Empty the Bench

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

You just can’t trust the Seattle Seahawks passing game right now. Matt Hasselbeck has only tossed 2 TDs in the last month, and it’s killing the fantasy value of Nate Burleson and TJ Houshmandzadeh. The ‘Hawks should have been able to pass all over the Rams in Week 12, but managed 0 TDs and just 102 yards though the air on 25 passes, which works out to a cringe-inducing 4.1 yards-per-attempt. It’s a real shame, too, because we know these two can play. San Francisco has given up the fifth-most passing yards in the NFL this year at 256.5 per, but the bend-but-don’t-break unit has only given up 11 receiving TDs thus far. They might do it, but it’s hard to count on either Seattle wide receiver scoring.

In that same matchup, Alex Smith sure has looked comfortable in the spread offense, hasn’t he? At least, more comfortable than NFL observers have ever seen him. Smith and Michael Crabtree have developed a nice rapport, with the rookie wide receiver grabbing 26 passes for 346 yards and TD in his first 6 games as a pro. Seattle has allowed a large 20 receiving TDs on the season, and we like the rook’s chances of scoring in this divisional matchup.

They’ve fallen off slightly since leading the NFL in pass defense earlier in the year, but it still seems weird to me that the Giants have allowed 18 receiving TDs despite giving up just 182.6 yards a game through the air. Still, in Week 2 the G-Men certainly had Tony Romo’s number as the Dallas QB finished 13-for-29 with just 127 passing yards and 1 TD against 3 INTs. Roy Williams belongs on your bench, and expectations must be tempered for Miles Austin.

Despite lofty expectations for the 6-5 receiver after Chris Chambers was cut, Malcolm Floyd has been pretty quiet in San Diego. He’s yet to top 4 catches in a game this season, but still the big man perpetually seems on the cusp of big things. He keeps coming so close. Last week Floyd was robbed of a TD when erroneously called down inside the 5 after a 53-yard catch, and he’s now 6th in the NFL in receptions of 40+ yards. He’s talented, and this passing game is potent. It’s hard to endorse a guy with such little production thus far, but I can’t help but feel like a breakout game is coming at some point. This week in Cleveland is as good a time as any.

Your Weekly Darrelle Revis Alert: Downgrade Terrell Owens.

See also:
- Week 13 QB Rankings
- Week 13 RB Rankings
- Week 13 TE Rankings
- Week 13 DEF Rankings

1. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
2. Randy Moss, New England Patriots @ MIA
3. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans @ JAX
4. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers @ CLE
5. Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
6. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. MIN
7. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals vs. DET
8. Wes Welker, New England Patriots @ MIA
10. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints @ WSH
11. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles @ ATL (Check Status)
12. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
9. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys @ NYG
13. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons vs. PHI
14. Steve Smith, New York Giants vs. DAL
15. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
16. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos @ KC

WR rankings 17 through 43, after the jump…

17. Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. HOU
18. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
19. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
20. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions @ CIN
21. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
22. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals vs. MIN
27. Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles @ ATL
23. Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
24. Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens @ GB
25. Mario Manningham, New York Giants vs. DAL
26. Devin Hester, Chicago Bears vs. STL
27. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers @ SEA
29. Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks vs. SF
30. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle Seahawks vs. SF
31. Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints @ WSH
32. Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
33. Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills vs. NYJ
28. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants vs. DAL
34. Donnie Avery, St. Louis Rams @ CHI
35. Laveranues Coles, Cincinnati Bengals vs. DET
36. Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints @ WSH
37. Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
38. Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans @ IND
39. Jerricho Cotchery, New York Jets @ BUF
40. Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans @ IND
41. Kevin Walter, Houston Texans @ JAC
42. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
43. Chris Chambers, Kansas City Chiefs vs. DEN
44. Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers @ CLE
45. Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys @ NYG

See also:
- Week 13 QB Rankings
- Week 13 RB Rankings
- Week 13 TE Rankings
- Week 13 DEF Rankings

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