Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Start 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Tony Gonzalez vs. PHI
Over the last 2 weeks, Gonzo has 17 catches for 165 yards and a TD and has caught 5+ passes in 5 straight games. He is a must-start this week against the Eagles who continue to get drilled by opposing TEs. Gonzalez will either grab about 7 passes or score a TD, and likely both. It doesn’t matter who starts at QB for the Falcons, he’ll either be a primary option for Matt Ryan or a safety valve for Chris Redman. Either way, you should expect big things from the big man this week.

Jason Witten @ NYG
Witten is coming off arguably his best game of the season (107 yards receiving). He has more TD receptions against the Giants (5) than any other NFL squad, including 1 in their Week 2 matchup. He has caught 5+ passes in all but 2 games this season. Always a reliable target for QB Tony Romo, he should have a nice game this week at the Meadowlands. Opposing tight ends have produced several quality outings this season against New York and the Giants have allowed 18 aerial TDs this year.

Chad Ochocinco vs. DET
Ochocinco has cooled off considerably as the Bengals continue to play traditional AFC North football – running the ball and playing tough defense. He’s caught just 9 of Carson Palmer’s passes over the last 3 games for an average of 44.7 YPG. He hasn’t found paydirt in 5 weeks, but should be able to get back on track this week at home against the Lions. Detroit ranks dead-last in the NFL in pass defense, serving up an ugly 27 aerial scores this season and 281.4 YPG.

Michael Crabtree @ SEA
In 6 games since his long holdout, Crabtree has been fairly consistent for the 49ers averaging 4.3 receptions per game for 57.6 yards. He scored his first NFL TD in his 5th game and seems to have a nice rapport with QB Alex Smith. He is certainly not top-tier fantasy receiver, but makes a nice play this week as a WR3 or in a flex role against Seattle. The Seahawks allow an average of 238.1 passing YPG and have given up nearly 2 TDs per game through the air (20 in 11 contests).

Bench 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Darrelle Revis shut down T.O. in their first meeting.

Terrell Owens vs. NYJ
In Week 6, TO’s first matchup against the Jets and CB Darrelle Revis, he managed a meager line of 3 catches for 13 yards. The Bills now have a new head coach and a different QB behind center, but Revis has consistently shut down opposing #1 WRs all season. It his nice to see Owens finally put up solid totals – TDs in 2 straight games and 3 of his last 4 – but temper your optimism Thursday night against the Jets and their #2 ranked pass defense. New York has allowed 175.7 passing YPG and only 7 TDs through the air this year.

Heath Miller vs. OAK
Miller’s 55 receptions are a career high and he is 9 grabs away from setting the Steelers team TE record, but he had just 1 catch for 2 yards in last week’s loss to the Ravens with Dennis Dixon behind center. He has only had one fantasy-relevant game in the last 4 weeks (7/95/1 @ KC) and even with the expected return of QB Ben Roethlisberger his week, his numbers could again leave something to be desired. Jason Witten was the first TE to have a 100-yard receiving game against Oakland this year, and the Raiders still have not allowed an opposing TE to score a TD.

Mario Manningham vs. DAL
Manningham hasn’t found the endzone since Week 6, although he remains active in New York’s passing game with 17 catches over his last 3 contests. However, only once since Week 2 has Manningham had more than 55 receiving yards; he and the slumbering Giants could be in for a long day this week against the Cowboys. It wouldn’t be surprised if his numbers took a hit this week. Dallas is not stellar against the pass, but their defense seems to be in much better shape than the last time these teams faced one another when Manningham torched them for 10/150/1.

Mark Clayton @ GB
Clayton had season highs of 7 receptions for 129 yards in last week's overtime win over the Steelers. Still, he has never quite materialized into the deep threat the Ravens expected. Like last week, he has shown flashes of brilliance, but don’t be fooled by these sporadic big games. He has never had back-to-back 100-yard games in his career and prior to last week’s outburst, he had 1 catch in each of the previous 2 games. Furthermore, the Packers allow 192.5 passing YPG, which is the 6th lowest total in the league. Look for WR Derrick Mason and RB Ray Rice to gobble up most of QB Joe Flacco’s passes once again.