Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Ryan Czopek       

- Edited by Marc Caviglia     

The Wild Card round is passed and some terrific matchups are now set. It will be interesting to see how who will win the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons wide receivers and the Seattle Seahawks defensive backs. Another enticing question that be answered will be whether a solid San Francisco 49ers defense will hold up against the Green Bay Packers quartet of receivers? No matter what happens, some great wide receivers will be showing off their skills in what looks like another terrific fantasy football playoff weekend.

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF JANUARY 9, 2013::

 
1. Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos) vs. Baltimore

The 2012 regular season was Thomas’s coming out party, thanks in part to Peyton Manning, but mostly because of his natural talent and hard work. Thomas had seven games of 100 plus yard receiving and finished the 2012 regular season with 94 catches for 1434 yards and 10 touchdowns. Thomas had only one reception for 13 yards the last time he played the Baltimore Ravens, but that was mostly due to Eric Decker receiving 11 targets and having a stellar game. This time around, Thomas should be able to have a much productive game against a Baltimore Ravens’ team that allowed an average of 22 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position over their last four regular season games.
Point Projection: 16 points

2. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) @ New England

The Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round of the playoffs halted Johnson’s recent stellar play. Johnson was held to only four receptions for 62 yards and was targeted only six times, as Arian Foster provided most of the offense for the Houston Texans. Johnson should have a better opportunity at a nice game this week against a New England Patriots’ team that allowed the eighth most fantasy points (22.9) to the wide receiver position during the regular season. Johnson also had eight receptions for 95 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 14. Solid cover corner, Aquib Talib will likely be covering Johnson this week, but Johnson is still one of the most outstanding wide receivers in the game and certainly is capable of having a standout performance this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

3. Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Green Bay

In his fourth NFL season, Crabtree took the next step in his progression as a wide receiver, catching 85 passes for 1105 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. It wasn’t until later in the season when Colin Kapernick took over as quarterback that Crabtree became the No. 1 receiving option on the team and his production then sky rocketed. Over the last four games of the regular season, Crabtree averaged seven receptions per game, 107.6 yards per game and scored four touchdowns. It seems likely that Crabtree will be able to produce a nice game at home this week against a Green Bay Packers’ team that allowed four touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their the last four games of the regular season. Look for Crabtree to be one of the best wide receiving options this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

4. Eric Decker (Denver Broncos) vs. Baltimore

He may have played second fiddle to teammate Demaryius Thomas during the regular season, but Decker had career highs in catches (85), receiving yards (1064) and touchdowns (13). Decker finished the regular season on fire, catching 21 passes for 274 yards and scoring five touchdowns over his final three games. The last time Decker played the Baltimore Ravens he had a stellar game, catching eight passes for 133 yards and scoring a touchdown, so a nice performance this week may be in the cards. Based on his recent solid play over his past few games and history of success against the Baltimore Ravens, Decker is looking like terrific play this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

5. Wes Welker (New England Patriots) vs. Houston

Once thought to play a lesser role in the New England Patriots offense this season, Welker proved the skeptics wrong nearly duplicating his outstanding 2011 season, catching 118 passes for 1354 yards and scoring six touchdowns. He also had five games where he had over 100 plus receiving yards. Welker may have a tough time this week against a solid Houston Texans pass defense that held him to three receptions for 52 yards in Week 14. However, the New England Patriots offense is always capable of going off and when they do Welker is often involved.
Point Projection: 12 points

6. Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers) @ San Francisco

Jennings had four catches for 61 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. He nearly scored a touchdown, but was pushed out of bounds right before the goal line. Jennings did tie the team lead in targets however. The San Francisco 49ers held Jennings to only five catches for 34 yards in Week 1, but Jennings should have a better game this time around, considering he has received 27 targets over his last three games. The San Francisco 49ers also allowed an average of 23.3 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position over their last three games. Look for Jennings to have a much more productive game against the San Francisco 49ers this time around.
Point Projection: 12 points

7. Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Seattle

Jones likely didn’t accomplish the lofty expectations of many fantasy owners this season, but still had a great season by any measure. He finished the 2012 regular season with 79 catches for 1198 yards and 10 touchdowns. This week, Jones will likely have to earn every yard against a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed only 10 touchdowns to the wide receiver position this year. The Seattle Seahawks also allowed 96 receiving yards to the Washington Redskins’ wide receivers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. It’s tough to bet strongly on Jones this week, but he is such a dynamic talent that it wouldn’t be too surprising if he put together a nice performance.
Point Projection: 12 points

8. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Seattle

White didn’t have his third straight 100 catch season, but proved he is still an elite receiver in the NFL, catching 92 passes for 1351 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. He also had seven games of 100 plus receiving yards during the 2012 regular season. The Seattle Seahawks have one of the toughest secondary’s in football, allowing the least fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. It’s going to be a tough matchup for White to overcome, but he produced against some tough pass defenses earlier in the season (Denver, Carolina, etc…). White certainly has a chance to come through with a strong performance this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

9. Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens) @ Denver

Boldin came through with a dominating performance against the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, catching five passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. Even though he was only targeted seven times, Boldin was able to achieve a Baltimore Ravens playoff franchise record with 145 receiving yards. Boldin has been playing well lately, but it seems unlikely that his latest offensive surge will carry into a matchup against a Denver Broncos’ secondary that seldom allows big plays. In fact, the last time Boldin played the Denver Broncos in Week 16 during the regular season, was only targeted six times and was held without a reception. Bank on an improved performance for Boldin this time around (It can’t get worse), but it’s unlikely he will achieve anywhere near the game he had against the Indianapolis Colts.
Point Projection: 10 points

10. James Jones (Green Bay Packers) @ San Francisco

Jones had four receptions for 41 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. It was the first time Jones hadn’t scored a touchdown since Week 14 of the regular season. The San Francisco 49ers allowed only nine touchdowns to the wide receiver position during the regular season, but the Green Bay offense has been functioning well lately putting up 113 points over their last three games. Also, the San Francisco 49ers defense hasn’t looked like the same fierce defense since Justin Smith has been out with a torn tricep. Jones has a solid shot at the end zone this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

11. Randall Cobb (Green Bay Packers) @ San Francisco

Cobb had only one reception for nine yards against the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. With Christian Ponder out, the game didn’t turn out to be very competitive, so the Green Bay Packers elected to run the ball for clock control purposes. Cobb should be more involved this week against a San Francisco 49ers’ team that he had nine receptions for 77 yards against in Week 1. Cobb hasn’t been very productive over his past two games, but he had an impressive regular season and is certainly capable of a solid game this week.
Point Projection: 7 points

12. Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers) @ San Francisco

Dealing with an injured hamstring, Nelson had three catches for 51 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Nelson played decreased snaps in the game because his hamstring is still not 100% after suffering the injury in Week 13 of the regular season. Nelson will be a risky play this week against a solid San Francisco 49ers’ defense, considering there is a chance he will once again play limited reps this week. It’s best to check on Nelson’s status later in the week before making the decision of whether he is worth starting.
Point Projection: 7 points

13. Brandon Lloyd (New England Patriots) vs. Houston

Many expected big things from Lloyd when he joined the New England Patriots this season, but he has been largely a disappointment. Lloyd finished the 2012 regular season with 74 catches, for 911 yards and four touchdowns. However, Lloyd turned it on late in the regular season and one of his better performances came against the Denver Broncos, catching seven passes for 89 yards and scoring a touchdown. The Houston Texans also allowed 16 touchdowns to the wide receiver position during the regular season, so Lloyd certainly has a chance to have a productive outing this week.
Point Projection: 7 points

14. Torrey Smith (Baltimore Ravens) @ Denver

Smith had only two receptions for 31 yards against the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Smith didn’t make much of an impact offensively, but made several important blocks that led to big plays by tight end, Dennis Pita and Ray Rice. Continuing his tradition of boom or bust play, Smith is looking more like the latter going against a Denver Broncos’ team that held him to one reception for 14 yards back in Week 16. Smith was covered by future Hall of Fame cornerback; Champ Bailey in Week 16 and it seems likely he will be the one to cover Smith again, considering how effective that turned out being the last time. Smith has great speed and made some terrific catches during the regular season, but he is a real risky play this week.
Point Projection: 6 points

15. Golden Tate (Seattle Seahawks) @ Atlanta

Tate had four catches for 35 yards against the Washington Redskins in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. It was the Marshawn Lynch show offensively for Seattle, so there wasn’t much need for a passing game. Tate received only five targets in the game and accomplished little after the catch, averaging only 8.8 yards per reception. It’s tough to bank on solid performance for Tate this week against an Atlanta Falcons’ team that allowed only seven touchdowns to the wide receiver position during the regular season. Tate also hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 13 of the regular season. It wouldn’t be wise to invest in Tate this week, especially because of how well the Seattle Seahawks have been running the ball lately.
Point Projection: 6 points

16. Sidney Rice (Seattle Seahawks) @ Atlanta

Rice had only one catch for 27 yards against the Washington Redskins in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Suffering from an ailing knee, Rice was only targeted four times. Over his last three games, Rice has only two receptions for 41 yards. It’s unlikely that the Seattle Seahawks will pass the ball a ton against an Atlanta Falcons’ team that allowed the fifth least fantasy points (16.4) to the wide receiver position during the regular season, especially with their running game being their bread and butter offensively. It wouldn’t be wise to bet the farm on Rice this week.
Point Projection: 5 points

17. Randy Moss (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Green Bay
Moss was thought to play more of a role before the regular season started for the San Francisco 49ers, but he ended up splitting reps with Mario Manningham throughout the season and ended the season, with 28 receptions for 434 yards and three touchdowns. Averaging only 1.7 receptions per game during the regular season, Moss isn’t likely to make much of an impact against the Green Bay Packers this week. However, there is a chance, considering Moss had three receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1
Point Projection: 4 points

18. Kevin Walter (Houston Texans) @ New England

Walter had four receptions for 26 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Once again Walter came through with one of many mediocre performance he has had this season. Don’t expect much from Walter this week considering he was only targeted three times and was held without a catch against the New England Patriots the last time he played them.
Point Projection: 3 points

19. Doug Baldwin (Seattle Seahawks) @ Atlanta

Baldwin had two receptions for 39 yards against the Washington Redskins in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. He was only targeted five times and was unable to connect with Russell Wilson for a big play. Baldwin had only 29 catches during the regular season and that’s not a comforting sign he will be able to come through with a breakthrough performance against a tough Atlanta Falcons’ team this week.
Point Projection: 2 points

20. Harry Douglas (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Seattle

Finishing the 2012 season with only 38 catches for 396 yards and one touchdown, it was another middling season for Douglas, who was a top draft pick for the Atlanta Falcons back in 2008. Being behind Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez for targets, Douglas simply isn’t involved enough in the Atlanta Falcons offense to be considered a strong wide receiver option this week.
Point Projection: 2 points

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