Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings: D/ST

I gotta tell you, the conviction level feels a little low this week. Anybody who drops by Fantasy FanHouse from time to time knows that rarely will anyone around here ever admit to being wrong and never do we hold back on predictions, but man this week's matchups look like a crapshoot, as nothing jumps out screaming "me, me, me."

Fortunately, the Golden Rule of 2009 D/ST ranking reads as follows: "Unless otherwise instructed in a hallucination, stick with whoever plays the Raiders." The Raiders play on the road this week where they tend to lay down and die, and they face an improving San Diego team that looks to be finally shaking off the rust, so the Chargers get the nod for spot-start of the week. I just read a great stat on JaMarcus Russell -- he ranks 30th or worse in every single major quarterback category. That's about all you need to know.

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For our second spot, the Bears at home should have no problem picking on the Browns, who average a whopping 225 yards and just barely 10 points per game. While the Bears defense has been one of 2009's most disappointing units from a fantasy perspective, anybody can keep the Browns out of the end zone and the Bears need a big homecoming win after two straight tough losses on the road. I predict a beatdown.

Rounding out the top five, No. 3 goes to the red-hot Cardinals who stopped the Giants last week at the Meadowlands after a 2008 full of disastrous East coast trips. The Cardinals now allow a league-low 67.5 rushing yards per game, which bodes well for the duel against Carolina. Minnesota and Green Bay could square off in a monsoon at Lambeau Field as the storms out west make their way across the plains. This favors the Vikings and their tenacious front four. Finally, Indianapolis -- another scorching defense with Bob Sanders back in the lineup -- should put a quick stop to San Francisco's Alex Smith parade.

1. Chargers, SD vs. OAK
2. Bears, CHI vs. CLE
3. Cardinals, ARI vs. CAR
4. Vikings, MIN @ GB
5. Colts, IND vs. SF
6. Giants, NYG @ PHI
7. Packers, GB vs. MIN
8. Lions, DET vs. STL
9. Broncos, DEN @ BAL
10. Jets, NYJ vs. MIA
11. Texans, HOU @ BUF
12. Dolphins, MIA @ NYJ
13. Seahawks, SEA @ DAL
14. Eagles, PHI vs. NYG
15. Rams, STL @ DET
16. Ravens, BAL vs. DEN
17. Bills, BUF vs. HOU
18. Cowboys, DAL vs. SEA
19. Saints, NO vs. ATL
20. Falcons, ATL @ DAL
21. Jaguars, JAX @ TEN
22. 49ers, SF @ IND
23. Panthers, CAR @ ARI
24. Raiders, OAK @ SD
25. Browns, CLE @ CHI
26. Titans, TEN vs. JAX

• For folks who like to roll the dice, have we got a challenge for you. The Rams face the Lions in Detroit. If my calculations are correct, this game should yield about 27 turnovers in total, but calling the right side of this one could be tricky. My gut says go with the Lions for their second win in as many seasons. Set your DVRs for some high comedy.

• The Saints look to have their work cut out for them after struggling to stop the Dolphins' running game, as Michael Turner and company should continue to attack on the ground. New Orleans normally makes a pretty safe weekly play with their league-leading 13 interceptions and five defensive touchdowns, but look for the Falcons to avoid that type of game at all costs.

• Houston at Buffalo provides a nice spot-start for those in need of a bye week fill-in. Buffalo struggles to find their rhythm and a solution to their quarterback dilemma.

• Finally, we still like Denver as much as always, we're just a bit more cautious this week as Baltimore boasts the fifth-best offense in the league both in points (28.2 ppg) and total yardage (393 ypg).