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At the halfway mark of this fantasy football season, it's time to start solidifying yourself for the playoff push. This time of year is when playoff berths are solidified or lost out of grasp altogether. Be wary, dearest readers, and keep hunting for the best possible lineup configurations.

In this week's studs and duds column, I'm looking at another monster game from Kirk Cousins. I also muse about a weird, murky situation for Washington's best skill players. And if you didn't already "Bo-lieve" in Bo Nix, you might want to start this week.

Let's jump in and get you another W in the standings.

Studs

QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Cousins threw for a Falcons franchise-record 509 yards along with four touchdowns in Atlanta's Thursday night win over Tampa Bay a few weeks ago. With the Buccaneers potentially missing both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans this time, they won't even have the firepower to keep up with Cousins' prolific attack.

TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

I'm so bullish about the Falcons this week that I'll recommend a SECOND stud on their roster. Pitts has 17 catches (on 22 targets) for 223 yards in his last three games. He doesn't quite look like a superstar, but he finally looks like one of the NFL's better tight ends. His recent good fortune should continue this Sunday.

WR A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (at Cincinnati Bengals)

Since returning from a hamstring injury, Brown has accrued over 200 total receiving yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. Ho hum. The Eagles know that they go as he goes, ensuring another likely big week for the superstar receiver.

WR Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills (at Seattle Seahawks)

Cooper spent his first game with the Bills trying to compensate for his lack of knowledge about their playbook. He still caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. With more comfort this week, I like his individual matchup against a Seattle secondary that has weirdly struggled to keep down top-flight playmakers this year.

Duds

WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants (at Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday Night Football)

Nabers struggled in his return from a concussion last week. His matchup doesn't get any easier against a stingy Steelers defense that just held Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson to less than 100 combined receiving yards.

QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday Night Football)

Prescott is currently enjoying one of the least efficient seasons of his career. His reward is an angry 49ers defense on the road that smells blood and will likely be hellbent on keeping San Francisco's fledgling season afloat.

WR Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. Chicago Bears)

To be clear, McLaurin would've had a tough matchup against Chicago regardless of Jayden Daniels' status. The Bears' Jaylon Johnson is a top-three cornerback in football and will likely shadow him all game. But if Daniels doesn't play? Hoo boy, McLaurin will probably be in for a really long afternoon.

WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Everyone will want to ride the Thomas wave after his breakout performance in London. But that came against the hapless New England Patriots. The Packers just finished dismantling C.J. Stroud and a much more talented Houston Texans offense. And Jaire Alexander is exactly the kind of player who can erase Thomas from a game plan.

Sleepers

QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. Carolina Panthers)

The Panthers have the NFL's worst scoring defense by a healthy margin, surrendering an average of over 34 points per game. They also have the league's 25th-ranked passing defense. You do the math on Nix's likely super comfortable afternoon in Colorado.

TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

I feel like Bowers has gone under the radar, given all the turmoil surrounding the Raiders. We should stop that immediately. The gifted rookie tight end has caught 27 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown in his last three games. He is coming alive to his true potential already and will be Las Vegas' focal point against a challenging Chiefs defense.

QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Night Football)

Everyone will understandably want to give up on Purdy for now, especially given his struggles without his top 49ers weapons. I'm here to tell you that would be a mistake against the awful Cowboys defense, which ranks 29th in defensive DVOA. Be prepared for a big Purdy rebound with the 49ers fighting for their season.

WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Minnesota Vikings, Thursday Night Football)

I'm unsure what to make of Nacua as he potentially makes his return on Thursday night. My head says he'll struggle re-acclimating before he eventually plays like a star again in a few weeks. My gut says he's about to be a thorn in Brian Flores' side. Let's lean with my gut. It seldom lets me down.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fantasy Football Week 8 Studs, Duds, and Sleepers: Kirk Cousins might pick apart the depleted Buccaneeers (again)