Fantasy football Week 8 projections: Lions-Falcons featuring Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones

The Week 8 matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons features two passing-focused offenses making the trip overseas to face one another in England. We've got the fantasy projections for you courtesy of numberFire.

With all signs pointing to wide receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle) being a game-time decision, teammate Golden Tate could be in for a second big week in a row against the Falcons. Tate starred in a feature role last week, leading the Lions' receiving corps with 10 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons don't mind giving up points to the passing game, which makes Tate a must-start in Week 8, especially if he is indeed the team's No. 1 pass catcher with Johnson potentially out.

That of course means he'll be getting his looks from quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been somewhat of a disappointment for fantasy owners this season. While he's usually a good bet to put up huge yardage totals on a regular basis as he's proven throughout his career, Stafford has only thrown for over 300 yards once this season. He paired two touchdowns with two interceptions against the Saints last week and he's scored below his projected point total four times this season. He's still a starter against the Falcons though, and could be in line for a massive game.

Quarterback Matt Ryan historically plays much better at home than he does on the road, and while Sunday's game against the Lions is technically considered a home game, it's in London, England, so fantasy owners have to wonder which Ryan they'll see on the field. He's struggled of late, throwing just a single touchdown pass in each of the last three games. Ryan will no doubt have to be better against the Lions, a team that gives up fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks than any other team in the NFL.

Ryan's struggles have carried over to the team's top receiver Julio Jones, who has 9 catches for 124 yards in the last two games combined. He's been held without a touchdown in each of the last four games after starting out the season with three scores in the first three weeks. The Falcons and Jones' fantasy owners will no doubt need him to get back to his touchdown-scoring 100-yard ways against the Lions this week if the team wants to close out the first half of the season on a good note heading into a Week 9 bye.