By utilizing 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.
Advantageous matchups
Eagles' A.J. Brown, Quez Watkins and DeVonta Smith vs. Giants' Fabian Moreau, Darnay Holmes and Nick McCloud (or Adoree' Jackson?)
There are a lot of potential angles to this one, as New York is a strong bet to rest players with the six seed locked down in the NFC. If backups are on the field for New York, that will mean a big upgrade for the Eagles' wide receivers. If New York does not rest players, we could see the return of Jackson, who has missed six straight games with an ankle injury, but who seemingly was close to playing last week. Of course, it makes more sense for him to sit with nothing on the line. Moreau has been operating as the Giants' top corner with Jackson sidelined. That role has led to shadows against Terry McLaurin (twice), DeVonta Smith, Justin Jefferson and Michael Pittman Jr. during New York's last five games. We also saw Jackson used similarly when healthy, including shadows against CeeDee Lamb, Tyler Lockett, Brandin Cooks and Amon-Ra St. Brown, among others. Even if Moreau again shadows Smith, we shouldn't 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), Jefferson (12-133-1 on 16 targets) and Pittman (6-41-1 on eight targets) all had big games against Moreau and the Giants. Over the last eight weeks, the Giants have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to the position and the eighth-most to the perimeter. Especially with New York unlikely to play its starters the entire way, we should upgrade the Eagles' receivers substantially.
Jaguars' Marvin Jones Jr., Christian Kirk and Zay Jones vs. Titans' Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary and Tre Avery
Tennessee has allowed the most fantasy points overall and to the perimeter this season. They sit no better than third in receptions, yards and TDs (19) allowed to the position. Top corner Fulton (groin) has missed four straight games and is uncertain for this week's AFC South-deciding game. That could leave rookies McCreary and Avery, as well as the likes of Josh Kalu and Greg Mabin positioned for most of the cornerback snaps. Upgrade Jacksonville's receivers in a potential smash spot.
Vikings' Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Adam Thielen vs. Bears' Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell and Kyler Gordon
Chicago's numbers against receivers aren't horrific, but as noted last week, this is a secondary dealing with several injuries. Prior to Week 16, the Bears placed top perimeter corners Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor on IR. The Bears have faced just 254 WR targets (second fewest), but are allowing a league-worst 9.5 yards per target to the position. This week, Chicago will again roll with three rookie "starters" (two undrafted), with Jones and Gordon on the perimeter (primarily against Jefferson and Thielen), with Blackwell in the slot (against Osborn). Jones left last week injured, so if he's out, journeyman Harrison Hand would be next up. Upgrade Minnesota's receivers, especially Jefferson, who had 154 yards in the Week 5 meeting and who needs 193 yards to break Calvin Johnson's single-season receiving yardage record.
Commanders' Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson vs. Cowboys' Trevon Diggs and Nahshon Wright
Dallas has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers overall and to the perimeter this season. The Cowboys have allowed the second-most overall and most to the perimeter over the last four weeks. Dallas held Washington to 170 pass yards in the earlier meeting, but that was way back in Week 4 when starters Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis were still healthy. McLaurin and Dotson can be upgraded against Diggs and heavily-targeted rookie Wright on the perimeter.
Other notable upgrades
Bears' Chase Claypool, Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown vs. Vikings' Duke Shelley, Chandon Sullivan and Patrick Peterson
Minnesota has allowed the second-most fantasy points to WRs this season, including the second-most to the perimeter.
Saints' Rashid Shaheed, Keith Kirkwood and Chris Olave vs. Panthers' CJ Henderson, Jeremy Chinn and Keith Taylor
Carolina has suddenly allowed the third-most fantasy points to WRs this season (most over the last four weeks), as well as the fourth-most to the perimeter. Jaycee Horn has joined Donte Jackson on IR, so the likes of Taylor and Josh Norman will join Henderson and current slot man Chinn in the lineup this week.
Tough matchups
Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle, Trent Sherfield and Tyreek Hill 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. Just last week, the Jets limited DK Metcalf to a 3-yard catch on five targets. When these teams met in Week 5, Hill caught all seven of his targets but was held to 47 yards (4.3 aDOT). Waddle was limited to 3-23-0 on four targets. In fact, Miami was held to 166 pass yards and zero pass TDs in the game. Downgrade Miami's receivers.
Buccaneers' Mike Evans vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (Shadow)
When these teams met in Week 5, Terrell shadowed Evans on 32 of his 42 routes, including 26 of 30 on the perimeter and six of 12 in the slot. Evans posted a 4-81-0 receiving line on eight targets in the game. Terrell has shadowed other standout perimeter corners throughout the season, including Michael Thomas, DK Metcalf, Amari Cooper, Brandon Aiyuk, Ja'Marr Chase, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson and Chris Olave. We should expect Atlanta's top corner to travel with Evans 73% of the time he aligns out wide here in Week 18. Atlanta has struggled against wide receivers at times this season but has been much better as of late, actually allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to the position (and fewest to the perimeter) over the last eight weeks. Lower expectations for Evans.
Steelers' Diontae Johnson vs. Browns' Denzel Ward (Shadow), Steelers' George Pickens vs. Browns' Martin Emerson Jr. (Shadow), Steelers' Steven Sims vs. Browns' Greg Newsome II (Slot)
In the Week 3 meeting between these clubs, Ward shadowed Johnson on 30 of his 33 routes and Emerson traveled with Pickens on 27 of his 29 routes. Johnson had a solid game (8-84-0 on 11 targets), but Pickens was limited to 3-39-0 on seven targets (note that Chase Claypool was still in the mix). Ward suffered an ankle injury in Week 17 and is in doubt for Sunday, but if he goes, we can expect similar utilization. Cleveland has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to WRs this season, including the fewest to the slot. There's no need for major movement here, but a slight decrease in expectations is reasonable.
Chargers' Mike Williams vs. Broncos' Pat Surtain II (Shadow), Chargers' Keenan Allen vs. Broncos' K'Waun Williams (Slot), Chargers' Joshua Palmer vs. Broncos' Damarri Mathis
When these teams played in Week 6, Surtain shadowed Williams on 40 of his 56 routes, including 40 of 43 on the perimeter. That left Mathis to cover Palmer on 32 of 53 routes, including 32 of 42 on the perimeter. Williams struggled (2-17-0 on six targets) and Palmer was held to 57 yards on 13 targets. Allen was out for that game, but he primarily aligns in the slot (63%) anyway, so we should expect Surtain to again follow Williams. 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. Los Angeles' receivers should be downgraded, especially Williams.
Texans' Brandin Cooks vs. Colts' Stephon Gilmore (Shadow)
It wasn't full time, but Gilmore followed Cooks at times when these teams met in Week 1. Indy's top corner ended up on Cooks on 16 of his 30 routes, including 15 of 21 on the perimeter. Cooks had a good game (7-82-0 on 12 targets), but he produced only 21 yards on six targets when covered by Gilmore. Gilmore has shadowed the perimeter routes of clear No. 1 WRs throughout the season, and we should expect the same the 76% of the time Cooks is on the boundary this week. Downgrade Cooks.
Seahawks' DK Metcalf vs. Rams' Jalen Ramsey (Shadow)
These teams faced off in Week 13 and we saw Ramsey align primarily at right corner (Metcalf's primary position). Ramsey ended up lined up against Metcalf on 23 of his 40 routes, including 23 of 34 on the perimeter. We should expect the same deployment this week, especially since we saw a similar game plan in both 2021 meetings. Metcalf put a big game together in Week 13 (8-127-1 on nine targets), though only 2-17-1 came on three targets against Ramsey. Lower expectations for Metcalf slightly. Tyler Lockett (9-128-1 on 12 targets in the earlier meeting) can be upgraded slightly, assuming he returns to a full time role after being limited in Week 17.
Other notable downgrades
Colts' Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell and Alec Pierce vs. Texans' Desmond King II, Tavierre Thomas and Steven Nelson
The Texans have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, including the sixth-fewest to the perimeter and third-fewest to the slot.
Rams' Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell and Brandon Powell vs. Seahawks' Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant and Mike Jackson
The Seahawks have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the third-fewest to the perimeter. Seattle has faced the sixth-fewest WR targets, but the efficiency has also been great (6.9 YPT is fourth-lowest and 60% catch rate is third-lowest).
Giants' Isaiah Hodgins and Darius Slayton vs. Eagles' James Bradberry and Darius Slay
The Giants figure to rest starters this week with the NFC's six seed locked down, but if not, primary perimeter WRs Hodgins (89%) and Slayton (71%) will have their hands full against an Eagles' defense that has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the perimeter this season.
Other notables
Panthers' DJ Moore vs. Saints' Marshon Lattimore
Let this serve as a friendly heads up that Lattimore has never shadowed Moore, including the Week 3 meeting between these teams, so he likely won't this week.
Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins vs. 49ers' Charvarius Ward (Shadow)
If Hopkins returns from injury this week, he figures to draw shadow coverage from Ward. Ward didn't travel with Hopkins full time in Week 11, but he did flip to right corner full time, which is where Hopkins aligns on 59% of his routes. Ward has also shadowed Chris Olave, Mike Evans, DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin and Davante Adams on the perimeter since that game. Ward is the 49ers' top corner, so we'd need to downgrade Hopkins a bit, but this would prove beneficial for Marquise Brown and Greg Dortch against a 49ers' defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to WRs (third-most to the slot).