Things are starting to heat up in the NFL, as there are just four games left until the end of the season. There are a lot of teams still in the hunt for a playoff spot. For those teams that aren’t, there is some pride involved and they will want to close the season out on a good note and get ready for next year.
What does all of this mean for the league’s top 32 receivers? It means that they could see a lot more passes thrown their way and hopefully keep their team gunning for the playoffs or retaining some pride.
So which 32 receivers are considered to be the top dogs heading into Week 14? Read on to find out and see where your favorite wide receiver is or isn’t in this week’s rankings.
32. Derrick Mason-Baltimore Ravens
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Last Week: Unranked
The “old reliable” keeps on going for the Ravens, but is this his final year in the NFL?
If it is, the Ravens will certainly miss him and his production over the years.
31. Lance Moore-New Orleans Saints
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Last Week: 32nd
If you want scoring, you want a Moore. He’s been a nice scoring threat for the Saints and gives them a third option to go along with Robert Meacham and Marques Colston.
The Saints have a very solid group of receivers and hopefully they can help steer them into the playoffs.
30. Malcolm Floyd-San Diego Chargers
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Last Week: 30th
Floyd has continued to remain a good complement to tight end Antonio Gates (who is leading the Chargers in receiving yards).
With Jackson out, Floyd has been valuable as an intermediate to deep threat for quarterback Phillip Rivers.
29. Mike Thomas-Jacksonville Jaguars
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Last Week: 29th
The Jaguars haven’t had the same kind of success with Mike Sims-Walker that they got out of him last year, but Thomas has stepped up and helped the Jaguars keep the ball moving through the air this season.
He’s been pretty valuable this year and should be that way next season.
28. Percy Harvin-Minnesota Vikings
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Last Week: 25th
Harvin slips a little bit in this week’s rankings because he didn’t play last week, but the word right now is that things look favorable for him playing this week.
The Vikings can use all of the weapons they have because of the quarterback problems that may arise with Favre being injured and the possibility that they may end up having to play Tarvaris Jackson.
27. Mike Williams-Seattle Seahawks
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Last Week: 26th
It’s doubtful that Williams will be able to play this coming Sunday, but hopefully he will be back in the Seahawks next game as they prepare to make a run at the playoffs.
The Seahawks could use all of the help that they could get at wide receiver and Williams’ presence will definitely be missed.
26. Mario Manningham-New York Giants
Al Bello/Getty Images
Last Week: 28th
Although he didn’t have a strong game, he’s been a highly reliable option for quarterback Eli Manning since the Giants are missing two of their top receivers (Nicks and Smith).
Hopefully, he will be able to help continue taking up some of the slack as the Giants attempt to get into the playoffs.
25. Davone Bess-Miami Dolphins
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Last Week-Unranked
Bess jumps back onto this week’s poll after having a decent game against the Browns this week.
We may even see Bess move ahead of Marshall as the season winds down.
24. Braylon Edwards-New York Jets
Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Last Week: 20th
Edwards didn’t have a strong game this Monday night against the Patriots.
But overall, he’s had a pretty nice season with the Jets and should be in their long-term plans at the wide receiver position.
23. Brandon Marshall-Miami Dolphins
Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
Last Week: 21st
Marshall starts his way down the poll this week. It’s too bad that Marshall didn’t have that great of a first season with the Dolphins, because he could be a really reliable wide receiver for Miami’s offense.
Perhaps next year things will be better.
22. Wes Welker-New England Patriots
Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Last Week: 23rd
Welker was just one part of a big effort by the Patriots wide receiving corps on Monday night against the Jets.
He’s a very reliable wide receiver and one of the best at getting a first down or getting that extra yardage the team needs.
21. Jabar Gaffney-Denver Broncos
Warren Little/Getty Images
Last Week: 22nd
Gaffney and the rest of the Broncos will see some changes coming their way now that coach Josh McDaniels is out as Head Coach. Will things get better on offense or will they get worse? Could this be Gaffney’s last week in the rankings?
20. Chad Ochocinco-Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Last Week: 27th
Ochocinco jumps up a bit in this week’s poll thanks to a nice performance on Sunday but his effort, along with the effort of the rest of his team mates wasn’t enough to get the Bengals to a win.
If the team is torn apart this offseason (in order to rebuild), will he stay in Cincinnati?
19. DeSean Jackson-Philadelphia Eagles
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Last Week: 18th
Jackson may or may not be having contract problems with the Eagles, but it would be a good idea if the Eagles worked hard to keep him, because he’s going to be a big-play talent for several seasons to come.
18. Santana Moss-Washington Redskins
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Last Week: 19th
The Redskins aren’t doing that well this season but one bright spot is the play that they have gotten out of Moss.
He’s been a steady and solid part of the Redskins passing game and has gained the confidence of Donovan McNabb.
17. Johnny Knox-Chicago Bears
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Last Week: 14th
Knox didn’t see a lot of action in Sunday’s game against the Lions, so he slips a little bit.
He is still a great target for Jay Cutler and when the Bears want to go deep, Knox is ready and can turn short gains into long ones.
16. Larry Fitzgerald-Arizona Cardinals
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Last Week-17th
Fitzgerald is not being talked about as being a top-flight wide receiver so much this year thanks to the problems his team is having at the quarterback position.
He’s still a valuable talent who will get back to greatness once the Cardinals quarterback situation gets solved.
15. Mike Williams-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Last Week: 15th
When the season is over with and people look back and try to figure out what went right with the Buccaneers, they need to point out that Williams stabilized their passing game.
He’s been a great find for this team and should have a strong career in Tampa Bay.
14. Anquan Boldin-Baltimore Ravens
Larry French/Getty Images
Last Week: 16th
When quarterback Joe Flacco can get him the ball, Boldin ends up doing something positive with it almost every time.
If it weren’t for Boldin and his ability, the Ravens may not be where they are right now.
13. Miles Austin-Dallas Cowboys
Scott Boehm/Getty Images
Last Week: 13th
You can bet that Austin’s numbers are going to increase now that Dez Bryant is out for the season.
Austin will have to pick up some of the slack, but he’s fully capable of doing that and will most likely rise up in these rankings before the season is over.
12. Steve Johnson-Buffalo Bills
Rick Stewart/Getty Images
Last Week: 10th
Johnson and the Bills didn’t have that great of a game on Sunday but Johnson remains one of the best at his position and a pleasant surprise for the Bills this season.
Can he do just as well or better next season?
11. Marques Colston-New Orleans Saints
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Last Week: 8th
Colston has been putting up some nice numbers for the Saints lately thanks to his size and reliable hands.
Quarterback Drew Brees has had a lot of success throwing the ball to him this season and Colston is helping to lead his team back towards the playoffs.
10. Jeremy Maclin-Philadelphia Eagles
Al Bello/Getty Images
Last Week-12th
Maclin is quarterback Michael Vick’s most reliable and sought-after target down the field and is good for making catches and getting yards after the catch.
He’s come a long way for being a second-year player in the NFL and should continue to have a fine career with the Eagles.
9. Mike Wallace-Pittsburgh Steelers
Rick Stewart/Getty Images
Last Week: 9th
Wallace gives quarterback Ben Roethlisberger a nice option to throw the ball to deep or throw up a short pass and watch him turn it into something. He’s definitely come a long way this season.
8. Andre Johnson-Houston Texans
Al Bello/Getty Images
Last Week-11th
Johnson has proven time and again just how valuable he is to the Texans offense.
He’s got the yards but doesn’t quite have the touchdowns this season but still, he’s one of the best in the business and the most important player on that Houston squad.
7. Reggie Wayne-Indianapolis Colts
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Last Week: 6th
Wayne and the Colts aren’t having their best season right now as quarterback Peyton Manning is struggling, but Wayne continues to be reliable and consistent while the other wide receivers shift in and out with injuries.
6. Terrell Owens-Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Last Week: 7th
Owens’ production in Cincinnati cannot be denied and he has had a solid season in Cincinnati. It’s just too bad they aren’t winning more games there.
5. Calvin Johnson-Detroit Lions
Rick Stewart/Getty Images
Last Week: 4th
Johnson had a pretty nice game against the Bears and despite the fact Detroit had a third-stringer in at quarterback, things went well.
Can Johnson continue to get more balls thrown his way and move up the rankings before the end of the season?
4. Dwayne Bowe-Kansas City Chiefs
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
Last Week: 3rd
Bowe is a big reason why the Chiefs are where they are right now (leading the AFC West) and is one of the most valuable wide receivers in the league.
Can he finish the season strong and help his team get to the playoffs?
3. Brandon Lloyd-Denver Broncos
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Last Week: 1st
Lloyd remains the league’s leader in yards and is the most important receiver in the Broncos offense.
Without him, Denver wouldn’t be able to put up the yards that they have been able to this season. Too bad it doesn’t translate into wins.
2. Greg Jennings-Green Bay Packers
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Last Week: 5th
Along with becoming a reliable target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Jennings is having a solid season.
He is a true threat to any defense the Packers face the remainder of the season.
1. Roddy White-Atlanta Falcons
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
Last Week: 2nd
White gets back to his familiar spot at the top of these rankings this week after slipping out last week.
He’s a sure bet for the Pro Bowl and could help lead this team to a Super Bowl berth with his ability to catch the ball and make plays.
Who Dropped Off?
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Dez Bryant
Brian Hartline
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
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