Go here for this week's Rushing Matchups.

Top 5 Passing Matchups

Cincinnati vs Washington

The Cincinnati Bengals' passing game has struggled to find its footing early in the 2024 season, plagued by injuries and underperformance. Joe Burrow is still visibly working through a lingering wrist issue, impacting his effectiveness as a passer. Without Tee Higgins on the field and defenses easily containing Ja'Marr Chase—who has managed just 10 receptions for 97 yards thus far—the Bengals' offense has been unable to generate explosive plays. The timing couldn’t be better for a matchup against the Washington Commanders, whose defense has been one of the most exploitable units in the league. Chase remains the focal point of the passing game, accounting for 10 of the Bengals' 19 wide receiver catches, but he has yet to connect on any deep passes. The tight ends also saw increased involvement in Week 2, with Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, and Erick All Jr. combining for 14 receptions and 151 yards, providing Burrow with reliable options underneath. Another player to watch is rookie wideout Jermaine Burton, who had a disappointing training camp and saw limited action in the opener. However, he doubled his snaps in Week 2 and showcased his big-play potential with a 47-yard catch, suggesting he could be working his way back into the rotation. The good news for the Bengals is that they may get Tee Higgins back this week, as he did practice on Thursday ahead of the Monday matchup with Washington. 

Once a top-tier pass defense just a few years ago, Washington has seen a decline in talent and effectiveness, making them one of the league’s most targetable units in fantasy. Baker Mayfield and his receiving corps exploited the Commanders in Week 1, and last week, Giants rookie Malik Nabers torched them for 10 catches, 127 yards, and a touchdown. Much of Nabers' production came at the expense of cornerbacks Mike Davis and Benjamin St-Juste, who struggled to keep up in coverage. Even the absence of Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who has been poor since entering the NFL, hasn’t stabilized this group, as Davis and St-Juste have continued to give up big plays. The secondary is further hindered by a lack of support from safeties Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin, who offer little help in coverage. With the Commanders ranking 25th in sack rate last season, there is also minimal pass rush to alleviate the pressure on this weakened secondary. For Burrow and the Bengals, this matchup provides a prime opportunity to get the passing game back on track and exploit a vulnerable Washington defense that has yet to find answers on the back end.

San Francisco at LA Rams 

Brock Purdy has started the 2024 season in a steady, if unspectacular, fashion. After a quiet 231-yard performance in a comfortable Week 1 win, Purdy threw for 319 yards and a touchdown in last week’s loss while playing catch-up. However, the challenges are mounting for Purdy as he heads into Week 3 without two of his top offensive weapons: Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel Sr. Samuel strained his calf against the Vikings, and McCaffrey's absence means Purdy will need to lean heavily on Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings—still a solid supporting cast by any measure. Fortunately for Purdy, head coach Kyle Shanahan is adept at adapting his offense to the personnel on hand. With the absence of McCaffrey and Samuel, Shanahan has streamlined the offense into a short-to-intermediate attack that relies heavily on yards after the catch. Two key factors keep the 49ers' passing game relevant in Week 3: a favorable matchup against a Rams secondary that has struggled and the 49ers’ effectiveness in the red zone, where Purdy could see more action with McCaffrey sidelined.

The Rams, who began 2024 with promise, have quickly seen their season unravel due to injuries on both sides of the ball. The defense, in particular, was exposed last week by Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals. Murray completed 17 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, taking advantage of the Rams' shaky pass defense. The Cardinals’ dynamic duo of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride repeatedly found success against the Rams' secondary. Harrison’s standout performance included a 60-yard touchdown where Kamren Curl couldn’t keep up, and Kamren Kitchens missed badly on another sideline play that led to a 32-yard gain. Despite having former All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White, the Rams' secondary has shown vulnerability, especially as White has battled to return to form after two major injuries. The defensive woes are compounded by a lack of pressure up front; the Rams are rebuilding their pass rush following Aaron Donald’s retirement. Rookie Jared Verse has shown potential, but the rest of the unit has struggled to win battles and disrupt the pocket. To compensate, the Rams have resorted to heavy blitzes, often leaving their shaky safeties in difficult coverage situations—a recipe that has created advantageous fantasy matchups for opposing offenses. As Purdy and the 49ers prepare to face this reeling Rams defense, the stage is set for a potentially productive outing, especially in the red zone, where Shanahan's offense often excels. Even without McCaffrey and Samuel, Purdy’s short passing game and Shanahan’s adaptability could lead to a strong performance against a Rams defense that is still searching for answers.