1. Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
Going up against a Detroit Lions defense that has struggled against fantasy receivers all season long should help Marshall sit atop this list when all is said and done this week. Detroit has yielded the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2013 and Marshall is averaging six receptions per outing against that defense since joining the Bears last year. He also sits as the No. 8 fantasy receiver through nine weeks. Look for a stellar fantasy performance in this one.
Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 115 yards and two touchdowns
2. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
Why the heck not? With all the inconsistency we've seen in Cincinnati, Green has been the one constant. He's been a true WR1 in a vast majority of his outings thus far and is going up against a Baltimore Ravens defense that rank in the bottom 12 of the NFL against fantasy receivers. As the No. 4 fantasy receiver this season, Green has put up 26 receptions for over 500 yards in his last four games.
Projected Statistics: Eight receptions, 145 yards and one touchdown
3. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
He might be flying under the radar, but Brown is quietly having himself a breakout season for Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. He's tied with Pierre Garcon for the most catches from the wide receiver position and has played one less game. Overall, he's the 14th-ranked fantasy receiver due to a lack of touchdowns (three in eight games). Pittsburgh will be taking on a Buffalo Bills defense that is yielding the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
Projected Statistics: Nine receptions 120 yards and one touchdown
4. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Suprised? There is no logical reason to keep a healthy Megatron off this list in any given week. He's now the No. 1 overall fantasy receiver after struggling a tad in that category earlier in the season. The primary reason for this is the performances we've seen from Johnson over the last two games (23 receptions for 484 yards and three touchdowns). Detroit is also going up against a Chicago Bears defense that has been suprisingly pedestrian against the pass this season. Opposing starting receiver groups are averaging 159 yards and 1.0 scores per outing.
Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 120 yards and one touchdown
5. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
Some may not understand why I have Nick ahead of Victor Cruz this week, but it's rather simple. The soon-to-be free agent will be going up against D.J. Hayden who has been disastrous in coverage over the past few games and struggles against more physical pass catchers. According to Pro Football Focus, Hayden owns the 12th-lowest pass coverage grade among cornerbacks in the NFL. The likes of Riley Cooper and Emmanuel Sanders have tallied a combined 12 receptions for 227 yards and four scores against Hayden over the past two games.
Projected Statistics: Six receptins, 105 yards and one touchdown