Week 8 did not give us too many Beastly performances, but player values continue to fluctuate and new prospects emerge. We are almost half way through the season and that means it's time to get ready for your fantasy playoff push. Take a look at your roster and identify any areas where you can improve, even if it's just a slight upgrade. On the flipside, if you are rebuilding, it's time to start selling off any aging pieces that could help a playoff team make a push. It's important to think long term in any Dynasty transaction.

Philip Rivers is not right. Injury speculation is rampant and Rivers is a fierce competitor, but he needs to get back on track soon. He was drafted as a surefire QB1 and a Top 3 option in Dynasty leagues, but his stock is clearly dropping at the moment.

Eli Manning stayed hot, completing 31 passes for 349 yards and 2 TD's. More importantly, no turnovers. He has enough weapons around him to remain a borderline QB1, high end QB2 option. Dynasty value is steady. Hakeem Nicks continues to impress with big plays and also be bothered by nagging injuries. He's a Beast nonetheless. The emerging Victor Cruz clearly has Manning's confidence and his Dynasty arrow is pointing up. Mario Manningham is more talented than Cruz, but prone to mistakes and drops at times. Still, he has a WR2 ceiling. Jake Ballard, a rookie out of Ohio State, is a huge target that Eli clearly trusts in tough spots. He is the new Kevin Boss.

Christian Ponder did just enough on offense to fend off Beastly rookie Cam Newton and his 3 TD's. More about these two impressive rookies in our new Freshman 15: Midterms article.

Ben Roethlisberger continues to torch opposing defenses after a shaky start to the season. He's safe to roll with as your QB1 for the rest of the season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick got a new contract this week, but managed to stay motivated enough to throw 2 TD's with 262 yards. He has a solid 14/7 TD ratio on the season and remains a solid QB2. His Dynasty stock is also on the way up after the Bills committed to him. A 2nd half swoon is the only thing between him and a Top 20 Dynasty ranking.

A week after capturing the nation with his comeback win, Tim Tebow struggled. Badly. He is still very much a raw prospect and Sunday proved just that. As long as he has the starting job though, he'll keep putting up fantasy points. 

Fred Jackson continues to crush it. He's 30 years old, so he's a definite sell if you are rebuilding but there is no question he's an RB1 right now.

Chris Johnson is averaging 2.8 yards per carry this season and it's not all because of the holdout. He simply does not look like the same explosive player he was in 2008 and 2009. Behind a shoddy offensive line and with a struggling offense, CJ1K would be lucky to get back on the Beastly track this season. It can't get much worse, though, can it? Javon Ringer might start stealing touches, as he's been far more effective.

Reggie Bush has just two 100 yard rushing games, both against the New York Giants. He looked like the USC version of Reggie Bush on Sunday, breaking off multiple runs of 10+ yards. He's still be underutilized in the passing game. If the Dolphins would use him similar to the way Percy Harvin is rolled out in Minnesota, he could be intriguing. As it is currently, he's a FLEX option at best, especially when Daniel Thomas comes back.

Montario Hardesty was doing a respectable job filling in for the injured Peyton Hillis, until he got hurt again. He should only miss a few weeks, but it's a reminder that Hardesty is a talented but injury-prone back. Chris Ogbonnaya, a former Texans practice teamer, will step in and see an increased workload. He's not much more than an average talent, but he catches the ball well out of the backfield and lesser players have been more productive in the past.

LeSean McCoy is a Beast, rolling over the Cowboys top ranked run defense to the tune of 185 yards and 2 TD's. Given his age and upside potential, he is making a case for being the number one ranked Dynasty RB.

AJ Green is playing as a true WR1. There are not many other receivers in the NFL that would be more sought after in Dynasty leagues.

Fellow rookie Jon Baldwin looked like a potential monster on Monday night. He caught an impressive 39 yard pass for a TD in the 1st quarter, and ended the night with 5 catches for 82 yards. At 6'4" and 230 lbs. with above average speed, Baldwin is a weapon that will only continue to improve as he works his way into the Chiefs gameplan.

In the three just about full games this season with Tavaris Jackson under center, Sidney Rice has put up 18 catches, 290 yards and a TD. His QB situation is far from ideal, but he has the difference making talent to put up solid numbers from here on out. Consider him a WR3 this season, with potential for even more in 2012.

Heath Miller has experienced a production surge in recent weeks. He's more of a low-end TE1 option and lacks much upside, but you could do worse at the position.

Scott Chandler snagged two TD's on Sunday, giving him 6 on the year. 40% of his catches have gone for scores. He has questionable long term value, but right now he's a TE2.