Week 12 at Seattle
I don't expect Richard Sherman to follow Brown all over the field this week. With Martavis Bryant on the other side, the Seahawks won't be able to afford to do that. And I asked Ben Roethlisberger this week if he would shy away from Brown even if that did happen, he said absolutely not. He's not going to avoid throwing to one of the best receivers in the league based on who is covering him. Brown will win more often than not. He's just too difficult to defend and is coming off two games in which he combined to catch 27 passes. He's a must start.
Week 10 vs. Cleveland
Last week's 306-total-yard effort is the reason why Brown went first in many PPR drafts. He did everything in that game except score a touchdown. And with 17 catches for 284 yards receiving and two carries for 22 yards, you can overlook the lack of a score. Landry Jones will start this week and the two seem to be on the same page better now than they were before. Joe Haden also might sit this one out, though Brown has had his way with Haden in their one-on-one matchups. Keep on starting him. He's heating up again.
Week 9 vs. Oakland
Brown has seen at least 10 targets in each of the four games started by Ben Roethlisberger this season. Don't expect that to change this week. He's coming off a 6-catch, 47-yard effort with a touchdown, which for him, was an off game. Oakland has given up just three touchdown catches to opposing wide receivers this season, but is allowing nearly 200 yards per game to the position. Brown is a must-start.
Week 8 vs. Cincinnati
Nobody will be celebrating the return of Ben Roethlisberger as much as Brown owners or Brown himself. He did have six catches for 124 yards last week with Landry Jones at QB, his best effort without Roethlisberger. In two games against Cincinnati last season, Brown had 16 receptions for 245 yards and a touchdown. Get him in the lineup and watch the points pile up.
Week 7 at Kansas City
After three consecutive down weeks with Mike Vick (including three catches for 24 yards last week), nobody will be more happy to see Landry Jones start at quarterback than Brown. He and Jones got a lot of work together in training camp and that should show this week. Brown might not have a monster game, but don't be surprised if he at least starts another streak of at least five catches and 50 yards. The emergence of Martavis Bryant on the other side helps as well. Brown is a must-start option the rest of the way.
Week 6 vs. Arizona
Brown just wants the damn ball. He didn't quite say those words, but he made his feelings felt. His eight catches - including three for 45 yards last weeks - in the past two games are his worst output since 2012. He'll likely draw a lot of Patrick Peterson, which wouldn't matter if Ben Roethlisberger was playing, but it's been a different matter with Mike Vick. There's always the chance the Cardinals will play things straight up, as Vick has struggled getting Brown the ball - he's just 8-17 targeting him. You took Brown in the first round, so you have to start him. But be prepared for at least one more sub-par game before Roethlisberger possibly comes back next week.
Week 5 at San Diego
Brown saw his streak of games with at least five catches for 70 yards end at 15 games and his streak of 5-50 end at 35, both of which are NFL records. He did manage the five catches part again, but for just 42 yards (though he did drop a TD catch and failed to get his toes in bounds on a pair of catches that would have put him well over 100 yards). Brown saw nine targets, and he should bounce back after working with Mike Vick this week in practice (they had just one day to prepare last week).
Be careful, though. Despite allowing over 350 yards through the air to Cleveland last week, the Browns receivers managed just 13 receptions for 135 yards against San Diego last week. San Diego is tops in the league against opposing wideouts in terms of fantasy points allowed.
Week 4 vs Baltimore
Brown had a season-high 11 receptions last week, generating 108 yards last week, with most of that damage coming before Ben Roethlisberger was injured. Some are downgrading Brown because of Roethlisberger's injury. But don't get carried away. Brown will still be a big part of the offense moving forward. Baltimore's pass defense has been putrid this season, allowing 65 catches and six touchdown catches to opposing wideouts this season. Brown will get his regardless of who the quarterback is.
Week 3 at St. Louis
How do you top an opener in which your line is 9-133-1? You catch nine passes for 195 yards and a score. Brown has averaged nine catches per game over his last 12 games for about 120 yards and a score. He's as regular as the sun rising in the East. It doesn't matter what opponents do to him. Brown is on pace for 2,600 receiving yards and 144 receptions. Both would be NFL records. There's no stopping him right now.
Week 2 vs. San Francisco
Nine more catches, 100-plus yards and a score. Antonio Brown keeps marching on. He now has seven-plus catches in an NFL-record 12 consecutive games and at least five catches and 70-plus receiving yards in an NFL-record 20 games. The 49ers weren't tested much in the secondary last week, and if Bill Belichick and company aren't stopping Brown, I don't know who will. He's your No. 1 fantasy receiver again this week.
