Clutch: Wide receivers, Week 14
Continuing my soiree into my this week’s top fantasy football playoff plays, here are my top five wide receiver plays.
Andre Johnson vs Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens remain in the top-10 against the run, which will limit Arian Foster in the ground game. When that happens, the Texans will need to lean on their star wide receiver and the passing game. Baltimore is about middle of the pack against wide receivers (18th most points), and they especially struggle against tall, strong threats like Johnson (see Lee Evans and Roddy White). I like his chances for another big game.
DeSean Jackson @ Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys are playing better as a unit, but they still allow a ton of points and yards on defense. In fact, Dallas allows the most wide receiver points to opponents by far. Even with two starters missing on the offensive line, Michael Vick should be able to find his number one target early and often.
Derrick Mason @ Houston Texans – It must be something in the water in Texas, because the Texans allow second most wide receiver points. Mason had yet another public blow-up after being marginalized with only three targets in Week 13’s loss to Pittsburgh. Last time this happened, Joe Flacco made sure to feed him the ball (13 targets, 8-87-1 in Week 12 vs Tampa Bay). A veteran like Mason should have little problem against a Texans secondary that will zero-in on Anquan Boldin.
Mike Williams @ Washington Redskins - He’s a little banged up with a knee injury, but he practiced Friday and looks good to go against the unit that allows the 8th most wide receiver points in the league. The Bucs have more to play for, while the Skins are all but out of the race in the NFC. Williams could be in for a huge game, as he has eaten secondaries alive at the bottom of the food chain (see Atlanta and Arizona).
Greg Jennings @ Detroit Lions - The Lions allow a ton of points to wide receivers (9th most in the league), and few offenses are hotter than the Packers. Jennings has posted three consecutive 100-yard games against similar or slightly better units. No reason to expect he won’t post a fourth.
