NFL Week 17 Predictions: Projecting the Week's Most Dominant Receivers

In addition to the man pictured, Calvin Johnson, when we think of the NFL's most dominant wide receivers, guys like Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald come to mind.

But with Week 17 showing some favorable matchups and teams having playoff influences, there will be plenty of dominance to go around.

That being said, here are the receiving targets who dominate above the rest.

Calvin Johnson, Lions (at Packers)

For the first time since 1999 the Detroit Lions have clinched a playoff berth. So being that the Green Bay Packers already locked up the NFC North division, what is the Lions' motivation to play?

If they win, Detroit will either play at the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants. That's a much more favorable matchup than again in the Superdome versus the New Orleans Saints.

So expect Calvin Johnson to play most if not all of the game. Regardless of what the Packers do with their starters since they've already locked up the NFC's No. 1 seed, in order for Detroit to win, Megatron must produce.

Green Bay has the No. 31 ranked pass defense and allows 286.3 pass yards per game. Johnson may see double coverage; however, that's still not enough to slow him down. His combination of size, speed, athleticism and ability to run any route on the field nullifies any kind of coverage.

Plus, he has accounted for 85 receptions, over 1,400 yards and scored 15 TDs.

In being that we have to anticipate the Lions playing most of the game, Calvin will also be their best option is bad weather conditions. 

Against the cheese on Thanksgiving Day he had four catches for 49 yards and a TD. Expect much higher numbers since the Lions can definitely win in the Wild Card round if they get to play the Cowboys or Giants.

Victor Cruz, Giants (vs. Cowboys)

If there's a wide receiver in this league who's really come on the scene and take advantage of a Wally Pipp-esque situation, it's been Victor Cruz of the Giants.

Early in the season Domenik Hixon went down for the year and Cruz had to step in. Needless to say he's become Eli Manning's most reliable and favorite target. On the year Cruz has compiled 1,358 yards on 76 receptions and has scored eight TDs.

This week New York plays host to the Dallas Cowboys; in their last meeting Cruz accounted for 74 yards on six catches.

At home this time, we all know the winner goes to the playoffs.

Well, the passing game has been the only consistent effort Big Blue has been able to get in 2011. Eli Manning has thrown for almost 4,600 yards and that effectiveness is how they first beat Dallas.

So the chances of Cruz slicing up the Cowboys' No. 23 ranked pass defense (allow 238.3 per game) is quite high. Last week the Philadelphia Eagles exploited Dallas, so it's for certain the New York can have a solid encore performance.

Cruz is the key to keeping the Giants playbook open, as that will create favorable matchups for New York's other receivers.

Brandon Marshall, Dolphins (vs. Jets)

Brandon Marshall's 2011 season surely has had its ups and downs. It started off great against New England with Chad Henne tossing over 400 yards.

Thereafter however, the yardage total per game was decreasing despite Marshall consistently getting four to six catches over the new few weeks. But, he was lacking in yards after the catch (YAC) as defenses tried to isolate him as much as possible.

Obviously it worked as Miami began 0-7.

Once the second half of the season began though, Marshall kept at his per catch average but was getting better YAC. When your a strong WR such as him, that's where the yards build up.

In Week 17 against the New York Jets, Marshall will see some double coverage however, he did dominate in the first matchup against Gang Green (six catches, 109 yards). Therefore, now that Miami has established a ground game and QB Matt Moore continues to develop, those numbers are expected.

Then again, being that the Dolphins have become a solid rushing team, the Jets will have to stack the box and be vulnerable to single coverage. So, Marshall will see more targets, get more receptions and gain more yards.

Thus, giving he and Miami a lot of confidence heading into 2012.

Wes Welker, Patriots (vs. Bills)

He's not a deep threat but can provide that dimension if need be and he's not your prototypical No. 1 WR however, New England's Wes Welker has proven his worth all season long.

Obviously more dangerous when lined up in the slot, Welker has the ability to beat any single coverage over the field. No LB or DB is quick enough to completely shut him down. Man coverage with zones having settling defenders is really the only way.

More like single coverage with spies on him in some sense. However, that would only make life easier for TE Rob Gronkowski and WR Deion Branch. So, you won't see that a lot of Welker.

That being said, Wes has totaled over 1,500 yards on 116 receptions and has scored nine TDs. Luckily for him and New England, they host the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. A game needed as a win give the Patriots the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Plus, they want to avenge the Week 3 loss at Buffalo, where Welker caught 16 balls for 217 yards and scored twice. As we all know the Pats don't sit starters, so expect him to play and play well.

Buffalo's pass defense is unfortunately its defensive strength, ranking just No. 15 in allowing 225 pass yards per game. Even if there's bad weather conditions, that's to Welker's advantage since going deep would then be obsolete.

He'll burn everyone across the middle and get excellent yards after the catch.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27