Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
No position in the fantasy realm is more maddening than that of wide receiver.
Opportunities can be sparse, and the flow of a game may limit one’s chances to have an impact. In some cases, no coverage can contain a player (explain Dwayne Bowe) while the system can minimize targets in others (the Saints, Colts, etc.). Of course, there are also times where a player is given seemingly unlimited opportunities but fails to capitalize (Steve Johnson’s Week 12 against Pittsburgh is an extreme case).
This week, fantasy owners desperate to hold off a challenger for a playoff spot or to procure one will need to make very difficult lineup choices. Do you sit Roddy White against Aquib Talib? How are you feeling about Calvin Johnson against Chicago with Drew Stanton under center? Derek Anderson?
Top Wide Receivers
(Other than Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, Terrell Owens, Dwayne Bowe, Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Lloyd, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brandon Marshall, Marques Colston, Wes Welker, Miles Austin, Steve Johnson and Santonio Holmes)
Johnny Knox at Detroit
Knox scored for the first time in four games for the victorious Bears. He finished the game with three receptions and 68 receiving yards, his sixth consecutive game with at least three receptions. Knox takes aim at a struggling Detroit secondary this weekend. If the Bears can contain the strong Detroit defensive front, Jay Cutler will have his opportunities downfield.
Pierre Garcon vs. Dallas
Garcon has had a quiet season in terms of explosive plays this season, but he remains a heavily-targeted option for Peyton Manning. He’s caught four or more passes in six of the past seven games. I expect more of the same this week, and for Manning to end his two-game mini-funk against the Dallas secondary.
Mario Manningham vs. Washington
Manningham didn’t post a huge game against the Jaguars, but he scored for the second time in three weeks. It was his fourth touchdown in the past six weeks, as he and Eli Manning have developed a tremendous rapport. He remains the top option, as Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks remain sidelined. Still, this unit has had breakdown after breakdown this season.
Santana Moss at New York Giants
Moss caught five passes for 40 yards in Week 12, his ninth game with at least five receptions this season. He’s averaged six receptions and 69.7 receiving yards in 11 career games against the Giants. We obviously don’t anticipate a huge effort from this Washington offense, but we can look forward to another high target count.
Derrick Mason at Pittsburgh
Mason has scored in three of the past four games while continuing as a prime target for Joe Flacco. He’s caught three or more passes in eight of his past nine games, including three contests with at least six receptions. At a minimum, he’s on the radar as an option in PPR leagues. Anquan Boldin draws extra coverage, leaving Mason to find spots in traffic. He caught six passes for 80 yards in the first AFC North clash.
Mike Wallace at Baltimore
The Bills did a fantastic job to contain Wallace in Week 12, just his second shutout since Ben Roethlisberger returned to the field. In fact, the Bills also stopped a three-game streak of 100-yard efforts. I look for the deep threat to get back in business downfield this week. Wallace was limited to two receptions for 24 yards in the first meeting while Roethlisberger watched from the sidelines. There will be opportunities downfield against the safeties if the Steelers’ protection holds.
Jabar Gaffney at Kansas City
Gaffney remains a PPR beast, having caught three or more passes in every game this season. Granted, he’s averaging only 60.5 receiving yards per game, but the opportunities are there. Gaffney becomes a stellar low-WR2 or high-WR3 this weekend in what may be a shootout against the Chiefs on the road.
Mike Williams (Tampa Bay) vs. Atlanta
The Ravens shut Williams down in Week 12, holding the rookie receiver to two receptions for 20 yards. Williams had scored in three of the Buccaneers’ previous four games, including an 89-yard performance in Week 9 against these Falcons. Look for Williams and Josh Freeman to get reacquainted early in this game. Freeman will need to involve Williams early if LeGarrette Blount has any prayer to get rolling on the ground.
Mike Thomas at Tennessee
Thomas had his three-game scoring streak snapped by the Giants last week, but he did record another six-reception performance. He’s caught four or more passes in nine games this season. Mike Sims-Walker gets to play against Cortland Finnegan, leaving Thomas to work with some space. Thomas caught eight passes for 88 yards in the first meeting this season.
Danny Amendola at Arizona
The return of Danario Alexander (see below) frees up this PPR machine against the Arizona secondary. Amendola has caught three or more passes in every game this season (48.5 yards per game) with three touchdowns.
Sam Bradford has grown immensely in recent weeks, demonstrating great poise in the pocket and confidence in his receivers. Amendola racks up receptions over the middle once again while the Cardinals seek to slow Steven Jackson after being run over by the 49ers. Amendola caught six passes for 67 yards in the season opener.
Sleepers
Legedu Naanee vs. Oakland
Naanee returned to action in Week 12 against Indianapolis and posted three receptions for 38 yards. He’s on the radar for a big workload in Week 13 with Vincent Jackson returning to the shelf. Malcom Floyd draws the attention of Nnamdi Asomugha, thereby leaving Naanee (another week returned from his injury) space to operate downfield.
Seyi Ajirotutu vs. Oakland
My other favorite sleeper pick is back on the radar in Week 13. Ajirotutu, king of the name game, gets his crack at the Oakland secondary as the No. 3 receiver. Their ceilings rise if Antonio Gates is, in fact, active.
Austin Collie vs. Dallas
Collie is expected to return for the Colts this week, and that’s music to the ears of those invested in the struggling Indianapolis passing game. He’s caught four or more passes in seven of the games in which he’s appeared, so opportunities will be plentiful.
Obviously, we’ll need to watch the late-week practices and game day notes. Collie did practice much of last week, but ultimately did not receive clearance to return from his concussion. I don’t need to remind you what we’ve seen from the Dallas secondary for much of this season.
Danario Alexander at Arizona
Alexander caught four passes for 95 yards in his return from arthroscopic surgery, a fine effort in Week 12 against the Seahawks. He’d caught four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers in his other appearance on the fantasy radar.
You’ve seen the Arizona defense in action in recent weeks. Hot rookie Sam Bradford brings the Rams to Arizona with a chance to strengthen their hold on the NFC West. He’s thrown multiple touchdown passes in four of his past five games and will rely on his top receiver down the stretch.
Flops
Roddy White at Tampa Bay
If you’re fighting for a playoff spot, you’re cursing the scheduling gods this week. White has never performed well against the Buccaneers, producing just two touchdowns in 11 meetings. This week’s matchup against Aquib Talib will have owners sweating. White caught three passes for 49 yards in the first matchup.
Randy Moss vs. Jacksonville
What else can you say? There’s a cloak of invisibility on Moss right now in Tennessee. It’s possible that the return of Kerry Collins under center and Kenny Britt running opposite Moss will help to boost the downfield passing game, but we need to see it first. I love the potential of the matchup against Jacksonville, but you just can’t trust it now.
Anquan Boldin vs. Pittsburgh
Boldin has been invisible in recent weeks. He’s scored one touchdown in the past four games while failing to top 30 receiving yards in three of them (50 receiving yards in the other). Boldin caught seven passes for 68 yards in the first meeting between these teams. He’s a low-end WR3 this week.
