ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

Just scrolled through some wide receiver numbers provided by ESPN Stats & Information.

Three of thesix most targeted wide receivers in the NFL come from our lovely division.

Andre Johnson is the second-most targeted red zone wide receiver and I’d argue the Texans cannot look to him often enough then they are in close range to the end zone. Nate Washington, who’s victimized Kerry Collins with some drops, has been spectacularly efficient inside the 20-yard line. And Mike Sims-Walker isn’t far off Washington’s pace, matching his three touchdowns even though he’s played in one fewer game.

Most targeted WRs in red zone Player Targets Comp Comp% TD Calvin Johnson 8 2 25% 1 Andre Johnson 7 3 43% 3 Randy Moss 7 3 43% 1 Nate Washington 7 6 86% 3 Mike Sims-Walker 7 5 71% 3 Jason Avant 7 5 71% 1

The division is much less well represented on the third-down list, and leave it to the 0-5 Titans to have a representative on the list and for his presence there to amount to a bad thing.

Most targeted WRs on third down Player Targets Comp Comp% Yards Steve Smith (NYG) 18 15 83% 179 Calvin Johnson 17 12 71% 193 Justin Gage 17 4 24% 46 Mike Furrey 16 6 38% 59 Nate Burleson 15 6 40% 75 Randy Moss 14 7 50% 68 Santonio Holmes 14 9 64% 121

With a connection rate of 24 percent to Gage in such crucial situations, I’d hope the Titans intend to look more to Washington, Kenny Britt and tight ends Bo Scaife and Jared Cook in New England. Some of the misses are on Kerry Collins, but a good share are on Gage. Keep throwing to him when you're looking to extend drives and if he fails you, you deserve what you get.