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
Dolphins' Tyreek Hill vs. Patriots' Christian Gonzalez (Shadow)
Gonzalez has shadowed Ja'Marr Chase, DK Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Hill, Gabe Davis, Davante Adams and Calvin Ridley, combining to cover them on 169 of 234 routes, including 139 of 158 on the perimeter and 30 of 75 in the slot. The receiving lines of those receivers were as follows: Chase (6 targets-6 receptions-62 yards-0 touchdowns), Metcalf (14-10-129-1), Wilson (9-5-33-1), Aiyuk (5-2-48-0), Hill (9-6-69-0), Davis (2-1-13-0), Adams (6-4-54-0) and Ridley (8-5-73-0).
Seven of the eight receivers fell short of 14.5 fantasy points, including Hill, who totaled 12.9 points in the Week 5 meeting between these teams, though it's worth noting that Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined for that game. Gonzalez aligned on Hill on 21 of his 28 routes, including 18 of 19 on the perimeter and three of nine in the slot.
Takeaway:
Buccaneers' Mike Evans vs. Giants' Deonte Banks (Shadow)
Banks has shadowed in nine of the Giants' 10 games this season, having traveled with Justin Jefferson, Terry McLaurin, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, DK Metcalf, Tee Higgins, A.J. Brown, George Pickens and Terry McLaurin. He aligned against the receivers on 189 of 245 routes, including 179 of 191 on the perimeter. Their receiving lines were as follows: Jefferson (6-4-59-1), McLaurin (8-6-22-0), Cooper (12-7-86-2), Lamb (8-7-98-1), Metcalf (7-4-55-0). Higgins (7-7-77-0), Brown (5-5-89-1), Pickens (5-4-74-0) and McLaurin (3-2-19-2). That works out to an average of 16.2 fantasy points per game. Top receivers clearly haven't had much trouble against the Giants and Banks has already been benched once this season as a result.
Takeaway: Evans should be upgraded in his return to action this week.
Tough Matchups
Rams' Demarcus Robinson, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua vs. Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Darius Slay Jr.
The red-hot Eagles held Washington's wide receivers to 28 yards on 11 targets last week and have now held six straight WR rooms to 113 or fewer yards and one total touchdown. Only one receiver (Ja'Marr Chase, 20.4) has reached 9.0 points against the Eagles since Week 5. This season, the Eagles have allowed the fewest receiving yards and a league-low 6.5 yards per target to receivers. They've surrendered the fewest fantasy points to the position over their past eight games and the second-fewest to the perimeter this season.
Nacua (74% perimeter) and Robinson (65%) will work against Slay and Mitchell on the outside, with Kupp (37%) primarily against impressive rookie DeJean in the slot. Downgrade the Rams' passing game.
Broncos' Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin vs. Raiders' Jakorian Bennett and Jack Jones
The Raiders may be struggling this season, but they've quietly done a nice job slowing wide receivers. Las Vegas has surrendered the third-fewest yards and seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position, including the fourth-fewest points to the perimeter and the most to the slot. Believe it or not, only three receivers have reached 15.0 fantasy points against the Raiders this season.
In the Week 5 meeting between these teams, no Denver receiver cleared two catches or 48 yards, with Sutton (six) the only one to see more than two targets. Sutton (85% perimeter) and Franklin (67%) operate as Denver's outside receivers and should be downgraded against Bennett and Jones.
Panthers' David Moore and Xavier Legette vs. Chiefs' Nazeeh Johnson, Chamarri Conner and Trent McDuffie
The Chiefs are midpack in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers as a whole, though they've surrendered the third fewest to the perimeter and the second most to the slot. Wide receivers have posted a 10.9 yards per reception (lowest) and 6.9 yards per target (second lowest) against Kansas City and none have reached 20 points in a game.
This suggests that Adam Thielen (78% slot) doesn't need to be downgraded if he returns from injury this week (rookie Jalen Coker would handle that role if he remains out), but that Legette (68% perimeter) and Moore (80%) will need to downgraded.
Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb, Ryan Flournoy and Jalen Tolbert vs. Commanders' Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil, Marshon Lattimore and Noah Igbinoghene
After a poor start to the season, Dan Quinn's defense has been elite against wide receivers lately. During their past eight games, Washington has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the position, including the fifth-fewest to the perimeter and fewest to the slot. That was prior to Lattimore's debut with the team, which could come this week.
It's unclear how the team will deploy its corners once Lattimore suits up, but he should only make an improved defense even better. Lamb (54% slot) will primarily see Igbinoghene if Lattimore is out/limited, but figures to see more of versatile rookie Sainristil if Lattimore plays a big role. Downgrade the Dallas passing game.
Advantageous Matchups
Giants' Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson and Malik Nabers vs. Buccaneers' Josh Hayes, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum
The Buccaneers return from their bye having allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, including the second-most to the perimeter and third-most to the slot. The Bucs, who are in zone coverage a league-high 76% of the time, have surrendered the fourth-most receptions, sixth-most yards and seventh-most TDs (11) to receivers.
Nabers (77% perimeter) and Slayton (78%) will work the boundary against Hayes and McCollum (Jamel Dean could factor in here if he returns from injury), whereas Robinson (22%) will face off with Smith in the slot. Upgrade this entire group.
Eagles' Jahan Dotson, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown vs. Rams' Darious Williams, Cobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon
The Rams have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season (fourth most over their last four games), including the fifth-most to the perimeter and fourth fewest to the slot. They've surrendered 13 touchdowns (fourth most) and 8.9 yards per target (third highest) to the position. Brown (80% perimeter) and rarely-targeted Dotson (75%) will work against Williams and Witherspoon and can be upgraded.
Though the Rams have been better against the slot overall, they've softened a bit lately and we don't need to be worried about Smith (54% slot) against Durant and/or Quentin Lake.
Chargers' Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Joshua Palmer vs. Ravens' Brandon Stephens, Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins
Even after holding Steelers' receivers to 19.2 fantasy points on Sunday (the fewest they've allowed in a game), the Ravens have still allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the most to the perimeter and fifth-most to the slot.
The Ravens have allowed the most receiving yards and touchdowns (17) to wide receivers and there have already been eight instances of a wideout topping 20 fantasy points against them. Johnston, Palmer and slot-man McConkey can all be upgraded.
Steelers' George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams vs. Browns' Martin Emerson Jr., Greg Newsome II and Denzel Ward
The Browns' defense has taken a big step back this season. The group has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to receivers (second-most over expected) and the ninth-most to the perimeter. All three of Ward, Emerson and Newsome have been heavily targeted and struggled in coverage.
Pickens is the only receiver you're trusting from this group and, though he moves around quite a bit, he aligns wide to the left most often (49%), which means he'll see quite a bit of Emerson. He should, of course, be upgraded.