Weekly rankings: A good RB remains hard to find

Apologies to everybody for not having Peyton Hillis ranked higher than Adrian Peterson this week. How could we not see that coming? Actually, was Hillis even on the New York Giants roster when we published the "too soon" rankings last Tuesday?

If you're still talking to us after last week, thank you. Here's a first look at the rankings for Week 8. Of course, be sure to check back during the week because I change my mind a lot.

Quarterbacks

1. Peyton Manning
   2. Drew Brees
   3. Aaron Rodgers
   4. Robert Griffin III
   5. Tony Romo
   6. Matthew Stafford
   7. Cam Newton
   8. Tom Brady
   9. Matt Ryan
   10. Colin Kaepernick
   11. Russell Wilson
   12. Terrelle Pryor
   13. Michael Vick
   14. Andy Dalton
   15. Ryan Tannehill
   16. Eli Manning
   17. Ben Roethlisberger
   18. Josh Freeman
   19. Carson Palmer
   20. Alex Smith
   21. Geno Smith
   22. Mike Glennon
   23. Brandon Weeden
   24. Thad Lewis

• Let's not let another big-game loss for Peyton Manning override the fact that he had another stellar fantasy performance.

• Tom Brady has 13 total touchdowns in his last six home games against the Dolphins. He hasn't thrown an interception in his last three home games against the Dolphins.

• RGIII has 155 rushing yards in his last two games. Remember, it took some time for Adrian Peterson to get back last year, too. All of you waiting for him to truly find himself, well, he's done it.

• Cam Newton has 10 total touchdowns in four career meetings against the Buccaneers.

• Eli Manning has at least two touchdown passes in three consecutive road games against the Eagles.

Running backs

1. Jamaal Charles
   2. LeSean McCoy
   3. Knowshon Moreno
   4. Adrian Peterson
   5. Marshawn Lynch
   6. Eddie Lacy
   7. Reggie Bush
   8. Le'Veon Bell
   9. Fred Jackson
   10. Alfred Morris
   11. Frank Gore
   12. Darren McFadden
   13. Giovani Bernard
   14. Stevan Ridley
   15. Jacquizz Rodgers
   16. Maurice Jones-Drew
   17. Zac Stacy
   18. Rashard Mendenhall
   19. Darren Sproles
   20. DeAngelo Williams
   21. Joseph Randle
   22. Lamar Miller
   23. Chris Ivory
   24. Pierre Thomas
   25. Mike James
   26. C.J. Spiller
   27. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
   28. Roy Helu
   29. Montee Ball
   30. Brandon Jacobs

• Hard to find a more reliable running back than Jamaal Charles.

• The Giants have done a good job against LeSean McCoy, as they've held him to one touchdown in his last four meetings. But this Giants team is special. And not in a good way.

• We are upset with C.J. Spiller, but Lamar Miller has inched closer to the abyss of fantasy football.

• DeAngelo Williams could fall in the rankings if Jonathan Stewart ends up playing this week.

Wide receivers

1. Calvin Johnson
   2. Dez Bryant
   3. A.J. Green
   4. Jordy Nelson
   5. Eric Decker
   6. Victor Cruz
   7. Demaryius Thomas
   8. DeSean Jackson
   9. Wes Welker
   10. Larry Fitzgerald
   11. Vincent Jackson
   12. Justin Blackmon
   13. Percy Harvin
   14. Pierre Garcon
   15. Antonio Brown
   16. Josh Gordon
   17. Harry Douglas
   18. Terrance Williams
   19. Jarrett Boykin
   20. Steve Smith
   21. Cecil Shorts
   22. Marques Colston
   23. Hakeem Nicks
   24. Brandon LaFell
   25. Anquan Boldin
   26. Greg Jennings
   27. Mike Wallace
   28. Michael Floyd
   29. Kenny Stills
   30. Emmanuel Sanders

• The Vikings have locked up Jordy Nelson in nine career meetings, but he breaks free against them this week.

• DeSean Jackson has recorded at least 85 receiving yards in three consecutive games against the Giants. And he's had a touchdown in back-to-back games against New York.

• Victor Cruz has had at least 100 receiving yards in two career road meetings with the Eagles.

• Larry Fitzgerald is one of the most targeted receivers in the league. A good matchup makes him a great play this week.

Tight end

1. Jimmy Graham
   2. Vernon Davis
   3. Rob Gronkowski
   4. Jordan Cameron
   5. Julius Thomas
   6. Jason Witten
   7. Tony Gonzalez
   8. Kyle Rudolph
   9. Tyler Eifert
   10. Greg Olsen
   11. Jordan Reed
   12. Heath Miller
   13. Charles Clay
   14. Jeff Cumberland
   15. Jermaine Gresham
   16. Brent Celek
   17. Timothy Wright
   18. Brandon Pettigrew
   19. Scott Chandler
   20. Zach Miller

• Welcome back to the league, Rob Gronkowski.

• This matchup against the Jaguars just screams of a huge game for Vernon Davis.

Kickers

1. Sebastian Janikowski
   2. Stephen Gostkowski
   3. Matt Prater
   4. Dan Bailey
   5. Steven Hauschka
   6. Alex Henery
   7. Mason Crosby
   8. Blair Walsh
   9. Garrett Hartley
   10. Kai Forbath
   11. David Akers
   12. Phil Dawson
   13. Matt Bryant
   14. Nick Folk
   15. Jay Feely
   16. Caleb Sturgis
   17. Ryan Succop
   18. Dan Carpenter
   19. Mike Nugent
   20. Josh Scobee

• It's going to take me about half a day to add Seabass to all of my fantasy teams this week. I hate the Raiders' bye week.

Defense

1. San Francisco 49ers
   2. Kansas City Chiefs
   3. Cincinnati Bengals
   4. Seattle Seahawks
   5. Green Bay Packers
   6. Carolina Panthers
   7. New Orleans Saints
   8. Pittsburgh Steelers
   9. Atlanta Falcons
   10. Denver Broncos
   11. Philadelphia Eagles
   12. Cleveland Browns
   13. Arizona Cardinals
   14. New York Jets
   15. Miami Dolphins
   16. New England Patriots
   17. New York Giants
   18. St. Louis Rams
   19. Oakland Raiders
   20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• A lot of people added the Carolina Panthers last week. The most available team for you this week will be the New Orleans Saints defense.

Did you know that Adam Rank won last year's Expert's League title? Oh that's right, it's like the only thing he ever talks about. Well congratulations, Rank. You finally did something. What have you done for us lately? Let's worry about 2013 and stop living in the past. Typical Lakers fan, am I right? Oh, if you found this useful (as if) check him out on the latest "Dave Dameshek Football Program". And follow him on Twitter, please. He's taking us to lunch if he gets 17 more Twitter followers today. And we only got 15 the last time, so step up fantasy enthusiasts!