I'm moving on up. After being down around 100, I've worked my way up to 39th overall. It's a process, established eons ago by that plucky little tortoise that somehow beat the hare in a footrace. By Week 16, I'll be right there for the title. But if you some of you ahead of me want to stop for lunch or take a nap, go right ahead.
Details were laid out here , so if you missed that column, check it out, and then come on back here.
The contest is totally free, and it's simple. Each week you pick the best 2 QBs, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 2 TEs and 2 PKs (scoring system: 1 point for 10 run/rec or 20 passing yards, 6 points for run/rec TDs, 4 points for passing TDs, straight NFL points for kickers). You will be playing alongside Fantasy Index writers and subscribers, and there will be weekly prizes for the reader whose team posts the best score. You can register at http://football.myfantasyleague.com/2015/FantasyIndex.
Here's my Week 8 lineup.
Quarterbacks: Tom Brady and Eli Manning. The way Brady is lighting it up each week, he's a no-brainer right now. With Manning, the question is do I want him against the Saints' lousy defense, or do I want Drew Brees against the Giants' lousy pass defense? I'm going with Manning, but maybe I'll include Brees when I neglect to submit my lineup before the Patriots play on Thursday night.
Running Backs: Adrian Peterson and Devonta Freeman. Peterson has burned me a couple of other times, but facing the Bears this week, he'll make up for it. Freeman should be all over the Bucs. Dark horse pick: Jonathan Stewart against the Bucs.
Wide Receivers: Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Odell Beckham Jr. Jones will be huge and I'm still annoyed he didn't get that second touchdown last week. Beckham Jr. is due and back at his old stomping grounds of New Orleans, he'll bring his OBJ A game. Green should be really good against a banged-up Steelers secondary.
Tight ends: Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce. Gronkowski faces the Dolphins, for those who care about trite concepts like "matchups" when it comes to him. Kelce faces the Lions who won't have an answer for him. I might also try Greg Olsen against the Colts.
Kickers: Justin Tucker and Stephen Gostkowski. Home teams who will score plenty of points. Gostkowski has entered Gronk territory: gotta start him in this league.
If this game required defenses, St. Louis and Seattle are my runaway favorites, with Arizona also in the mix.
Good luck to the rest of you.