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2012 Fantasy Football, Week 16 Target Practice: A Giants’ Disappointment

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A.J. Green

Welcome to week 16's “Target Practice,” where we investigate the outliers in the past week’s targets and what they could potentially mean going forward.

He was targeted how many times?

A.J. Green (WR | Cincinnati Bengals | 18 targets) At this point is anyone really surprised to see Green atop this list? No, well, you shouldn’t. Green finished week 16 with a season-high ten catches on 18 targets for 116 yards, but failed to find the end zone for the fourth time in the last five weeks. Green has solidified himself as a top three wide receiver in the game and potentially a first round pick in your 2013 fantasy draft. 

Mike Williams (WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 17 targets) Tampa Mike Williams put forth his best effort of the season on Sunday, reeling in seven passes on 17 targets for 136 yards and a score. Those still playing fantasy football in week 17 shouldn’t expect an encore performance in from Williams though as the Bucs face the Falcons who surrender the fourth fewest fantasy points per game (17.93) to opposing pass catchers.

Calvin Johnson (WR | Detroit Lions | 16 targets) Right, so Megatron didn’t find paydirt in week 16, but he did rack up 225 yards on 11 receptions en route to breaking Jerry Rice’s single season yards receiving mark of 1,848. If Johnson is on your roster, and you’re playing for a championship in week 17, you’re obviously starting him. Johnson should be a top five pick in 2013.

Jason Witten (TE | Dallas Cowboys | 8 targets) Witten hauled in six passes on eight looks from Tony Romo for 60 yards on Sunday. The Cowboys’ tight end has been a beast in points-per-reception formats this year. He leads all tight ends with 103 receptions on 138 targets for 983 yards with one game left to play.  

Wait, did I read that right? That’s all?

Sidney Rice (WR | Seattle Seahawks | 2 targets) Rice hauled in just one catch for 14 yards on two targets against the 49ers. Despite seven scores in 2012, Rice failed to eclipse the 100 yard receiving mark in any game this season.

Hakeem Nicks (WR | New York Giants | 2 targets) Zero catches. Zero. It was a tough season for Hakeem Nicks and his fantasy owners. And although he will probably be drafted as a top 20 wide receiver in 2013, he will be hard to trust.

Victor Cruz (WR | New York Giants | 2 targets) Once again, no salsa for Mr. Cruz for the second week in a row. Eli Manning looked for Cruz just four times in week 16 — connecting on three of those targets — for just 21 yards. Heart breaking for fantasy owners.

Tony Gonzalez (TE | Atlanta Falcons | 2 targets) A goose egg from old reliable in Championship Week is not what most expected — maybe with the exception of our own Brett Talley. Matt Ryan connected with his tight end just once on two targets for nine yards in a victory over the Lions. Gonzalez would be a top five tight end option in 2013 should he choose to give it another go.

Most of the advanced statistics taken from our friends at ProFootballFocus.com.

Written by Alan Harrison for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Alan’s rants on Twitter @TheFantasyFix .


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