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Start 'Em:
Wide Receivers Who Will Outperform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Terrell Owens vs. SF
T.O. has not gone over 38 yards receiving in 5 consecutive weeks
and only has 1 TD in that span, but Tony Romo is back, now with
a game under his belt. The Cowboys play host to a suspect 49ers
defense that has served up 15 passing TDs and lots of yards to
receivers. A ripe matchup against a former team is just what is
needed to wake this sleeping giant; he has faced the Niners once
since he left (albeit as an Eagle) and went off for 143 yards
and 2 scores.
Braylon Edwards vs. HOU
Edwards is turning the corner and appears to be returning to fantasy
relevance after his 8-catch, 104 yard effort last week. In his
2nd start behind center, it’s good to see that Brady Quinn looked
to options other than Kellen Winslow. Something could be brewing
for Quinn and Edwards, especially against a horrific Texans pass
D that has allowed 17 aerial scores this season. Winslow’s sprained
shoulder is likely to limit him, which should mean more targets
for Braylon.
Plaxico Burress @ ARI
10 catches for 133 yards in Week 1; 10 catches for 113 yards in
Weeks 8,9,10 &11 – combined! To say that Plax has been
a disappointment for fantasy owners is an understatement, but
like T.O., he is long overdue for some big games down the stretch.
There is no reason one can’t come at the expense of the
Cardinals, who have served up an NFL-high 19 passing TDs. This
guy is just too good not to make a sizable impact soon.
Wes Welker @ MIA
Welker, second in the NFL with 72 catches, is a must-start, especially
in PPR leagues. Without Brady his TD totals are lacking (just
1 this season), but with Cassel he is on pace break the Pats franchise
record of 112 receptions that he set a year ago. He is coming
off back-to-back 100-yard receiving games, and this week against
his former Dolphin ‘mates, he will try to extend his NFL
record for consecutive games with 6+ receptions to open the season,
which now sits at 10.
Dallas Clark @ SD
I really like Clark this week; he remains one of Peyton’s trusted
targets and is always a red-zone threat. This week’s opponent,
the Chargers, have one of the most dismal pass defenses in the
league, giving up an NFL-high 267 passing YPG to go along with
17 TDs. TEs who have posted solid totals against San Diego this
year include: Tony Gonzalez, Billy Miller (!), Zach Miller, Dustin
Keller, Tony Scheffler and...Dante Rosario(!!). Get Clark in your
lineups this week.
Bench 'Em:
Wide Receivers Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Chris Chambers vs. IND
I’ve seen enough – actually too little – from
Chambers to know that he belongs on your bench this week. He has
3 measly catches for 21 yards in his last 2 games, which includes
an inexcusable shut out by the Chiefs in Week 10. He has five
TDs this season, but only one since Week Four. To further stack
the odds against him, the Colts have only allowed two aerial scores
all season.
Laveranues Coles @ TEN
Like the above-referenced Chambers, the hard-nosed Laveranues
Leon Coles also has five TDs on the season and just one since
Week Four. Brett Favre has been looking more to Jerricho Cotchery,
who has 21 grabs for 269 yards in the past 4 games as opposed
to Coles’ 16 catches for 156 yards in that same span. The Titans
are tough to throw on; they have picked of 15 passes and allowed
just 5 TDs – 2nd best in the NFL.
Marques Colston vs. GB
Colston is apparently still trying to work his way back from his
torn thumb ligament. After his Week 10 blowup (7 catches / 140
yards), he regressed to 3 / 30 against the Chiefs. I would not
feel comfortable rolling him out against a Packers team that has
been very tough to throw on. You know what he is capable of, but
until he produces consistently again, Marques should be reserved
for a better matchup.
Seattle WRs vs. WAS
I know Matt
Hasselbeck is back, but he is still wiping away the rust from
his five-week layoff. The Redskins have been pretty tough to throw
on (10 TDs allowed / 8 INTs), holding opponents under 200 passing
YPG. Washington will try to control the clock with Clinton Portis,
which should keep Seattle’s opportunities to a minimum. Don’t
forget that ‘Skins HC Jim Zorn was the quarterbacks coach under
Mike Holmgren in Seattle from 2001-2007. Think he knows that offense?
Muhsin Muhammad @ ATL
Fantasy owners were quick to jump on MM2’s bandwagon after his
Week 4 game against the Falcons, a season-best 8 catches for 147
yards and a TD. Since then he has found the endzone twice, but
in the last 5 weeks he has averaged just 3.2 catches and 40.6
YPG with only 1 TD. His YPG has declined in each game since Week
Four. With Jake Delhomme struggling and the Panthers running game
ablaze, I’d play it safe and steer clear of Moose this week.
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