards, 1 touchdown; and BenJarvus Green-Ellis (New England) 112 yards, 2touchdowns.

Denver's Brandon Lloyd continues to be the hottest receiver in the league with seven receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown. Thanks to starter Kenny Brit being injured, Tennessee receiver Nate Washington came up with a big day with four receptions, 117 yards and a touchdown. Other top receivers were Mike Sims-Walker (Jacksonville) 8 receptions, 153 yards, 1 touchdown; Steve Breaston (Arizona) 8 receptions, 147 yards; and Miles Austin (Dallas) 7 receptions, 117 yards.

Like Kitna, if you read how much I constantly told readers that new starting Dallas tight end Jacob Tamme was going to step in and make an immediate impact and then actually played him- you're welcome. All Tamme did was have six receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown for 18 points in most point-per-recepton leagues.
Other top tight ends were Antonio Gates (San Diego) 5 receptions, 123 yards, 1 touchdown; Jason Witten (Dallas ) 10 receptions, 97 yards, 1 touchdown; Delanie Walker (San Francisco) 5 receptions, 85 yards; and Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville) 2 receptions, 51 yards, 2 touchdowns.

When it comes to the fantasy football studs to start in Week 8, the first thing to do is look at the matchups and no matchup looks more inviting than Kansas City hosting Buffalo.
Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel, receiver Dwayne Bowe, backs Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki all have double-digit point potential.
Another team with a decent matchup is Dallas hosting Jacksonville and a Jaguars defense that has allowed the most points (209) in the NFL this season.
No QB Tony Romo? No problem. Cowboys backup QB Jon Kitna should have a field day with the Jags' secondary. Also play receivers Miles Austin, Roy Williams and Dez Bryant and back Felix Jones with confidence.
Coming off the bye, I would also play Jets players like QB Mark Sanchez, receiver Santonio Holmes and backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene. NOTE: Be aware that Jets receiver Braylon Edwards is expected to lose a good deal of targets to Holmes starting this week.

The duds to sit this week based on tough matchups are New Orleans tight end Jeremy Shockey and back Chris Ivory. They have to face the red hot Pittsburgh Steelers defense.
I would also be hesitant to start players in the Tennessee-San Diego game with the tough defesnes on both teams.
Other guys to avoid would be back Knowshon Moreno (still banged up but playing), receiver Louis Murphy (still a bit banged up and has the struggling Jason Campbell throwing to him now), and Minnesota QB Brett Favre (expect him to start but struggle with his gimpy ankle).
I predict Favre plays a quarter or two and then Tavaris Jackson finishes up.

Good luck this week!

The injuries keep lingering and piling up in the NFL.

One of the biggest injuries is to Dallas quarterback Tony Romo who is out at least 6-8 weeks with an injured collarbone. Some scoff at whether aging/veteran backup Jon Kitna can fill in for him.
I believe Kitna will be the spark the Cowboys need. This could very well be Kitna's last hurrah in his career and he will likely make the most of it. He has the offensive weapons, the talent and the experience to have success.

Indianapolis receiver Austin Collie had surgery on his right thumb and is expected to miss at least a game, most likely more. Joseph Addai is also hurting and will likely be out in Week 8. Receiver Anthony Gonzalez should pick up the slack for Collie and former UConn standout Donald Brown should be the starter until Addai returns.

Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has been missing practice this week with a foot injury. Keep an eye on his situation. If he doesn't practice Thursday and Friday he will likely sit out this week. He rushed for about 1,100 yards last season but has been held to only 367 yards on 87 carries in six games this season.

Another player to monitor is Denver back Knowshon Moreno who has tweaked his right hamstring. His practice status is iffy for Thursday and Friday.