Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

WEEK 15 RANKINGS  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF

t’s the second week of the fantasy football playoffs in many leagues and once again several injuries have plagued the wide receiver position during this crucial time. Cecil Shorts, Jordy Nelson, Danny Amendola and others may come down to game time decisions this week. The next man up for many teams could make an impact this week or be a bust. It’s important to diagnose every receiver’s situation before making a decision. Riding your hot players and your studs will likely be the best strategy going forward, but for the real up in the air decisions it’s best to consult our rankings.

Who will be among the top scoring wide receivers this week? Read our fantasy football Week 15 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings below to gain an advantage over your friends and competitors alike.

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 12, 2012::

1. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) @ Arizona

Johnson had 10 catches for 118 yards against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. It was Johnson’s sixth 100 plus yard receiving game in a row. The Arizona Cardinals are a mess right now, recently giving up 58 points to the Seattle Seahawks, which should give Johnson reason to be licking his chops this week. Right now it doesn’t matter what defense is up against Johnson, he’s going to come through with a nice performance. Johnson continues to be the best WR1 in football and should come through with another solid performance this week.
Point Projection: 17 points

2. A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Philadelphia

That fantasy MVP crown is looking a bit less shiny. Green caught three passes for 44 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. He came through with this dud at one of the most crucial times of the season for many fantasy owners. For fantasy owners who were able to weather the storm, Green has a nice chance to bounce back against a Philadelpahie Eagles team that has given up points in bunches to the wide receiver position. The Eagles have also allowed a lot of big plays over the last month, which Green excels at. Green is a terrific WR1 this week.
Point Projection: 16 points

3. Victor Cruz (New York Giants) @ Atlanta

Cruz had eight receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 14. He has now produced back to back 100 yard plus receiving games for the first time all season. Cruz wasn’t terrific against the Atlanta Falcons last season (two receptions for 28 yards), but with Eli Manning playing well of late, Cruz has a chance to make a difference this week. Cruz has been a fantasy stud this season and owners’ should never bench their studs.
Point Projection: 15 points

4. Brandon Marshall (Chicago Bears) vs. Green Bay

Marshall caught 10 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. It was Marshall’s second straight game of 150 yards plus receiving and the touchdown was his eighth of the season. Marshall struggled against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2, but with four one hundred yard plus games in his last six games, he has been one of the best fantasy receivers down the stretch. The Green Bay Packers have also allowed 21.4 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. Marshall has been a fantasy stud this whole season and there is no reason for him to be out of lineups this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

5. Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos) @ Baltimore

Thomas had five catches for 83 yards against the Oakland Raiders in Week 14. His performance could have possibly been better, had he not missed the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Thomas returned to the game and finished it out, so he should be good to play against a Baltimore Ravens’ team that has allowed an average of 18.7 fantasy points this season. Thomas has been one of the best and most consistent fantasy receivers this season and more importantly has a quarterback that could consistently get him the ball.
Point Projection: 15 points

6. Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ New Orleans

Jackson caught seven passes for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14. The one hundred yard plus receiving game was Jackson’s third of the season and the touchdown was his eighth. Jackson’s biggest game of the season came against the New Orleans Saints in Week 7, catching seven passes for 216 yards and a touchdown. The New Orleans Saints had been playing better defense until the New York Giants torched them last week, so this maybe another good time for Jackson to strike. Bet on a nice game for Jackson this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

7. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) vs. New York Giants

White caught nine passes for 117 yards and scored a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11. Continuing his dominance of the Carolina Panthers this season, White managed to produce his sixth 100 yard plus receiving game. Although it’s difficult to determine whether he or Julio Jones will see the bulk of the targets from week to week, White should still be considered a WR1 against a New York Giants’ secondary that has really struggled at times this season, allowing an average of 24.0 fantasy points to the wide receiver position. White has been a trusted fantasy option most of this season and should continue to be treated as such.
Point Projection: 14 points

8. Wes Welker (New England Patriots) vs. San Francisco

Cherry! Cherry! Lemon. The slot machine caught three passes for 52 yards against the Houston Texans in Week 14. Welker looked like he was on his way to big game, but he had a case of the drops. Despite that performance, it has still been another nice season for Welker, who has five one hundred plus yard receiving games. Welker has a tough matchup against a San Francisco 49ers’ pass defense that has only allowed six touchdowns to the wide receiver position this season. However, Welker is still Tom Brady’s No. 1 option, especially when under duress, so he is certainly capable of having a productive game regardless of the circumstances.
Point Projection: 13 points

9. Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts) @ Houston

Wayne caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14. The touchdown was Wayne’s first since Week 9, but he continues deliver terrific PPR numbers and solid yardage. It seems unlikely that Wayne will have a nice game against a solid Houston Texans’ defense, but he did manage to have 24 receptions for 212 yards and score two touchdowns in two games against the Houston Texans last season, without the aid of a quarterback as gifted as Andrew Luck. Expect a solid game from Wayne this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

10. Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) vs. New York Giants

Jones caught five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Week 14. Leading the team with 11 targets, Jones managed to score his sixth touchdown of the season. Jones has a chance to score his seventh against a New York Giants’ team that has allowed a league high 17 touchdowns to the wide receiver position this season. Jones has been kind of hit or miss this season, but this matchup should pay dividends for the ultra talented receiver.
Point Projection: 13 points

11. Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Pittsburgh    **CHECK INJURY REPORT ON SUNDAY**

Bryant caught four passes for 50 yards and scored a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals’ in Week 14. The main objective for the Cincinnati Bengals defense was to take Bryant out of the game and they did that to a degree, but it didn’t stop him from scoring double-digit fantasy points for the fifth game in a row. The touchdown was Bryant’s seventh in five games and he remains red hot going into a matchup against a Pittsburgh Steelers’ team that looked out of sorts against the San Diego Chargers in Week 14. Bryant’s fractured finger is a concern, but he has been one of the most reliable fantasy receivers of late and is a must start in all leagues if he’s able to play.
Point Projection: 13 points

12. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) vs. Indianapolis

Johnson caught eight passes for 95 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 14. It was another solid game for Johnson, but again he couldn’t find pay dirt this week. Johnson has only three touchdowns this season. However, Johnson has a chance to score this week against an Indianapolis Colts’ team that has allowed an average of 24.3 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. Johnson, who had 11 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts last season, is looking like a solid WR1 this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

13. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) @ Atlanta

Nicks caught four passes for 67 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 14. Over his last three games, Nicks has looked as healthy as he’s has been all season, catching 14 passes for 187 yards and scoring two touchdowns. He has also been targeted 29 times in that span. Nicks has a chance at a big encore performance against an Atlanta Falcons’ team that he had nine receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns against in the NFC Wildcard game last season. If there was a time to start Nicks for this week may be it.
Point Projection: 13 points

14. Pierre Garcon (Washington Redskins) @ Cleveland

Frenchy caught five passes for 87 yards and scored a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. It was another nice performance for Garcons, who has 17 catches for 279 yards and three touchdowns over his last three games. The Cleveland Browns have allowed the seventh most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (23.4) and 15 touchdowns. Garcon will likely see coverage from elite corner Joe Haden this week, but he has had the hot hand of late and is a solid WR2 this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

15. Randall Cobb (Green Bay Packers) @ Chicago

Cobb caught seven passes for 102 yards against the Detroit Lions in Week 14. Averaging 5.6 receptions and 67.6 yards per game over his last three games, Cobb continues to be a solid WR2 in most fantasy leagues. The Chicago Bears have been solid overall against the pass, but Cobb has found ways to be productive this season even against some solid pass defenses. Look for Cobb to continue to be productive this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

16. Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Dallas

Somebody owes Big Ben a drink. Wallace caught seven passes for 112 yards and scored two touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers in Week 14. After three straight games of scoring four fantasy points or less without Big Ben, Wallace came back in a big way with the return of the quarterback. As long as Ben Roethlisberger is playing Wallace can be considered a WR3 against a Dallas Cowboys’ team that has allowed an average of 32 fantasy points to the wide receiver position over their last three games
Point Projection: 12 points

17. Danario Alexander (San Diego Chargers) vs. Carolina

Alexander had seven catches for 88 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14. Over his last five games, Alexander has been the unquestioned No. 1 receiver for the San Diego Chargers, catching 30 passes for 494 yards and scoring five touchdowns. The Carolina Panthers have been fairly good against the pass this season, but they have struggled recently and Alexander has been torching everybody lately. Alexander is a solid WR2 this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

18. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) vs. Tampa Bay

Colston had four receptions for 61 yards against the New York Giants in Week 14. He only received four targets after receiveing 11 in Week 13. Colston’s inconsistent targets are hurting his production of late, but there’s a chance Drew Brees maybe passing a lot this week against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ secondary that has allowed the most fantasy points (27.1) to the wide receiver position this season. Look for Colston, who had seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, to have a solid game this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

19. Josh Gordon (Cleveland Browns) vs. Washington

Gordon caught eight passes for 86 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14. He was targeted a team high 12 times and has proven to be the No. 1 receiver for the Cleveland Browns this season. Gordon will be a lower tier WR3 option against a Washington Redskins’ team that regularly gives up big plays to receivers and have allowed the second most fantasy points (26.2) to the wide receiver position this season. Gordon is a solid gamble this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

20. Miles Austin (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Pittsburgh

Austin caught four passes for 46 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14. He was targeted a team high ten times, but couldn’t quite get on the same page as Tony Romo most of the game. Austin maybe playing second fiddle to Dez Bryant of late, but he is still looking like a decent option against the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, who have allowed an average of 25 fantasy points over their last couple of games. Even though Austin hasn’t been scoring as much as he was earlier in the season, he is always a threat in the red zone and can be considered a lower tier WR3 this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

21. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers) vs. Detroit

Smith caught seven passes for 102 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14. Since Brandon LaFell has been out with a foot injury, Smith’s game has excelled recording back-to-back 100 plus yard performances. It appears like LaFell may miss this week as well or at least be limited, which means Smith has an opportunity to do some damage against a Detroit Lions’ team that has allowed 669 receiving yards and three touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last three games. Smith appears to be a solid WR3 choice this week, especially because he has been receiving heavy targets of late and the fact that Cam Newton has been playing well.
Point Projection: 10 points

22. Kenny Britt (Tennessee Titans) vs. New York Jets

Britt caught eight passes for 143 yards against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 14. The Tennessee Titans new offensive coordinator Chris Palmer’s mission was to get Britt the Ball more. Mission Accomplished. It was Britt’s first 100-yard receiving game of the year. It’s unlikely that Britt will have an encore performance likely seeing a good dose of shutdown corner, Antonio Cromarte this week. However, he could still have a productive game if the Tennessee Titans coaching staff wants to continue to feed him the ball, which is what their intentions are.
Point Projection: 9 points

23. Lance Moore (New Orleans Saints) vs. Tampa Bay

Moore had one reception for 26 yards against the New York Giants in Week 14. It was a disappointing performance for Moore, who has been a solid WR3 most of the season. Look for Moore to bounce back against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ team that he had nine receptions for 121 yards against in Week 7. Bet on Moore to take advantage of a hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ secondary this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

24. Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) @ New England

Crabtree caught nine passes for 93 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14. Colin Kapernick clearly has been fond of the fourth year receiver since he became the starter. Over his last two games, Crabtree has 16 catches for 194 yards and has been targeted 22 times in that stretch. Look for Crabtree to continue to be productive against a New England Patriots’ team that has allowed an average of 23.5 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. Crabtree is decent WR3 choice this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

25. Eric Decker (Denver Broncos) @ Baltimore

Decker caught eight passes for 88 yards against the Oakland Raiders in Week 14. It was a nice game for Decker, who caught eight of his nine targets, coming off a lousy Week 13. Demaryius Thomas continues to be Peyton Manning’s go to guy, but Decker could see more action against a Baltimore Ravens’ team that has allowed an average of 21.6 fantasy points to the wide receiver position over their last three games. The Baltimore Ravens secondary being banged up with injuries also doesn’t hurt Decker’s chances of having a productive game this week. It’s difficult to project Decker’s performance because of the inconsistent targets he has been receiving lately, but he is still a decent WR3 choice this week, given the matchup.
Point Projection: 9 points