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 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 cheat sheet.
Note that, unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjusts to a per-game basis to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.
Projected shadow matchups
Chargers' Quentin Johnston vs. Broncos' Pat Surtain II (shadow)
Surtain has shadowed DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Mike Evans, Garrett Wilson, DeAndre Hopkins, Drake London and Jerry Jeudy, aligning against the group on a combined 148 of 236 routes, including 136 of 155 perimeter routes. The receiving lines of the group were as follows: Metcalf (4 targets-3 receptions-29 yards-0 TDs), Pickens (4-2-29-0), Evans (3-2-17-0), Wilson (7-5-41-0), Hopkins (5-4-56-0), London (7-3-61-0), Jeudy (13-9-235-1). Only Jeudy reached double-digit fantasy points and nearly all of his damage was done when not covered by Surtain. Denver didn't shadow when these teams met in Week 6, but Surtain left the game with an injury on his first snap. Johnston aligns on the perimeter 88% of the time and can expect a hefty dose of Surtain this week, whereas Ladd McConkey (74% slot) will work primarily against Ja'Quan McMillian. The man-heavy Broncos have surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points overall and fourth-most to the perimeter over the past eight weeks.
Takeaway: Especially considering how little he escapes to the slot, Johnston has perhaps the toughest matchup for any receiver this week and should be downgraded. Joshua Palmer should be considered a Week 16 sleeper on the other side of the field against Riley Moss or rookie Kris Abrams-Draine.
Ravens' Rashod Bateman vs. Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. (shadow)
Porter has shadowed for a substantive chunk of the game eight times this season, which has included showdowns with London, Courtland Sutton, Johnston, CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin, Bateman, Tee Higgins and A.J. Brown. He covered the group on a combined 163 of 252 routes, including 158 of 208 on the perimeter. Their receiving lines were as follows: London (4-2-15-0), Sutton (5-1-26-0), Johnston (2-2-44-1), Lamb (9-5-62-0), McLaurin (6-5-113-0), Bateman (3-2-30-0), Higgins (10-5-69-1), Brown (11-8-110-1). The group combined to average 11.9 fantasy points, though McLaurin, Higgins and Brown have cleared 16 points in recent matchups. Of course, considering how well it worked in the Week 11 meeting (no Ravens WR cleared 30 yards), it makes sense that Porter would shadow Bateman again this week. The Steelers have struggled badly against outside receivers of late and have now surrendered the second-most fantasy points to the perimeter this season.
Takeaway: Bateman has been boom-or-bust all season. And while one of the booms came last week, one of the busts came against Porter a few weeks ago. Pittsburgh's recent struggles help the cause, but Bateman has added risk this week.
Giants' Malik Nabers vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (shadow)
Terrell has shadowed Pickens, DeVonta Smith, Evans, Diontae Johnson, Metcalf, Lamb, Sutton, Johnston and Justin Jefferson this season. He covered the receivers on 157 of their 259 routes, including 156 of 178 on the perimeter. The receiving lines were as follows: Pickens (7-6-85-0), Smith (9-6-69-0), Evans (7-5-62-2), Johnson (10-6-78-1), DK Metcalf (7-4-99-1), Lamb (13-8-47-0), Sutton (8-7-78-0), Johnston (5-2-12-0) and Jefferson (7-7-132-2), which works out to 17.0 fantasy points per game (only Johnston fell short of 12.7). Terrell doesn't align in the slot at all, so Nabers can expect to see him in coverage the 75% of the time he's on the boundary, but not at all when he's inside. The Falcons have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the third-most to the perimeter. They've allowed the most overall and to the perimeter over their past eight games. Atlanta has allowed 20 TD receptions and a 72% completion percentage to WRs, both of which are tops in the league.
Takeaway: Atlanta has been horrid against wide receivers of late, and receivers who have been shadowed by Terrell haven't had any trouble producing at a high level. Nabers should be upgraded along with the rest of the Giants' pass attack.
Cardinals' Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Panthers' Jaycee Horn (shadow)
Horn had dabbled as a shadow corner throughout the season, but we've seen him do it on a near full-time basis twice in recent weeks. He shadowed 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 Evans on 16 of his 22 perimeter routes in Week 13 (8-118-1 on 12 targets). The Panthers are middle of the pack against wide receivers overall this season, though they've struggled against the perimeter (seventh-most fantasy points allowed). Expect Horn to travel with Harrison the 73% of the time he's on the boundary this week.
Takeaway: Horn has been heavily targeted and generous to opposing receivers this season. Harrison should not be downgraded.
Seahawks' DK Metcalf vs. Vikings' Stephon Gilmore (shadow)
Gilmore has shadowed, usually part time, at various times throughout the season. He has matched up with Nabers, Nico Collins, Puka Nacua, DJ Moore and Harrison 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. Metcalf aligns on the perimeter 87% of the time and can expect to see Gilmore on those plays. Minnesota has allowed the most fantasy points to receivers this season, including the fourth-most to the perimeter and slot. Note that Gilmore has been out the past two weeks and Minnesota likely will not shadow if he remains sidelined.
Takeaway: Gilmore is a good corner, but receivers have produced at a high level against Minnesota, so Metcalf should only be downgraded slightly.
Tough matchups
Commanders' Terry McLaurin, Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown vs. Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Darius Slay Jr.
The Eagles have allowed the fewest fantasy points to WRs, including the fewest to the perimeter and 10th fewest to the slot this season. They've surrendered the fewest receiving yards and a league-low 6.8 yards per target to receivers. McLaurin aligns at left perimeter receiver 74% of the time and will face off with impressive rookie Mitchell on those plays. We saw that exact scenario in Week 11, and McLaurin was held to one catch for 10 yards on two targets in the game (Mitchell was in coverage on 17 of his 25 routes). McLaurin & Co. should be downgraded.
Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington and Tyreek Hill vs. 49ers' Renardo Green, Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward
The 49ers have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the third fewest to the perimeter and slot. Hill (64% perimeter), Waddle (72%) and Washington (47%) move around the formation quite a bit and will see plenty of Ward, Green and slot man Lenoir. Downgrade the Miami receivers.
Advantageous matchups
Packers' Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs vs. Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry, Ugo Amadi and Alontae Taylor
The Saints have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, including the ninth most to the perimeter. They sit top 5 in both categories over their past four games. Watson (65%) and Doubs (80%) do most of their damage on the perimeter and can be upgraded against the rookie McKinstry and struggling Taylor, whose 36.5 PFF coverage grade ranks dead last among 115 qualified corners this season. Reed (70% slot) will see a ton of journeyman Amadi and is also in a great spot.
Raiders' Tre Tucker, Jakobi Meyers and Terrace Marshall Jr. vs. Jaguars' Tyson Campbell, Jarrian Jones and Montaric Brown
The Jaguars have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the fourth most to the boundary and sit mid-pack against the slot. Two of their three worst showings against receivers have come in their past four games, having allowed 73.6 fantasy points to Detroit's WRs in Week 11 and 57.4 to the Jets' unit in Week 15. Tucker (76% perimeter) and Meyers (65%) move around the formation quite a bit and will see a fairly even share of Campbell, Brown and slot man Jones. Upgrade the Las Vegas receivers.