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Bye Weeks: Chicago, Buffalo, Detroit, Green Bay, Atlanta,
Tennessee
If there's ever a time for the Chiefs to
get their first TD reception from a WR, this would be the
week.
Grab a Helmet
Dwayne
Bowe v. NYJ: Three seasons ago Bowe looked like the next
dominant fantasy receiver. But in the 3 ½ years since his 15-touchdown
2010 season, Bowe has yet to even total 15 touchdowns. The end zone
drought for Bowe is at six games and counting, and if he can’t get
it done this week against the porous Jet’s secondary, it may never
happen. Bowe has registered a blip on the fantasy radar with five
catches and 60-plus yards in back-to-back games. During a week that
has a tremendous amount of top flight receivers on bye, Bowe makes
for an intriguing start with WR2 upside, especially if he can blindly
stumble into the end zone.
Kelvin
Benjamin v. NO (THU): Benjamin and fellow receiver Sammy
Watkins are the frontrunners for offensive rookie of the year as
both players have been difference makers for their fantasy teams.
Kelvin has been more up than down this year, with nearly 10-plus
standard fantasy points in six of eight games. He’s managed at least
6 targets in each, and his frame makes him an end zone threat on
a weekly basis. He was able to manage a strong 4 for 94 line against
the Legion of Boom last week, and gets rewarded with a home game
against the second-worst pass defense in the league in the Saints.
Benjamin has been a solid WR2 since Week 1 and that only gets better
this week as he could flirt with WR1 numbers on Thursday night.
Vernon
Davis v. STL: Other than the usual suspects at the top,
the fantasy tight end position has been a wasteland of boom or bust.
The young guys have yet to break out on a consistent basis, and
veterans like Vernon Davis have battled injury and ineffectiveness.
It’s hard for me to recommend Davis as a start, as he hasn’t scored
since Week 1, and has yet to top 4 catches or 50 yards this year.
But he’s had two weeks to get healthy, and I get a feeling that
Davis will be a big part of the passing game this week. He’s found
the end zone in two of his last three games against the Rams, and
is worth plugging in your lineup during a time of so much uncertainty.
Davis could be had for peanuts in a trade right now, so if you are
desperate, give him a shot.
Grab Some Pine
Wes
Welker @ NE: Wes Welker has always reminded me of Batman’s
sidekick Robin. Sometimes he’s capable of swooping in and leading
your fantasy team to an unlikely win, and other times he’s sits
by and lets the other guy do the heavy lifting. After 13 catches
in his first two games, Welker has gone from sidekick, to sideline,
as he has a total of only 6 catches over his last three games.
Age and injuries seem to have sapped him of the elite quickness
he had, and he’s not better than the fifth receiving option on
his own team. Even with a return to his former stomping grounds
of Foxboro, leave this former boy wonder on your bench.
Michael
Crabtree v. STL: Like the ghost in your house that
steals your spare socks, Crabtree has been nearly invisible this
season. Drafted as a borderline WR1 in some leagues, Crabtree
has failed to reach 50 yards receiving since Week 3. Crabtree
has missed practices, and large stretches of games with lower
leg injuries dating back to the preseason. His bromance with Colin
Kaepernick seems a thing of the past, and it’s safe to wonder
where Crabtree stands in the offensive game plan, as he only has
a total of 8 catches over his last three games, this despite Kaepernick
being on pace for a career high in pass attempts. Even on a heavy
bye week, it’s hard to see Crabtree as anything more than a WR3.
Torrey
Smith @ PIT: Smith hit rock bottom last week with 0
catches on a season low two targets. Smith could possibly be one
of the most disappointing fantasy receivers this year, as he has
no known injuries, plays in an offensive system that should favor
his strengths, and has a teammate that is playing well enough
to attract defensive attention. He’s been incredibly touchdown
dependent this year, and a flat out disaster in PPR leagues. Sure,
he seems to have one monster game each year, but how long can
you keep plugging him in and hoping?
May you get more treats than tricks this weekend!
Quarterbacks 
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