In the final installment of a three part series I am going to take a look at the top five fantasy wide receivers through the first eight weeks of the 2012 season and attempt to help you (and myself) understand what it means. Those of you who have read the previous two articles in this series have a good idea what it is about. 

I will delve further into how these receivers have produced and what competition they have gone up against. More importantly for fantasy owners, I will look at what they have moving forward for the remainder of the season in terms of opponents. 

Brandon Marshall has clearly faced the most difficult competition here. The Chicago Bears have gone up against the likes of the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions, all in the top 10 of the league against the pass. Surprisingly, Marshall was able to accumulate 22 receptions for 338 yards and three touchdowns in those three games. That is damn impressive if you ask me. 

While Reggie Wayne does lead the world in receptions through the first half of the season and has done so playing one less game than some on this list, he has done it against lesser competition. The Indianapolis Colts have gone up against some struggling pass defenses thus far this season. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans all rank in the bottom 10 of the NFL against the pass. 

The best pass defense that Indianapolis has gone up against this season was the New York Jets in Week 6. Unfortunately, Wayne tallied just five receptions and didn't record a touchdown. 

One of the most surprising fantasy receivers thus far this season is Demaryius Thomas with the Denver Broncos. He has quickly built a strong relationship with future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, becoming the latters No. 1 target on the outside. Additionally, Denver faced some difficult pass defenses in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans in the first three games of the season. Thomas recorded 16 receptions for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Though, his best performances have come against lackluster pass defenses in the form of the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints. 

Again, Thomas seems to have the easiest road ahead of himself. The Denver Broncos have games remaining against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens, two teams in the bottom seven of the NFL against the pass. More importantly, Denver doesn't have a single game remaining against a top-tier pass defense. Expect Thomas to continue to provide WR1 production with Manning throwing him the ball. 

Marshall, a former Bronco', has the most difficult remaining schedule thus far. The Chicago Bears must go up against three of the top five pass defenses in the form of the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. Definitely a difficult task for the talented receiver. That being said, you saw above that he has been able to produce against top-tier pass defenses earlier in the season.