Antonio Brown vs Cincinnati Bengals
Do I really have to explain why Antonio Brown is at the top of this list? If the 375 catches over the previous three years isn't enough, how about his eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns in week 1 versus PFF’s (pro football focus) #3 ranked corner back corps? Brown lines up all over the formation (saw two snaps from the backfield last week) which allows Pittsburgh to get the ball in his hands regardless of the defense’s strengths. In the last seven games versus the Bengals, Brown has averaged 7 catches - 89 yards - 0.43 touchdowns. In a crucial division matchup, I expect Brown to dance with the stars (see what I did there *wink*).
AJ Green at Pittsburgh Steelers
Swiss cheese is not something that should come to mind when thinking of an NFL defense and unfortunately for the Steelers, it’s exactly what I think of. AJ Green gets to follow his 12-180-1 performance from week 1 with a matchup against the second worst defense against wide receivers in 2015. As exciting as that stat is, try this one: Per FFtoday.com, the Pittsburgh Steelers gave up an average of 21.8 fantasy points per game each week to the top wide receiver performer of the opposing team. That may be a bit ‘wordy,’ but I promise it’s a bowl full of optimism for Green and your fantasy lineup. Let’s talk past performances against this division rival. Green, in 11 career games has 74-1008-7 which equates to nearly 7 catches 92 yards and 0.63 TD’s. Just play AJ like you were going to even before reading this.
Odell Beckham Jr. vs New Orleans Saints
The Saints secondary were given an itinerary to start the season and it looks a little something like this:
- Sunday 9/11, 1:00 - Attempt to stop Amari Cooper and the Raiders.
- Sunday 9/11, 4:00 - Pick up jocks after surrendering 13 receptions for 224 yards to Cooper and Crabtree.
- Sunday 9/18 1:00 - Fly to New York and try to stop Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants
- Sunday 9/18 4:00 - Pick up jocks and fly back home
Not much has changed from last year when Odell Beckham dropped 130 yards and three touchdowns on the Saints. I could stat this projection to death, but honestly I will let you bask in the glow of your excitement for the upcoming matchup. You don't need to hear me talk about the Saints 21st ranked corner backs according to PFF (pro football focus). And you certainly don't need me to remind you that Beckham’s 25 touchdowns since entering the league in 2014 is the most over that time span. Just slide him in your lineup and move on to picking up a tight end off the waiver wire.
Kelvin Benjamin vs San Francisco 49ers
Is it just me or did Kelvin Benjamin look seven feet tall last week? I suppose that’s a good thing for a wide receiver and an even better thing is to accrue 38.7% of the target share in a passing game, which he did. In comparison, Antonio Brown and Julio Jones took in 33% of their team’s target share in 2015, so yeah, go get you some of Benjamin. Having faced PFF’s top-rated corner back corps in week one and transitioning to their #14 ranked unit this week in San Francisco, Benjamin will go head on with a fantasy matchup worth salivating over. Speaking of drooling, the Chip Kelly run defense in Philadelphia last year posted a league worst 41.7 points per game to opposing wide receivers and was third worst in touchdowns scored against from the same position. In case you haven't heard, Chip Kelly is now in charge of the minor league San Francisco 49ers franchise.
Julio Jones at Oakland Raiders
Ex-Kansas City Chief corner Sean Smith was supposed to be the semblance of an answer to anchor this Oakland Raiders’ secondary and all we saw from him was a benching while the Saints dropped 423 passing yards and four touchdowns on them. Julio Jones stands 6’3 220 pounds taking away the advantage from both Oakland’s corner backs. Smith at 6’3 and David Amerson at 6’1. Vegas has this as the third highest scoring contest of the weekend and over the last 16 games, Julio has had eight targets or less only twice and followed both performances with a 10 and 17 target game respectively. Basically we should expect a Keyshawn Johnson, “throw me the damn ball” type week from Julio. I could spend the rest of the page talking about Julio’s offensive prowess, but we all know what the kid is capable of. Unless Tony Gonzalez shows up on Sunday, the ball will find its way to the guy targeted 203 times just one year ago.
Willie Snead at New York Giants
Trying to pick your favorite wide receiver in New Orleans is like picking your favorite Beatle. They each have their roles, but we all know it’s between Paul and John. If Willie Snead had a set of pipes or played killer riffs on the guitar, he would be my favorite. As efficient as a wideout can be, Snead caught all nine of his targets last week for 172 yards and a touchdown (eight of those receptions resulted in a first down). The Giants were torn apart in the middle of the field last week and that is where Snead does his business, some of us choose the bathroom, Snead chooses the football field. Cole Beasley and Jason Witten combined for 26 targets and 17 receptions in a similar role we’ll see Snead this week. With rookie Michael Thomas and Brandin Cooks working the outside, Snead spent valuable time working the middle of the field as evidenced by his 75% snap count from the slot in the pre-season (Matt Harmon, NFL.com). The signing of corner Janoris Jenkins from St. Louis and usage of a top-10 draft pick in Eli Apple is the Giants attempt to improve on their sixth worst performance against wide receivers last season in fantasy points per game (38.6). (FFToday). Perhaps they’re taking the long view.