Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can help you make the best lineup decisions. 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 wide receiver/cornerback matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start advice and waiver wire suggestions each week.
Down 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 see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB Cheatsheet.
Note that, unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjusts to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.
Projected shadow matchups
Cardinals' Marquise Brown vs. Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. (Shadow)
Porter has shadowed DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper and Ja'Marr Chase over the past four weeks. The rookie shadowed the trio on a combined 83 of their 105 routes in the three games, including 76 of 82 perimeter routes and seven of 23 in the slot. Hopkins was held to a 4-60-0 receiving line on 11 targets in the game, whereas Cooper posted a 4-34-0 line on nine targets and Chase managed a 4-81-0 showing on four targets.
Porter showed fairly well, though it's worth noting that the quarterback play (Will Levis, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jake Browning) certainly factored into the stat lines. Brown aligns on the perimeter 78% of the time and Arizona's top target can expect to see Porter on most (if not all) of those plays this week.
Takeaway:
Packers' Christian Watson vs. Chiefs' L'Jarius Sneed (Shadow)
Sneed has shadowed in 10 consecutive games tracing back to Week 2. That includes showdowns with Calvin Ridley, DJ Moore, Garrett Wilson, Justin Jefferson, Jerry Jeudy, Joshua Palmer, Courtland Sutton, Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown and, most recently, Davante Adams. Sneed shadowed those 10 on a combined 176 (or 90%) of their 196 perimeter routes and has plenty of success. That includes holding Brown to a 1-8-0 receiving line on four targets in Week 11 and Adams to a 5-73-0 line on seven targets in Week 12.
The Chiefs have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to WRs, including the ninth fewest to the perimeter, which is where Watson has aligned 69% of the time this season.
Takeaway: Lower expectations for Watson and upgrade Romeo Doubs against Jaylen Watson.
Jets' Garrett Wilson vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (Shadow)
Terrell has shadowed three times this season, having traveled with Calvin Ridley in Week 4, Mike Evans in Week 7 and DeAndre Hopkins in Week 8. Terrell covered those three receivers on a combined 59 of their 60 perimeter routes, though only three of 24 in the slot. 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 exploded for a 4-128-3 showing on six targets, though only 1-47-1 came against Terrell on three targets.
Atlanta is in man coverage a ton (62%), so Terrell and Wilson figure to be matched up on most (if not all) of Wilson's routes when he's aligned out wide (which he has done 70% of the time this season). Atlanta has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the perimeter this season.
Takeaway: Terrell is a good corner, but the performances by Ridley, Evans and Hopkins suggest we shouldn't be too concerned about Wilson's outlook.
Tough matchups
Falcons' Drake London, KhaDarel Hodge and Van Jefferson vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner
The Jets have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to WRs, as well as the fewest to the perimeter this season. New York is the only defense that has held the opposing WR unit below its season average otherwise in 100% of games.
Though the overall success has been great and London certainly needs to be downgraded a bit, there are two potential things working in his factor: (1) The Jets' pass defense has shown some cracks as of late, having allowed 14-plus fantasy points to Tyreek Hill, Khalil Shakir, Jaylen Waddle, Keenan Allen and Davante Adams in the team's past four games. (2) London has been aligning in the slot more often lately and New York hasn't been quite as dominant inside, especially with Carter having missed time due to injury (eighth most fantasy points to the slot over the last four weeks).
London figures to see a fairly even share of Gardner, Reed and either Carter or Brandin Echols.
Rams' Tutu Atwell, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua vs. Browns' Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II and Denzel Ward
The Browns have passed the Jets and have now surrendered the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, as well as the third fewest to perimeter and fewest to the slot. They've allowed the fewest receptions to the position, as well as a league-low 53% catch rate. Only four receivers have reached 13.0 fantasy points against them in 11 games.
Slumping Kupp and Nacua need to be downgraded and are, at best, WR3 options this week. Atwell lost work to Demarcus Robinson in Week 12 and should be on benches/waivers.
Seahawks' DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett vs. Cowboys' DaRon Bland, Jourdan Lewis and Stephon Gilmore
The Cowboys continue to slow receivers, having allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the position, including the fourth fewest to the perimeter and third fewest to the slot. No defense has been in man coverage more than Dallas (66%) and the plan has worked thanks to strong play from Gilmore and pick-six record holder Bland on the perimeter.
Metcalf (83% perimeter) and Lockett (68%) will work primarily against that duo this week, whereas Smith-Njigba will see a lot of Lewis in the slot. Downgrade the Seattle passing game.
Texans' Nico Collins, Robert Woods and Tank Dell vs. Broncos' Pat Surtain II, Ja'Quan McMillian and Fabian Moreau
Remember when Denver gave up 70 points to Miami? Me neither.
The Broncos have turned things around defensively, having allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers on the season and second fewest over the last eight and four weeks. The Broncos have allowed the third-fewest points to the perimeter over the last two months, which is where Dell (73%) and Collins (79%) align most often. It's unclear if Surtain will shadow in this game, as both Collins and Dell have been extremely productive, but it may not matter much with Moreau also playing well on the other side. Houston's passing game should be downgraded, and that includes Woods and Noah Brown in the slot.
Advantageous matchups
Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios and Tyreek Hill vs. Commanders' Kendall Fuller, Jartavius Martin and Benjamin St-Juste
Following a rough showing on Thanksgiving, Washington has allowed the second-most fantasy points to WRs this season, including the most over expected. The Commanders have surrendered the most points to the perimeter and ninth most to the slot. Fuller continues to play well, but he hasn't had much help from St-Juste and rookie Emmanuel Forbes (who was benched at one point and remains sidelined with an elbow injury).
Hill and Waddle align all over the formation and both can be upgraded against arguably the league's shakiest pass defense.
Panthers' DJ Chark Jr., Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo vs. Buccaneers' Jamel Dean, Christian Izien and Carlton Davis III
Injuries and shaky performance remain a big problem for the Tampa Bay secondary. Davis has missed three full games and Dean has missed two full games (including Week 12) and a big chunk of two others. The Buccaneers have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs this season, including the 11th most to the perimeter and second most to the slot. Davis is allowing 0.55 fantasy points per coverage snap, which is fourth worst among 217 qualified defenders, and Dean (0.43 is 37th worst) hasn't been substantially better.
Thielen (73% slot) will see a ton of the rookie Izien and is a candidate for a bounceback game. Mingo (72% perimeter) and Chark (78%) are risky fantasy plays, but can be considered sleepers against Davis and Dean (or Zyon McCollum if Dean remains out).
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel vs. Eagles' James Bradberry, Bradley Roby and Darius Slay
The Eagles have allowed the most fantasy points to WRs this season, over the last eight weeks and over the last four weeks. That includes the second most to the perimeter and most to the slot this season. The Eagles' efficiency against receivers has been good (7.2 yards per target is sixth lowest), but they've faced massive volume (league-high 27.2 WR targets faced per game).
Philadelphia has allowed a league-high 17 touchdowns to the position and 17 WRs have reached 16 fantasy points against them in 11 games. That latter stat includes five sets of teammates, which is notable with Aiyuk and Samuel on the slate. Expect the duo to be extra busy (and productive) in this massive NFC game between Stephania Bell's San Francisco 49ers and the defending conference champion and league-best 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles.
Steelers' George Pickens, Allen Robinson II and Diontae Johnson vs. Cardinals' Kei'Trel Clark, Garrett Williams and Antonio Hamilton
The Cardinals simply cannot solve cornerback, having benched top corner Marco Wilson in Week 12 despite being without injured Hamilton. Arizona has been solid against the slot this season (fourth fewest fantasy points allowed), but brutal against the perimeter (third-most points allowed, including the most over the last eight weeks).
That split bodes well for Pittsburgh, as Johnson (80%) and Pickens (86%) run almost all of their routes from the perimeter. The standout duo can be upgraded, as it will work primarily against some combination of Hamilton, Wilson and rookies Clark, Starling Thomas and Divaad Wilson. Third-round rookie Williams will continue to man the slot.