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Bye Weeks: N/A
Grab a Helmet
AB posted 96 yards the last time the Steelers
faced the Bengals.
Antonio
Brown v. CIN: Brown suffered a midseason swoon that was ultimately
compounded by an ankle injury which caused him to miss three games
(Weeks 10-12). Since his return to action in Week 13, however, he’s
been a pretty reliable option for the Pittsburgh passing game, even
prior to Big Ben’s return from injury a week later. He’s been targeted
about 10 times per contest in his last three outings and has now
scored touchdowns in successive games, as well. In other words,
his stock is on the uptick at the most propitious time for his owners,
when championship hopes are on the line. He seems to have embraced
Todd Haley’s revamped scheme more than cohort Mike Wallace has and
could prove critical to the Steelers’ playoff chances this Sunday
against Cincinnati. Don’t forget he posted a 96-yard effort the
first time these two teams met, his highest output of the season
to this point.
Lance
Moore @ DAL: Unlike Brown, Moore doesn’t always receive a steady
diet of targets. He’s certainly featured more often than most #2
receivers, but that’s largely because he plays in a pass-heavy attack
and with one of the game’s most prolific passers. Still, there’s
always a bit of risk involved with Moore because of this unpredictability
of looks. One thing that mitigates that risk in Week 16, I think,
is Dallas’ apparent strengths/weaknesses in pass defense. Simply
put, they’ve been pretty strong against #1 receivers this year (e.g.,
Victor Cruz, Vincent Jackson, Torrey Smith, and A.J. Green) but
less so against #2 targets (e.g., Riley Cooper, Andrew Hawkins,
and the aforementioned Antonio Brown). That leads me to believe
their most gifted corner, Brandon Carr, will have success matching
up against Marques Colston this Sunday, but that Moore may find
success in underneath zone matchups with Dallas’ average to below-average
linebackers and safeties. He’s a great #2 or #3 option, depending
on the size of your league.
Randall
Cobb v. TEN: James Jones hogged the spotlight in the critical
Week 15 W over Chicago, but Cobb was certainly no slouch, translating
eight targets into six catches and a nifty 115 yards himself. It
would be nice to see him targeted in the red zone, yeah, but he’s
made more than a few trips to the promised land this season and
will definitely get more opportunities to do so in the future, depending
on what defenses are willing to give Aaron Rodgers. That’s really
what matters, after all, since Rodgers, like his famous predecessor,
is a master at taking what’s given first…and then taking more if
he’s not satisfied. As things stand now, with Jordy Nelson out and
Greg Jennings still rounding into form, Cobb is the Pack’s best
option at receiver. I’m not even convinced he’s not their best option
when those two fellows return to 100%. Start Cobb with supreme confidence
this Sunday against a Tennessee secondary that is improving but
far from elite.
Grab Some Wood
Donnie
Avery @ KC: I’ve already told you I think Andrew Luck will
rebound in a big way this weekend, so it’s logical to assume his
receivers are viable plays, as well. Reggie Wayne, despite a horrid
Week 15, is obviously a must-start and has been from the word
“go” this season. T.Y. Hilton, the promising rook, is orbiting
must-start status if he’s not already there after four tremendous
efforts in his last five games. Avery, however? Yeah, I’m not
sold on him. He’s posted huge totals a couple times this season
but has also notched a whole bunch of blah performances along
the way. In fact, you could almost say he’s been remarkably reliable
in his blah-ness since Hilton started emerging this past month.
Save for a five-catch, 91-yard, two-TD outing in Week 13 against
Detroit, Avery has managed exactly three catches and anywhere
from 31 to 37 yards in every other game since Week 10. If that’s
what passes for consistency, I’d prefer a little more volatility.
Michael
Crabtree @ SEA: Sunday night’s NFC West showdown may end up
looking very NCAA-esque thanks to all the read option currently
being used by both teams, a development which should temporarily
mollify my stepfather. Russell Wilson employed the sudden schematic
shift to exhilarating effect for the Seahawks in Toronto last
Sunday, rushing for 92 yards and three touchdowns on a mere nine
carries. How’s that for efficiency? Meanwhile, Kaepernick continues
to act the dual threat in San Fran, making the usually predictable
Niners much more difficult to defend in recent weeks. Where does
all this leave the two teams’ respective passing attacks? They’ll
be healthy in the long run, I think, but maybe not against these
two defenses. There’s no way I’m stepping in front of the Wilson
Express at this juncture so it seems safer recommending a sit-down
of Mr. Crabtree. He wasn’t very good in the first matchup (six
catches for 31 yards) and will obviously draw Richard Sherman,
Seattle’s best corner, unless the latter loses his suspension
appeal on Friday…in which case, disregard most of what I just
said.
Any NY Jets, Minnesota, or Arizona Receiver: How’s that
for a comprehensive recommendation?! The reason I don’t
like these three receiving corps should be quite evident, I would
think: The men throwing them footballs are either unproven, untalented,
or both. The same cannot be said for the receivers, necessarily,
so they sadly wallow away in fantasy oblivion. I would actually
rank Larry Fitzgerald as the league’s second best behind
Calvin Johnson if he had anyone with even a modicum of talent
throwing him the pigskin. Since he doesn’t, here’s
how many receiving yards he’s tallied his last five games:
89. What a monumental waste of talent. I doubt anyone who’s
still competing for a fantasy chip regularly uses Fitz or any
of these other guys (Jeremy Kerley, Jarius Wright, Andre Roberts,
etc.). If you’re even thinking of doing so based on some
championship week gut feeling, however…put down the eggnog
and back away from the keyboard.
Good luck, folks, and Merry Christmas to you!
Quarterbacks 
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