Making those tough lineup decisions, week over week, can be the most challenging part of the fantasy football process. When you're torn between two similar players, and simply don't know which of them to start, my advice is to start the player with the superior matchup.
Ah, but exactly how does one determine the best (and worst) weekly matchups?
The "Matchups Map" each week provides a schedule-independent method to evaluate positional matchups, ranking all 32 opposing defenses in order of most to least favorable for opposing players at all four skill positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end). Instead of relying upon seasonal totals, in this space we calibrate points-allowed data to show how each defense fared relative to the difficulty of the schedule that it has faced. This provides a fairer approach to judging the quality of individual matchups.
"Adj. FPA," or Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed, reflects how far above or below players' weekly PPR fantasy point averages that defense has held opponents at that position. A positive number means that the matchup is favorable; a negative number means it is unfavorable. Additionally, remember that teams often use multiple running backs and wide receivers in a game, and these plus/minus averages cover all of a team's personnel at that position.
All data is from the past five weeks' NFL action.
Finally, a caveat: Matchups are only one ingredient in my rankings formula. Not every favorable matchup should be exploited, nor unfavorable matchup avoided. If you want my -- and ESPN fantasy staff's -- most complete source for whom to start and sit each week, consult our weekly rankings.
Quarterbacks
Matchups highlight
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (at Seahawks)
The Seahawks' defense represents a dream matchup for most any opponent. Seattle and their opponents have combined to average 60.4 points per game over the past five weeks, the most in the NFL. The Seahawks have also averaged the fourth-most defensive snaps played (66.8) and seen opponents average the third-most touches against them (52.0). Giants-Seahawks is a compelling Week 8 contest that no one saw coming at the start of the season and Jones should play an integral part.
Seattle has been especially susceptible to mobile quarterbacks, allowing the most rushing touchdowns (5) and fifth-most yards per carry (5.84) to the position. While three of those scores came from Taysom Hill, who also lines up at tight end, Marcus Mariota and Kyler Murray also totaled 104 yards and a score on 17 carries against this defense. Jones has been much better at holding on to the football this year, with only four turnovers in seven games and the Giants are using his mobility well thus far. He has the fourth-most rushing attempts (58) and third-most fantasy points on rushing plays among quarterbacks (52.3).
Others to like
Andy Dalton, New Orleans Saints (against Raiders)
Dalton draws the most favorable matchup at the position, as the Raiders for the season have allowed two more Adjusted Fantasy Points Added per game than any other defense. Between Dalton and Jameis Winston, whom Dalton will be replacing in a performance-based decision, the Saints have faced a top-eight positional matchup three times already, and in those games have averaged 19.36 fantasy points from the duo.
Sam Ehlinger, Indianapolis Colts (against Commanders)
Ehlinger is in position to succeed in his first career start. He faces a Commanders secondary that is struggling mightily, allowing 0.53 fantasy points per pass attempt. Ehlinger also brings good mobility to the table, having scored 31 rushing touchdowns in his final three college seasons at Texas, This elevates his floor to a 2QB/superflex streamer.
Matchup to avoid
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (against Ravens)
Brady's Thursday night matchup might look reasonably favorable, granting him a good share of bounce-back potential, but much of that defense's shoddy numbers were the product of its disastrous Week 2 against Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins (he scored 38.86 fantasy points against them). Since then, the Ravens have been the seventh-best schedule adjusted defense against the position, have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per pass attempt to the position (0.31), and have held each of their past four individual opponents (Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Daniel Jones and Jacoby Brissett) at least three points beneath their seasonal averages. Oh, and Brady and his Buccaneers will play this game on the short week following a disastrous showing against the Panthers.
Running backs
Matchups highlight
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (at Lions)
Mostert has quite clearly taken over the Dolphins' lead running back, having played 68% of the team's offensive snaps over the past four weeks, while totaling 71 touches to Chase Edmonds' 19. Now Mostert gets his best matchup of the season against a Lions defense that has allowed seven different running backs score 12.5-plus PPR fantasy points, the most in the league. Mostert does most of his damage on the ground -- he has 87 rushing attempts and only 18 targets through seven games -- and the Lions have allowed running backs to score 0.94 fantasy points per carry.
Others to like
Tony Pollard (against Bears)
Pollard will take over the Cowboys' starting role in time for this extremely favorable matchup. The Cowboys should lean heavily upon Pollard, as Dak Prescott works himself back to 100%, while the Bears defense is weaker against the run than the pass.
Jamaal Williams Detroit Lions (against Dolphins)
Williams should carve out a decent-sized role regardless of D'Andre Swift's status. Even if he's more of a change-of-pace back, the matchup against the Dolphins grants a lot of upside.
Matchup to avoid
Michael Carter and James Robinson, New York Jets (against Patriots). Though the Patriots put up a sinker against the Bears in Week 7, David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert totaled 27.9 PPR fantasy points on 28 touches. New England's defense has otherwise been exceptional against the run thus far. Herbert (15.7 points) is the only individual running back to exceed 14.5 points against the Patriots, who allow 0.47 fantasy points per rushing attempt, the fewest in the league. Robinson's arrival casts doubt upon both his and Carter's Week 8 workload and this is the kind of matchup where you'd like to see one back receive 15-plus touches before trusting either as more than a flex play.
Wide receivers
Matchups highlight
DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers (at Falcons)
Moore saw an uptick in production in the Panthers' first game after trading Christian McCaffrey, playing all 50 offensive snaps, seeing 10 targets on 23 routes and scoring a season-high 19.6 PPR fantasy points. The team is once again embracing him as a focal point of the offense, and Moore displayed growing chemistry with quarterback PJ Walker, who will draw the start against the Falcons in Week 8. Moore now faces an Atlanta defense that has been one of the worst against wide receivers this season. Casey Hayward landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury after Week 6, and A.J Terrell will likely be sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 7. Cornell Armstrong, who surrendered 17.3 PPR fantasy points on nine targets last week, should draw the start.
Others to like
DeVonta Smith (Eagles, versus Steelers)
Smith stands out in a matchup against a Steelers defense that has allowed six different wide receivers to score at least 12.5 PPR fantasy points over the past three weeks.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans (against Titans)
If you need a Week 8 sleeper, consider Collins, who is facing a Titans defense that has allowed wide receivers to score over 12 PPR fantasy points in their past four games (Mack Hollins, Alec Pierce, Dyami Brown and Parris Campbell).
Matchup to avoid
Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars (against Broncos)
Kirk has been productive in his first season with the Jaguars. His 101.0 PPR fantasy points ranks 10th-best among wide receivers and he continues to draw advantageous matchups as the team's primary slot receiver. However, Kirk matches up poorly against the Broncos, one of the leagues toughest defenses. The Broncos allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers (80.5) and held Tyler Lockett (Week 1) and Brandin Cooks (Week 2) to 5.8 and 9.4 points respectively.
Tight ends
Matchups highlight
Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings (against Cardinals).
With Travis Kelce and the Chiefs on bye, fantasy managers might be pressed for a tight end streamer. Smith stands out from the group, thanks to a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Cardinals. The Cardinals defense has allowed the most PPR fantasy points per target to tight ends (2.24) and saw Noah Fant and Juwan Johnson have big games against them over the past two weeks. Smith has already seen three goal-line targets on plays within three yards of the end zone this season, catching two for touchdowns. This is another matchup that gives him good odds of finding the end zone.
Others to like
Mike Gesicki Miami Dolphins (at Lions)
Gesicki has seen a 16% target rate and three total end-zone targets over the past three weeks combined. He now gets a matchup against the league's worst defense.
Matchup to avoid
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (against Panthers)
Pitts ranks as the TE22 through seven weeks and faces a Panthers defense that has been tough on tight ends this season. Carolina held David Njoku to 1.7 PPR fantasy points in Week 1, George Kittle to 7.7 points in Week 5 and Tyler Higbee to 1.7 points in Week 6.