Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can help you make the best lineup decisions. 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 advice and waiver wire suggestions each week.
Below 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 face this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB Cheatsheet.
Unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjusts to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortions due to bye weeks.
Projected shadow matchups
Titans' DeAndre Hopkins vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (shadow)
We're light on clear-cut shadow scenarios this week, leaving Terrell as the most likely to travel with an opposing No. 1 receiver. Atlanta's top corner shadowed Calvin Ridley in Week 4, as well as Mike Evans in Week 7. Ridley was held to 38 yards on two targets, but found the end zone. Evans had a nice day at the office, posting a 6-82-1 receiving line on eight targets. Hopkins (78% perimeter) and Terrell figure to face off a ton this week, especially considering Atlanta has been in man coverage 59% of the time -- the league's third-highest rate. Atlanta has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to WRs overall, including the second fewest to right perimeter receivers (Terrell's primary side of the field).
Takeaway:
Tough matchups
Browns' Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and Donovan Peoples-Jones vs. Seahawks' Tariq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon and Tre Brown
While dealing with injuries to Woolen and Witherspoon, Seattle got off to a poor start against WRs. The ship appears to have been righted, as the Seahawks have allowed the fewest fantasy points to the perimeter over the past four weeks. With Woolen and Witherspoon (who mans the slot in nickel) playing well, Seattle hasn't allowed a WR to reach 17 fantasy points since Week 3, and the only WR to reach 15 points since then was slot receiver Tyler Boyd.
Cooper (78% perimeter) and Peoples-Jones (67%) stand to suffer the most in this matchup, though Moore (45%) will see plenty of both corners as well.
Cowboys' Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks vs. Rams' Derion Kendrick, Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon
The Rams have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers (third fewest over expected), as well as the second fewest to the perimeter. Only four receivers have reached 14.0 fantasy points against Los Angeles and the last to reach 20 points was Ja'Marr Chase back in Week 3. The only wideout to catch a TD against the Rams was DK Metcalf in Week 1.
Cooks (70% perimeter) and Gallup (93%) have the toughest matchup on the perimeter, whereas Lamb (32%) is actually in the best spot against Durant inside (the Rams have allowed the 14th-most points to the slot).
Colts' Alec Pierce, Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Saints' Marshon Lattimore, Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo
The Saints have allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, which isn't much to write home about, but the perimeter/slot splits are where the story lies. New Orleans has surrendered the fewest fantasy points to the perimeter and the seventh most to the slot.
Pittman (71% perimeter) and Pierce (90%) will see a lot of man coverage from Lattimore and Adebo on the boundary and should be downgraded. On the other hand, Downs (83% slot) can be upgraded inside against Taylor.
Cardinals' Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore and Michael Wilson vs. Ravens' Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet and Marlon Humphrey
Baltimore continues to get the job done against wide receivers, having allowed the fewest fantasy points over expected to the position. Despite missing Humphrey to begin the season and having faced the third-most WR targets, the Ravens have allowed the 10th-fewest points to the position (second fewest over the past four weeks). Wideouts are averaging 5.8 yards per target and 9.9 yards per reception against them, both of which are lowest in the league.
This seems like a good week to leave Moore and Wilson on your benches and, while you're never benching Brown, expectations should be lowered.
Giants' Jalin Hyatt, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner
The Jets were not included in this piece last week, but that's only because they were on their bye week.
Despite both Gardner and Reed missing time, the Jets have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to WRs, including the fourth fewest to the perimeter and seventh fewest to the slot. Star receivers Stefon Diggs (Week 1), CeeDee Lamb (Week 2) and A.J. Brown (Week 6) are the only receivers who have cleared 11.0 fantasy points against the Jets this season (and Brown's showing came with Reed and Gardner out).
The Giants' wide receivers have already been quite useless from a fantasy standpoint and this matchup suggests none should be close to lineups in Week 8.
Advantageous matchups
Commanders' Terry McLaurin vs. Eagles' James Bradberry, Bradley Roby and Darius Slay
Plain and simple, McLaurin seems to have the Eagles' number.
The veteran receiver is averaging 17.3 fantasy points per game in nine career games against Philadelphia. That includes four 20-plus point games, two of which came in his two most recent contests against the Eagles. McLaurin posted receiving lines of 6-102-0 (nine targets) and 8-128-0 (11 targets) in the two 2022 matchups before producing an 8-86-0 (11 targets) line in Week 4 earlier this season. The Week 4 showing of 22.6 fantasy points marks his only game with 18 or more fantasy points since Week 13 of last season.
Whereas Slay shadowed McLaurin in both 2022 meetings, he did not earlier this season (aside of four snaps), so McLaurin figures to see a fairly even share of Slay and Bradberry the 80% of the time he's on the perimeter. He can be upgraded against the defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to WRs this season, including the sixth most to the perimeter.
Ravens' Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Cardinals' Marco Wilson, Jalen Thompson and Antonio Hamilton Sr.
The Cardinals continue to struggle with injuries and performance in the secondary. Arizona has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season (fourth most to the perimeter), as well as the second most over the past four weeks (most to perimeter).
Hamilton missed Week 7 and Thompson (an every down safety and the team's primary slot corner) has been out the past two weeks with a hamstring injury.
Safety Budda Baker and rookie CB Garrett Williams returned from injury last week, but Seattle receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo both cleared 16 fantasy points. Baltimore's receivers should be upgraded.
Bears' DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney and Tyler Scott vs. Chargers' Michael Davis, Ja'Sir Taylor and Asante Samuel Jr.
The Chargers have allowed the most fantasy points to WRs this season, including the most to the perimeter and fifth most to the slot. The numbers are a little better over the past month, but a league-high 83% of WR rooms have outscored their season average point total when facing Los Angeles this season.
Moore (83% perimeter) and Scott (79%) will work against Samuel and Davis on the boundary in this one, with Mooney (30%) in the slot against Taylor. Chicago's wideouts can be upgraded.
Eagles' DeVonta Smith, Julio Jones and A.J. Brown vs. Commanders' Kendall Fuller, Danny Johnson and Benjamin St-Juste
These teams played in Week 4 and Philadelphia's standout WR duo came up big. Brown posted a 9-175-2 receiving line on 13 targets, which was early on in a streak of five straight games with 125-plus receiving yards (tied for an NFL record). Smith produced a 7-78-0 line on nine targets, and his total of 14.8 fantasy points in that game is nearly his total in three games since (19.9).
Washington has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to WRs this season (most over expected, and have surrendered the fifth-most points to the perimeter and 13th most to the slot. Philly's receivers should be upgraded.
Steelers' George Pickens, Allen Robinson II and Diontae Johnson vs. Jaguars' Tyson Campbell, Tre Herndon and Darious Williams
Campbell and Williams are solid players, but the latter was sidelined last week, and Jacksonville has surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. That includes the third most to the perimeter and sixth fewest to the slot. Jacksonville has allowed five receivers to reach 19 fantasy points this season and all were primarily boundary receivers.
Pickens (87% perimeter) and Johnson (82%) are the outside receivers for Pittsburgh and both are set up well, especially if Campbell (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Packers' Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Christian Watson vs. Vikings' Akayleb Evans, Byron Murphy Jr. and Andrew Booth Jr.
Minnesota has allowed the third-most fantasy points to WRs this season, including the most over the past four weeks. The Vikings have surrendered the second-most points to the perimeter and most to the slot. The team recently subbed Booth Jr. in for rookie Mekhi Blackmon and is using Murphy in the slot more often. Watson, Doubs and Reed are set up with a nice matchup and can be upgraded.