While it might be hard to predict other positions as they relate to fantasy football, we usually have a good understanding of what quarterbacks will sit atop the rankings on a weekly basis.
No such luck in Week 8. By my estimation, there were about five quarterbacks finish within the top 10 that aren’t considered QB1 options.

Meanwhile, the running back position provided few surprises outside of Doug Martin, who dominated scoring this week. Vick Ballard, who scored the overtime touchdown for the Indianapolis Colts, was actually a RB1 performer this week. Outside of that, the normal names of LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte had strong weeks.

Surprisingly enough, Titus Young and Michael Crabtree were the top two fantasy wide receivers in Week 8. As some of you know, I hinted at sitting Crabtree prior to Monday Night Football. That just goes to show you where we stand in terms of projections.

In what will be a weekly feature for the remainder of the 2012 NFL season, I will provide you with the top five performers from each position, taking into account the matchups that they were going up against. Example: Peyton Manning might have had a stellar performance against the New Orleans Saints, but that had to be expected.

What Matthew Stafford did has to be considered surprising. He was going up against one of the best pass defenses in the Seattle Seahawks and led quarterbacks in fantasy points. You just don't see that happen too often, especially when said' defense has three Pro Bowl performers. 

Detroit will now be going up against two lackluster pass defenses in its next three games: Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers. I fully expect Stafford to continue his QB1 play in the next few weeks. You still have to wonder what is going on with Calvin Johnson. Until those two start connecting more, Stafford will not be a top-tier fantasy quarterback. 

Josh Freeman seems to have "reverted" back to 2010 form over the course of the last couple game. He has now thrown for over 1,000 yards with nine touchdowns compared to one interception over the course of Tampa's last three games. In fact, Freeman has the third-most fantasy points among quarterbacks in the last four weeks, right behind Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. 

Tampa Bay will be going up against the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Carolina Panthers in its next three games. All matchups that seem to favor Freeman as a true QB1 option. 

Alex Smith will never really be a true top-tier fantasy quarterback. The primary reason for this is the fact he just doesn't put up the ball enough to be one. Still, what the veteran quarterback did against a top three fantasy defense last night was beyond crazy. He completed 18-of-19 passes for three touchdowns. The only incomplete pass came on a straight Delanie Walker drop. Smith ended up breaking an NFL record for most pass attempts with just a single incompleted pass. 

Smith is now fourth in the NFL in quarterback rating and first overall in completion percentage. That being said, those type of numbers don't suggest he is going to be a QB1 option moving forward. 

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, as always, are top-tier fantasy quarterback options. Just take a gander at Mannings' last four games: 75.3 completion %, 1,289 yards, 12 touchdowns, one interception, 127.9 rating and 96.6 fantasy points. Denver's schedule moving forward also suggests that the future Hall of Fame quarterback will be the top fantasy player at his position for the remainder of the season. 

Don't expect Doug Martin's production to regress at any point for the remainder of the season. He is now the Buccaneers' everydown back, a role that seems to be etched in stone with the appearance of LeGarrette Blount on the trade block. In short, Martin is going to be a top five fantasy running back for the rest of 2012. 

Trent Richardson, yet another rookie in this article, seems to have righted the storm in regards to immaturity and is ready to take the next step. The primary issue that I have with the 2012 first-round pick is the fact that Cleveland will be going up against some stout run defenses in the form of the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers in its next three games. 

Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing through the first half of the 2012 season. Just think about how amazing that is considering that he blew out his knee just 10 months ago. Absolutely no reason to question the future Hall of Fame running back EVER AGAIN!

Think about this for a second: The New England Patriots currently have the fourth most productive fantasy running back in the NFL. While you let that sink in, let me explain why this won't change anytime soon. Stevan Ridley is now New England's unquestioned No. 1 running back, meaning that he will get the necessary touches to be a true RB1 performer for the remainder of the season. More importantly, the Patriots go up against some relatively weak rush defenses in the form of the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets in the three games following their Week 9 bye. 

Michael Crabtree was the No. 1 fantasy receiver this week in my book because he was going up against the No. 3 overall fantasy defense in the NFL and one of the best cover guys in the league in the form of Patrick Peterson. In reality, Crabtree took Peterson out back and beat the snot out of him. That was one impressive performance. Don't expect a repeat performance anytime soon, however. San Francisco will have to take on a couple solid pass defenses in the form of the St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears following its Week 9 bye. 

Titus Young, on the other hand, has taken the place of an injured Nate Burleson and will be a major cog in the Detroit Lions passing game moving forward, especially if Calvin Johnson continues to struggle. In fact, I would indicate that Young is a solid WR2 moving forward.