Thursday games return to the NFL schedule and for another year they once again annoy fantasy owners. The shortened week requires increased diligence in keeping up with injury reports and lineup changes. With the fantasy playoffs right around the corner, this is no time to start slacking. Do the extra work and reap the rewards.
Wide Receivers
Could Impress: Jeremy Maclin. The Cardinals have been torched by receivers this year and with DeSean Jackson drawing rookie corner Patrick Peterson, the ball should be headed Maclin’s way early and often. If he can actually hold onto it (unlike Monday), Maclin should have his fifth double-digit fantasy day this year.
Could Disappoint: Mike Williams. He’s led the team in targets this season, but has struggled to repeat his rookie year performance. The struggles will continue against a vastly improved Houston defense, where Williams will be matched up with underrated corner Jonathan Joseph.
Keep an eye on: Earl Bennett. The offense just looked different with Bennett working underneath on Monday. Cutler and the bears have good fantasy matchups six of the next eight weeks, which could mean big things for Bennett.
Injury Replacement: Laurent Robinson. Robinson slides in for the injured Miles Austin and while you shouldn’t expect similar numbers, Robinson has caught five passes and a touchdown in each of the last two games.
WR Rankings
1. Calvin Johnson DET (@ Chicago)
2. Steve Smith CAR (vs. Tennessee)
3. Mike Wallace PIT (@ Cincinnati)
4. Greg Jennings GB (vs. Minnesota)
5. Vincent Jackson SD (vs. Oakland) ** Thursday game
6. Dez Bryant DAL (vs. Buffalo)
7. Wes Welker NE (@ New York Jets)
8. Larry Fitzgerald AZ (@ Philadelphia)
9. Andre Johnson HOU (@ Tampa Bay)
10. Roddy White ATL (vs. New Orleans)
11. A.J. Green CIN (vs. Pittsburgh)
12. Jeremy Maclin PHI (vs. Arizona)
13. Anquan Boldin BAL (@ Seattle)
14. Marques Colston NO (@ Atlanta)
15. Dwayne Bowe KC (vs. Denver)
16. Brandon Marshall MIA (vs. Washington)
17. Julio Jones ATL (vs. New Orleans)
18. DeSean Jackson PHI (vs. Arizona)
19. Santonio Holmes NYJ (vs. New England)
20. Hakeem Nicks NYG (@ San Francisco)
21. Steve Johnson BUF (@ Dallas)
22. Jordy Nelson GB (vs. Minnesota)
23. Brandon Lloyd STL (@ Cleveland)
24. Mario Manningham NYG (@ San Francisco)
25. Victor Cruz NYG (@ San Francisco)
26. Antonio Brown PIT (@ Cincinnati)
27. Sidney Rice SEA (vs. Baltimore)
28. Michael Crabtree SF (vs. New York Giants)
29. Eric Decker DEN (@ Kansas City)
30. Plaxico Burress NYJ (vs. New England)
31. Percy Harvin MIN (@ Green Bay)
32. Pierre Garcon IND (vs. Jacksonville)
33. Mike Williams TB (vs. Houston)
34. Steve Breaston KC (vs. Denver)
35. Jacoby Ford OAK (@ San Diego) ** Thursday Game
36. Torrey Smith BAL (@ Seattle)
37. Reggie Wayne IND (vs. Jacksonville)
38. Laurent Robinson DAL (vs. Buffalo)
39. Lance Moore NO (@ Atlanta)
40. Nate Washington TEN (@ Carolina)
41. Jabar Gaffney WAS (@ Miami)
42. Deion Branch NE (@ New York Jets)
43. Earl Bennett CHI (vs. Detroit)
44. Jerome Simpson CIN (vs. Pittsburgh)
45. James Jones GB (vs. Minnesota)
46. Jason Hill JAX (@ Indianapolis)
47. Kevin Walter HOU (@ Tampa Bay)
48. Denarius Moore OAK (@ San Diego) ** Thursday game
49. David Nelson BUF (@ Dallas)
50. Michael Jenkins MIN (@ Green Bay)
Tight Ends
Could Impress: Brandon Pettigrew. The Bears defense is good in many areas, but defending opposing tight ends is not one of them. A lot of attention will be paid to Calvin Johnson on the outside (and rightfully so), opening up the middle for Pettigrew. You’ll remember, Pettigrew got into the end zone against Chicago in week 5.
Could Disappoint: Jermaine Gresham. The young tight end should be a go despite his hamstring injury, but given the Steelers stellar D, this isn’t the week to insert him into your lineup. Though, it is worth pointing out that Gresham has an extremely good fantasy playoff schedule.
Keep an eye on: Ed Dickson. His targets fluctuate too much for him to be a consistent play at this point, but he’s got one of the easiest fantasy playoff schedules out there. If the Ravens ever find a way to get him involved in the offense on a consistent basis, Dickson could be a good sleeper.
Injury Replacement: Scott Chandler. For Chandler, it’s end zone or bust so far this season. Still, the Cowboys have been terrible at defending tight ends, allowing the second-most fantasy points this year.
TE Rankings
1. Jimmy Graham NO (@ Atlanta)
2. Jason Witten DAL (vs. Buffalo)
3. Antonio Gates SD (vs. Oakland) ** Thursday game
4. Jermichael Finley GB (vs. Minnesota)
5. Rob Gronkowski NE (@ New York Jets)
6. Owen Daniels HOU (@ Tampa Bay)
7. Brandon Pettigrew DET (@ Chicago)
8. Fred Davis WAS (@ Miami)
9. Aaron Hernandez NE (@ New York Jets)
10. Tony Gonzalez ATL (vs. New Orleans)
11. Jake Ballard NYG (@ San Francisco)
12. Brent Celek PHI (vs. Arizona)
13. Kellen Winslow TB (vs. Houston)
14. Greg Olsen CAR (vs. Tennessee)
15. Vernon Davis SF (vs. New York Giants)
16. Heath Miller PIT (@ Cincinnati)
17. Dustin Keller NYJ (vs. New England)
18. Visanthe Shiancoe MIN (@ Green Bay)
19. Scott Chandler BUF (@ Dallas)
20. Jermaine Gresham CIN (vs. Pittsburgh)
21. Ed Dickson BAL (@ Seattle)
22. Jared Cook TEN (@ Carolina)
23. Jeremy Shockey CAR (vs. Tennessee)
24. Marcedes Lewis JAX (@ Indianapolis)
25. Benjamin Watson CLE (vs. St. Louis)
Stephen Kelley is a contributor at The Sports Bank where he covers Fantasy Sports and Pro Drafts. You can follow him on Twitter @stephen_tsb.