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Start 'Em:
Wide Receivers Who Will Outperform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Lee Evans @ MIA
With 3 straight games of 88+ yards receiving and a TD, I really
like Evans to continue his solid play. The Dolphins are extremely
vulnerable through the air and have given up 23 (!!!) big plays
of 20+ yards this season. Evans is in line for at least one bomb
TD. Throw in that he has a decent track record against the Dolphins
(8 games, 8 TDs) and Evans is a must-start this week.
Muhsin Muhammad vs. ARI
Every Sunday, Steve Smith is a must-start regardless of his matchup
(obviously), but this week there is enough to go around for Muhsin,
too. The Red Birds are exploitable through the air, surrendering
12 TDs on the season and allowing opposing QBs to a 106.5 rating.
I like Delhomme to keep both WRs involved in the passing game;
all 3 are in line for good numbers.
Marques Colston vs. SD
Colston was a bust last week (0 catches); maybe I was naïve
in believing he would have an impact so quickly. He was removed
late in the game because the team wanted to play someone more
effective. Wow. Luckily for Colston, the scheduling gods are n
his side; Week 8 pits him against the NFLs worst passing defense
in the Chargers. All indications point to a nice bounce back week
for Marques, save a soggy mess of a field.
Antonio Bryant @ DAL
Other than the Week 6 stinker vs. Carolina, Bryant has been steadily
involved in the Bucs passing game. He has played well enough that
HC John Gruden believes he will keep his split-end duties even
after Joey Galloway returns. Don’t’ forget, the oft-troubled receiver
spent 2 ½ seasons in Dallas. Players love burning old teams, and
burning the Cowboys is like taking candy from a baby.
Santana Moss @ DET
After 2 bad games, Moss bounced back last week with 75 yards and
a score against a decent Browns defense. The paltry Lions pass
D has served up an NFL-worst 7 plays of 40+ yards to go along
with 11 TDs. That stat screams for Santana Terrell Moss to put
up 100+ yards and a TD this week.
Bench 'Em:
Wide Receivers Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Plaxico Burress @ PIT
Don’t get me wrong, Plax isn’t going to kill you here
(unless you area referee in the tunnel at halftime), but the Steelers
#1 pass defense will contain him. While he will be better in PPR
leagues, you can’t expect big yardage totals here; Pittsburgh
is only allowing 158 passing YPG has given up only 9 plays of
20+ yards. CB Ike Turner is 6’2” and should be able
to handle the 6’5” Plax.
Roddy White @ PHI
Sharod L. “Roddy” White has been pretty much unstoppable of late
(last 2 games: 244 yards, 2 TDs); his reception totals have increased
in every game this season. I like that trend to come to a crashing
halt this week as the fired up Eagles D will give fits to rookie
QB Matt Ryan. CB Asante Samuel was brought to Philly for matchups
like this and while Roddy is a strong play going forward, he takes
a step back this week.
Derrick Mason vs. OAK
Last week, Mason was on the other side of the report and he delivered
as expected against Miami. Teams like to run on the Raiders and
I expect the same from Baltimore. The Men in Black have it in
them to play well against the pass; they performed well against
both Favre and Rivers and should do the same versus Joe Flacco.
Oakland has allowed 8 aerial TDs, but only 3 have gone to WRs.
Jerricho Cotchery vs. KC
Cotchery was banged up in the Week 7 game against the Raiders
and was held to 1 catch. He has been inconsistent this year with
Brett Favre still adjusting to the Jets offensive schemes. 2 of
his 3 TDs came in one game ( vs. AZ) and this week I envision
the conservative HC Eric Mangini pummeling the Chiefs with the
run game as most have chosen to do. Cotch needs to be healthy
and requires a better matchup before being deployed again.
Anquan Boldin/Steve Breaston vs. CAR
If Boldin suits up, don’t play him. If he doesn’t
suit up, don’t play Breaston either. I don’t think
it is prudent to start a player coming off of a head injury until
you’ve seen him get back in there and produce. Regardless,
it is a tough spot for either receiver. The Panthers are adept
at shutting down opposing WRs and QBs and have only allowed 1
aerial TD in their last 4 games and an average of 167 passing
YPG overall. Stay away.
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