NFL Week 8 Predictions: Which Wide Receivers Will Be Locked Down?

I still have faith in shutdown cornerbacks.

Guys that can totally erase a star wide receiver from a game. I've always had a great respect for the athletes that are capable of that.  

They've been really letting me down this year, with all the 400-yard passing performances by quarterbacks and 38-35 games. 

However, a few guys have showcased that ability this season and will lock down these receivers in Week 8. 

Michael Crabtree

Is he the 49ers' first receiving option?

I'm not so sure. 

Against Joe Haden and the Cleveland Browns, he'll be blanketed all afternoon. 

He looks to have fully healed from an early season knee injury and has everything you need skill-wise to be a lockdown corner. 

Haden's ball skills are superb and is aggressive in man-to-man coverage. 

Alex Smith better look elsewhere, because throwing Haden's way will be a big mistake.

Vincent Jackson

It's hard betting against him but he got Darrelle Revis last week and faces another top corner in Brandon Flowers this week in Arrowhead Stadium. 

He should be able to get open more frequently against Flowers than he did against Revis (one catch for 15 yards), but Flowers is very physical and the Chiefs will likely roll safety help over the top on most passing downs. 

With Antonio Gates back, Philip Rivers will be looking for his tight end more frequently. 

Deion Branch

Wes Welker will get his receptions, but with a ton of talent in the Steelers secondary, they'll take away another one of Tom Brady's favorite targets, Deion Branch. 

It's unknown against whom Ike Taylor will match up, but it's likely he switches between receivers throughout the game. 

Troy Polamalu will have the back end of the defense covered, limiting Branch's ability to stretch the field.