Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
Fantasy owners are rolling the dice this week at wide receiver.
There have been few consistent, reliable receiving options this season. Even some of those players (see Calvin Johnson) have terrible matchups in Week 9 and force you to do a double-take. Some owners are working the waiver wire hard. They put in claims for the long-term play in Minnesota, Sidney Rice. Others are working the plug-in effect because of bye weeks, injuries and inconsistency.
Is Patrick Crayton the key to your Week 9 effort? Do you trust the Chicago receivers against the Bills?
Top 10 Wide Receivers
(other than Miles Austin, Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White, Reggie Wayne, Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall, Percy Harvin, Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Hakeem Nicks and Greg Jennings)
Johnny Knox at Buffalo (Toronto)
Following a two-week slowdown in production, Knox shone brightly in back-to-back games ahead of the Bears’ Week 8 bye (11 catches for 206 yards and his first touchdown reception). Knox is undoubtedly the Bears’ go-to guy, and Jay Cutler does everything possible to feed him the ball.
The key this week is the battle of ineptitude. Can the anemic Chicago running game get on track, or will the sieve-like Buffalo run defense rise up? If Chicago runs the ball at all, they’ll be able to convert in the red zone against a Buffalo defense that has allowed 15 passing touchdowns.
Mike Williams (Tampa Bay) at Atlanta
Williams has established a tremendous rapport with Josh Freeman, and clearly stands as the No. 1 option in the Tampa Bay passing game. He’s caught four or more passes in six of seven games this season while averaging 67.1 yards per game with four touchdowns. More importantly, Williams’ weekly yardage output has increased markedly since the Buccaneers’ Week 4 bye. He’s topped 80 receiving yards in three of his past four starts.
He’ll match up with Dunta Robinson, who returns from a concussion and a knee injury sustained in Week 6.
Percy Harvin vs. Arizona
Harvin certainly laments the loss of Randy Moss’ presence downfield. However, he remains the top option for Brett Favre against the struggling Arizona pass defense. Harvin caught 11 passes in the two games prior to Moss’ arrival, so I don’t anticipate a dramatic drop-off in terms of opportunities. The question is how to get Harvin open in space.
I have another question. How much does Darrell Bevell work to force the ball into Harvin’s hands in order to keep him content? I don’t believe that Harvin’s ankle injury keeps him sidelined this week.
Pierre Garcon at Philadelphia
We can only ask for opportunities. Garcon certainly had them against the Texans, including several red zone looks from Peyton Manning. He finished the game with a season-high seven receptions for 78 yards. In the past three games, Garcon has caught a total of 17 passes. He remains entrenched as the No. 2 option with Austin Collie sidelined and has a strong matchup against Dimitri Patterson.
Steve Breaston at Minnesota
Breaston returned to action in Week 8, and paid immediate dividends for the Arizona passing game and fantasy owners. He caught eight passes for 147 yards and clearly benefitted from the attention afforded Larry Fitzgerald. It was Breaston’s second 100-yard game of the season.
You don’t trust Derek Anderson. I know. However, he’ll keep chucking the ball downfield, and there will be opportunities against the Minnesota secondary.
Mike Wallace at Cincinnati
Wallace didn’t score last week, but did catch three balls against the Saints, including a 21-yard catch. He’s caught a pass of at least 20 yards in six of seven games this season. Look for Wallace to get involved this week in this divisional matchup. The Bengals have surrendered big plays downfield with great frequency this season and get little pressure at the line.
Steve Smith (Carolina) vs. New Orleans
Smith posted a strong nine-reception, 85-yard effort against the Rams in Week 8. Unfortunately, he also fumbled for the second straight week. Smith has recorded 13 receptions in two games since returning from injury and has a great rapport with Matt Moore. For whatever reason, the gut screams “Upset!” Smith will definitely see opportunities and a high number of targets.
Dwayne Bowe at Oakland
Bowe has been a beast in the past three weeks, producing five touchdowns as the Chiefs romp toward an AFC West title. He’s averaged four receptions and 68.3 yards during this period. The Raiders will obviously be pressed to slow the Kansas City running game, and the ankle injury sustained by Nnamdi Asomugha affords Bowe more space downfield. Jeremy Maclin vs. Indianapolis
Maclin started the season with a bang and became a go-to fantasy receiver with Michael Vick under center. He’s caught three or more passes in six of seven games this season, averaging 65.4 yards per game (with six touchdowns).
The Indianapolis pass defense has been tremendous to date, led by the speed rush upfront. Vick’s mobility changes the complexion of the offense and affords Maclin opportunities downfield against the young secondary. DeSean Jackson’s return obviously aids Maclin against the No. 2.
Santonio Holmes at Detroit
Holmes dropped a would-be touchdown pass last week against the Packers. He finished the game with another smallish effort (three receptions for 43 yards). Holmes has caught a total of 10 passes thus far, but hasn’t broken the big play just yet.
This could be the week against the Detroit secondary, provided that Mark Sanchez can avoid the stout Detroit pass rush.
Wide Receiver Sleepers
James Jones vs. Dallas
Donald Driver will sit out this week’s game because of his thigh injury. As such, Jones is on the radar this week against the puzzling Dallas pass defense. He’s alternated strong and weak offerings in the past four weeks, catching four passes in games against the Redskins (65 yards) and Vikings (107 yards). The Cowboys surrender 2.1 touchdowns per game, and you can bet that the Packers’ offense gets back on track following that hard-fought win against the Jets.
Patrick Crayton at Houston
Crayton has emerged as a solid option for Philip Rivers in the depleted San Diego receiving corps. Of course, he’s the last man standing with Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee and now Antonio Gates hobbled by injuries (Buster Davis was placed on injured reserve). Crayton has caught 17 passes for 235 yards in the past three weeks. He’s not a world-beating option, but he’s a go this week against the Texans.
Rookie Seyi Ajirotutu is s a deep sleeper. He offered two receptions for 26 yards in Week 7. Ajirotutu then caught three passes for 48 yards in the Week 8 win over San Diego. He’s on the radar this weekend against the terrible Houston pass defense. Injuries open up a huge opportunity for those willing to roll the dice.
Mario Manningham at Seattle
Manningham scored in back-to-back games ahead of the Week 8 bye and represents a strong WR3 plug-in play this week against the Seattle secondary. He’s caught three or more passes in five games this season, including a reception of at least 25 yards in each of those games. The Seahawks will have their hands full with Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith. Manningham roams free in the secondary.
Darrius Heyward-Bey vs. Kansas City
Heyward-Bey finally posted a huge effort for the Raiders in Week 8, his best game since Week 2 (80 receiving yards). He caught five passes for 105 yards and scored his first touchdown of the year against the Seahawks. Heyward-Bey has caught three or more passes in four games this season, so he’s worthy of a look-see as a deep sleeper against the Kansas City secondary (23rd against the pass). The Chiefs will slide up to try and stop Darren McFadden, giving Heyward-Bey opportunities downfield.
Wide Receiver Flops
Calvin Johnson vs. New York Jets
You’re not benching him. Obviously, Johnson is in your lineups on a weekly basis regardless of the opponent. He and Matthew Stafford reunited to torment DeAngelo Hall and the Washington secondary following the early interception in Week 8.
Johnson matches up with Darrelle Revis and a New York Jets defense that shut down the strong Green Bay offense last week. “Megatron” will pile up his looks, but don’t anticipate a repeat of his Week 8 brilliance.
Wes Welker at Cleveland
Sigh. Welker’s production since the departure of Randy Moss has been abysmal. He’s caught a total of 14 passes (solid PPR total) for a paltry total of 102 yards. This weekend’s matchup with the Browns offers some hope (26th against the pass), but I’m reticent to recommend Welker as anything better than a WR3.
Lee Evans/Steve Johnson vs. Chicago (Toronto)
You can’t dismiss either altogether given Ryan Fitzpatrick’s willingness and ability to throw the ball downfield. However, Chicago represents a difficult challenge this week. The Bears have generated 23 sacks (the Bills have allowed 18) and rank third in total defense (16.3 points per game).
