Start 'Em

Eric Decker @ Min
Although QB Tim Tebow doesn’t throw much, when he does, Decker has been his preferred target. Despite averaging 2.6 catches per game over his last 5, Decker has made them count with 4 receiving TDs in that span. I like his chances to get deep on the Vikings on Sunday, who have allowed 8 passing plays of 40 or more yards this season, the 4th highest number in the league. Decker has an impressive 8 receiving TDs this season, easily leading the Broncos in that category. He could add to that total this week against a Minnesota defense that has allowed an NFL-high 22 aerial TDs.

Reggie Wayne @ NE
A game (and a bye) after posting season-lows in both catches (3) and yards (13), Wayne rebounded last week with 5 catches for 122 yards and a TD, easily his best outing since Week 1. He probably should go back to benches next week (@ Bal), but could be a serviceable play this Sunday at Gillette Stadium. It will be Dan Orlovsky, not Curtis Painter, who will be starting for the Colts. Something tells me that Orlovsky knows where to butter his bread. The Patriots have given up significant yardage through the air (307.5 per game, most in NFL) but have been improving defensively. Either way, Indianapolis is sure to be trailing, throwing often in this game with Wayne trying to rekindle some of his fantasy glory from seasons past.

Brent Celek @ Sea
Over the last 4 weeks only TEs Rob Gronkowski (24 catches, 369 yards), Tony Gonzalez (24 catches, 250 yards) and Antonio Gates (23 catches, 250 yards) have more receptions and yards than Celek (22 catches, 248 yards). If we go back a bit further, he has averaged 5.5 catches for 64 yards over his past 6. Clearly playing at a high level, Celek has emerged as a legitimate fantasy option, although his 2 TD receptions are substandard. Seattle has given up TDs to TEs in 3 of its last 4 games, and I like his chances to find the endzone on Thursday night.

David Nelson vs. Ten
He’s not quite producing at the same level as during the first 3 weeks of the season, but as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick seems to have found himself again, Nelson has resurfaced as a viable WR3 this week. Despite Donald Jones' absence, Nelson has remained in the slot, where he is better suited with his 6’5” frame. He’s an excellent red zone target, evidenced by 3 TD receptions in his last 4 games. His 5 catches last week were his highest total since Week 3 and he’s primed to keep moving things in the right direction in Week 13. The Titans have allowed 16 passing TDs this season.

Bench 'Em

Johnny Knox vs. KC
Knox is coming off a game in which he turned his 10 targets into 4 catches for a career-high 145 receiving yards and a TD, just the second 100-yard game of his 3-year career. Suddenly he has 242 receiving yards and 2 TDs in his last 2 and leads all NFL receivers (with at least 20 receptions) with an average of 22.2 yards per catch. This is all well and good, but does anyone anticipate the Bears needing QB Caleb Hanie to throw 36 times against Kansas City? I don’t see it - I think Chicago will control this game from the onset with RBs Matt Forte and Marion Barber. Although Knox may lead the Bears in targets again this week, I think we need to remember that Hanie is not Jay Cutler and the Bears other receivers (Roy Williams, Devin Hester, Dane Sanzenbacher and Earl Bennett) all potentially play just enough of a role to render Knox a high risk play this week.

Hakeem Nicks has been playing second fiddle to Victor Cruz.

Hakeem Nicks vs. GB
As a Nicks owner, I’m not sure if I can bring myself to bench him in a game the Giants are sure to be trailing (especially considering my alternate options), but looking back at his season, he’s been a huge disappointment. In addition to dealing with season-long nagging injuries, he’s only had two 100-yard receiving games – most recently October 2nd – meanwhile WR Victor Cruz has two in his last two. Nicks’ 4 TDs are a far cry from 11 TDs last season. It’s time to realize that in 2011, Cruz, not Nicks, is the playmaking WR for the Giants. Nicks has emerged as a great decoy, drawing double teams and opening up the middle of the field for TE Jake Ballard and Cruz, but unless you play in a very unique league, he doesn’t get any fantasy points for that.

Anquan Boldin @ Cle
After the Ravens bye, from Week 6 through Week 9 (4 games), Boldin had 26 receptions for 405 yards including 1 TD. Over his last 3, he’s had just 7 catches for120 yards and 1 TD. He’s second on the Ravens with 48 receptions (54 - Ray Rice) and leads them with 747 yards, but has just 3 TDs this year. In his last game in Cleveland (12.26.10) Boldin had only 2 catches for 15 yards, but I’d be remiss not to mention that he lit them up for 8 catches, 142 yards and 3 TDs in Baltimore (9.26.10). Obviously the potential is there, but there are yellow flags this week. Consider that Joe Flacco has struggled to find consistency in his game and the Browns, along with just 11 aerial TDs, have allowed an average of only 174.7 passing yards per game. This has the looks of another slow-go for Bo’.

Good Luck in Week 13!

Quarterbacks