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
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (against Raiders)
Lawrence has endured an up-and-down sophomore season, at times appearing on the verge of stardom and at others making plays that seem like he's several large adjustments away. This, however, is a dream matchup that can do plenty to cure what ails a quarterback. The Raiders have seen all seven opposing quarterbacks score 17.16 fantasy points against them, including Davis Mills (18.08 in Week 7) and Andy Dalton (17.16 in Week 8) the past two weeks. Additionally, the Raiders have allowed the most fantasy points per rushing attempt to quarterbacks (1.37). This benefits Lawrence, who has three rushing touchdowns over the past three weeks.
Others to like
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (at Lions)
Rodgers could also have a bounce back game against the league's worst defense. In his past 10 games against the Lions (excluding the 2018 and 2021 finale), he has averaged 25.13 fantasy points while scoring at least 18.32 in each.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (at Cardinals)
Smith might've disappointed in his previous meeting with the Cardinals (12.68 points in Week 6), but the Cardinals defense allowed six passing touchdowns and 50.02 fantasy points to Dalton (Week 7) and Kirk Cousins (Week 8) over the past two games.
Matchup to avoid
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (against Rams).
Brady and his teammates can't seem to get into any rhythm, plagued by an injury-marred and underperforming offensive line, which drops the future Hall of Famer to a matchup play. Brady is susceptible to matchups against tough defenses like the Rams. He had 9.40 fantasy points in Week 2 against the Saints and 17.10 last week against the Ravens. Fantasy managers should at least attempt to find a higher-ceiling performer. While the Rams allowed Josh Allen to score 31.48 fantasy points in Week 1, 11.6 of those points came on rushing plays and the Rams intercepted Allen twice. The Rams defense has only allowed 11.7 fantasy points per pass attempt, 11th fewest, and limited Kyler Murray to 13.36 points in Week 2.
QB Matchups Map
Running backs
Matchups highlight
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (against Chargers)
Allgeier has been making a push to claim the Falcons' starting running back gig in recent weeks, playing over 60% of the offensive snaps in back-to-back weeks and totaling 61 touches to Caleb Huntley's 46 and Avery Williams' 11 over the past four games. Allgeier also appears to be the most trustworthy back in passing situations. His three red zone rushing attempts in Week 7 hint that he's a factor in scoring position too. All of that should mean good things in a matchup against a Chargers defense that has been one of the worst in football at defending the run this season. The Chargers have allowed four running backs (James Robinson in Week 3, Dameon Pierce in Week 4, Nick Chubb in Week 5 and Kenneth Walker III in Week 7) manage at least 100 yards and a touchdown rushing against over the past five games, with the lone exception beign Week 6 game against the Broncos' running back-by-committee.
Others to like
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles (at Texans)
Sanders draws the position's most favorable matchup, as the Texans have allowed four running backs score 30-plus PPR fantasy points against them in the past six weeks alone.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (at Bears)
Mostert shouldn't face significant competition for carries from newly acquired Jeff Wilson Jr. just yet. That's a good thing considering he gets a favorable matchup against a Bears defense that allowed 33.7 PPR fantasy points on 15 touches to Tony Pollard last week.
Matchup to avoid
D'Onta Foreman, Carolina Panthers (at Bengals)
Foreman has been a great fantasy storyline the past two weeks, but managers should brace for a bit of a letdown this week. The status of Chuba Hubbard (ankle) has a bearing on Foreman's fantasy utility, but this matchup is the greater concern. The Bengals have allowed the fewest rushing yards after contact per carry (1.55), and held running backs to the ninth-fewest fantasy points per rushing attempt (0.56). Foreman should see enough work to be flex-relevant, but this is a considerably tougher matchup than his Week 8 assignment against the Falcons.
RB Matchups Map
Wide receivers
Matchups highlight
Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers (at Falcons)
The Falcons have been getting pummeled by opposing wide receivers lately, allowing 45.9 more PPR fantasy points to the position than any other defense over the past three weeks alone (172.7, ahead of the Panthers' 126.8). Atlanta has also allowed four wide receivers to exceed 25 points (Brandon Aiyuk in Week 6, Tyler Boyd and Ja'Marr Chase in Week 7, DJ Moore in Week 8). Injuries played a factor, as Casey Hayward (shoulder) is on injured reserve until at least Week 11, while A.J. Terrell (hamstring) missed Week 8 and is questionable for this contest, explaining the team's decision to acquire Rashad Fenton at the trade deadline. While the Chargers should be more rested follwing their bye week, Mike Williams (ankle) is out for at least three more weeks, meaning Palmer, who played 87% of the team's offensive snaps and saw 13 targets in Week 6, is a strong plug-and-play. Palmer is available in more than 60% of ESPN leagues.
Others to like
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (at Lions)
Doubs' big Week 8 touchdown catch could put him in Rodgers' good graces. He leads Packers wide receivers in offensive snap rate (89%), routes run (105) and targets (20) over the past three weeks. Facing the the league's worst defense, he needs to be in your lineups.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders (against Vikings)
Samuel has WR3 appeal facing a Vikings defense that has allowed wide receivers to average 42.2 PPR fantasy points against them since Week 5, fourth-most in the league.
Matchup to avoid
Editor's note: Brandin Cooks was originally the featured player in this section for the Thursday night game against the Eagles. However, he has been ruled out for the game, so make sure he's not in your lineup.
WR Matchups Map
Tight ends
Matchups highlight
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals (against Seahawks)
Only four teams have been "automatic starts" for tight ends this season. The Seahawks, the Lions, the Cardinals and the Chiefs. Seattle has already seen seven different tight ends score double-digit PPR fantasy points against them and even if you take out Taysom Hill's 34.08 point performance in Week 5, this defense has still allowed the fifth-most PPR fantasy points per game to the position. Ertz didn't have a week-winning fantasy day in the Week 6 meeting, but he did fight is way to 14.0 points on 10 targets, illustrating that teams see the benefits of this matchup and aim to exploit it. Therefore, he is one of the week's three best choices at the position.
Others to like
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers (at Lions)
Tonyan's role in the offense has expanded recently, probably a product of lackluster wide receiver play, as he has a team-leading 22 targets over the past three weeks. As mentioned above, the Lions are one of those "automatic start" matchups at the tight end position and Tonyan is available in roughly 50% of ESPN leagues.
Matchup to avoid
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at Commanders)
In-season trades are a tricky thing, as players -- especially receivers -- need to learn their new teams' playbooks. In Hockenson's case, his trade from the Lions puts him on a short week, which could influence his numbers of snaps, routes and targets. He's now on a Vikings team that hasn't utilized the tight end as much as the Lions did. The bigger problem here is Hockenson's matchup against the Commanders, who have been the No. 1 schedule-adjusted defense at containing opposing tight ends (seasonal Adjusted Fantasy Points Added minus-4.7). They've faced two of the position's 11 players who have averaged at least 10 PPR fantasy points per game, limiting them to 17.2 points combined on 11 targets. Hockenson himself struggled against this defense in Week 2, managing only 5.6 points (three catches for 26 yards and no scores on seven targets).