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
Eagles' A.J. Brown vs. Giants' Deonte Banks (Shadow)
Banks has shadowed Justin Jefferson, Terry McLaurin, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, DK Metcalf and Tee Higgins this season. He aligned against the receivers on 151 of 198 routes, including 142 of 153 on the perimeter. Their receiving lines were as follows: Jefferson (6 targets-4 receptions-59 yards-1 touchdown), McLaurin (8-6-22-0), Cooper (12-7-86-2), Lamb (8-7-98-1), Metcalf (7-4-55-0) and Higgins (7-7-77-0). That works out to an average of 16.5 fantasy points per game.
Banks has clearly had his ups and downs and top receivers haven't had much trouble against New York. In fact, the Giants have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers, which is where Brown aligns 75% of the time.
Takeaway:
Seahawks' DK Metcalf vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (Shadow)
Terrell has shadowed George Pickens, DeVonta Smith, Mike Evans and Diontae Johnson this season. He covered the receivers on 70 of their 108 routes, including 70 of 77 on the perimeter. The receiving lines were as follows: Pickens (7-6-85-0), Smith (9-6-69-0), Evans (7-5-62-2) and Johnson (10-6-78-1), which works out to 17.6 fantasy points per game. Metcalf aligns on the boundary 84% of the time and he can expect to see Terrell on all of those plays.
Takeaway: Top receivers have clearly had no trouble against Terrell and the zone-heavy Falcons this season, so Metcalf does not need to be downgraded.
Jets' Garrett Wilson vs. Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. (Shadow)
Porter hasn't shadowed on a full-time basis since Week 3, but that was somewhat expected against the Colts, Cowboys and Davante Adams-less Raiders. He did travel against Drake London, Courtland Sutton and Quentin Johnston during Weeks 1-3, aligning against the three on a combined 58 of 84 routes, including 57 of 66 on the perimeter. London posted a 2-15-0 line on four targets, Sutton managed 1-26-0 on five targets and Johnston put up 2-44-1 on a pair of targets.
The Jets acquired Adams on Tuesday, which makes Porter shadowing Wilson less likely, but it's still a possibility as Adams gets acclimated to the offense. Also, Wilson aligns in the slot 35% of the time, so he'll dodge Porter about one-third of the time regardless.
Takeaway: Especially with Adams in the mix, Wilson's outlook barely needs to be adjusted.
Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Patriots' Christian Gonzalez (Shadow)
Gonzalez has shadowed Ja'Marr Chase, DK Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk and Tyreek Hill, combining to cover the trio on 114 of 159 routes, including 92 of 106 on the perimeter and 22 of 52 in the slot. The receiving lines of those receivers were as follows: Chase (6-6-62-0), Metcalf (14-10-129-1), Wilson (9-5-33-1), Aiyuk (5-2-48-0) and Hill (9-6-69-0).
Gonzalez has been heavily targeted (a hefty 27% of coverage snaps -- third highest among cornerbacks expected to play a prominent role this week -- and the Patriots have, in turn, allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to the perimeter this season. Gonzalez did not shadow against the Nico Collins-less Texans last week, so this one isn't a lock, but opposing defenses have generally treated Thomas as Jacksonville's top perimeter threat (over Gabe Davis). That suggests Gonzalez will travel with him this week, especially the 75% of the time he's on the boundary.
Takeaway: Gonzalez is a good player, but we clearly don't need to be too afraid of this pass defense.
Daniel Dopp explains why he sees better fantasy days ahead for Brian Thomas Jr., despite a rough Week 6.
Tough Matchups
Bills' Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins and Amari Cooper vs. Titans' L'Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
The Titans have allowed the fewest yards, lowest yards per target (5.7) and second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the second fewest to the perimeter. Only one receiver has cleared 12.5 fantasy points against them in a game this season.
Coleman (94% perimeter), newcomer Cooper (80% in Cleveland) and Mack Hollins (64%) will work against Sneed and Brownlee on the outside, with Shakir (28%) set to face off with McCreary in the slot. Downgrade the Buffalo passing game.
Titans' DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley vs. Bills' Christian Benford, Taron Johnson and Rasul Douglas
The zone-heavy Bills have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to receivers (second fewest over the last four weeks), including the eighth fewest to the perimeter. Two receivers have reached 16.0 fantasy points against Buffalo and one was a product of Allen Lazard's improbable Hail Mary catch on Monday.
Ridley (82% perimeter) and Hopkins (71%) will run most of their routes against Benford and Douglas on the outside, whereas Boyd (21%) will work against one of the league's best slot corners, Johnson. Tennessee's receivers should be downgraded a bit.
Steelers' George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner
The Jets domination of wide receivers continues for the third consecutive season. New York has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the position, including the fewest to the perimeter and 11th fewest to the slot. The Jets have allowed the fewest receptions, second-fewest yards and three TDs to receivers.
Pickens (69% perimeter) and Jefferson (70%) will have their hands full with one of the league's best CB duos in Gardner and Reed. Austin (43%) will work inside against slot man Carter. You're already avoiding Jefferson and Austin, but Pickens will be a riskier flex than usual in this tough matchup.
Colts' Alec Pierce, Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Dolphins' Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou and Jalen Ramsey
Miami returns from its bye having surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to WRs, including the seventh fewest to the perimeter and sixth fewest to the slot. Ramsey has shadowed in two of Miami's five games (against DK Metcalf and Calvin Ridley), so it's possible he travels with Pittman in this one.
Regardless, Indianapolis' top boundary receiver will see a ton of Ramsey and/or Fuller, which is a tough assignment. He'll be joined out wide by deep threat Pierce (79% perimeter), with Downs (79% slot) working inside against Kohou. Downgrade the Colts' passing game.
Stephania Bell, Daniel Dopp and Field Yates explain why Josh Downs' recent performances should make him rostered in most fantasy leagues.
Advantageous Matchups
Panthers' Diontae Johnson, Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette vs. Commanders' Benjamin St-Juste, Noah Igbinoghene and Mike Sainristil
St-Juste has shadowed in half of Washington's games this season (vs. Mike Evans, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Amari Cooper), but did not against the Giants, Bengals and, most recently, the Ravens. It's possible that he'll follow Johnson this week, but either way, it's a good spot for the entire Carolina passing game. Washington has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers (most over the last four weeks), including the eighth most to the perimeter and fifth most to the slot.
Assuming there's no shadowing, Johnson (77% perimeter) and Legette (70%) will work primarily against heavily-targeted St-Juste and rookie Sainristil, leaving undrafted rookie Coker (27%) to face off with Igbinoghene in the slot. Upgrade Carolina's receivers.
Commanders' Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey and Noah Brown vs. Panthers' Jaycee Horn, Troy Hill and Michael Jackson
Carolina continues to struggle against perimeter receivers, having allowed the third-most points to the boundary (most over the last four weeks). The Panthers have allowed nine TDs (third most) to wide receivers and seven have reached 16.0 fantasy points against them.
McLaurin (78% perimeter) and Brown (79%) benefit most from this matchup, as they'll face off with Horn and Jackson on the outside. McCaffrey (18%) isn't on the fantasy radar and Carolina has been fine against the slot, but we're also not overly intimidated by Hill. This passing game can be upgraded.
Patriots' Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas and Ja'Lynn Polk vs. Jaguars' Tyson Campbell/Montaric Brown, Darnell Savage and Ronald Darby
The Jaguars have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers (most over expected), including the most to perimeter and eighth most to the slot. They're top 5 in points allowed to both right and left boundary receivers and sit third in catches and yards allowed to the position. Eight receivers have already produced 15-plus fantasy points against them.
We're generally not looking to New England for help at wide receiver, but this matchup adds some sleeper appeal to this trio. Note that Jacksonville could have top corner Campbell back from IR this week, which should help improve the pass defense and make this a less appealing matchup.
Buccaneers' Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Sterling Shepard vs. Ravens' Brandon Stephens, Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins
Baltimore has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, as well as the second-most points to the perimeter and slot. The Ravens have allowed a league-high 11 TDs to wide receivers and five wideouts have already hit the 20-point mark against them.
Evans (67% perimeter) and Shepard (81%) will work primarily against Stevens and Wiggins on the boundary, whereas Godwin (37%) will see a ton of Humphrey in the slot. Baltimore has plenty of talent at corner, but it clearly hasn't translated to the field, so Tampa Bay's receivers can be upgraded.
Ravens' Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and Zay Flowers vs. Buccaneers' Jamel Dean, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum
On the other side of that matchup, we have a zone heavy Tampa Bay pass defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers this season. That includes the fifth most to the perimeter and 12th most to the slot.
After a solid start to the season, the Buccaneers have allowed 14-plus fantasy points to four receivers during their last two games. Flowers (67% perimeter) and Bateman (92%) will primarily see Dean and McCollum on the outside, whereas Agholor (49%) will match up with Smith in the slot. Flowers and company can be upgraded.
Field Yates breaks down the fantasy possibilities of Zay Flowers in the Ravens offense.