Here is my list of the top 10 fantasy wide receivers for the initial week of the fantasy football playoffs. It is important that you take a look at matchup related performances here too. For example, Michael Crabtree might not seem like a great start on a weekly basis, but the stars are aligning for him to have a solid fantasy performance this week against the Miami Dolphins.
The same goes for Pierre Garcon, who is going up against a weak Baltimore Ravens secondary. Let's take a look at those two players and many more.
Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
Johnson has recorded 28 receptions for over 500 yards in his last three games; tallying nearly 57 points during that span. He and the Texans now go up against a New England Patriots pass defense that ranks 29th in the NFL. New England is also yielding 73 yards per game to opposing No. 1 wide receivers. Expect Johnson to be able to top that and get back into the 100-plus yard category. I am thinking a solid 15-18 point performance from the veteran.
Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins
On that surface this might not make a whole lot of sense. Just think about it this way- Garcon won't be asked to be a WR1 option in Week 14. Instead, you can sit him in a FLEX role and expect solid production. Washington is pitted against a Baltimore Ravens defense that has struggled all season against the pass. They rank 23rd at nearly 250 yards an outing. While Garcon won't be a solid producer in PPR leagues, I am expecting him to put up one or two long receptions. Look for 12-14 points from the deep threat.
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
From the looks of it you would think Johnson is the No. 1 fantasy wide receiver in the history of the game. The numbers and stretches that he puts up are simply insane. The most recent example of that is a current four-game span that has seen the Megatron tally 38 receptions and 661 yards.
That being said, he isn't even the No. 1 overall fantasy wide receiver. Instead, that distinction goes to A.J. Green of the Cincinnati Bengals. The primary reason for this is the fact that Johnson has a total of five touchdowns in 11 games. While Matthew Stafford is more to blame for that, it is still important to note.
Make no mistake about it, Johnson will finish the season tops among wide receivers in fantasy points. Expect him to continue that complete and utter dominance this week against a lackluster Green Bay Packers pass defense. Adding more fuel to the fire is the fact that Detroit will be missing Ryan Broyles, Titus Young and Nate Burleson. Heck, I will be surprised if Johnson doesn't tally 25 targets against the Packers. Look for 12 receptions, nearly 200 yards and two scores. Yeah, I said it!
Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
Marshall has been targeted 138 times, the most in the National Football League. He has caught 66 percent of those passes this season, which is a simply amazing statistic. Even with the return of Devin Hester and Alshon Jeffery from injury, you can expect Marshall to continue racking up the targets.
He will be taking on a decent Minnesota Vikings' pass defense that ranks 14th in the NFL in yards allowed and is yielding just 60 yards per game to opposing No. 1 wide receivers. This isn't a great matchup for Marshall by any stretch of the imagination. Still, with the amount of targets he has racked up it is hard to believe he won't be able to put up solid WR1 numbers.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
This rookie is a no go in PPR leagues. He is averaging just over three receptions per game. That being said, Hilton is five receptions per outing in the last three weeks. What makes him an intriguing fantasy option is the fact that he averaging over 15 yards per catch and is going up against a Tennessee Titans' pass defense that ranks 25th in yards against and has yielded 24 touchdowns in 12 games. Expect Hilton to have one or two long receptions and a score on Sunday.
Victor Cruz, New York Giants
For the first time since his breakout 2011 campaign, Cruz has struggled a bit over the last month or so. Prior to his 100-yard performance against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football Cruz had tallied a total of 129 yards and one touchdown in his previous four games. However, I fully expect him to build off that solid performance against the New Orleans Saints this week. New Orleans ranks 30th in the NFL against the pass and has yielded 23 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. It has also given up nearly 90 yards per outing to opposing No. 1 wide receivers. Cruz will put up 125-plus yards and a score.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
With John Skelton back under center, Fitzgerald finally has a quarterback that he has somewhat of a working relationship with. He caught a total of 15 passes in Skelton's three starts this season. Arizona lines up against a Seattle Seahawks defense that is going to be without the suspended Brandon Browner. I am expecting Fitzgerald's best fantasy output of the season on Sunday.
Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
Crabtree has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL this season. While his stats might not show that on the surface, you have to delve further in to recognize just how good he has been. He has caught 70 percent of the passes thrown in his direction, the second-best stat in the NFL behind teammate Mario Manningham. Interestingly enough, Crabtree's targets are bound to go up with Manningham set to miss Sunday's game against a 26th ranked Miami Dolphins pass defense.
Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In terms of production per target, Jackson is one of the worst wide receivers in the NFL. He has hauled in less than half the passes Josh Freeman has thrown in his direction. Jackson, however, remains a top tier WR1 option because he has scored eight touchdowns and is averaging over 20 yards per reception. Tampa Bay now takes on a Philadelphia Eagles' pass defense that has been downright disastrous recently.
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Talk about production. Bryant is the No. 2 fantasy wide receiver over the course of the last four weeks. He is averaging over 20 points and has scored six touchdowns during that span. It looks like the enigmatic wide receiver is finally starting to take off. Dallas might be going up against a Cincinnati Bengals' pass defense that ranks 11th in the NFL, but he is going to get the necessary targets to produce another 20 points. Bank on that.