For a while, the Chiefs were among the toughest wide receiver matchups. Then the Broncos and Chargers came along and changed that in three weeks. This week, it’s the vicious Titans secondary that meets Peyton for the first time this season and it’s hard to look at any of Denver’s three wideouts and bench them. Even Eric Decker destroyed the tough Chiefs secondary last week with 174 yards and four touchdowns. Peyton Manning is the great equalizer so I’d roll with those guys.
The same goes for Antonio Brown who has had at least 90 yards or a touchdown in four of his last five weeks. On the other hand, I’d stay away from anyone in New Orleans, San Francisco, Jacksonville, St. Louis, Seattle, and Carolina.
Julian Edelman still figures to be startable but it’s hard to make sense of New England’s offense right now so it’s tough to start anyone else. T.Y. Hilton remains startable against the Bengals, as does Keenan Allen against the Giants, since they’re really the only serviceable wideouts on either team.
On the favorable side, Calvin Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper, Vincent Jackson, Victor Cruz, A.J. Green, Jordy Nelson, Torrey Smith, Harry Douglas, Roddy White, Brandon Marshall, and Alshon Jeffery all have the most favorable matchups and are must-starts as usual.
Nate Burleson, despite putting up a goose egg last week, looks like a strong start, as does Tiquan Underwood against a weak Bills secondary. Hakeem Nicks and, to a lesser extent, Rueben Randle are startable against the Chargers. Dwayne Bowe looks like a very strong start against a rough Redskins defense and Rod Streater looks great against the terrible Jets secondary. Andre Holmes (or Denarius Moore, if he plays) could be solid sleepers against the Jets as well. If Aaron Rodgers returns, it may be time to put James Jones and Jarrett Boykin back into the starter column. Jacoby Jones looks like a good sleeper against the dreadful Vikings defense and any of the Titans’ three wideouts is liable to go off against Denver.
Let’s take a look at how all of the receiver matchups are shaping up for Week 14.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 14 Opponents |
|
1 |
12.58 | Titans | Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker |
|
2 |
15.15 | Dolphins | Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery |
|
3 |
15.78 | Panthers | Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Kenny Stills |
|
4 |
15.95 | Seahawks | Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham |
|
5 |
17.65 | Texans | Cecil Shorts, Ace Sanders, Mike Brown |
|
6 |
17.84 | Cardinals | Tavon Austin, Chris Givens |
|
7 |
18.02 | 49ers | Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Percy Harvin (Q) |
|
8 |
18.4 | Saints | Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn |
|
9 |
19.05 | Browns | Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins |
|
10 |
19.68 | Bengals | T.Y. Hilton, Darrius Heyward-Bey |
|
11 |
20.4 | Giants | Keenan Allen |
|
12 |
21.02 | Steelers | Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Rishard Matthews |
|
13 |
21.16 | Patriots | Josh Gordon |
|
14 |
21.47 | Chiefs | Pierre Garcon |
|
15 |
21.5 | Jaguars | Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins |
|
16 |
21.79 | Bears | Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Miles Austin |
|
17 |
22.35 | Ravens | Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, Jerome Simpson |
|
18 |
22.98 | Rams | Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Andre Roberts |
|
19 |
23.93 | Buccaneers | Steve Johnson, Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin |
|
20 |
24.04 | Cowboys | Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery |
|
21 |
24.42 | Packers | Harry Douglas, Roddy White |
|
22 |
25.04 | Broncos | Kendall Wright, Nate Washington, Justin Hunter |
|
23 |
25.18 | Vikings | Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones |
|
24 |
25.77 | Jets | Rod Streater, Andre Holmes, Denarius Moore (Q) |
|
25 |
25.81 | Falcons | Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Jarrett Boykin |
|
26 |
26.24 | Redskins | Dwayne Bowe, Dexter McCluster, Donnie Avery |
|
27 |
26.28 | Colts | A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu |
|
28 |
27.02 | Raiders | Santonio Holmes, Greg Salas, David Nelson, Jeremy Kerley (Q) |
|
29 |
27.03 | Chargers | Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Rueben Randle |
|
30 |
29.15 | Bills | Vincent Jackson, Tiquan Underwood |
|
31 |
30.21 | Lions | DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper, Jason Avant |
|
32 |
30.74 | Eagles | Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Kris Durham |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
