%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20887.6%20200%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20887.6%20200%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text%2Fcss%22%3E%0A%09.st0%7Bfill%3A%23145840%3B%7D%0A%09.st1%7Bfill%3A%23FFFFFF%3B%7D%0A%3C%2Fstyle%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Template%22%3E%0A%09%3Cg%3E%0A%09%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M28.2%2C109h12.2v14.1c0%2C10.5-6.1%2C19.9-20.1%2C19.9c-14.6%2C0-20.3-9.3-20.3-20V78.6h12.9v13.4h27.5v9.3H12.9v20.4%0A%09%09%09c0%2C6.3%2C2.2%2C9.9%2C7.6%2C9.9c5.3%2C0%2C7.7-3.5%2C7.7-9.7V109z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M77%2C141.8V111c0-7.5-2.5-9.8-8.5-9.8c-6.6%2C0-10.2%2C5.5-10.2%2C12.1v28.5H45.2V73.9h13.1v24.7%0A%09%09%09c1.9-4.4%2C8-7.8%2C14.7-7.8c10.2%2C0%2C17.3%2C6%2C17.3%2C15.9v35.2H77z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M107.5%2C120.4c0.4%2C7.5%2C4.6%2C12.3%2C11.1%2C12.3c4.2%2C0%2C8-2.1%2C8.9-5.6h13.5c-3%2C10.2-11.2%2C16-21.8%2C16%0A%09%09%09c-16.6%2C0-24.9-9.1-24.9-27.1c0-15.4%2C8.8-25.3%2C24-25.3s23.3%2C9.9%2C23.3%2C29.6H107.5z%20M128.2%2C112.1c-0.2-7.4-5.1-10.9-10.2-10.9%0A%09%09%09c-5.3%2C0-9.6%2C4-10.1%2C10.9H128.2z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M170.5%2C48.3h27.2v108.9c0%2C24.7-17.4%2C41.5-40.2%2C41.5c-28%2C0-41.1-16.4-41.1-42.7h25.3c0%2C11.6%2C3.7%2C18.9%2C14.3%2C18.9%0A%09%09c10.8%2C0%2C14.5-7.1%2C14.5-18.7V48.3z%20M170.5%2C36.1V11h27.2v25.1H170.5z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M233.2%2C106.4c0.8%2C15.3%2C9.5%2C25.3%2C22.8%2C25.3c8.7%2C0%2C16.4-4.4%2C18.2-11.4H302c-6.2%2C20.9-23%2C32.8-44.8%2C32.8%0A%09%09c-34%2C0-51-18.7-51-55.6c0-31.5%2C18-51.8%2C49.3-51.8c31.3%2C0%2C47.9%2C20.3%2C47.9%2C60.8H233.2z%20M275.7%2C89.4C275.3%2C74.2%2C265.3%2C67%2C254.7%2C67%0A%09%09c-10.8%2C0-19.7%2C8.3-20.7%2C22.4H275.7z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M369.6%2C83.2h25.1v29c0%2C21.6-12.4%2C40.9-41.3%2C40.9c-29.9%2C0-41.7-19.1-41.7-41.1V20.7h26.5v27.6h56.4v19.1h-56.4%0A%09%09v41.9c0%2C12.9%2C4.6%2C20.3%2C15.6%2C20.3c10.8%2C0%2C15.8-7.3%2C15.8-19.9V83.2z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M433.1%2C200V49.7H459l0.2%2C12.4c6.4-10.4%2C16-15.1%2C28.4-15.1c25.7%2C0%2C44.2%2C20.3%2C44.2%2C54.7%0A%09%09c0%2C30.9-15.6%2C52.7-41.9%2C52.7c-12.6%2C0-22.6-5.2-30.3-16V200H433.1z%20M504.5%2C99.8c0-18.2-9.5-30.9-23-30.9c-12.9%2C0-22.8%2C12-22.8%2C29.2%0A%09%09c0%2C22.2%2C7.7%2C33.2%2C22.6%2C33.2C497%2C131.4%2C504.5%2C120.8%2C504.5%2C99.8z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M537.3%2C151.7v-102h25.3v12.2c8.9-13.7%2C19.3-14.9%2C30.3-14.9h3.5v27.6c-2.5-0.4-5-0.6-7.5-0.6%0A%09%09c-16.6%2C0-24.7%2C8.3-24.7%2C24.7v53.1H537.3z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M621.9%2C107.7c0.8%2C15.3%2C9.5%2C25.3%2C22.8%2C25.3c8.7%2C0%2C16.4-4.4%2C18.2-11.4h27.8c-6.2%2C20.9-23%2C32.8-44.8%2C32.8%0A%09%09c-34%2C0-51-18.7-51-55.6c0-31.5%2C18-51.8%2C49.4-51.8c31.3%2C0%2C47.9%2C20.3%2C47.9%2C60.8H621.9z%20M664.5%2C90.7c-0.4-15.1-10.4-22.4-20.9-22.4%0A%09%09c-10.8%2C0-19.7%2C8.3-20.7%2C22.4H664.5z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M761.9%2C80.6c-1.2-9.3-6.6-13.5-18.2-13.5c-11%2C0-16.8%2C2.3-16.8%2C8.7c0%2C5.6%2C5.8%2C8.5%2C16.6%2C11.4%0A%09%09c35.7%2C9.7%2C47.3%2C11.6%2C47.3%2C35.5c0%2C18.2-15.6%2C31.7-45.2%2C31.7c-29.2%2C0-48.1-13.9-48.5-35.5h27.8c0%2C9.5%2C8.5%2C15.1%2C20.5%2C15.1%0A%09%09c10.2%2C0%2C18.7-3.1%2C18.7-9.7c0-7.5-5.4-10-16.4-12.4c-39.6-8.7-46.9-18.9-46.9-36.1c0-15.3%2C11.8-28.8%2C43.8-28.8%0A%09%09c29.2%2C0%2C42.1%2C12.6%2C43.3%2C33.6H761.9z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st1%22%20d%3D%22M858.8%2C80.6c-1.2-9.3-6.6-13.5-18.2-13.5c-11%2C0-16.8%2C2.3-16.8%2C8.7c0%2C5.6%2C5.8%2C8.5%2C16.6%2C11.4%0A%09%09c35.7%2C9.7%2C47.3%2C11.6%2C47.3%2C35.5c0%2C18.2-15.6%2C31.7-45.2%2C31.7c-29.2%2C0-48.1-13.9-48.5-35.5h27.8c0%2C9.5%2C8.5%2C15.1%2C20.5%2C15.1%0A%09%09c10.2%2C0%2C18.7-3.1%2C18.7-9.7c0-7.5-5.4-10-16.4-12.4c-39.6-8.7-46.9-18.9-46.9-36.1c0-15.3%2C11.8-28.8%2C43.8-28.8%0A%09%09c29.2%2C0%2C42.1%2C12.6%2C43.3%2C33.6H858.8z%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Layer_2%22%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Fantasy Football: Top 5 wide receivers for Week 12
By Matthew Ordazzo
When it comes to fantasy football, owners everywhere will be depending on their wide receivers in Week 12 to help lift their teams into playoff contention.
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
With only a small chunk of games left in the season, fantasy football owners will be on the hunt for must start and hidden wide out gems to help lift their teams into play-off contention. With injuries all around the league plaguing receivers such as Victor Cruz, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Brandon Marshall and many others, guys such as Stefon Diggs, Dwayne Harris, DeAndre Hopkins and rookie Amari Cooper have all stepped up either in place of an injured wide out or in place of a vacant slot as a teams go to guy.
The fantasy football season comes with a deep selection of valuable wide receivers, you have the always reliable Antonio Brown and Dez Bryant who are owned in about 100% of leagues, and you have some new faces such as Hopkins who has proven to be Houston’s true WR1 after the departure of Andre Johnson and rookie Cooper who has developed a solid bond with quarterback Derek Carr.
With that being said, here is your list of the top 5 wide receivers to start heading into Week 12 NFL action.
Next: 5. This Jaguar is ready to pounce
Nov 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
5. Allen Robinson
Robinson had a big game last week for the Jacksonville Jaguars recording 113 receiving yards on 5 receptions en route to their 19-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans. With Allen Hurns possible work load limited due to an abdominal injury, Robinson and his targets per game could potentially increase.
Despite most likely being shadowed by San Diego’s corner Jason Verrett in Week 12, Robinson shouldn’t have any problems portraying confidence in that game as the young receiver has been shadowed by much tougher opponents than Verrett this season.
San Diego’s defense is also ranked at #31, the second to last worst defense in fantasy football this season.
Next: 4. This Steeler continues to dominate
Nov 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) reacts after a touchdown catch against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
4. Antonio Brown
Brown had once again a huge game for the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday recording 139 yards on a team-high 10 receptions and 2 touchdowns in their victory over the Cleveland Browns this past week.
Brown currently has 79 receptions for 1,141 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season. As long as the wide out doesn’t miss a beat, he’s on pace for a career-high 1,826 receiving yards.
Brown faces a tough matchup going against the Legion of Boom this week in the Seattle Seahawks, however, their defensive secondary lately has not been anything to fear. This defense gave up 18 fantasy points to Blaine Gabbert. Yes, I said Gabbert, you heard me correctly.
While Brown will most likely see coverage from Richard Sherman, I don’t expect that to harm his fantasy value for this week as opposing defenses have struggled to find answers when it comes to slowing down Brown’s production this season.
Next: 3. This Cardinal is simply on fire
November 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Bengals 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
3. Larry Fitzgerald
A once considered past his prime player, time to find his superior, Fitzgerald has silenced his critics this season. Fitzgerald caught 8 passes for 90 yards on 13 targets in Sunday’s 34-31 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Fitzgerald came in clutch for the Arizona Cardinals last week setting up the game winning drive for them en route to their victory over the now 8-2 Bengals.
Over the past few weeks, the veteran wide out averages 13 targets per game proving that he is a valuable WR2 or even a WR1 in fantasy leagues everywhere and his current match-up this week speaks volumes as to why he’s a must start for Week 12.
During the Cardinals previous meeting with the San Francisco 49ers, Fitzgerald recorded 134 yards on 9 receptions for 2 touchdowns. Fitzgerald should have no problem torching the 49ers’ defense once again this Sunday.
San Francisco’s defense is fantasy’s worst defense being ranked at #32.
Next: 2. This Texan will deliver huge results yet again
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs in for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second quarter of a game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
2. DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins has arguably groomed into one of the league’s top pass catchers this season. With the departure of former WR1 Johnson, Hopkins has yet to disappoint. His last game came against the New York Jets where he made Darrelle Revis look like a rookie. The young wide out recorded 5 receptions on 12 targets for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hopkins picked apart the Jets weak pass coverage and lifted the Texans to a much deserved victory.
The wide outs next match-up comes against the New Orleans Saints who recently fired former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and appointed Dennis Allen as their new coordinator. The Saints’ defense has been awful against the pass being ranked as the 29th best defense in fantasy football.
This game should be a walk in the park for Hopkins, the wide out should have no problem mirroring his previous stats against the Jets this week with the Saints in town.
Next: 1. This Giant will continue to impress
Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs for a touchdown during the first half of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
1. Odell Beckham
Beckham had a solid game for big blue last week recording 104 yards on 4 receptions for a touchdown during their 27-26 loss to the undefeated New England patriots. The second-year wide out hasn’t been quite as dominant compared to his rookie season stats but has been an extremely valuable, productive and reliable wide receiver for the Giants.
Beckham currently has 63 receptions for 863 yards and 8 touchdowns on the season so far. His next match-up comes with the Washington Redskins which he recorded 79 yards and a touchdown against during their Week 3 meeting.
Next: Top 5 fantasy football running backs for Week 12
With the Giants fighting to remain as division leaders in the NFC East, every game is crucial. I expect Beckham to not only come in clutch once again for Eli Manning but to record well over 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns to help lift the Giants to a potential 6-5 record.