Week 17 vs Baltimore
After a tough game two weeks ago when he was battling a back injury, A.J. Green looked better in Week 16 against the Broncos. He caught five passes for 57 yards, but he also scored his fourth touchdown in the last four weeks. More important, the targets were back up to nine.
Baltimore is 19th in aFPA to wide receivers to Green should be good to go on Sunday. In the first meeting this season, he had 10 catches for 227 yards. Although we don't expect numbers like that, we do expect a solid game and that's why he should start in all leagues and formats as a WR1 for Week 17.
Week 16 vs Denver
Unfortunately for A.J. Green owners, the star wide receiver hurt his back Saturday and the result was his worst performance of the season on Sunday. He caught only one pass on the afternoon. Another factor is A.J. McCarron is now throwing passes, not Andy Dalton.
With those two factors coupled with the fact that Denver ranks No. 1 in aFPA to wide receivers, Green's stock takes a major nosedive. He should play on Sunday, but only ranks a high-end WR3 or flex for Week 16.
Week 15 at San Francisco
A.J. Green continued his strong second half with his second straight 100-plus yard receiving effort. He also reached the end zone for the fourth time in the last three games. And he has been making big plays averaging over 23 yards per catch the last two weeks.
San Francisco is 13th in aFPA to wide receivers, but the bigger factor this week is backup quarterback A.J. McCarron who will get the start for the injured Andy Dalton. That slightly hurts Green's value, but he still is a low-end WR1 for Week 15.
Week 14 vs Pittsburgh
A.J. Green had a big game last week catching five passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. It was only his third 100+ receiving yardage game of the season, but he is only four yards from surpassing his 2014 yardage total.
Historically, Green has been average against the Steelers, but has a big advantage this season as Pittsburgh is 30th in aFPA to wide receivers and have given up some big totals in the passing game this season. Green is definitely a great play every week, but he is due for a big game against the Steelers. Start him in all leagues and formats as a solid WR1.
Week 13 vs Cleveland
Consistency has been the biggest problem for A.J. Green in 2015. Last week, he did catch six balls for 61 yards, modest numbers. But two were for touchdowns which made him a fantasy stud for Week 12. We know what Green is capable of, but what matters is he in Andy Dalton's sight line? There are times he is not.
It's a great matchup for Green against Cleveland who is 24th in aFPA to wide receivers. Green had a ho-hum game the first time the teams met (four catches for 53 yards) and has been up and down during his career against the Browns. Still, most signs point to a big game so start Green in all league and formats as a solid WR1 for Week 13.
Week 12 vs St. Louis
Although A.J. Green was targeted a team-high 12 times last, he only caught four passes. The workload did garner him 79 yards, but he was held out of the end zone for the eighth time in 11 games. Green remains a premier receiver, but the lack of touchdowns have hurt his fantasy value in 2015.
The Week 12 matchup is not good for Green as the Rams are 1st in aFPA to wide receivers. That pushes his value down to a high-end WR2 this Sunday. He still has value, but expectations should not be super high.
Week 11 at Arizona
A.J. Green had his second consecutive ho-hum game with only five catches for 67 yards and zero touchdowns. For most receivers, that might be okay, but Green owners expect much more and have been disappointed for the most part in 2015. Green has only been targeted 10-plus times in three games this season. Add in the fact he has had only two 100-plus receiving yard games and four touchdowns, and it's safe to say he has underachieved considering the expectations.
Green will face Arizona this week, who is 19th in aFPA to wide receivers. Although the game is on the road, Green should put up at least the numbers he has the past two weeks and hopefully more. Start him as a top-5 fantasy wide receiver for Week 11. The potential to have big games is still there on a weekly basis.
Week 10 vs Houston
Although A.J. Green remains one of the best receivers in the NFL, his production has been like a roller coaster. Even with QB Andy Dalton having a career year, the ball is being spread around a lot more in certain games. Green only had six targets and four catches last week.
However, Green can still put up monster games and you have to stick with him as a top weekly choice. This week, he faces Houston who is 15th in aFPA to wide receivers. Start Green in all leagues and formats as he is due for another one of those big-time stat games.
Week 9 vs Browns
A.J. Green had one of his better games of the season in Pittsburgh, as he was targeted 17 times and had 11 receptions (both season highs) with a touchdown. Green bounced back nicely after having one of his worst outings of the year in the previous game against Buffalo.
HIs matchup is neutral this week, as Cleveland is 13th in aFPA to wide receivers. Green has not played great against the Browns in past seasons, but he will have a chance for a big game this week as Joe Haden has been struggling and injured. Start Green in all leagues as the solid WR1 for Week 9.
Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh
A.J. Green had his worst fantasy outing before the bye with just four catches for 36 yards. Don't be worried about those numbers. They are the exception, not the rule. Green remains a premier wide receiver and will be the most targeted Bengals player every week.
Green will face the Steelers, who are 19th in aFPA to wide receivers. He has had good and bad games versus Pittsburgh, but this Steelers defense is not as good as past years. Start Green as a WR1 for Week 8 and expect 10 targets.
