Bye Weeks: Texans, Colts, Saints, Steelers

Start 'Em

Damian Williams @ Atl
The Titans have needed someone to step up and try to fill the void left behind by Kenny Britt and it appears that Williams, a second year receiver from USC, is emerging as a legitimate threat. He has scored TDs in consecutive games and in four of his last six. Last week he had a career-high 107 receiving yards (5 catches) including two 43-yarders grabs. He is still a work in progress, but interesting to note that Nate Washington has 11 catches over the Titans last four games while Williams has 14. Ideally, Washington is a number two receiver, which could leave the door open for Williams to have some big games in plus matchups down the stretch.

Harry Douglas vs. Ten
At press time, there was still no update on WR Julio Jones most recent hamstring injury; Jones left late in the first half of last week’s game and did not return. If Jones is unable to play, Harry Douglas makes for an intriguing plug. Douglas was not overly impressive when Jones missed time in Weeks 6 & 7, however he did manage to lead the Falcons in receiving yards in both games and the matchups were not easy. Last week, he rose to the challenge and caught 8 passes for 133 yards against the Saints while filling in for Jones. He has shown the ability to get deep; he has averaged 18 yards per catch over his last 14 receptions.

Vincent Brown @ Chi
If WR Malcolm Floyd is sidelined again this week, you could do worse than the 3rd rounder out of San Diego State. With the way Brown has been playing, there is little need for the Chargers to rush Floyd back into action, so keep an eye his practice participation through the course of the week and be ready to plug Brown in. He’s had 9 catches for 176 yards and a TD (and another acrobatic TD catch reversed) over the last two weeks. He was targeted a game-high 9 times versus Oakland and after a slow start to the season, it now seems that Brown is ready to contribute to this offense on a regular basis.

Brandon Marshall vs. Buf
With QB Matt Moore making his first ever Shot Caller’s Report, I’d be remiss not to include his go-to guy, Brandon Marshall. Sure, those of us who are Marshall owners would like to see more TDs (just 2 this season), but no one will argue with 15 catches for 204 yards over his last two games. I can’t imagine him not putting a stamp on this week’s home game against the Bills. In two games against Buffalo last season, Marshall had an obscene 19 receptions for 159 yards and 1 TD. Start with confidence.

Bench 'Em

Something isn't right in Buffalo.

Steve Johnson @ Mia
Johnson started out the season with three highly impressive games, grabbing 20 receptions for 256 yards and 3 TDs. He has now gone three weeks without a TD and has crossed the stripe just once in his last six games. Johnson missed practice on Wednesday due to a shoulder injury sustained late in last week’s pounding by the Cowboys, but still had just 2 catches for 8 yards before exiting that game. His reception totals have waned in each of the last 3 weeks and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s subpar play certainly hasn’t helped matters. If he suits up, you probably have to play him, but clearly something isn’t right in Buffalo.

Eric Decker vs. NYJ
Decker may be QB Tim Tebow’s favorite target (12 catches, 3 TDs over the last 4 games), but the exceedingly run-heavy Bronco offense will catch up with Decker sooner or later. Probably sooner, because there is a good chance that Decker sees Jets standout CB Darrelle Revis this week. Either way, with Tebow averaging just 14.5 attempts over the last 2 games, Decker’s ceiling is limited. He can be played in the right matchup, but Thursday night might not be it. For good measure, the Jets pass defense stats: 210.8 passing yards per game allowed, 13 INTs compared to 8 TDs allowed.

Greg Little vs. Jax
Little had 6 grabs for a career-high 84 yards in Sunday's loss to the Rams, including a career-best 52 yarder. This is quite a feat for a Browns team that seems obsessed with throwing short, quick passes. Jacksonville has one of the league’s stingier pass defenses and I don’t envision Little doing many big things this week. Despite their 3-6 record, Jacksonville allows just 189.3 passing yards per game. QB Colt McCoy is slowly coming around, but as long as he continues to average around 220 yards per game, the Browns passing game is a situation to avoid entirely.

Jermaine Gresham @ Bal
After missing two weeks with a hamstring injury, Gresham returned to the lineup last week with 4 catches, 23 yards and a TD; despite a low yardage output, that makes 3 TDs in his last four games. His 4 TDs on the season equal his 2010 total, but I wouldn’t be so eager to rush him out this week. Baltimore has given up the fewest fantasy points to the TE position this season and should be playing with a chip on their shoulder after last week’s embarrassing loss in Seattle, rendering Gresham a marginal play at best.

Good luck in Week 11!

Quarterbacks