Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Ryan Czopek
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF JANUARY 4, 2012::

One of the most exciting times of the year has finally come. The NFL playoffs! There are some terrific games this weekend including the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants versus the Atlanta Falcons. Wide receivers like Calvin Johnson, Victor Cruz and Marques Colston all have chances to make big impacts in favorable matchups this week. Which receiver will make the biggest impact in the 2012 Wild Card Round? Our wide receiver rankings will give you a better idea of what you can expect during this exciting time for football fans.

Standard Scoring

Pass TD: 4 points |  All Other TDs: 6 points
25 Passing Yards: 1 point |  All Turnovers: -2 points
10 Rushing Yards: 1 point |  10 Receiving Yards: 1 point

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1. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) @ New Orleans

Many fantasy owners expected that the 2011 season would be Johnson’s breakout season, but it turns out breakout isn’t a big enough word. Johnson was fourth in the league in receptions (96), first in receiving yards (1,681) and led all wide receivers in touchdowns (16). The last time Johnson faced the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, he was unable to get much going. The New Orleans Saints simply would not let Johnson beat them, employing bracket coverage on the superstar limiting him to six receptions for 69 yards. Since, the New Orleans Saints were successful in beating the Detroit Lions in Week 13 by taking Johnson out of the game, it seems likely that they would employ that strategy again this week. However, Johnson has been on a tear over the Detroit Lion’s last three games (24 receptions, 560 yards and four touchdowns) and the New Orleans Saints gave up the eighth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (21.8). The New Orleans Saints defense finished the season strong allowing only 53 points over their last three games, including limiting the Atlanta Falcons powerful offense to only 16 points. This week may be a difficult week for the all-world receiver, but Johnson is capable of producing huge numbers against anyone, and it will be difficult for the New Orleans Saints to keep Megatron in check twice in one season.
Point Projection: 17 points

2. Victor Cruz (New York Giants) vs. Atlanta

There is no adjective that is strong enough to define Cruz’s 2011 season. Cruz had a truly remarkable 2011 regular season, catching a whopping 82 passes for 1,536 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. His 1,536 receiving yards broke a team record and he has had an impressive five 100 plus yard receiving games since Week 7. It’s tough to bet against Cruz in any matchup and this week is no exception. Cruz is going against an Atlanta Falcons’ team that allowed 486 yards receiving and five touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last three regular season games. There is little to no reason to expect Cruz to slow down this week, considering Cruz has played great against better pass defenses than the Atlanta Falcons this season (New York Jets, San Francisco, Philadelphia, etc…)
Point Projection: 16 points

3. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) vs. Detroit

After breaking his collarbone Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, it was unknown if Colston was going to be the same when he made his return. Despite a remarkable season by Jimmy Graham, Colston was still able to have one of best seasons as a professional, hauling in 80 passes for 1,143 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. Even though Colston didn’t have a terrific game against the Detroit Lions in Week 13 of the regular season (six receptions for 54 yards), there’s a good chance of that being rectified this week, considering the Detroit Lions have allowed 735 receiving yards and six touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last three regular season games. Drew Brees is playing at an elite level right now and Colston has always been one of his favorite targets. It’s very possible Colston could have a memorable performance this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

4. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) @ New York Giants

After the first half of the 2011 regular season, most fantasy owners were wondering what was wrong with the Atlanta Falcon’s offense, more specifically what was wrong with Matt Ryan and Roddy White? Then the second half came and all was right with the world. Over the Atlanta Falcons’ last nine games, White had four 100 yard plus yard receiving games and scored five touchdowns. White has a solid chance of having a nice game this week against a New York Giants’ defense that surrendered the fifth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (24.2). The New York Giants have only allowed 51 points from opposing offenses over their last three games, but they didn’t face an offense as balanced and as efficient as the Atlanta Falcons offense. Expect White to thrive in a possible shootout this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

5. Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) @ New York Giants

There maybe no hotter wide receiver entering the playoffs than Quintorris Lopez Jones. Sorry, but it’s so much more fun to say than Julio. Over the Atlanta Falcon’s last five games, Jones has a stellar 24 receptions for 461 yards and has scored six touchdowns. Jones, who has been a big play machine recently, should have no problem taking advantage of a poor New York Giants’ secondary that surrendered the fourth most receptions of 20 plus yards (60) during the regular season and also surrendered 20 touchdowns to the wide receiver position. Everything seems in line for Jones to have another big week.
Point Projection: 15 points

6. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) vs. Atlanta

Even though the dynamic Victor Cruz has overshadowed Nicks most of this season, Nicks quietly put together a productive stretch to end the season. Over the New York Giants last seven regular season games, Nicks averaged 5.4 receptions and 88.1 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns. The Atlanta Falcons allowed the 11th most fantasy points to the wide receiver position during the 2011 regular season, so it’s very possible a stellar outing for Nicks could be coming. The New York Giants are playing great football right now and Eli Manning is having one of his best seasons in his career. Look for Nicks to have a nice game this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

7. A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Houston

If not for Cam Newton, Green would be the slam-dunk rookie of the year. Green had an outstanding rookie season catching 65 passes for 1057 yards and scoring six touchdowns. He will likely be paired up against Houston Texans’ shutdown corner Jonathan Joseph this week. The last time Green went against the Houston Texans in Week 13 he had five receptions for 59 yards. It doesn’t look great for Green this week, but he has had nice performances against some tough pass defenses this season (Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Jacksonville, etc…). It’s very possible Green could have a nice game this week, but keep in mind he does have an injured shoulder and had two poor games to finish up the regular season.
Point Projection: 12 points

8. Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Denver

If there is a case that a great preseason could mean a great regular season, Brown has a real good one. In his second season as a pro, Brown was nothing short of terrific, catching 69 passes for 1,108 receiving yards and scoring two touchdowns. He also managed to dethrone one of the best wide receivers in Pittsburgh Steelers history (Hines Ward) to become the No. 2 wide receiver on the team. Brown, who finished the season strong, catching six passes for 90 yards against an excellent Cleveland Browns’ pass defense, has a solid chance of having another nice game against the Denver Broncos. The Denver Broncos allowed an average of 21.1 fantasy points per game during the regular season, which was 12th worst in the league. Ben Roethlisberger may not be 100%, but it didn’t stop him from getting Brown the ball last week. Expect Brown to be one of the better wide receivers this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

9. Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Denver

Wallace looked well on his way to a career season after absolutely tearing it up in the first half of the season, but then he started receiving more attention from defenses, which no longer wanted to be torched by the Pittsburgh speedster. Since the Pittsburgh Steelers bye week, Wallace had 19 receptions for 271 yards and scored two touchdowns in six games. It seems likely that Wallace will be given the Champ Bailey treatment this week, which could limit his production. It also doesn’t help Wallace’s cause that the Denver Broncos only gave up one touchdown to the wide receiver position over the last four games of the regular season. Wallace’s is capable of having a strong game every week, but this week will be a challenging.
Point Projection: 9 points

10. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) vs. Cincinnati

It was a disappointing 2011 season for arguably the best receiver in the league. Hamstring injuries to both legs caused Johnson to miss nine regular season games. The good news is Johnson returned in Week 17 and although he had meager production (two receptions for 21 yards) he was able to shake some of the rust off from not playing in the previous three Houston Texans’ games. Even though T.J. Yates is expected to play, the Houston Texans will almost definitely run their offense through Arian Foster this week. Foster is well rested after being benched in Week 17, and the Cincinnati Bengals looked vulnerable against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17, giving up 220 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Johnson certainly could have a solid game this week, but a terrific game seems unlikely.
Point Projection: 9 points

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11. Demaryious Thomas (Denver Broncos) vs. Pittsburgh

After missing the first five games of the 2011 regular season, Thomas started off slow and received inconsistent targets with Eddie Royal starting. Then the Denver Broncos made a conscience effort to get the rookie more involved in the offense and Thomas thrived, averaging five receptions for 89.6 yards per game over the Denver Broncos’ last five regular season games. Thomas is looking like a poor play this week going against a Pittsburgh Steelers’ team that allowed the least fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position this season (12.3). It also doesn’t help Thomas’ cause that Tim Tebow has been abysmal over the Denver Broncos’ last three games completing only 30 passes for 439 yards and passing for only one touchdown. An ugly, sloppy game could be taking place on Sunday, where the running game will no doubt be a big factor for the Denver Broncos. Don’t expect a big game from Thomas this week.
Point Projection: 7 points

12. Nate Burleson (Detroit Lions) @ New Orleans 

Nate wasn’t great this season, but his numbers weren’t terrible either. Burleson achieved a career high in receptions 73 and accumulated 757 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns. The last time Burleson played the New Orleans Saints he took advantage of a smothered Calvin Johnson, catching five passes for 93 yards. The Detroit Lions offense has been terrific of late, scoring 108 points over their last three games. Burleson certainly has a chance to have solid game this week, but a score doesn’t seem likely considering he only scored three touchdowns during the 2011 regular season.
Point Projection: 7 points

13. Robert Meachem (New Orleans Saints) vs. Detroit

When Marques Colston broke his collarbone in the first game of the season, Meachem helped pick up the receiving slack, catching 14 passes for 131 yards and scoring three touchdowns over the New Orleans Saints first three games. However, when Colston returned in Week 4, Meachem once again resembled the boom or bust play that he was last season. On the bright side, one of Meachem’s best games of the season came against the Detroit Lions in Week 13, where he hauled in three receptions for 119 yards and scored a touchdown. The Detroit Lions pass defense really struggled in the second half of the season and will surely have trouble against a stellar New Orleans Saints offense once again. Meachem could be in for another big game this week, but of course there is some risk involved when starting him.
Point Projection: 7 points

14. Titus Young (Detroit Lions) @ New Orleans 

Young’s rookie season was filled with its share of ups and downs, but ultimately it was a solid campaign. He caught 48 receptions for 607 yards and scored two touchdowns in the 2011 regular season. Since Young is a situational deep threat for the Detroit Lions, it’s tough to rely on him this week against a New Orleans Saints’ team that has been playing great football of late. However, he has been productive recently catching 19 passes for 231 yards and scoring four touchdowns over the Detroit Lions’ last five games. Since the New Orleans Saints seem likely to bottle up Calvin Johnson this week there maybe some room for Young to make a big play or two. Young, who had two receptions for 60 yards against the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, is a risky play this week, but he certainly could pay off.
Point Projection: 6 points

15. Lance Moore (New Orleans Saints) vs. Detroit

Moore has been dealing with a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the New Orleans Saints’ Week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers, however; he is expected to play this week, regardless if he is less than one hundred percent. The Detroit Lions have struggled against wide receivers in the second half of the season allowing 12 touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last eight games to the position. Moore, who had two receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 13 has a chance to score this week. However, it’s unknown how limited Moore will be this week, so he is a gamble if he’s able to play.
Point Projection: 5 points

16. Mario Manningham (New York Giants) vs. Atlanta

Many expected a breakout for Manningham after looking terrific at times last season. However, nagging injuries and a nifty little receiver named Victor Cruz derailed that breakout and Manningham finished the 2011 regular season with just 39 receptions, 523 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Manningham has been dealing with a knee injury, but he started in Week 17 and should be fine to go this week. It’s tough to expect Manningham, who had zero receptions and zero targets in Week 17, to come through with a nice performance this week. Manningham is also behind Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz for targets and his health is a big question mark. It’s probably best leave Manningham out of your lineup this week.
Point Projection: 5 points

17. Adrian Arrington (New Orleans Saints) vs. Detroit

Arrington burst onto the scene in Week 17, catching seven passes for 79 yards, while filling in for Lance Moore. It was a nice game for Arrington, who was on the practice squad before being promoted. However, Arrington’s value this week hinges on the health of Lance Moore. If Moore is unable to go this week (which seems like a likely possibility), Arrington will be the New Orleans Saints No. 3 receiver and has solid value against a poor Detroit Lions’ secondary. He will likely be behind Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham and Robert Meachem for targets, but Arrington could certainly make a splash this week.
Point Projection: 4 points

18. Jerome Simpson (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Houston

That really was an incredible play against the Arizona Cardinals. He flipped over a linebacker and landed on his feet to score a touchdown for crying out loud! Too bad that’s the only thing that fans will remember about Simpson’s season rather than his overall body of work.  Except for a few scattered impressive performances, Simpson was invisible more than he was visible in the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense this season. Even though Simpson scored a touchdown the last time he played the Houston Texans in Week 14, he hardly had an impressive game catching only two passes for 38 yards. It’s possible that Simpson could score a touchdown this week against a Houston Texans’ team that has allowed 15 touchdowns to the wide receiver position this season, but it’s also very possible he could end up with only 30 yards receiving. Unless A.J. Green somehow misses this week’s game, Simpson is a bad bet for an outstanding game.
Point Projection: 4 points

19. Eric Decker (Denver Broncos) vs. Pittsburgh

Decker became many fantasy owners’ darling after a strong start to the season. In the Denver Broncos’ first ten games Decker scored seven touchdowns. However, since Demaryius Thomas has become Tim Tebow’s favorite target, Decker’s production has fallen off the map. He has only seven receptions for 85 yards over the Denver Broncos’ last five games. Decker is much too big of a gamble to deploy this week against a nasty Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass defense. Don’t expect a big game from Decker this week in light of his recent run of poor production and the fact that he’s playing in a struggling offense that has scored only 17 points over the last two games of the regular season.
Point Projection: 4 points

20. Kevin Walter (Houston Texans) vs. Cincinnati

As disappointing as Jacoby Jones has been this season, it’s possible Walter maybe even more of one. After signing a five year 21.5 million dollar contract in the offseason, Walter proceeded to have his worst statistical season since 2006, catching 39 balls for only 474 receiving yards and scoring three touchdowns. It’s tough to expect Walter to have a productive game this week, even against a soft Cincinnati Bengals’ secondary, considering he has only topped 50 receiving yards only four times this season. Also the Houston Texans will likely have a run heavy offense this week. It’s probably a wise move to avoid Walter this week.
Point Projection: 4 points

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Please use this link to enter:  Wild Card Round $350 Contest  (click to register)

21. Harry Douglas (Atlanta Falcons) @ New York Giants

When the Atlanta Falcons drafted Julio Jones with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 draft, it was thought that Douglas could have a breakout season considering how much attention both Jones and Pro Bowl wide receiver, Roddy White would receive. It didn’t exactly workout like that. Douglas finished the year with only 39 receptions for 498 yards receiving and scored only one touchdown. The New York Giants don’t have a great pass defense by any means, but there are no real positive signs that Douglas can take advantage of that fact. Over the Atlanta Falcons last five games, Douglas has only eight receptions for 70 yards. It’s tempting, but it’s probably best to not drink the Douglas Kool-Aid this week.
Point Projection: 4 points

22. Devery Henderson (New Orleans Saints) vs. Detroit

The forgotten New Orleans Saints wide receiver, Henderson, had one of his worst seasons as a professional in 2011. Henderson finished the year with 32 receptions for 503 yards and scored two touchdowns. It wouldn’t be wise to trust Henderson this week even if Lance Moore misses the game. Henderson doesn’t receive a ton of targets and is a situational deep threat. It’s difficult to trust Henderson, who has only had four or more receptions only twice this season.
Point Projection: 4 points

23. Jacoby Jones (Houston Texans) vs. Cincinnati

Surprise; surprise…another disappointing season for the Kenan Thompson doppelganger. Even with Andre Johnson missing nine games this season, Jones had only three games this season where he topped 50 receiving yards. Jones isn’t looking like a great option this week considering he’s the fourth offensive option at best in the Houston Texans offense. It also doesn’t help his cause that quarterback T.J. Yates doesn’t seem likely to throw a ton this week because of a separated shoulder.
Point Projection: 3 points

24. Emmanuel Sanders (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Denver

Dealing with nagging injuries most of the season, Sanders had a disappointing campaign for the Pittsburgh Steelers, hauling in only 22 receptions for 288 yards and scoring two touchdowns. However, Sanders has said that he feels good recently and has a chance to make an impact against a Denver Broncos’ team that has been vulnerable over the middle at times this season. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if Sanders doesn’t have an impressive game considering Ben Roethlisberger’s health and the fact that Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown are better options.
Point Projection: 3 points

25. Hines Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Denver

The Pittsburgh Steelers great has been really showing his age this season. Struggling with gaining separation from defensive backs, Ward has had his worst statistical season of his career catching only 46 passes for 381 yards and scoring two touchdowns. The old Hines Ward doesn’t seem likely to make an appearance this week either. Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are all better playmaking options than Ward at this point in his career.
Point Projection: 3 points

26. Jericho Cotchery (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Denver

After being cut by the New York Jets, Cotchery was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. Cotchery had a couple of productive games this season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but hasn’t received consistent targets being the fourth best wide receiver on the team. It wouldn’t be wise to expect a big game from Cotchery this week, especially with Ben Roethlisberger’s health issues.
Point Projection: 3 points

27. Andrew Hawkins (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Houston

The Cincinnati Bengals could really use a third wide receiver and unfortunately Hawkins probably isn’t the guy. Hawkins finished the 2011 regular season with only 23 receptions for 263 yards. It’s unlikely Hawkins will make much of an impact this week considering he is the fourth best option in the Cincinnati Bengals passing game and has only had three receptions or more in three games this season.
Point Projection: 2 points

28. Eddie Royal (Denver Broncos) vs. Pittsburgh

Royal must be happy that it’s 2012, because his 2011 was truly dismal. He had his worst season as a pro catching only 19 passes for 155 yards and scoring only one touchdown. Royal didn’t exactly finish the 2011 regular season strong either, catching only two passes for 18 yards over the Denver Broncos’ last three games. It wouldn’t be wise to trust Royal this week considering Tim Tebow throws few passes and he is behind Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker for targets.
Point Projection: 2 points

WILD CARD ROUND RANKINGS:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF  (click to view)