Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Bye Weeks: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, N.Y. Giants, and Philadelphia, so that means Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Derrick Mason, Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett, Josh Cribbs, Chansi Stuckey and Mohammad Massaquoi, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks, and DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are all benched.

Always start your studs: Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Wes Welker, Miles Austin, Roddy White, Brandon Marshall, and Brandon Lloyd.

Start 'Em:
Wide Receivers Providing Treats in Week 8

Randy Moss @ NE
Randy Moss is currently 116th in the league in receiving yards with 166. He only has 12 catches, 2 TDs, averages 55 yards per game and his starting QB might be out this week. However, you know Moss wants some big time revenge against the Patriots so he’ll be focused for this game. New England’s pass defense is horrible, giving up 282 yards and 2 TDs per game, earning them a ranking of #30 in the league. I think you’ll hear “Jackson to Moss” a lot this weekend so take advantage of a good game (finally) by Randy.

Pierre Garcon vs. HOU
With Austin Collie out for a few weeks following his thumb surgery, Dallas Clark gone for the year, and the Texans as the opponent, the timing couldn’t be better to add Garcon to your starting lineup. Houston pass defense gives up the 3rd most big plays, the 3rd highest QB rating (106.3), the 2nd highest yards per completion, the 2nd most TDs and the most yards per game at 306 – the only team allowing over 300 yards per game. Expect Garcon and his 14 catches, 214 yards and 1 TD to start sky rocketing up the receiving charts.

Dwayne Bowe vs. BUF
Bowe only has 18 catches, but his 341 yards and 5 TDs are decent, especially considering the Chiefs have the 30th ranked passing offense. Rookie WR Dexter McCluster is making a little noise but really Bowe’s only receiving competition is TE Tony Moeaki. This week Bowe should get a chance to pad his stats as he faces a Buffalo team that doesn’t give up a lot of yards through the air but does give up a bunch of TDs (tied for 2nd most in the league) and the most points in the NFL.

Dez Bryant vs. JAX
The Cowboys are a mess and they need someone like Bryant to at least make their losses entertaining. Bryant had a bit of a coming out party against the Giants last week, returning a kick for a TD and catching two more TDs in the passing game. He may get even more looks with Kitna behind center than he did with Romo. Bryant is now 3rd in receptions (22), 4th in yards (265) and 2nd in TDs (3) for Dallas. This week he faces the 27th ranked pass defense in the league. Jacksonville gives up 253 yards and over 2 TDs per game. The Jags have allowed the most passing TDs (16) and the most big plays (37) and give up 30 points per game – only Buffalo gives up more. This should be another big weekend for the rookie.

Bench 'Em:
Wide Receivers Playing Tricks on You in Week 8

Danny Amendola vs. CAR
Amendola is the Rams’ biggest receiving threat right now but could start facing some competition from rookie Danario Alexander now that he’s healthy. But even without any competition it will be tough for Amendola as he faces the #4 passing defense in the league. Carolina allows just 183 yards and 1 TD per game, very few big plays and really makes it tough for QBs to perform well. This looks like a week where you might want to sit Amendola and his 11th best 39 catches.

Kenny Britt @ SD
Britt is 3rd in the league in TDs and now has 434 receiving yards, but 225 of those yards and 3 of those TDs came last week against the Eagles, who routinely give up big plays and 2 TDs per game on average. This week he takes on the league’s top pass defense. San Diego allows just 159 yards per game and less than 1 TD per game. They do not give up big plays and they pressure the QB all day long. So, despite his career game last week I think it might be a good idea to sit him here.

Greg Jennings @ NYJ
Jennings brings his 20 catches, 390 yards and 5 TDs onto “Revis Island” this week, and despite Revis’ average play and the Jets’ passing defense ranking just 22nd in the league, I don’t see Jennings as a good play. Donald Driver is still nursing an injury and will likely be a non-factor again, leaving Jennings as the lone “go-to” WR – which means he’ll get all the attention from the defense. Do you want to play the WR who could face the old Revis and be shut down for the entire game? The risk isn’t worth it if you have any other decent options.

Larry Fitzgerald vs. TB
Fitzgerald has been dealing with the loss of his starting QB (last year and this year), the loss of his dynamic duo partner Anquan Boldin. Injuries and absences by Steve Breaston and Early Doucet – the #2 and #3 WRs respectively, haven’t helped which has left the Cardinals holding the title of “worst offense in the league”. Through all this Fitzgerald has put up 29 catches for 331 yards and 2 TDs. Obviously these aren’t normal Fitzgerald numbers but they’re not horrible either. Still, this week he faces a Tampa Bay defense ranked 6th against the pass and giving up 196 yards per game. They do allow 2 TDs per game but also average just under 2 INTs per game and pressure opposing QBs into low completion percentages and QB ratings.