Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Start 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Mason is a must start against the Lions atrocious pass-D.

Derrick Mason vs. DET
Mason has been somewhat up and down this year (though mostly up), and should bounce back nicely this week after 2 catches for 13 yards last week in Green Bay. Even with that stinker, he has 18 catches in his last 3 games and remains a primary option for QB Joe Flacco. The best thing Mason has going for him this week is his matchup with the lowly Lions. Their atrocious pass defense continues to rank dead-last in the NFL, as they allow 274.8 YPG and have served up a ridiculous (and NFL-leading) 28 aerial TDs.

Brandon Marshall @ IND
Marshal had 7 catches for 94 yards and a TD last week and now has 7 receiving TDs on the season. He needs 1 more to set a career high in that category. The matchup with the Colts is not a great one, but QB Kyle Orton knows where to butter his bread. In his last 5 contests, Marshall is averaging 6.4 receptions per game for 90.4 YPG and has 3 TDs. The chance that the Broncos will be playing catch-up against the high-powered Colts attack further cements Marshall as a must-start this week.

Mike Sims-Walker vs. MIA
With just 5 catches over his last 2 games, Sims-Walker looks to be a safe bet to bounce back this week against the Dolphins. Despite 1 reception last week, Sims-Walker was targeted a team-high 8 times, which still led the Jaguars. I like his chances to return to mid-season form against a Miami team that has allowed 242.9 passing YPG and 15 aerial TDs this season. The timing is right for Sims-Walker to help your squad when they need it most.

Vernon Davis vs. ARI
Vernon Davis set the 49ers' record for TEs with his 10th TD reception last Sunday against the Seahawks and also had a career-high 111 receiving yards. Like QB Alex Smith, the new offensive scheme has allowed Davis to shine; he has averaged 6 catches, 96 reception yards and a TD over the past 3 games. TEs have combined for 6 TDs against the Cardinals in the last 6 games and Arizona allows an average of 257.8 passing YPG. Davis has joined the ranks of the elite TEs in fantasy and needs to be in your lineup this week.

Bench 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Chris Chambers vs. BUF
Chris Chambers saw double coverage last week against the Broncos, which is probably why he hauled in just 2 passes for 11 yards, his lowest yardage total since joining the team five games ago. It would be hard to have a worse game, but it is unreasonable to expect a whole lot more against the Bills and their 4th ranked pass defense (surprise!). Buffalo has allowed just 188.2 passing YPG and have more than double the interceptions (21) than passing TDs allowed (10).

Sidney Rice vs. CIN
It would be difficult, if not impossible, to bench this rising star, but let’s keep our expectations in check this week. For the most part of late, the Bengals have held opposing #1 wideouts in check (save Calvin Johnson last week). The Bengals give up 211.5 passing YPG, 12th best in the NFL, and have allowed 13 passing TDs in 12 games. Rice is has emerged as Brett Favre’s favorite target and there are much worse things to be in football, so an offensive explosion remains a possibility, but don’t be surprised if Rice’s numbers take a hit this week.

Antonio Bryant vs. NYJ
Bryant has recently re-emerged as a viable option, averaging 103.5 receiving yards over the last 2 weeks. This indicates that he might finally be healthy after dealing with a knee issue most of the year. He seems to have a nice rapport with QB Josh Freeman, so a strong finish is not out of the question for Bryant. This week however, he is likely line up against shut-down CB Darrelle Revis and stellar WRs named Terrell Owens, Steve Smith (Car) and Randy Moss all hand their production muted while being covered by Revis.