Can the Panthers shut down the 49ers offense again?
On Sunday the (12-4) San Francisco 49ers will travel to Carolina to take on the (12-4) Panthers. With the two teams having very strong defenses, a lot will ride on which quarterback, Cam Newton or Colin Kaepernick, can consistently get their offense rolling.
One of the biggest concerns for the Panthers fans is the status of star wide receiver Steve Smith. The thirteen-year veteran is currently battling a knee injury that has limited his participation in practice this week. It is believed that Smith will play regardless of the severity of his injury, likely as the primary decoy for the Carolina offense.
The San Francisco 49ers are having much better luck at receiver than their Sunday opponents. After missing a majority of the season, Michael Crabtree has returned from his Achilles injury and has shown what the 49ers have been missing in his absence. The receiver hauled in 8 receptions for 125 yards in last weeks 23-20 Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers.
With both defenses among the top in the league, the matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers will come down to which team’s offense can limit turnovers. With Panthers receiver Steve Smith likely to be a non-factor, and the 49ers Michael Crabtree coming back into form, the edge must go to the underdog San Francisco 49ers.
The final week of the 2013 NFL season is upon us and so is the final week of fantasy football. While many fantasy championships were won or lost last week, there are still some leagues playing for fantasy glory this week. If you happen to play in one of these leagues, make sure to check out the season’s final sleeper report for the wide receiver position.
Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
Still available in almost half of NFL.com leagues, Michael Crabtree is a solid sleeper candidate for Week 17. Catching fire since returning from injury, Crabtree posted his first 100 yard receiving game of the season last week against the Atlanta Falcons and has now scored double digit fantasy points in two straight weeks. It looks like his chemistry with quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, is as good as ever and his recent success should continue this week against the Arizona Cardinals.
Cordarralle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings
Patterson has been doing it all lately for the Minnesota Vikings as the rookie wideout has now scored a touchdown in four straight games. Not only dominating through the air, two of his last four touchdowns have come on the ground as the Vikings are finding more and more ways to get the ball to one of their most explosive players. This week, the Vikings take on the Detroit Lions who give up the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season at 26.7 PPG. If the Vikings can find ways to get Patterson the ball on Sunday, the wide receiver could be a sneaky play to secure a championship for his owners.
Andre Holmes, Oakland Raiders
Holmes did not register a single catch for the Raiders until Week 11, but has become one of the team’s top receiving options. Developing a solid connection with quarterback, Matt McGloin, Holmes has averaged 82 yards a game over the last four weeks and has one touchdown in that span. He saw eight targets last week and led the Raiders with five catches for 71 yards. This week, Holmes and the Raiders take on the Denver Broncos in what may be a high scoring affair. If the Raiders do get into a shootout with Peyton Manning and the Broncos, Andre Holmes may produce a solid game in the season’s final week.
Jeffery is a MUST-START against a hopeless Eagles pass defense
With many fantasy leagues in their last week of the playoffs, starting the right players is more important than ever.
Start
Alshon Jeffery- The rookie standout Alshon Jeffery has surprised everyone this season, posting monster games throughout, including two games with 200 or more receiving yards. Jeffery and the Chicago Bears will face the league’s second worst pass defense in the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Fantasy owners should expect Jeffery to improve upon his 22 receptions, 405 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in his last three games, with another strong outing. Alshon Jeffery is a must start against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.
Michael Crabtree- Since returning from what some thought would be a season ending Achilles injury, receiver Michael Crabtree returns to action for his fourth game of the season. Since his first start three weeks ago, Crabtree has been targeted 18 times, hauling in 11 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown. To make things even more appealing, the 49ers will face the porous Atlanta Falcons pass defense that currently ranks eighth worst in the NFL. Fantasy owners should expect Crabtree’s best performance of the season Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons.
Sit
Larry Fitzgerald- The good news for Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals is that he is expected to play on Sunday after suffering a concussion in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans last week. The bad news for L-Fitz and the Cardinals is that they are playing one of the most ferocious defenses in the league, on their infamous home turf; the Seattle Seahawks. With the league’s top pass and overall defense, fantasy owners should not expect a productive game out of Fitzgerald.
Harry Douglas- Atlanta Falcons receiver Harry Douglas caught fire after stepping in for the injured Julio Jones earlier this season, and became a strong fantasy option at the WR2/FLEX option. Unfortunately, the Falcons will be traveling to San Francisco to take on the league’s fourth best pass defense on Monday. If that does not concern fantasy owners then his 7 receptions for 57 yards and zero touchdowns in his last two games should be a red flag. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere for wide receiver help in Week 16.
Crabtree has a dream matchup on Monday Night against Atlanta
Week 16 is here and it’s championship week for a majority of fantasy leagues. Wes Welker’s status is still unknown for this week and Larry Fitzgerald may be sidelined with a concussion.
It’s time to pick up the missing piece to a fantasy football championship or possibly keep the missing piece away from your opponent. Michael Crabtree, Andre Caldwell and Delanie Walker lead the crop of Week 16 WR – TE waiver wire targets.
Micahel Crabtree (SF – WR)
Michael Crabtree is the answer to a lot of fantasy football owners prayers. When healthy, he’s an elite receiver playing on a team that’s fighting to get in the playoffs and has a dream Week 16 match-up against the Atlanta Falcons.
Crabtree appeared on the Fantasy Buzzer waiver wire list three weeks ago in large part due to his Week 16 match-up. Crabtree had tough match-ups the last three weeks (his first of the season) but has shown progress in each game. Crabtree is coming off his best week of his short season racking up five catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Crabtree will be flying off of waivers this week and should be considered a high end WR3 and Flex play this week. Even if you don’t plan on starting him this week, grab him if he’s available to keep away from your opponent.
Andre Caldwell (WR – DEN)
Many owners are scrambling for a replacement for Wes Welker who may be out the rest of the regular season with a concussion. There is no reason to look any further than his replacement, Andre Caldwell.
Caldwell filled in for Welker on Thursday night and put up really nice numbers hauling in six passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Welker’s status is still uncertain but many experts are speculating that Welker won’t play for the remainder of the regular season. With opposing defenses having to key on three or four other Broncos it’s safe to say that Caldwell will get his share of single coverage opportunities.
Caldwell is a bit of a stretch to start in a championship game but with Peyton Manning throwing him the ball, he’s sure to get several quality targets and is not a bad option in deeper leagues.
Delanie Walker ( TE – TEN)
Delanie Walker has been showing up on the Fantasy Buzzer waiver wire and sleeper list just about every week this season. With the lack of production at the tight end position, owners won’t find a better pickup at the tight end position
Walker has put up double-digit fantasy points in three of the last four games he’s played in. Walker missed Week 14’s game with a concussion and was kicked to the curb by a lot of owners. Walker bounced back from the concussion in Week 15 with eight catches for 53 yards and a touchdown and is primed to produce in Week 16.
Walker is only owned in 40% of Yahoo and 22.6% of ESPN fantasy leagues and should be considered as a a top 10 tight end this week playing against the Jaguars who are giving up the second most fantasy points to tight ends in the NFL.
Walker is another player who should be picked up to keep away from an owner struggling at the tight end position.
Wallace looking for big day against the Steelers defense
Week 14 is here and it’s time for the playoffs. No teams are on their bye weeks so there’s no reason to start a “sleeper” when it’s win or go home. Owners that have a long shot to advance past the first round should strongly consider starting a boom or bust player with a high upside.
There is one boom or bust wide receiver that will be highly motivated for a big game against his former team and two more traditional sleepers that can help owners get out of the first round of the playoffs. Mike Wallace, Michael Crabtree and Doug Baldwin lead the crop of wide receivers outside the top 20 in scoring at their position with a lot of upside in Week 14.
Mike Wallace (WR – MIA)
Mike Wallace is the definition of a boom or bust player. He has big play capability but is very inconsistent. Wallace is a great play this week for two reasons; he’s coming off back-to-back 20 plus point performances in PPR leagues and he’s playing against his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Wallace will have extra motivation this week to make the Steelers regret not giving him top dollar (a decision they are not currently regretting ) and the Steelers are a good match-up with their top corner (Ike Taylor) having been exposed several time this year.
Owners have been reluctant to start and drop Wallace this season, but if there was ever a week to start Wallace, this would be it.
Michael Crabtree ( WR – SF)
Michael Crabtree is an interesting play this week. He’s going up against Seattle at home which is one of the toughest match-ups a receiver can have, but he should have some good opportunities to make some plays with Richard Sherman likely guarding Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis a majority of the game and Seattle’s other top two corners being inactive with injuries.
Seattle is giving up the second fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, but they are not the same team on the road and Crabtree did have a reception for 60 yards last week that proves he has big play ability coming off his injury.
Owners might not feel great starting Crabtree this week, but they could do a lot worse at the WR3 or Flex position.
Doug Baldwin (WR – SEA)
Doug Baldwin is the closest thing to a traditional sleeper on this list. He’s not a household name and is only owned in 24% of Yahoo and 16.5% of ESPN Fantasy leagues despite putting up double-digit fantasy points in four consecutive weeks.
Baldwin doesn’t have a lot of upside as he’s yet to eclipse 20 points in a PPR format but he seems like a lock to get between 13 to 16 points this week which is a good scenario for a WR3 or Flex play. Baldwin owners should keep an eye out to see if Percy Havin plays this week because it will decrease Baldwin’s value.
Owners that don’t want to risk a boom or bust player should definitely consider plugging Baldwin into their lineup even with his tough match-up against San Francisco.
Bowe has a great Week 14 matchup against a porous Redskins defense
Week 14 is upon us and most fantasy leagues are likely beginning their playoffs. It is now more important than ever to make sure you get your matchups right. In today’s pass-happy NFL, receivers now have the ability to post huge numbers.
Start:
Dwayne Bowe- Kansas City Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe has not been having an eye-opening season, however, his Week 14 fantasy matchup makes him a favorable starter. The Chiefs will travel to Washington to take on a struggling Redskins secondary, which is allowing an average of 265.2 yards per game through the air. Fantasy owners can expect a lot of targets for Bowe on Sunday.
Harry Douglas- Ever since fellow receiver Julio Jones’ season ending injury, Harry Douglas has been an every week fantasy starter. Douglas has 50 receptions and three 100+ yard receiving games since stepping in for Jones. The Falcons will be taking on the struggling Green Bay Packers on Sunday, a team who’s pass defense ranks 11th worst in the NFL. Keep Douglas in a starting role in Week 14.
Sit:
T.Y. Hilton- Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton started the season off as one of the hotter receivers in the league, recording four 100+ yard receiving games through the first 10 games. However, Hilton has slowed down as of late, not eclipsing the 50-yard receiving mark in each of his last three games. His matchup is again less than favorable, as the Colts will be taking on the league’s 8th best pass defense in the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Sit Hilton in Week 14.
Michael Crabtree- San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree was one of the hottest names after last season. Unfortunately due to a torn Achilles in the off-season, Crabtree has not been able to make an appearance until last week. When healthy, Crabtree is a must start, however given the circumstances and the opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, fantasy owners should look else where for receiver help.
The 49ers are hoping Crabtree can pick up where he left off last season
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree made his season debut during Week 13 against the Rams. Crabtree hadn’t played a snap since tearing his Achilles tendon in May. The 5th year man out of Texas Tech caught 2 of his 4 targets for 68 yards in his first start of the season. One of them being a 60 yard catch and run delivered by quarterback Colin Kapernick.
Towards the second half of the 2012 season, Kapernick found his favorite target in Crabtree. Crabtree averaged almost 100 yards and a touchdown in his last 8 games of the year.
Crabtree is currently owned in 78% of CBS leagues and if available is worth a roster spot on your team.
It might take a game for the former Red Raider to restore the chemistry he shares with his quarterback, but his targets should rise week to week. He might be a marginal flex start in Week 14 against the Seahawks but has great potential in Week 15 vs the Falcons.
If Crabtree’s snap count and production increase this Sunday consider starting him Week 15 as a strong flex with upside. Crabtree could be the spot start that helps you get into a fantasy championship game.
The 49ers are hoping Crabtree can pick up where he left off last season
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree made his season debut during Week 13 against the Rams. Crabtree hadn’t played a snap since tearing his Achilles tendon in May. The 5th year man out of Texas Tech caught 2 of his 4 targets for 68 yards in his first start of the season. One of them being a 60 yard catch and run delivered by quarterback Colin Kapernick.
Towards the second half of the 2012 season, Kapernick found his favorite target in Crabtree. Crabtree averaged almost 100 yards and a touchdown in his last 8 games of the year.
Crabtree is currently owned in 78% of CBS leagues and if available is worth a roster spot on your team.
It might take a game for the former Red Raider to restore the chemistry he shares with his quarterback, but his targets should rise week to week. He might be a marginal flex start in Week 14 against the Seahawks but has great potential in Week 15 vs the Falcons.
If Crabtree’s snap count and production increase this Sunday consider starting him Week 15 as a strong flex with upside. Crabtree could be the spot start that helps you get into a fantasy championship game.
Ladarius Green turning into late season fantasy gold
Week 14 is here and it’s playoff time for a majority of the fantasy leagues. Hopefully owners have their lineups set for the playoffs, but that’s not the case for every team and some owners are in need of some waiver wire help with star wide receivers such as Jordy Nelson and Steve Smith Struggling in recent weeks.
Luckily for fantasy owners, we’ve got a few waiver wire pickups at the wide receiver and tight end position that can help your team get to the second round of the playoffs and take home the trophy at the end of the year. Julian Edelman, Michael Crabtree and Ladarius Green lead the pack of Week 14 waiver wire pickups.
Julian Edelman (WR – NE)
Julian Edelman had an excellent start to the season. He scored two touchdowns in Week 1 and was Brady’s go to man for the next three weeks when Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski were inactive due to injury. Once Amendola and Gronkowski came back, Edelman disappeared from fantasy relevance for several weeks, but has resurfaced in the last two weeks when Brady and the Patriots needed him most.
Edelman has produced two straight double-digit fantasy games, eclipsing the 100 yard mark in both games and catching nine passes in each game as well. Edelman also seen as many targets as Brady’s favorite target (Rob Gronkowski) in Week 13 making him Tom Brady’s second option. All signs point towards Edelman producing big numbers for the rest of the year in PPR leagues and he should be one of the most added players this week.
Kembrell Thompkins also left Week 13’s game with a hip injury which increases Edelman’s value even more if Thompkins misses time. Do yourself a favor and grab Edelman off of waivers. He’s a great WR3 and Flex play in week 14 and can help owners advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Michael Crabtree (WR – SF)
Michael Crabtree made his 2013 debut in Week 13 and had a respectable game. He hauled in two passes for for 68 yards and played in roughly 60% of the 49ers offensive plays. Crabtree has horrible match-ups in Week 14 (Seattle) and Week 15 (Tampa Bay) but he has an absolute dream match-up in Week 16 at home against Atlanta. Owners with roster space and championship aspirations need to seriously consider taking a two week flyer on Crabtree.
Crabtree definitely warrants a pickup off of waivers, but can’t be trusted in Week 14. Crabtree will be a great Flex play in Week 16 for owners lucky enough to make it that far.
Ladarius Green (TE – SD)
“I have seen the future and his name is Ladarius Green” is what Matthew Berry tweeted shortly after Ladarius Green scored a touchdown for his second straight game during Week 13 against the Bengals. Green is the backup tight end for Antonio Gates, but he is the superior athlete and will be taking his job in the coming years, if not next year.
At 6’6″ and 240 pounds, Green is a freakish athlete and appears to have a tremendous future. Green has scored double-digit fantasy points in three straight games and has scored touchdowns in consecutive games. All of Green’s production has come on a limited snap count, but the Chargers have increased his workload in recent weeks and he did get six targets in Week 13 which was a season high.
Owners that are depending on Jordan Reed and Julius Thomas might want to grab Green off waivers and plug him in if either of them can’t play for a third straight week. Whether owners are in need of a tight end or not, Green might be worth picking up to keep him away from a team in need of a tight end.
Green is a risky play in Week 14 due to the fact that he’s not on the field on a high percentage of plays, but if Green can produce double-digit points for a fourth straight week, he’s definitely worth a start in Week 15 and/or Week 16 for owners struggling at the tight end position.
Titans wideout Justin Hunter could have a solid outing against the Colts
For Week 13, a couple of wide receivers stand out in having big game potential. With the slew of injuries and disappointing wide receivers that fantasy owners have had to deal with, these sleepers could come in and provide a spark for teams lacking stability at the position.
1. Donnie Avery, KC:
Avery should succeed in Kansas City’s contest with the abysmal Denver Broncos pass defense. The game looks like it will shape up to be a high scoring shootout, with all receivers involved racking up big numbers. Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith should look to Avery as Denver will have to focus on standout running back Jamaal Charles, as well as wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. Avery is coming off a 4/91/1 line and should carry his momentum through to this week’s game.
2. Justin Hunter, TEN:
Hunter had a lackluster rookie season thus far minus a few bright spots, including last week’s strong performance against the Oakland Raiders. Hunter is the riskiest of these 3 sleepers. but has earned himself a spot on this list after bringing in six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown while only playing 41 of 81 offensive snaps.
Titans coach Mike Munchak stated that Hunter has earned himself more playing time, which should help him to produce heavily more often. The 22-year-old wideout will look to keep the ball rolling against a struggling Indianapolis defense.
3. Anquan Boldin, SF:
Boldin may seem like a sleeper to most due to his inconsistent play this season, but he should be a no-brainer for fantasy owners. The 49ers are facing off against the St. Louis Rams, which gives a solid advantage to Anquan Boldin and the rest of their receiving corps.
The Rams rank 21th in allowing 247 passing yards per game. Boldin should take advantage of that accordingly. He should be seeing a lot of targets and hopefully will be able to extend his two game touchdown streak.
Touring the Capitol 