Jeremy Maclin has logged 11, 10, and 9
targets the last 3 weeks. BAL gives up the most F/Pts to WRs.
Grab a Helmet
Jeremy
Maclin @ BAL: No longer a fantasy punchline, the Chiefs
receivers, especially Maclin have put up some strong games in the
last few weeks. Even after dipping to a 6-68 line last week against
San Diego, Maclin has surged into the weekly WR1/2 conversation.
Alex Smith is pushing the ball downfield a bit more, playing to
Maclin’s strengths. He’s snagged 24 passes in his last three games,
and gets any early Christmas gift with the Baltimore secondary next
on the docket. The Ravens struggles in the secondary are well known,
and coming off an undressing last week against Seattle, Maclin and
the Chiefs passing game could put your fantasy team in a great position
to win.
Ben
Watson vs. DET (Mon): Rising from the ashes of mediocrity,
Watson has been one of the biggest fantasy surprises of the season.
He currently sits as the TE8 in standard leagues, is approaching
his career high in receptions, and is averaging over 9 targets a
game over the last three weeks. Despite a resurgence on defense,
Detroit allows the 5th most points to tight ends, and they’ve given
up 10 touchdowns, 2nd most in the league. After a slow start, Watson
has had an acceptable floor most weeks, with big upside (2 18-plus
point games). There will be no shortage of points in this one, as
I expect the Saints to throw a ton.
Randall
Cobb @ OAK: I know Cobb and the Green Bay passing game
have been a shell of their former selves, but I like Cobb to make
an impact in the Black Hole this week. Oakland has been gashed by
No.1 receivers (Antonio Brown, Demaryius Thomas) as well as shifty
slot receivers (Brian Hartline, Emmanuel Sanders). Cobb falls somewhere
in between, and after tying his season high in targets and receptions
last week against the Cowboys, Cobb has some big upside this week.
The Packers looked more settled on offense against Dallas, and the
running game seems to be back. Look for McCarthy to use quick timing
passes in the form of slants and screens to blunt the Raider pass
rush. This fits right into Cobb’s wheelhouse. A big PPR day could
be on the horizon, with a bonus touchdown.
Grab Some Pine
Michael
Crabtree vs GB: A Comeback Player of the Year candidate,
Crabtree has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners savvy
enough to have drafted him or scooped him off the waiver wire.
But if Crabtree was a stock, his arrow is definitely pointing
down. He’s failed to top 55 yards receiving since Week 10 despite
some fairly high target numbers. This Oakland offense just hasn’t
been clicking like it was early in the year, and the Packers are
the 8th stingiest defense against pass catchers, having allowed
only one receiver to go over 85 yards since Week 8. They’ve been
downright dirty against No.2 wide receivers as well. The downward
trend, and poor matchup make Crabtree a very risky start in a
must win playoff scenario.
DeSean
Jackson vs. BUF: Always the boom/bust poster child,
Jackson was enjoying a strong three game stretch before a knee
injury torpedoed his day last week against Chicago. With Jordan
Reed dominating looks from Cousins, Jackson has seen just 15 targets
in the last three games, and has a very low floor unless he hits
a 40-plus-yard bomb. He’s banged up, and Buffalo is decent at
defending the long pass, giving up a middle of the pack 9 passes
of 40-plus yards. Low volume, injury, and matchup make Jackson
a risky fantasy playoff play.
Dez
Bryant v. NYJ (SAT): If you’ve waited this long for
Dez to give some return on your fantasy investment maybe you just
run him out there and cross your fingers that Matt Cassel can
hit the side of a barn and Bryant takes one deep. I’d be
willing to do that against a less competent defense, but not the
Jets. As a Bryant owner myself, I’ve seen enough. I’m
tapping out and sending Dez to the bench in a must win playoff
game. It’s more than just Cassel, as Bryant hasn’t
truly gotten back into form following a lost pre-season and early
season. He’s the kind of receiver that gets lost in the
flow when he isn’t a focal point of the passing game, and
with the Cowboys season just about lost, all the yelling and theatrics
on the sideline won’t save your fantasy team either.
