With the Patriots on their bye week, two of the top receivers in the game are left off these rankings.  That leaves a big void for others to step up to fill, so let’s take a look at who stacks up at the top early on this week:

1. Reggie Wayne – Indianapolis Colts – vs. San Francisco
2. Vincent Jackson – San Diego Chargers – vs. Oakland
3. Marques Colston – New Orleans Saints – vs. Atlanta
4. Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Carolina
5. Mike Sims-Walker – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Tennessee
6. Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions – vs. St. Louis
7. Andre Johnson – Houston Texans – at Buffalo
8. Roddy White – Atlanta Falcons – at New Orleans
9. Donald Driver – Green Bay Packers – vs. Minnesota
10. DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. New York Giants
11. Miles Austin – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Seattle
12. Steve Smith – Carolina Panthers – at Arizona
13. Brandon Marshall – Denver Broncos – at Baltimore
14. Sidney Rice – Minnesota Vikings – at Green Bay
15. T.J. Housmandzadeh – Seattle Seahawks – at Dallas
16. Derrick Mason – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Denver
17. Steve Smith – New York Giants – at Philadelphia
18. Johnny Knox – Chicago Bears – vs. Cleveland
19. Torry Holt – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Tennessee
20. Greg Jennings – Green Bay Packers – vs. Minnesota
21. Nate Burleson – Seattle Seahawks – at Dallas
22. Steve Breaston – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Carolina
23. Braylon Edwards – New York Jets – vs. Miami
24. Mario Manningham – New York Giants – at Philadelphia
25. Devin Hester – Chicago Bears – vs. Cleveland
26. Muhsin Muhammad – Carolina Panthers – at Arizona
27. Anquan Boldin – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Carolina
28. Donnie Avery – St. Louis Rams – at Detroit
29. Nate Washington – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
30. Jeremy Maclin – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. New York Giants
31. Austin Collie – Indianapolis Colts – vs. San Francisco
32. Percy Harvin – Minnesota Vikings – at Green Bay
33. Terrell Owens – Buffalo Bills – vs. Houston
34. Mohamed Massaquoi – Cleveland Browns – at Chicago
35. Eddie Royal – Denver Broncos – at Baltimore
36. Lee Evans – Buffalo Bills – vs. Houston
37. Jerricho Cotchery – New York Jets – vs. Miami
38. Kenny Britt – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
39. Roy Williams – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Seattle
40. Mark Clayton – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Denver

Thoughts:

• Larry Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the game, but he has a tough match-up with one of the best passing defenses in the game.  That knocks him down a few spots on this week’s rankings.
• The Tennessee Titans are a team that has been burned by the pass quite often, giving up a league leading 17 TDs through the air.  That should make for a strong game for Sims-Walker, who has really emerged as a top wide receiver this season.
• Will Calvin Johnson play?  That’s the only question in determining where his value sits.
• Could this be the week that the Panthers Steve Smith finally steps up and make an impact?  The Cardinals are among the worst defenses in stopping the pass, so if there is ever going to be a week for it, this seems to be the one.
• The injury concerns cause Steve Breaston to be ranked above Anquan Boldin early on this week (despite his performance against the Giants on Sunday night).  If that lasts or not is going to depend on if Boldin appears primed to play.
• A week after racking up six receptions for 176 yards, Sidney Rice picked up 11 catches for 136 yards.  There is no question who Brett Favre’s go to guy is and he should continue to put up strong performances, especially with Bernard Berrian hurting (which has caused him to be excluded from the rankings).
• No matter what Jay Cutler and the Bears receivers have accomplished this season, there are still people who just do not buy into their passing game.  Facing off with the weak passing defense of the Arizona Cardinals should allow Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and the rest to put up a strong showing.
• If Avery is healthy, he’s going to be the main target of Marc Bulger and the Rams offense.  That makes him a good play as a WR3.
• Will Jerricho Cotchery be able to play this week?  Even if he does, you have to be slightly concerned regarding what he’s going to be able to give to you.  He’s still usable as a WR3, depending on your other options, but he clearly is a risky option.  Keep up with the news on him as the week continues.
• Terrell Owens?  Maybe?  Possibly?  Sooner it’s going to happen, so why not against the Texans, a middle of the road passing defense?
• The Titans are a team that appears to not have one go to receiver, with Nate Washington, Kenny Britt and Justin Gage all getting looks.  Washington, however, has scored three TDs, giving him the edge in these rankings over the other two.  The truth, however, is that any of the three could emerge in any given week, but taking on the Jaguars they all have potential upside.

What are your thoughts?  Who was left off the list?  Who should be higher?  Who should be lower?

Other Week 8 Rankings:

• Quarterbacks (Updated October 30)
• Running Backs (Updated October 29)
• Wide Receivers (Updated October 30)
• Tight Ends
• Kickers
• Defenses

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