By using our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start decisions and fantasy advice each week. Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can also help you make the best waiver wire pickups.
Here are the receivers with the best and worst matchups this week, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.
To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB Cheat Sheet.
Unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjust to a per-game basis to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.
Featured matchup
Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase vs. Bills' Tre'Davious White (Shadow)
White spent the first 11 weeks of 2022 on injured reserve before playing a limited role in two games upon his return. In three games since he's been a full go, he's been tasked with shadowing Garrett Wilson and Jaylen Waddle (combined 43 of 45 perimeter routes). Cincinnati has two elite perimeter receivers in Chase and Tee Higgins, which complicates things a bit, but the matchups with Wilson and Waddle suggest White may travel with Chase the 78% of the time he aligns out wide this week. White is one of the best in the business at his job, but he's still working his way back and Buffalo has been midpack against receivers since his return. There's no need for major concern here, and Higgins is potentially in a great spot on the other side of the field against Dane Jackson and Kaiir Elam.
Advantageous matchups
Cowboys' Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb and Noah Brown vs. Titans' Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary and Tre Avery
Another week, and more picking on the struggling Titans. Tennessee has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, as well as the most to the perimeter. The Titans sit no better than third in receptions, yards and TDs (19) allowed to the position. Top corner Fulton has missed three straight games and is uncertain for Week 17 with his groin injury. That could leave rookies McCreary and Avery, as well as the likes of Joshua Kalu and Greg Mabin, positioned for most of the cornerback snaps. Upgrade the Dallas receivers, though tread lightly with Brown, who could lose reps to newcomer T.Y. Hilton.
Lions' DJ Chark, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds vs. Bears' Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell and Kyler Gordon
Prior to last week's game, Chicago placed top perimeter corners Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor on IR. That's yet another hit to a defense that has struggled badly against wide receivers. Over the last eight weeks, Chicago has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to the position (second most over expected). The Bears have faced just 238 WR targets (second fewest) but are allowing a league-worst 9.5 yards per target to the position. This week, Chicago will roll with three rookie "starters" (two undrafted), with Jones and Gordon on the perimeter (primarily against Chark and Reynolds), with Blackwell in the slot (against St. Brown). Upgrade Detroit's receivers across the board.
Packers' Christian Watson, Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard vs. Vikings' Cameron Dantzler, Chandon Sullivan and Patrick Peterson
The Vikings have taken over as the defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Congrats to them. The Vikings also rank second in points surrendered to the perimeter and ninth in points allowed to the slot. They've allowed the most receptions and yards to the position. Peterson and Dantzler (if healthy) or Duke Shelley will work the perimeter against Watson, Lazard and Romeo Doubs, with ex-Packer Sullivan matching up with Cobb in the slot. Upgrade Green Bay's receivers across the board.
Colts' Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Giants' Fabian Moreau (Shadow)
Colts' Parris Campbell vs. Giants' Darnay Holmes (Slot)
Colts' Alec Pierce vs. Giants' Nick McCloud
Moreau has been operating as the Giants' top corner with Adoree' Jackson sidelined. That role has led to shadows against Terry McLaurin (twice), DeVonta Smith and Justin Jefferson during New York's last four games. We also saw Jackson used similarly when healthy, including shadows against Robert Woods, Robbie Anderson, CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Lockett, Brandin Cooks and Amon-Ra St. Brown. That cornerback usage suggests Moreau will travel with Colts No. 1 WR Pittman this week. Of course, we shouldn't really be concerned. McLaurin (8-105-1 receiving line on 12 targets and 6-70-0 on six targets), Smith (5-64-1 on eight targets) and Jefferson (12-133-1 on 16 targets) all had big games against Moreau and the Giants. Over the last eight weeks, the Giants have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to the position and the fourth most to the perimeter. Upgrade Pittman and the rest of the Indianapolis receivers.
Other notable upgrades
Texans' Chris Moore vs. Jaguars' Tre Herndon (Slot)
The Jaguars have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the slot over the last eight and four weeks.
Titans' Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Robert Woods vs. Cowboys' Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Nahshon Wright
Dallas has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the most overall and third most to the perimeter over the last month.
Tough matchups
Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (Shadow)
Terrell has shadowed standout perimeter corners throughout the season, including Michael Thomas, DK Metcalf, Amari Cooper, Mike Evans, Brandon Aiyuk, Ja'Marr Chase, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson and Chris Olave. We should expect Atlanta's top corner to travel with Hopkins 69% of the time he aligns out wide here in Week 17. Atlanta has struggled against wide receivers at times this season but has been much better as of late, actually allowing the fewest fantasy points to the position over the last four weeks (fewest to the perimeter over the last eight weeks). Terrell hasn't been as dominant as in years past, but he's one of the game's top young corners, so expectations for Hopkins should be reduced a bit this week.
Panthers' DJ Moore vs. Buccaneers' Carlton Davis III (Shadow)
Davis missed the Week 7 meeting between these teams and has shadowed only once this season, though that was recently (Ja'Marr Chase in Week 15). He shadowed only four times all of 2021, but two of those were against Moore. Moore totaled a 12-142-0 receiving line on 21 targets during those two games, which included a 5-52-0 line on 11 targets against Davis. Davis rarely moves to the slot (5%), but Moore has aligned on the perimeter 71% of the time this season, so if Davis shadows, these two will face off throughout most of the game. Davis is a good player, but Tampa Bay has been in the middle of the pack against receivers and Moore has played well with Sam Darnold under center, so a slight reduction in expectations is all we need here.
Patriots' DeVante Parker vs. Dolphins' Xavien Howard (Shadow)
If Parker returns from injury this week, he can expect shadow coverage from Howard. Miami's top corner traveled with Parker on 30 of his 32 routes (30 of 31 on the perimeter) when these teams met back in Week 1. Parker was limited to one catch for 9 yards on two targets in that game. Howard has also been asked to shadow the likes of Stefon Diggs and Mike Williams in recent weeks. Miami has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to Howard's side of the field, but the fourth most to the other side, so while Parker should be downgraded if active, rookie Tyquan Thornton will be a deep sleeper against Keion Crossen on the opposite side of the field. If Parker sits, Kendrick Bourne (and perhaps Nelson Agholor) will fill in and a Howard shadow is unlikely.
Jets' Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore and Corey Davis vs. Seahawks' Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant and Mike Jackson
Expectations were low for the Seahawks' cornerback situation this season considering that their top personnel includes a pair of Day 3 rookies (Woolen and Bryant), as well as journeyman Jackson. The results have been much better than expected and Woolen appears to be a gem find. The Seahawks have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the third fewest to the perimeter. Seattle has faced the fourth fewest WR targets, but the efficiency has also been good (7.1 YPT is fifth lowest). It will help having Mike White back at QB, but expectations should be lowered for Wilson and Davis on the perimeter against Woolen and Jackson. The same goes for Moore against Bryant in the slot.
Seahawks' DK Metcalf, Marquise Goodwin and Tyler Lockett vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner
The Jets have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, as well as the fewest to the perimeter. Since Week 4, only one WR (Jakobi Meyers) has reached 20 fantasy points against New York, with the likes of Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Stefon Diggs (twice) falling short. Metcalf (83% perimeter) and Lockett (60%), assuming he returns from injury, will face off with Gardner and Reed on the perimeter, and expectations should be lowered.
Other notable downgrades
Jaguars' Marvin Jones Jr., Christian Kirk and Zay Jones vs. Texans' Desmond King II, Tavierre Thomas and Steven Nelson
The Texans have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, including the sixth fewest to the perimeter and fourth fewest to the slot.
Chiefs' Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Broncos' Pat Surtain II, K'Waun Williams and Damarri Mathis
Denver has surrendered the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, as well as the fourth fewest to the perimeter and 10th fewest to the slot.
Saints' Rashid Shaheed, Tre'Quan Smith and Chris Olave vs. Eagles' James Bradberry, Josiah Scott and Darius Slay
The Eagles have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to WRs this season, as well as the second fewest to the perimeter.
Commanders' Curtis Samuel vs. Browns' Greg Newsome II (Slot)
The Browns have allowed the fewest fantasy points to the slot, which is where Samuel aligns 71% of the time.