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
Russell Wilson, Broncos (against Raiders)
The Raiders have struggled mightily against the pass this season, surrendering the highest completion percentage (70.9%), third-highest touchdown rate (5.5% of all pass attempts) and seventh-most passing yards per game (250.0). They've also surrendered the most fantasy points per passing attempt (0.51) and fantasy points per rushing attempt (1.42) to quarterbacks. The Raiders have allowed nine different opposing quarterbacks to score at least 16.70 fantasy points against them. In fact, Wilson had his best game against this very defense, dropping 27.48 points on the Raiders in Week 4. Las Vegas generates little pressure on the quarterback (25.5% blitz rate) so this matchup is well-suited to Wilson, who has been much better when he's not pressured this season (92.6 passer rating).
Others to like
Justin Fields, Bears (at Falcons)
The only reason Fields wasn't my matchup highlight this week is that he's an obvious play considering his recent performances and he faces a Falcons defense allowing 3.6 Adjusted Fantasy Points Added to quarterbacks this season.
Daniel Jones, Giants (against Lions)
Jones has shown dramatic improvement this season and now gets a matchup against a Lions defense that has struggled to stop mobile quarterbacks. Five QBs with at least five rushing attempts averaged 27.0 fantasy points against the Lions.
Matchup to avoid
Kirk Cousins, Vikings against Cowboys
While the Cowboys haven't been as dominant against quarterbacks over the past five weeks as they were earlier in the season, they've also faced a challenging schedule with Jalen Hurts (Week 6), Justin Fields (Week 8) and Aaron Rodgers (Week 10). While that trio averaged 20.8 fantasy points against this defense, Cousins threw multiple interceptions in his two toughest matchups this season, 8.84 fantasy points against the Eagles in Week 2 and 15.48 against the Bills last Sunday. He's a fantasy-relevant quarterback, but this isn't the week to expect one of his better performances.
Running backs
Matchups highlight
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at Texans)
Robinson has out-touched Antonio Gibson in five of the past six games, totaling 97 to Gibson's 71. That's a good sign for Robinson as the team looks to further expand his role. He should absorb a hefty workload against a Texans defense that has allowed the most PPR fantasy points per game (32.4), Adjusted Fantasy Points Added (8.7) and the most total touches (312) to running backs. Robinson has a pretty good chance of reaching another 20-plus-touch week this week.
Others to like
Antonio Gibson, Commanders (at Texans)
Running backs have dominated against the Texans and the Commanders continue to split snaps between Gibson and Robinson, easing the worry that Robinson push Gibson to the sidelines -- at least for one more week.
Melvin Gordon III and Latavius Murray, Broncos (against Raiders)
Speaking of running back by committee backfields, both Gordon and Murray have a favorable enough matchup against a Raiders defense that has allowed running backs to score 134.3 PPR fantasy points on 131 touches over the past four weeks. Gordon and Murray are both flex-plays for Week 11.
Isiah Pacheco, (Chiefs at Chargers)
Pacheco has seemingly taken over the lead-back role in Kansas City. He set career bests in Week 10, playing 56% of the offensive snaps with 16 touches. Pacheco now he faces a Chargers defense that has allowed 0.86 fantasy points per rushing attempt this season, second-most in the league.
Matchup to avoid
Michael Carter, Jets (at Patriots)
The Patriots have been one of the toughest defenses against running backs this season. New England has allowed only 5.9 Adjusted Fantasy Points Added. fewest in the league, and no running back has exceeded 15.7 PPR fantasy points against them. When Carter faced this defense in Week 8 with James Robinson making his Jets debut, the duo combined for just 11.8 PPR fantasy points on 16 touches. Carter has had his moments this season -- a two-touchdown game in Week 2, a 15-touch game in Week 7 and a 15.6-point performance in Week 9 and -- but he will continue to work alongside Robinson. Coupling that with the tough matchup, Carter is a mid-range flex play.
Wide receivers
Matchups highlight
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (at Vikings)
CeeDee Lamb is an obvious, weekly fantasy starter, but Gallup is available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues. He warrants in a favorable matchup against a Vikings defense that has allowed seven wide receivers to score at least 16.9 PPR fantasy points over against them in the past five weeks. Minnesota has also allowed 50.4 points per game over the span, most in the league. Cameron Dantzler Sr.'s is on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and Akayleb Evans is questionable for Week 11 with a concussion, leaving the Vikings' cornerback corps particularly vulnerable.
Others to like
Darnell Mooney, Bears (at Falcons)
Mooney has seen a 30% target share over the past five games, heightening his chances at a huge performance against the Falcons this week. Atlanta's defense has allowed 14.4 Adjusted Fantasy Points Added to wide receivers over the past five weeks.
Demarcus Robinson, Ravens (against Panthers)
Robinson appears to have stepped as Lamar Jackson's deep threat in recent week and projects as a WR3 this week. He faces a Panthers secondary that has allowed nine different wide receivers to score 10-plus PPR fantasy points against them over the past five weeks.
Matchup to avoid
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (against Eagles).
The Eagles have been one of the league's best pass defense this season with one of the best cornerback duos in Darius Slay and James Bradberry. This is a matchup problem for Pittman, who has run more than 75% of his routes on the perimeter.
Tight ends
Matchups highlight
Cole Kmet, Bears (at Falcons).
A key ingredient to Fields' recent surge has been Kmet's usage in the red zone. Five five red-zone and three end-zone targets lead all Bears receivers over past three weeks. 90% of his fantasy production comes on play action passes, including all five of his touchdowns. Kmet is likely to have a greater than 20% target share in the coming weeks with only Mooney and Chase Claypool challenging him. This is a plus matchup for Kmet to again shine. The Falcons have allowed the eighth-most PPR fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, despite facing a relatively easy schedule that has only included Taysom Hill (15.3 PPR fantasy points in Week 1), Tyler Higbee (14.1 PPR fantasy points in Week 2), George Kittle (16.3 PPR fantasy points in Week 6) and Gerald Everett (8.6 fantasy points in Week 9) among notable names.
Others to like
Tyler Conklin, Jets (at Patriots)
Conklin had season bests in PPR fantasy points (25.9) and targets (10) against the Patriots in Week 8.
Foster Moreau, Raiders (at Broncos)
Moreau has seen an uptick in usage -- 16% target share and a team-leading two end-zone targets -- in the four games since Darren Waller got hurt. The Broncos have been distinctly worse against tight ends (0.9 Adj. FPA) than wide receivers (minus-6.5 Adj. FPA) this season.
Matchup to avoid
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (against Bengals)
The Steelers switch from Mitch Trubisky to Kenny Pickett hasn't paid dividends for Freiermuth, who averaged 11.6 PPR fantasy points in his four games with Trubisky under center, compared to 9.0 in with Pickett starting. Pickett's has relied heavily upon Diontae Johnson in the red-zone -- eight red-zone and four end-zone targets in Pickett's starts -- which is why Freiermuth seems to hover around the back end of the fantasy TE1 class each week. This matchup doesn't give the second-year tight end much room for upside, as the Bengals have been a top-eight defense against tight ends over the past five weeks. Cincinnati has held Dalton Schultz to 1.8 PPR fantasy points in Week 2, Mike Gesicki to 4.3 PPR fantasy points in Week 4) and Kyle Pitts to 3.9 PPR fantasy points in Week 7).