Drew Brees won fantasy games all by himself in Week 8 with 511 yards passing and 7 touchdowns.

A Baker’s Dozen Worth of Touchdown Passes…

About once a year (if that), we get a game in the NFL that resembles the Saints-Giants slugfest on Sunday. It was the perfect storm of two lousy defenses coming together to make for a record-setting day. No matter what your scoring system, 511 yards and 7 TD passes is going to equal one of the best fantasy days EVER by a player, much less a quarterback. That’s what Drew Brees accomplished. And the other guy? Eli Manning threw for a mere 350 yards and 6 TDs. All in all, that makes thirteen touchdown passes - something we’ll likely never see again. On the receiving end of those touchdowns were Odell Beckham Jr. (3), Brandin Cooks (2), Willie Snead (2), Dwayne Harris (2), and four other players including Ben Watson whose status as a legitimate TE1 is now set in stone. So, what can we make of all of this? Brees has been at his best playing the paltry pass defenses of the NFC East as his best three games came against the Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles. He’s running out of NFC East teams to play at this point, so keep expectations modest moving forward. As for Manning, if we here at the Buzz could predict his production in the weeks to come, we’d be in elite company. Manning is the ultimate bi-polar fantasy QB. He’ll win or lose games for you singlehandedly on a regular basis. Of the two guys, Brees has the easier future schedule in terms of pass defenses opposed.

Those Pitiful Packers

Yes, I know the Broncos defense is one of the best units we’ve seen in a decade, but that is of little consolation to owners of Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, Eddie Lacy or James Jones today. Sunday night was a miserable showing by the whole offense and if you hold a winning record with Rodgers, Lacy, or Cobb on your team, you’re doing that in spite of them and nothing more. Lacy’s TD is the only thing that kept him from being an absentee yet again while Cobb’s futility has now been in full bloom for five weeks. In Week Nine, the Packers will play the Panthers - not exactly the opponent owners are looking to help them break out of their funk. After that, four division opponents await. Whatever the case, Rodgers appears to be missing Jordy Nelson far more than anyone realized as he has been unable to stretch the field at all. In a league with other writers from FFToday, I am going to start Derek Carr over Aaron Rodgers next week and not give it another thought. That’s not a misprint.

Top-Shelf RBs Are Now an Endangered Species

In leagues that require a starting backfield of at least two RBs, the pickings at the No.2 spot are thin. Injuries to Jamaal Charles, Arian Foster, Le’Veon Bell, and Matt Forte, have left the position the thinnest it has ever been in recent memory. There were only EIGHT rushing touchdowns total in the NFL in Week 8 with only one player (Ronnie Hillman) recording more than one. Only five players broke the 100-yard rushing barrier with only Todd Gurley eclipsing the 120-yard mark. In leagues that allow you to start only one RB, again it’s not time for panic. But, if you’ve got two or more RBs of value, don’t trade one away at this point for an upgrade at WR or TE. You can still find productive players at those positions on the waiver wire whereas you never know which domino is going to fall next at RB. Could it be that you can win a title this season with the likes of Charcandrick West and DeAngelo Williams in your backfield? It’s sure looking that way. Both are slated to be top ten RBs from this point forward.

Encouraging Developments in the Mile High City…

On the flip side of what happened to the Packers Sunday night comes a tale of hope for those counting on the Denver Broncos to be productive down the stretch. The much maligned Denver running game got on track and then some with C.J. Anderson (100+ yards, 1 TD) finally looking like the player he was in 2014 and Hillman scoring two rushing TDs. Peyton Manning even completed a long pass or two, mostly to Demaryius Thomas whose 160+ yards were his best output of the season to date. Denver appears to have discovered their identity during their bye week and I think Hillman has to be a surefire starter at RB moving forward with Anderson needing to be in the conversation as a RB2/flex play as well. Emmanuel Sanders was the only quiet Bronco on Sunday, but don’t give up on him yet. Manning may no longer be a viable starting QB in fantasy football, but his supporting cast could still thrive even in the midst of his decline. Hang on to your Broncos. They could come in really handy in November and December.

Carolina Cross-Over

Monday night's weather in Charlotte, North Carolina was lousy for a half. And, the fantasy numbers reflected that sentiment. But, something happened in the second half and overtime. Cam Newton and Andrew Luck had scarcely 100 yards passing combined at halftime and zero touchdowns. By the time the final whistle blew well after midnight, they had combined for 555 yards and 4 TDs. It's why you can't ever give up on a game even when the outcome looks to be decided. You can never rest easy on Monday night until all is said and done. Never. If you are a T.Y. Hilton or Donte Moncrief owner, though, the revival didn't help. Hopefully the other parts of your lineup were more productive.

And Now...The Buzz's Mid-Season Awards!

I told you last week that we were going to recognize some of the good and the bad from the season at this, the halfway point. Some of these recognitions may hold true from Week 9 on, and some may fade. Either way, a wild, intriguing season thus far has yielded this…

Mid-Season MVP: It would be easy to give this award to one of many stellar quarterbacks. Tom Brady has been 2007-esque. Carson Palmer is having the best fantasy season of his career. Philip Rivers was borderline unconscious over the past month. But, the award doesn't go to a quarterback. Instead, it goes to the player who has been head and shoulders above everyone else at his position: Devonta Freeman of the Falcons. In a year of general running back futility, Freeman is on pace for 2,124 total yards and 20 TDs. Could anyone have imagined that two months ago?

Mid-Season LVP (Least Valuable Player): Because I invested in him in many leagues, I am hoping this award won't be as obvious come late December. Eddie Lacy had some competition for this award. Andrew Luck has been anything but valuable every week sans two or three, but Lacy's production has been shocking given his history coming into this season. He was drafted to be the cornerstone of many a team - instead he's been that anchor that keeps your boat from sailing. If Lacy is one of your guys, here's hoping this award is a distant memory two months from now.

Biggest Surprise/Bust at QB: Luck probably should get the biggest bust award here, but we'll opt instead for Peyton Manning. His team may be 7-0, but his lack of yardage and TDs has been eye-opening given all he's accomplished prior to this season. As for the biggest surprise? Rivers, Palmer, and Andy Dalton could all stake their claim. We'll give the nod to Dalton, though. Mostly an afterthought on draft day in August, Dalton has been terrific in such a way that 4,500 yards and nearly 40 TDs will be his final output if he maintains his current pace.

Biggest Surprise/Bust at WR: It's been the Allen and Allen show in Jacksonville with both Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns exceeding expectations. Both have over 500 yards receiving in just seven games and have combined for 11 touchdowns. They join another Allen (Keenan) as the biggest surprises at WR for me while biggest bust goes to Jordan Matthews, who hasn't topped 60 yards since Week 2 and has one touchdown total this season.

Well, that's it for the Buzz for this week. Looking forward next week to seeing who rises from the ashes of a six-team bye week to become the story. And, if you're looking for the next Saints-Giants offensive bonanza, look no further than Raiders-Steelers this weekend. The QBs and WRs could be in line for something special. Until next Tuesday...that's a wrap.