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
Vikings' Justin Jefferson vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (Shadow)
Terrell has shadowed George Pickens, DeVonta Smith, Mike Evans, Diontae Johnson, DK Metcalf, CeeDee Lamb, Courtland Sutton and Quentin Johnston this season. He covered these receivers on 139 of their 227 routes, including 139 of 154 on the perimeter. The receiving lines were as follows: Pickens (7 targets-6 receptions-85 yards-0 TD), Smith (9-6-69-0), Evans (7-5-62-2), Johnson (10-6-78-1), Metcalf (7-4-99-1), Lamb (13-8-47-0), Sutton (8-7-78-0) and Johnston (5-2-12-0), which works out to 15.1 fantasy points per game (only Johnston fell short of 12.7). In total, Atlanta has allowed the sixth-most WR fantasy points (most over their past four games), including the eighth most to both the perimeter and slot.
Takeaway: Terrell is a good corner, but standout receivers haven't had much trouble against Atlanta this season. Jefferson's outlook doesn't need to be adjusted, though his teammates -- specifically Jordan Addison -- stand to benefit.
Falcons' Drake London vs. Vikings' Stephon Gilmore (Shadow)
Gilmore has shadowed, usually part time, at various times throughout the season. He has matched up with Malik Nabers, Nico Collins, Puka Nacua, DJ Moore and Marvin Harrison Jr. most often, combining to cover the group on 93 of 166 routes, including 92 of 130 on the perimeter. The results were all over the map, with Nacua, Moore and Harrison reaching 17 fantasy points, whereas Nabers and Collins (both during Weeks 1-3), fell short of 13 points. A result of more competitive games, the Vikings have cracked down against receivers lately but have still allowed the most fantasy points to the position this season.
Takeaway: Gilmore obviously hasn't been a full-time shadow corner, and top receivers have managed big games against Minnesota even when he has been assigned to them. London moves around the formation quite a bit and figures to dodge Gilmore the 41% of the time he's in the slot anyway. There's no reason for concern here.
Eagles' A.J. Brown vs. Panthers' Jaycee Horn (Shadow)
Horn had been dabbling as a shadow corner throughout the season, but he has done it on a full-time basis both of the past two weeks. He shadowed DeAndre Hopkins on 13 of his 16 perimeter routes in Week 12 (Hopkins had a 5-35-1 receiving line on six targets in the game) and then traveled with Mike Evans on 16 of his 22 perimeter routes last week (8-118-1 on 12 targets). The Panthers are mid-pack against wide receivers overall this season, though they've struggled against the perimeter (fifth-most fantasy points allowed). Expect Horn to travel with Brown the 80% of the time he's on the boundary this week.
Takeaway: Perimeter receivers haven't had much trouble against Horn, so, if anything, Brown can be upgraded slightly.
Tough matchups
Panthers' David Moore, Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette vs. Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Darius Slay Jr.
Philadelphia has allowed the fewest WR fantasy points both overall and to the perimeter during its past eight games, as well as during its past four games. The Eagles have also allowed the third-fewest points to the slot during their past eight outings. For the season, the Eagles have allowed the fewest receiving yards and a league-low 6.7 yards per target to receivers. Legette (71% perimeter) and Moore (75%) will have their work cut out for them against Mitchell and Slay (or, if Slay remains out, Isaiah Rodgers) on the boundary this week, whereas Thielen (21%) will face off with standout slot CB DeJean inside. Downgrade the Panthers' WR group.
Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington and Tyreek Hill vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner
The Jets can't win games, but they can stop wide receivers. New York has allowed the fewest WR fantasy points this season, including the fewest to the perimeter and seventh fewest to the slot. New York has allowed the fewest receptions, third-fewest yards, third-fewest touchdowns (7) and second-lowest catch rate (57%) to the position. Hill and Waddle will see a pretty even share of New York's standout trio, so expectations should be reduced this week.
Advantageous matchups
Titans' Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley vs. Jaguars' Tyson Campbell, Jarrian Jones and Ronald Darby
The Jaguars have allowed the third-most WR fantasy points (and the most over expected) this season, including the second most to the perimeter and 10th most to the slot. Jacksonville has allowed 9.5 YPT (second highest) and 69% catch rate (third highest) to the position. Ridley (80% perimeter) and "touchdown machine" Westbrook-Ikhine (79%) will work the boundary against Campbell and Darby, with Boyd (18%) inside against Jones. Upgrade the Tennessee receivers, especially the perimeter duo.
Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington vs. Titans' Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Darrell Baker Jr.
Injuries have taken a toll on the Titans' perimeter corner situation, as Brownlee and Baker have been forced into every-down duties with L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie on IR. Tennessee has, in turn, allowed the third-most fantasy points to the boundary over its past four games. Thomas (74% perimeter) and Washington (68%) will see a ton of the young duo this week and can be upgraded. The Titans have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the slot (Roger McCreary's home), so Jacksonville slot man Devin Duvernay should not be viewed as a viable Week 14 sleeper.
Giants' Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson and Malik Nabers vs. Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry, Ugo Amadi and Alontae Taylor
The Saints have allowed the fifth-most WR fantasy points this season, ranking top 12 in points allowed to both the perimeter and slot. New Orleans, which lost Paulson Adebo to injury and Marshon Lattimore via trade, ranks top seven in receptions and yardage allowed to the position. The Giants stand to benefit this week, with Nabers (77% perimeter) and Slayton (77%) set to work against Taylor and the rookie McKinstry, leaving Robinson (23%) to battle with journeyman Amadi in the slot. Upgrade this entire WR room.
Cowboys' Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert vs. Bengals' Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton and Josh Newton
The Bengals' struggles against wide receivers continue to get worse, as they've allowed the most points to the perimeter and the third most to the slot over their past four games. Lamb (52% slot) actually has the toughest matchup here, as he'll see a lot of standout slot corner Hilton inside, but it's still an overall upgrade. Taylor-Britt and Newton can be had on the boundary, so Cooks (73% perimeter) and Tolbert (70%) should be considered Week 14 sleepers.
Chargers' Ladd McConkey vs. Chiefs' Chamarri Conner (Slot)
The Chiefs are midpack against wide receivers this season, but the splits here are notable: They've surrendered the fifth-fewest points to the perimeter and the most points to the slot. McConkey (74% slot) took advantage of this in their Week 4 meeting, posting a 5-67-1 receiving line on seven targets. The rookie should be upgraded in this week's rematch.
Raiders' Tre Tucker, DJ Turner and Jakobi Meyers vs. Buccaneers' Jamel Dean, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum
Tampa Bay has allowed the seventh-most WR fantasy points this season, including the fourth most to the perimeter and third most to the slot. The Bucs rank first or second in all three categories over their past eight outings. Meyers (65% perimeter) is the most notable benefactor from this Raiders WR room, though big-play Tucker (75%) should be on your Week 14 sleeper radar.