Week 8 of the NFL season is where the pretenders and contender start to get separated, including at the quarterback position where several players are expected to compete for fantasy football owners' attention, including a stone-cold focused Baker Mayfield, fresh off of an injury return. The Titans' Cam Ward is one of them, as the former number one overall draft pick has played better lately but faces a game against the Bengals without his best target.

Mayfield and Ward are two players most fantasy owners should be able to add to their teams prior to Sunday morning, when the rest of the games are scheduled to get underway after Green Bay's big Thursday night football win over the Carolina Panthers.

With time ticking away, it's time to focus on Mayfield, Ward, and other last-minute fantasy football streaming options worth taking note of heading into Week 8. Mayfield leads the way for a Tampa Bay team that still harbors division title aspirations, while other possibilities can be found further down the list.

Option #1: Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers

Mayfield is back and ready to roll after Jalon Daniels filled in for him and did better than expected as an undrafted rookie. Mayfield had a chance to sit and watch and will be better for his experience after several strong seasons in recent years that ended close to championship level but with no proverbial cigar.

Mayfield has a home game on tap against Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons and has a great chance to put up big numbers. The Falcons' defense played better last week against the San Francisco 49ers than most observers expected, seemingly emboldened by the challenge, but many of the 49ers' mistakes were the result of injured or missing personnel against Jessie Bates III and the Falcons.

The Falcons will put up another valiant fight against the Buccaneers this weekend in Tampa Bay, but Mayfield and coach Todd Bowles' team will be ready to counter-punch as necessary. Mayfield has been downgraded because of his unimpressive (statistically speaking) 64-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Carolina Panthers on October 25, but those stats came during a game when Bucky Irving racked up over 100 yards and two touchdowns, and the Bucs' defense forced four turnovers from Bryce Young and the Panthers.

Mayfield has enough weapons in Irving, Cade Otton, Kenneth Gainwell, Tez Johnson, Chris Godwin Jr. and others, and he knows how to use them in an efficient way behind a solid defense.

Mayfield can also call his own number and score rushing touchdowns, which makes him the safest bet among QB waiver wire pickups for Week 8 in the NFL.

Option #2: Cam Ward, Titans

Ward helped put the Titans in position to score often against the Browns in a 27-24 loss that included three Tony Pollard rushing touchdowns that wouldn't have happened if not for his command of the offense and smart passing.

He did throw an interception, which makes him a risk heading into Week 8 against the Bengals in Cincinnati. The Bengals' star receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been ailing with ankle soreness, but Ward will still likely have to throw a lot to keep up with the Bengals.

Ward is a talented player who's had a hard time living up to the standards of being a top overall pick, but he could play more loose, and with more to prove, against the fellow top draft pick from days gone by, Joe Burrow.

If Ward can rally receivers Wan'Dale Robinson, Eric Ayomanor, and tight end Gunnar Helm ahead of Week 8, he could put up solid fantasy football numbers. It all comes down to Ward maximizing his opportunities, and feeding off of the running game by making solid throws in the red zone, although he is a risky option.

Option #3: Geno Smith, Raiders

Smith has worked to hash out his differences with the Jets' receivers in recent weeks and has a rising star in Omar Cooper Jr. to throw the football to this week against the Raiders.

Kirk Cousins will get the start at quarterback for Las Vegas which will motivate the veteran Smith to prove he still belongs and is better than his AFC peer.

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The Jets also have gotten strong play from Braelon Allen at the running back position lately which should put their offense in position to score against Las Vegas.

Option #4: Jacoby Brissett

The Cardinals have moved on from Marvin Harrison Jr., who was a bad fit for the Brissett-led offense, and can now focus on the short passing game and running game.

Brissett is one of the most highly-ranked QBs on waiver wires heading into Week 8 in Dallas. This looks like a feast-or-famine type of game for Brissett, who could be a great option if he gets into a rhythm and the run game looks good.

If not, he may not top the 200-yard mark, making him a risky option but a reasonable one if you're looking for a waiver-wire pickup to keep your team afloat in Week 8.