2007 Week Two Wide Receiver Rankings
1. Steve Smith vs. Houston – No matter how ordinary Jake Delhomme is, Smith is still one of the biggest home run hitters in the game. Houston’s secondary was not tested in the first week. The Chiefs don’t have anyone even remotely in the class of Smith.
2. Terrell Owens at Miami – Typically, isn’t it a bad sign if Antwaan Randle-El picked up over 100 yards on a pass defense?
3. Marvin Harrison at Tennessee – This is a tricky proposition. The Titans want to run the ball consistently. That would, in turn, keep Peyton Manning and company away from the field. The Titans were successful in the first meeting last season. The second one? Harrison grabbed seven passes for 172 yards and a touchdown.
4. Javon Walker at Oakland – So much for the Raiders’ top-ranked pass defense of a season ago. Detroit sliced and diced them. Denver should only improve offensively after a shaky first outing in Buffalo.
5. Chad Johnson at Cleveland – I actually liked Chad’s jacket celebration but it took too long. Still, it gets an “A” for originality. As for this week, the Browns played like a team with no soul. If Ben Roethlisberger threw four touchdowns against Cleveland, that’s a good sign for Cincy. Johnson tallied one touchdown in the first outing a season ago and over 100 yards receiving in the rematch.
6. Reggie Wayne at Tennessee – Typically, if Harrison or Wayne has a big week, the other receiver seems to explode the following week. Wayne is always dangerous but I like Marvelous to put together a better effort.
7. Randy Moss vs. San Diego – I don’t care if the Patriots were in the Jets huddle with their playbooks, what Moss did last week was decisively impressive. San Diego’s greatest weakness on defense is its cornerbacks. Just ask Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gafney.
8. Torry Holt vs. San Francisco – Although he caught a touchdown pass last week, I’m a little worried about Holt. He has the knee injury and now Orlando Pace is out which is likely to affect the passing game. I haven’t even addressed how solid the Niners’ secondary looked against the Cardinals. Fear Nate Clements.
9. Roy Williams vs. Detroit – Only four catches a week ago, which means he’s due to see a bit more action this Sunday in all likelihood.
10. Andre Johnson at Carolina – Hey Texans! Do you see what happens when your quarterback has time to throw the ball?
11. Anquan Boldin vs. Seattle – The 49ers shut down Larry Fitzgerald and Boldin on Monday night. Don’t look for that to happen against the Seahawks. Boldin scored once last week despite a sub par yardage effort.
12. Plaxico Burress vs. Green Bay – The Packers will benefit with potentially facing Jared Lorenzen. That cuts into the production of Burress.
13. Larry Fitzgerald vs. Seattle – I’m still not convinced that he’s the number one option on the Cardinals.
14. Hines Ward vs. Buffalo – Ward caught three passes for 51 yards and a score against the Browns. Buffalo’s secondary is reeling from injury.
15. Lee Evans vs. Pittsburgh – J.P. Losman’s 97-yard passing day is a definite negative towards Evans’ potential this season. Evans can hurt the Steelers deep but Losman must improve.
16. T.J. Houshmandzadeh at Cleveland – Housh took some big hits on Monday night. He’s banged up, so proceed with caution.
17. Ronald Curry vs. Denver – He did quite the job with Josh McCown pulling the trigger against the Lions. Curry is the Raiders’ best receiving option against Denver.
18. Donald Driver at NY Giants – The Giants’ secondary was torched last week by the Cowboys. This time around Brett Favre and friends should be able to move the ball through the air.
19. Darrell Jackson at St. Louis – To Andy’s dismay, he’s past his prime. Although, he may be successful after the Rams lost cornerback Tye Hill.
20. Santonio Holmes vs. Buffalo – Holmes is a big play threat in the Steelers’ passing game. They may not put up consistently big numbers, but they gash teams.
The best of the rest…
21. Chris Chambers vs. Dallas
22. Santana Moss at Philadelphia
23. Joey Galloway vs. New Orleans
24. Braylon Edwards vs. Cleveland
25. Laveranues Coles at Baltimore
26. Devery Henderson at Tampa Bay
27. Calvin Johnson vs. Minnesota
28. Vincent Jackson at New England
29. Reggie Brown vs. Washington
30. Bernard Berrian vs. Kansas City
31. Derrick Mason vs. NY Jets
32. Drew Bennett vs. San Francisco
33. Donte Stallworth vs. San Diego
34. Mark Clayton vs. NY Jets
35. Isaac Bruce vs. San Francisco
36. Wes Welker vs.San Diego
37. Jerricho Cotchery at Baltimore
38. Mike Furrey vs. Minnesota
39. Mushin Muhammad vs. Kansas City
40. Jason Avant vs. Washington
41. Nate Burleson at Arizona
42. Joe Horn at Jacksonville
43. Brandon Jones vs. Indianapolis
44. Deion Branch at Arizona
45. Greg Jennings at NY Giants
