Week 15 vs. Green Bay
After signing a contract extension, Michael Crabtree went out and laid an egg last Sunday in Denver, catching four passes for 19 yards. Amazingly, Crabtree still fared better than Amari Cooper, who shockingly pitched a shutout.
One bad game does not take away all the good Crabtree has provided this season, and the Raiders are still quite happy with the veteran from Texas Tech. With Green Bay having a good but not phenomenal defense against the pass, Crabtree will put his dismal day in Denver behind him. You can roll with him as your WR3.
Week 14 at Denver
Michael Crabtree’s renaissance resulted in the Raiders awarding him with a contract extension earlier this week. Crabtree caught five passes for 45 yards and a touchdown in Week 13 and has 66 receptions for 760 yards and seven scores overall. The extension means his long-term future is bright, both in real and fantasy football.
However, his short-term prospects are dreary thanks to a matchup with the Denver Broncos and their elite pass defense. Michael was held to four catches for 54 yards by Denver back in Week 5. Crabtree is not the easiest player to bench, but you could consider it as he is just a low-end WR3 this week.
Week 13 at Kansas City
Cooling down after a sizzling midseason stretch, Michael Crabtree had his poorest performance of the season last Sunday in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans, catching four passes for 19 yards. Fortunately, he caught a touchdown pass, salvaging something for the many owners who started him.
Kansas City’s pass defense struggled early in the season, but has rebounded with the Chiefs winning five in a row. Nevertheless, they showed vulnerability in Week 12, as Buffalo’s Tyrod Taylor was able to victimize them for 291 yards and three touchdowns. And if Kansas City’s top rusher, Justin Houston, is unable to play, things will be considerably easier for the Oakland offense. Although Crabtree has dropped in the rankings, he should continue to be a credible WR3 this week.
Michael Crabtree was unable to dominate a revived Detroit defense last Sunday, catching six passes for 50 yards. Nevertheless, Crabtree still leads the Raiders in receptions and could take over as Oakland’s leading receiver if Amari Cooper continues to struggle with drops.
Many might not think much of the 2-8 Titans, but they actually have a pretty good pass defense. The Titans are giving up just 214.2 yards per game and held Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles to one touchdown pass in Week 11. However, 17 touchdown passes have been thrown overall against Tennessee and Crabtree has played well enough this year that he could get hot again at any time. Owners across all formats should plan on starting him this weekend.
Week 11 at Detroit
Minnesota’s tough defense made life difficult for Michael Crabtree in Week 10. Crabtree, who came into the game with four touchdowns since Oakland’s Week 6 bye, was held to four receptions for 55 yards. Although Crabtree’s hot streak came to an end, he still leads Oakland in receptions and touchdowns.
Detroit stunned Green Bay last Sunday in arguably the biggest upset of the season, which means the Lions may come out flat against the Raiders. The Lions have struggled to stop the pass throughout the season, as foes have totaled 16 touchdown passes against the men of the Motor City. They also allow plenty of yardage. Crabtree is a low-end WR1 with a ceiling for considerably more.
Week 10 vs Minnesota
If the Comeback Player of the Year could be awarded right now, Michael Crabtree would be one of the strongest candidates to take home the trophy. As well as Amari Cooper has played, Crabtree actually leads the Raiders in receptions and touchdowns. Pittsburgh was unable to stop him last Sunday, as Michael hauled in seven passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Minnesota has one of the NFL’s best defenses against the pass. The Vikings have allowed just nine touchdown passes and are holding opponents under 225 yards per game. Nevertheless, Michael has been on fire since Oakland’s Week 6 bye and has reached that special place where he can be designated as a safe weekly starter. Owners can count on Crabtree as a WR2.
Week 9 at Pittsburgh
With Amari Cooper dealing with Darrelle Revis, Derek Carr had to look elsewhere last Sunday. Although Andre Holmes came out of nowhere to score two touchdowns, the Oakland receiver who led the Raiders in targets was Michael Crabtree. Crabtree turned his 12 targets into seven receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. Once again, Michael delivered big for owners who only had to invest in a low draft pick or waiver wire claim to bring him onto their roster.
And Crabtree could once again be a vital ingredient in winning fantasy formulas this weekend. The Steelers have been somewhat better against the pass of late, but have surrendered 12 touchdown passes and yield close to 275 passing yards per game. It will be a tough road test for Oakland, but not a foreboding one. Crabtree has climbed into WR2 country.
Week 8 vs. New York Jets
Although Amari Cooper generated more headlines in Week 7, Michael Crabtree was also a big reason why the Raiders defeated San Diego 37-29. Crabtree actually received the most targets among all the Oakland receivers and caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown.
And it is entirely possible Crabtree will tally a large number of targets again this week, provided the Jets use superstar cornerback Darrelle Revis on Cooper for the majority of the game. New York has a top-5 pass defense, but if Crabtree sees more of Antonio Cromartie than Revis, he can have some success and potentially muster up WR3 numbers.
Week 7 vs San Diego
Before Oakland’s Week 6 bye, Michael Crabtree hauled in four passes for 54 yards in a 16-10 loss to Denver. In five games as a Raider, Crabtree has put up reputable numbers, catching 27 passes for 318 yards. The only downside is he has only one touchdown, which was scored back in Week 2 against Baltimore. Regardless, he has been playing much better than he did in San Francisco last year.
The Chargers give up yards begrudgingly, but they have no problems granting access to the end zone, as 10 players have scored on passing plays against San Diego. While Crabtree does not have a high ceiling as Oakland’s second option behind Amari Cooper, he can be started as a WR3.
Week 5 vs Denver
Had Michael Crabtree not missed time in Week 4 with an ankle injury, he could have had a really big day against the Bears in Chicago. Crabtree still put together a decent performance, catching six passes for 80 yards. He has missed some practice time this week, but is fully expected to play on Sunday.
While Crabtree’s health is not a big issue, Denver’s defense is a gigantic one. Providing fans in the Mile High City with a flashback to the Orange Crush days, the Broncos have the best pass defense in the NFL. While Denver has been winning their games in tight fashion, it would not be surprising for them to build a lead on an Oakland squad still largely in developmental mode. If that happens, Crabtree has a better chance at delivering WR3 value. Overall, the strength of Denver’s defense makes him a dicey option.
