It's Halloween weekend. It's fantasy football. Have you picked out your fantasy football starting costume yet? Are you going trick or treating through the waiver wire? Do this week's match-ups, like the Packers vs. Vikings, scare you?

No matter how you answer those questions, nothing could prepare you for this week's shockingly intense fantasy forecast, brought to you by Rapiddraft.com.

You'll be left numb, glued to your seat wanting more of the terror NFL Halloween weekend will bring you while you cheer for your favorite team in your way-too-small, black-and-silver No. 32 Marcus Allen costume, your bandage dominated Invisible Man suit or even your tri-colored No. 4 jersey (Packers, Jets and Vikings).

One more thing: Don't be scared to sign-up for the RapidDraft Weekly Contest and your chance at winning $50,000. Good luck.

WEEK 8 PLAYER WATCH

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler -- Last week marked the second time this season that the Bears new starting quarterback threw three or more interceptions. In the last two weeks, Cutler has almost a 2-to-1 interception-to-touchdown ratio. The question now is: Will he rebound? Or, is this is the beginning of another Bears quarterback failure? For the record, the Bears opponent this week -- the Cleveland Browns -- rank 31st against the run, but have allowed just as many touchdowns through the air (10) as on the ground.

Arizona running back Chris Wells -- "Beanie" finally showed something Sunday night against the Giants, when he scored the first regular-season touchdown of his career. While head coach Ken Whisenhunt maintains that Wells will not start anytime soon, fantasy owners should be a little excited that the rookie has finally made it on to the fantasy radar. The Cardinals' opponent this week, the Carolina Panthers, are ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (133.2). What's even more interesting is the fact that the Cardinals' defense is ranked first in the NFL in that same category. Clearly, the Cardinals are starting to become more balanced, and Wells will be one of the key components in keeping that balance moving forward.

San Francisco wide receiver Michael Crabtree -- Rumor has it that Crabtree and starting quarterback Alex Smith were working together in their free time during the bye week, and it seemed to have paid off last week against the Texans. Crabtree had a pretty nice NFL and fantasy debut, recording five receptions for 56 yards. He looked surprisingly comfortable running routes. This week, the 49ers travel to Indianapolis to play a Colts team that will score plenty of points, which could mean that Crabtree could see lots of footballs flying in his direction. 


TRICK OR TREAT WAIVER WIRE
Here are a few waiver players that will be highly considered this week, but be careful as some of them may be tricky: 



San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith -- Smith, 25, finally showed what 49ers fans and fantasy owners have been waiting for since 2005. By throwing for three touchdowns, Smith has created yet another quarterback controversy in San Francisco == regardless of what coach Singletary says. However, I still have doubts about the former Ute only because he has had a history of disappointing. If you need a quarterback due to a bye week and had Shaun Hill as your previous back-up, go ahead and pick up Smith this week. If not, don't even bother wasting a roster spot until he shows more. Verdict: Trick.

New York Jets running back Shonn Greene -- Greene broke out big-time against the Raiders last week due to Leon Washington's early exit. With Washington out for the remainder of the season, Greene is bound to see a rise in touches moving forward. The Jets offensive line is built to run the football and Thomas Jones can't do it all himself. Greene is definitely a runner to pick up, especially if you have Thomas Jones on your roster. Verdict: Treat.

New York Jets wide receiver David Clowney -- With several Jets wideouts injured, Clowney was forced to start this past week against the Raiders. He did well, catching four passes for 79 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown from quarterback Mark Sanchez. Keep in mind, however, that once Jerricho Cotchery returns to the lineup, which could be fairly soon, Clowney will return to the bench. Verdict: Trick.

Washington tight end Fred Davis -- The Redskins second-year tight end will be an intriguing player this week. Not only did Davis record eight receptions, 78 yards, and score a touchdown, but it looks as though primary starter Chris Cooley will miss anywhere from four to eight weeks. To top it off, the Redskins are off this week, which makes things even more complicated for fantasy owners. Beyond Week 8, I'm not even sure I would want to take a chance on a tight end who has had minimal fantasy impact, let alone plays on a Redskins offense averaging a 27th-best 13.7 points per game. Verdict: Trick.

Week 8 Fantasy Heroes and Villains -- Chilling Movie Characters Edition
Last week, Optimus Prime and Megatron were into this fantasy world in an unheard of fantasy football comparison. With things Halloween this weekend, it's only appropriate to bring out a few classic movie characters to the fantasy forefront in this week's edition of Fantasy Heroes and Villains.

Heroes
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde) -- The Dolphins learned last week that even when you get to the Saints quarterback and win the short-term battle, it doesn't mean he won't come back and win the war. Brees struggled in the first 40 minutes of the game and turned the ball over four times. In the final 20 minutes, he led the Saints on four scoring drives. This week, he'll lead his Saints at home against a Falcons team that allowed the Cowboys to score 37 last week. Expect just Dr. Jekyll this week. Projection: 310 passing yards, 3 touchdown passes. 

Tennessee running back Chris Johnson (Alex Browning) -- Johnson continues to be no part of the Titans titanic 2009 disaster, and once again will prove he is the chosen one to watch over and carry his team to victory. He will lead the way as the Titans take a step in the right direction of turning a train wreck season in to a respectable one, or so says mine, and I'm sure his, premonition. Projection: 185 total yards, 2 touchdowns. 


Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (Alfred Hitchcock) -- Hitchcock showed up at some point in all of his movies. Driver does the same in game films. This week against the Vikings, he will show up, but unlike Hitchcock it won't be just a brief appearance. He'll benefit a little more this time around on the quick slant routes when the Vikings try to bombard quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Projection: 7 receptions, 134 yards, 1 touchdown.

St. Louis running back Steven Jackson (Chucky) -- Jackson has been beaten and bruised like no other runner as the Rams only feasible offensive weapon. Most assume that he will go down to injury at some point this season, and that he holds little fantasy value because the Rams' offense is hideous. Like Chucky, though, it's hard to count out Jackson. He has rushed for 635 tough yards, but has yet to score a touchdown. Look for both of those to change this week against the Lions. It's breakout time! Projection: 156 total yards, 2 touchdowns.

Villains
Atlanta quarterback Matt Schaub (Michael Myers) -- Schaub has been slicing and dicing through defenses since his horrid Week 1 start. He's averaging 296.5 passing yards per game and is on pace to finish with more than 4,700 to go along with 36 touchdown passes. However, this week Schaub may have to put down the knife. Why? For starters the Texans' opponent -- the Buffalo Bills -- are ranked ninth against the pass and 32nd against the run. More important, in the past two home games the red and blue defense hasn't allowed a single touchdown, and one of those home games happened to be against this week's Dr. Jekyll. Projection: 210 passing yards, 1 touchdown.


Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook (Freddy) -- In the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie series, Freddy makes his killings in people's dreams. In a way, the same can be said about fantasy owners who have had their dreams of a fantasy title killed by Brian Westbrook's lackluster 2009 production. Yes, he has been on and off the field with various injuries, but even when he has been seen on the field he's been less than stellar. For the season, Westbrook has scored two touchdowns and is averaging just 65.4 total yards per start; well short of what he's capable of producing. And with the effects of a concussion lingering, it won't get any easier against the Giants this week. Projection: 50 total yards, 0 touchdowns.

Denver wide receiver Eddie Royal (Hannibal Lecter) -- Royal's 148 season receiving yards (90 in one game), 8.2 yards per catch average, and current touchdown shutout have fantasy owners pondering what to do with their weekly fantasy serial killer. They may want to consider ridding themselves of his damaging presence, as this week Royal will continue his points killing spree against a Ravens defense hungry for a victory at home in a hostile environment. Projection: 3 receptions, 27 yards, 0 touchdowns.

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Posted by MrHuber on Nov. 1, 2009 at 7:21 p.m. (report)

What a game! The suspense in the third and fourth quarters was unbelievable, Brett Favre and the Vikings are for real, and Spencer Havner and Donald Driver are the types of players every NFL team should have.