Fantasy Player Projections

Chicago allows a league best 13.0 points and less than 300 yards of offense per game. We doubt Cam Newton will get much sleep this week thinking about Brian Urlacher, Tim Jennings, Julius Peppers and the rest of the Bears' defense.

The Raiders registered three sacks against the Jaguars in Week 7, and have had back-to-back good fantasy games. The Chiefs host Oakland in Week 8, and Kansas City is coming off a bye week. Consider Oakland a solid fantasy play.

The Niners registered two sacks and an interception against the Seahawks in Week 7, and also held Seattle to just six points. This should be a great fantasy defense once again in Week 8 against Arizona.

The Seahawks rank third in points allowed (15.1), having kept five of seven opponents under 20 points. The sack count is high, but, surprisingly, the team's aggressive secondary has yielded just six interceptions. Matthew Stafford could help add to that number.

Perhaps no defense knows Tony Romo as well as New York's, which did a number on the Dallas quarterback in 2011. The game plan this week starts with the pass rush and ends with a secondary that has notched 12 interceptions.

The Chargers have seven interceptions and 10 sacks through six games this season. They have also scored twice, and they face a Browns offense that is full of rookies, making the Chargers a unit to consider in Week 8.

The Bears stole the headlines Monday, but the Lions' defense played just as well. The secondary is getting better and the run defense has allowed just one score this season.

The Vikings forced two turnovers in Week 7 against Arizona, but the Buccaneers' offense is a little stronger than the Cardinals'. Even so, the Vikings have four 20-plus point performances in their past five games. Keep them active for Week 8.

The Patriots did relatively well against the Jets, recording four sacks, a safety and a defensive touchdown. The Rams aren't a formidable offense, so the Patriots are a good start once again.

While the Cardinals allowed 21 points to the Vikings in Week 7, they got a couple of interceptions and three sacks. Over the past three home games, the Cardinals have three interceptions and 11 sacks. They host the Niners in Week 8, which should prove to be a tough matchup from a fantasy perspective.

Green Bay has overcome the losses of linebackers Desmond Bishop, Nick Perry and D.J. Smith. The unit did fine last week without linemen B.J. Raji and Mike Neal. The loss of Nick Collins has not stung the secondary as most imagined it would, and the pass defense got along without cornerback Sam Shields in Week 7. But losing Charles Woodson? That could be the straw to break this camel's back.

The Titans' nine sacks are almost as bad as the 72.7 completion percentage they've allowed opposing passers. Things aren't likely to improve.

Most credit Atlanta's outstanding offense for the Falcons' undefeated record, but consider the defense. It ranks among the top 10 in points allowed and owns a plus-10 mark in turnover ratio.

In terms of yards, the Steelers have been stingy, and only San Francisco allows fewer. But in terms of points allowed, the Steelers have been middle of the road, surrendering 22.0. Meanwhile, Washington ranks among the top-five in points scored.

The Browns got three sacks and a fumble recovery against the Colts in Week 7, but they'll have a little tougher time against the Chargers in Week 8. They have 10 interceptions and 18 sacks this season.

While the Rams allowed 30 points to the Packers in Week 7, they were able to sack Aaron Rodgers three times. Even so, the Rams were a bad fantasy play, and the Patriots coming to town in Week 8 means more of the same.

The Dolphins have seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 18 sacks in six games so far this season. The Jets have been erratic offensively, making Miami a quality fantasy start in Week 8.

The Jets have been unpredictable this season. After seven games, they have seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries, but only 10 sacks. The Dolphins aren't a great offense, and they travel to play the Jets in Week 8.

The Chiefs have just four interceptions and two fumble recoveries so far this season. At a rate of about one forced turnover per game, this fantasy defense is just not worth using in most cases -- including Week 8 at Oakland.

Carolina ranks 19th against the run, 19th against the pass and 20th in scoring defense. Chicago can pick how to attack; success is guaranteed.

Like every Packers opponent, the Jags will try to capitalize on Green Bay's rag-tag offensive line and Aaron Rodgers' propensity for hanging on to the football too long. In the end, however, they'll get stung a dozen or more times by Rodgers' pinpoint accuracy.

The Colts have so much going for them in this game. They'll be chasing a 37-year-old quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck and will be trying to contain the league's most unstable running back in Chris Johnson. Somehow, though, we're not convinced those things will create a spark for one of the league's worst fantasy defenses.

The Buccaneers torched the Saints through the air for more than 400 yards, which doesn't bode well for the Week 8 matchup against Peyton Manning and Co. The Saints are not worth starting in fantasy right now.

While the Broncos are coming off their best defensive game of the season from a fantasy standpoint, they are hosting one of the top offenses in Week 8 when the Saints come marching in.

Not only are Mike Vick and the offense giving the ball away too much, but the defense has failed to generate turnovers, managing just eight this season. And we're all still waiting for the pass rush to pick up the pace.

The Redskins will have their hands full trying to decide whether to focus on Ben Roethlisberger and the passing game or a rushing attack that has come alive in recent weeks. Either way, it won't be pretty for Washington.

The Giants' offensive line does not have an answer for DeMarcus Ware, but they may not need one. Eli Manning makes quick decisions, suffering a league-low six sacks, and takes care of the football. That's a good counter for the Cowboys defense.

After a big showing against the Chiefs in Week 6, the Buccaneers' defense fell back to earth against the Saints in Week 7. The Bucs will face a pretty good offense on the road in Minnesota, so look elsewhere for fantasy help.