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.
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
Colts' Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. (Shadow)
Porter has shadowed DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper, Ja'Marr Chase and Marquise Brown since Week 9. The rookie shadowed the four star receivers on a combined 100 of their 124 routes, including 91 of 97 perimeter routes and nine of 27 in the slot. Hopkins was held to a 4-60-0 receiving line on 11 targets in their matchup, while Cooper posted a 4-34-0 line on nine targets, Chase a 4-81-0 line on four targets and Brown was held without a catch on two targets.
Pittman aligns on the perimeter 71% of the time and can expect to see Porter on all of those plays, as well as on a few slot routes. The Steelers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to WRs, as well as the fourth fewest to the perimeter, over the past four weeks.
Takeaway:
Tough Matchups
Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle, Braxton Berrios and Tyreek Hill vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner
The Jets have allowed the fewest receptions, yards, touchdowns (three) and fantasy points to WRs, as well as the fewest points to the perimeter this season. New York is the only defense that has held the opposing WR unit below its season average in 100% of games.
Of course, the Jets' elite pass defense didn't slow Miami's standout WR duo from delivering the goods when these teams met in Week 12. Hill posted a 9-102-1 receiving line and Waddle managed an 8-114-0 line. Hill's unique skill set and playmaking ability makes him attractive regardless of the matchup, so he can be started with confidence. Waddle is riskier, but his showing last month suggests he remains a viable WR2.
Giants' Jalin Hyatt, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton vs. Saints' Isaac Yiadom, Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo
The Saints have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. They're near midpack in WR targets faced, but are allowing 6.9 yards per target (third lowest) and a 56% catch rate (second lowest) vs. the position. The most points scored by a WR against them was Adam Thielen's 20.4 in Week 2, and the last WR to reach 15 fantasy points was Pittman in Week 8.
The key for the Saints has been domination of the perimeter, having allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the boundary, but ranking near midpack against the slot. Even with Marshon Lattimore (IR) still out, this is a tough matchup for a Giants' WR room that should be avoided.
Lions' Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds vs. Broncos' Pat Surtain II, Ja'Quan McMillian and Fabian Moreau
Denver has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers on the season and second fewest over the past eight weeks. Nico Collins has a big game against them in Week 13, but the last receiver to even reach 11.5 points against them was DJ Moore in Week 4.
St. Brown aligns in the slot over half the time (55%), so while Surtain may shadow him when he's on the perimeter, he'll see plenty of McMillian as well. Expectations for St. Brown should only be lowered slightly, but the rest of this WR room should be avoided.
Advantageous Matchups
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel vs. Cardinals' Kei'Trel Clark, Garrett Williams and Antonio Hamilton Sr.
The Cardinals return from their bye having allowed the second-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers this season, including the most over the past four weeks. Outside corner has been a major issue, as Hamilton has missed time due to injury and former No. 1 corner Marco Wilson was benched in Week 12.
Aiyuk (78% perimeter) and Samuel (67%) are set up perfectly this week, as the duo will work primarily against the likes of Hamilton (if healthy), Clark, Starling Thomas and perhaps Wilson on most of their routes. Upgrade them.
Rams' Demarcus Robinson, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua vs. Commanders' Kendall Fuller, Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes
Washington has allowed the second-most fantasy points (most over expected), as well as the most yards, second-most TDs (20) and highest yards per target (10.1) to WRs this season. The Commanders have surrendered the most points to the perimeter and eighth most to the slot. Fuller has played well, but he hasn't had much help from St-Juste and rookie Forbes (who was benched at one point and had been sidelined with an elbow injury in recent weeks).
Nacua (70% perimeter) will see a lot of Fuller and, if healthy, Forbes on the outside, whereas Kupp (54% slot) will work primarily against St-Juste (or if Forbes remains out, rookie Jartavius Martin). Both standout receivers can be upgraded.
Saints' A.T. Perry, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed vs. Giants' Deonte Banks, Cor'Dale Flott and Adoree' Jackson
The Giants have allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, as well as the third most over the past eight weeks and most over the past four weeks. Jackson and the rookie Banks have plenty of talent but have been heavily targeted and struggled with efficiency on the boundary. Those two will join slot man Flott in trying to slow Olave, who aligns all over the formation and should be upgraded. Shaheed should be considered a sleeper for a big game if he returns from injury.
Seahawks' DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett vs. Eagles' James Bradberry, Bradley Roby and Darius Slay
The Eagles have allowed the most fantasy points to WRs this season and over the past eight weeks, and that includes the third most to the perimeter and most to the slot on the season. The Eagles' efficiency against receivers has been acceptable (7.5 yards per target is 10th lowest), but they've faced massive volume (league-high 25.6 WR targets faced per game). Philadelphia has allowed a league-high 23 touchdowns to the position, and 20 WRs have reached 15 fantasy points against them in 13 games.
That latter stat includes six sets of teammates, which is notable with Metcalf, Lockett and -- in deeper leagues -- Smith-Njigba on the fantasy radar. All three receivers should be upgraded and perhaps the trio will copycat the Commanders, who had three wideouts reach 17 fantasy points against the Eagles in Week 8.
Texans' Nico Collins, Robert Woods and Noah Brown vs. Titans' Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary and Sean Murphy-Bunting
Tennessee has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, including the fifth most to the perimeter. Injuries have been a problem, as Fulton, McCreary and Murphy-Bunting have all missed at least one game, but so has efficiency (their 70% catch rate allowed to WRs is second highest).
Collins (79% perimeter) gets a value boost if he's able to play after leaving Week 14 with an injury. The likes of Brown and Woods will be more appealing flex options in this matchup, especially if C.J. Stroud (concussion) is cleared.