Passing Matchups Week 19

Photo: Imagn Images

Go here for this week's Rushing Matchups.

Top 3 Passing Matchups

LA Rams at Detroit

Matthew Stafford and the Rams come in well-rested as Stafford faces off against his former team this week. Confidence is high for Los Angeles as they won six of their last seven games, their only loss being an overtime loss at Baltimore. This is a dangerous matchup for anyone throughout the playoffs as they've become even more dynamic in recent weeks with DeMarcus Robinson, who defenses now need to pay attention to in addition to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Robinson has scored a touchdown in four of his last five games, has 40 yards or more in all five games, and has 80 yards or more in his last two games. To have three dynamic receivers, along with complimentary running back Kyren Williams and tight end Tyler Higbee, make this a very difficult team to beat this postseason.

Detroit's secondary is falling apart at the worst time. For 14 games, this was an average defense allowing 244 passing yards per game, but over the last three weeks, Detroit has allowed 384 passing yards per game as Nick Mullens threw for 411 and 396, while Dak Prescott threw for 345 yards. The issue for the Lions is some glaring holes in their secondary. At cornerback, free agent signee Cameron Sutton has not been the player the Lions hoped they would get this season after signing an $11M per year deal with the team. Meanwhile, on the other side, the problems have been worse. Jerry Jacobs had played most of the season, but he had not been healthy and was benched for Kindle Vildor, who has been a big reason for the recent struggles over the last three games. Also hurting the Lions is that they boast one of the league's best run defenses, allowing the fewest yards and fantasy points to opposing running backs and the second-fewest rushing attempts. This is a defense that teams are trying to beat through the air, and they're in for a big test this week.

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay

The big question this week for the Eagles is the health of Jalen Hurts. Hurts injured his middle finger last week and was later pulled while losing to the Giants. Hurts and the Philadelphia passing game have struggled in recent weeks, as he has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in four of his last five games while throwing just four touchdowns and five interceptions. Complicating matters even further this week is that the Eagles could be without one or both of A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith who are both questionable. Devonta Smith came out on Thursday and stated that he is playing, but it is still something to monitor based on him missing Week 18's game.

Tampa Bay's pass defense has struggled for most of the season. This defense has been completely different when facing a team from the NFC South compared to the rest of the NFL. Against NFC South teams, Tampa Bay is allowing just 198 passing yards per game. However, against the rest of the NFL, Tampa Bay allows 304 passing yards per game. Carlton Davis is allowing the most receiving yards per game in coverage this season, while on the other side, Jamel Dean has not been the player that the Buccaneers hoped for when they signed him to a 4-year $52M contract extension this offseason. Tampa Bay is another team that is a pass funnel, as they have one of the best-run defenses in the NFL, contributing to the Buccaneers facing the fourth-most pass attempts per game.

Tampa Bay vs Philadelphia

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers are a passing offense that lives on the extremes based on matchups. They're an offense that can dominate a great matchup but also, as we saw in a must-win game last week, look completely inept against the league's elite pass defenses, as Baker Mayfield threw for just 137 yards last week on 32 attempts against Carolina. This offense is not deep beyond Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, but Trey Palmer has had five or more targets in each of his last three games as the team looks to try to incorporate him as a third option. Mayfield has thrown for 280 yards or more in three of his last four games, including a 381-yard, 4-touchdown performance against Green Bay in Week 15. With this being a favorable matchup against the Eagles, expect a big performance could be coming from Tampa Bay.

The Eagles are in a downward spiral this season, and a big problem all year has been the pass defense, as evidenced by allowing 311 yards to Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito. Philadelphia is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season and the second-most passing yards per game. The Eagles did get some good news this week as Darius Slay has indicated that he will play after suffering a knee injury. While Slay and Bradberry are both having the worst seasons of their career and showing signs of their age, they're still far better options than guys like Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Bradley Roby. The Eagles have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and the slot corner. While Avonte Maddox has returned from injury, he still does not look 100% healthy, as he's playing just 40% of the snaps and has not looked anywhere close to where he was the last two seasons. This could open up an opportunity for Chris Godwin to take advantage of this matchup.