At this point of the season, you know who your studs and reliable players are, and you know to start them every game. So the lineup questions you are asking yourself are probably far more nuanced.Which players can make an impact during bye weeks' What player presents the most upside in my flex spot' Which player has additional value in PPR formats'Those last two questions will be a primary focus below, as we break down my fantasy rankings for Sunday and Monday's games. Philip Rivers has been the No. 8 quarterback in standard-scoring leagues this season, but you probably want to avoid him this week. It's not just enough that Rivers has combined to score only 25 points over the past two weeks; now, he has to face the Denver Broncos defense.The stout Broncos are giving up 11.1 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per week, third-best in the NFL. When they faced Rivers in Week 6, they allowed him to notch just 11 points. And that was in San Diego. In Denver's last three home games, the Broncos held Andrew Luck to nine points, Matt Ryan to 14 and Brock Osweiler to a minuscule four fantasy points. Avoid Rivers.But maybe, just maybe, this is the week Russell Wilson will finally start producing elite numbers. The New Orleans Saints have given up less than 16 points to an opposing quarterback just once this season and are giving up 18.7 points per week to the position (27th in the NFL).The Saints have actually given up more fantasy points in three home games to opposing quarterbacks (66) than they have on the road (46 points in three games). Granted, they've faced Derek Carr, Ryan and Cam Newton at home, but Wilson should have a productive Week 8 in the Big Easy.Christine Michael should absolutely feast this week. The Saints are allowing an NFL-worst 25.2 fantasy points to opposing running backs per week. They have given up 150 rushing yards or more to the position twice this season and two or more touchdowns to running backs four times.Michael, meanwhile, has been inconsistent, but the porous Saints defense should help in that regard.Matt Forte is probably licking his chops as well. The Cleveland Browns just gave up 271 rushing yards and two scores to Cincinnati's running backs last week, while Forte silenced his critics with a 30-carry, 100-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 7.After a long dry spell, it appears Forte's value has reemerged. Perhaps the Jets finally realized leaning on him, rather than Ryan Fitzpatrick's inconsistent arm, is the best recipe for success. RB Flex AdviceTy Montgomery is absolutely worth your flex spot this week.In ESPN leagues, he now has a RB/WR designation, though that's irrelevant if you are flexing him. What is relevant is the fact that Montgomery not only caught 10 passes for 66 yards last week, but he also rushed nine times for 60 yards.Clearly, the Green Bay Packers trust him to handle a heavy dose of touches, which is good news against an Atlanta defense giving up 21.1 points per week to opposing running backs (27th in the NFL). Montgomery's upside isn't huge, but on a week with six teams off, how picky can you afford to be'RB PPR AdviceMontgomery is a fantastic PPR option, seeing as he's caught 20 passes the past two weeks. As usual, New England's James White is another strong option for owners.With LeGarrette Blount running roughshod over defenses, White continues to have fantasy value solely as a receiver out of the backfield. Since the return of Tom Brady, he's averaging 11.3 fantasy points per game.Other players to keep an eye on in PPR formats:Giovanni Bernard: Not only does he have 30 receptions on the season, he also has notched 32 carries the past two weeks. At the moment, he's the more productive player in Cincy's backfield, surpassing Jeremy Hill.Duke Johnson: The Cleveland running back is a mediocre choice in standard leagues, but his 28 receptions and 39 targets are each third on the Browns. He continues to be a nice value play in PPR formats.Theo Riddick: He's Detroit's best running back, period, but he's certainly its most dangerous in the passing game. Expect nice numbers in his return to action. The New York Jets have given up 20 or more fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in six of seven games this season and at least 34 points three times. Terrelle Pryor should have a huge game against New York's surprisingly mediocre secondary.Meanwhile, now might (finally) be the time for DeAndre Hopkins to break out of his season-long slump. The Detroit Lions have given up 24.3 fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season, good for 25th in the NFL. Both Osweiler and Hopkins could be in line for a nice evening, though Hopkins seems like the far safer bet. WR Flex AdviceStefon Diggs went from fantasy darling to bust this season, though issues with his groin played a factor there. Nonetheless, he's been a non-factor since Week 2. That should change against a Chicago defense giving up an NFL-worst 27.3 fantasy points to opposing wideouts per game.At the very least, Diggs is worth flex consideration. He should bust out in a big way this week.Quincy Enunwa is another player to watch against a Cleveland defense that has allowed opposing wideouts to score a total of 68 fantasy points over the past two weeks. Brandon Marshall will be the headliner, butEnunwa should be in line for a very solid showing as well.WR PPR AdviceThere aren't many wide receivers who offer significantly more PPR value than they do standard-league value. The closest we may get, however, is Julian Edelman.This isn't because Edelman has been particularly good in PPR, but rather because he's been a complete bust in standard formats. However, despite his inability to accumulate an impressive amount of yardage or a single touchdown this season, he does have 18 receptions since the return of Brady and 37 receptions on 54 targets in total.Like White, Edelman should be more valuable, generally, with Brady slinging passes. In standard formats, that change in value hasn't manifested. In PPR leagues, however, he's at least a decent option.If you've played waivers right over the past couple of weeks, you probably ended up with Jack Doyle. As long as Dwayne Allen remains sidelined, Doyle is a legitimate TE1 and one of Andrew Luck's most reliable targets in Indianapolis.Keep Doyle in those starting lineups, folks.TE Flex AdviceUnless you are in dire straitsor you have, like, Rob Gronkowski andGreg Olsen on your teamdon't flex a tight end. The position will simply never have the upside that a running back or wide receiver possesses. TE PPR AdviceJordan Reed hasn't been consistent for standard-league owners who drafted him to be a game-changer, but his 6.6 receptions for game make him a major producer in PPR leagues. Assuming he plays on Sunday, he should post huge numbers for PPR owners against the Cincinnati Bengals. Good luck, folks. With a number of teams on bye and a slew of solid fantasy defenses playing really good offenses, this is a brutal week for your D/ST slot. If you have a team like the Minnesota Vikings, you'll be at a serious advantage. As always, stick with consistent, high-scoring kickers. Never get cute at this position.You can follow TimothyRapponTwitter. Allpoints-againstand fantasy stats viaESPN.com.
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