Despite being shutout against the Eagles,
Crowder still has 5 touchdowns in his last eight games.
Grab a Helmet
Jamison
Crowder vs. CAR: The Panthers have given up some big
games to shifty slot receivers this season, and Crowder represents
one of the best they’ll face. Crowder has had one of the highest
floors of any receiver this year, as he scored or went over 80 yards
for seven straight weeks (Weeks 6-13). He’s lost a bunch of looks
to Pierre Garcon recently, but with Jordan Reed still far from 100
percent he gives Cousins an option at all levels of the defense.
He’s scored a few times from inside the 5, and also has a few deep
receptions. With Cousins likely hoisting the ball up 40-plus times
in this one, Crowder is a fine PPR option and upside WR3 in standard
leagues.
Sammy
Watkins vs CLE: Still working his way back into game
shape after a long layoff, Watkins has made it clear he has no intention
of shutting it down for the season. He found the endzone for the
first time this season last week against the Steelers, and should
be the focal point of the passing game against the hapless Browns.
I think the Bills show a ton of fight this week, and Tyrod Taylor
takes a few deep shots to Watkins. He’s got tremendous upside any
time he steps on the field, and if you’ve survived this far Watkins
on your roster there’s no shame in getting him out there as a high
upside WR2.
Julian
Edelman @ DEN: With a heaping helping of targets since
the loss of Gronk, Edelman has returned to glory boy status in PPR
leagues. Even with the vaunted lockdown defensive backfield of Denver
up next, Edelman has the quicks to get open on slants, hitches,
and comeback routes. He’s produced against this defense in the past,
and the Patriots also devise ways to get the ball into their best
players hands despite defensive matchups. I’m much less excited
about Edelman in standard leagues where an 8-72 line doesn’t do
much, but he remains an elite PPR play and a fringe WR2 with upside.
Grab Some Pine
Terrelle
Pryor @ BUF: Pryor has proven his transition to receiver
is no fluke. He’s far surpassed any and all expectations, but
as can be expected he’s been incredibly inconsistent this year.
He’s also caught the incredible ire of a host of defensive backs,
and spent more time yelling as his coach and quarterback last
week than catching passes (1 catch, 3 yards). It’s going to be
cold and windy in Buffalo, and RGIII was pathetic last week in
similar weather. Buffalo can play the pass, and the defense will
be playing for their coach’s job. Pryor has probably been an absolute
diamond in the rough for you this season, but with Cleveland’s
season spiraling to the certain doom of 0-16 it’s tough to roll
Pryor out in a big game.
Sterling
Shepard vs. DET: Some early touchdowns gave him more
perceived value, but Shepard has been waiver fodder for weeks
now. He’s become an afterthought in a pass offense that has turned
conservative to protect a week offensive line. Manning is locked
onto OBJ, and when he isn’t open, he simply checks down to his
backs and tight ends. Shepard and Cruz are running ghost routes,
and Shepard hasn’t been over 50 yards since Week 3. Detroit has
played an incredible stretch of defense lately and I look for
this game to be relatively low scoring making Shepard an unsavory
option.
Coby
Fleener @ ARI: The Arizona defense is where tight ends
go to die. They gave up just their FIRST touchdown to a tight
end last week in Miami, and despite facing a slew of top 10 guys
at the position have yet to yield more than 53 yards to any of
them. Fleener had one target last week, and remains a fringe part
of the passing game. This whole offense has gone in the crapper
the last few weeks, and Arizona isn’t going to lay down
and die. In must win fantasy playoff games I like players with
high floors, and this is not what Fleener is. His role in the
offense, and the historically bad matchup make him a player to
avoid this week.
