Week 12 Passing Matchups

Go here for this week's Rushing Matchups.

Top 5 Passing Matchups

LA Chargers vs Baltimore

Justin Herbert and the Chargers' offense appear to be finding their rhythm under new coach Jim Harbaugh. Herbert's athletic and arm talent has never been in question, but Harbaugh's scheme provides better protection and keeps the team in positive game scripts. While Herbert is currently operating with a focus on underneath throws, his efficiency is shining. He ranks fourth in the league in adjusted net yardage, which factors in touchdowns, sacks, and turnovers, and he has thrown just one interception across 10 starts. His rebuilt receiving corps is coming together quickly, led by rookie Ladd McConkey, who has shown the ability to produce on all levels of the field and turn routine catches into big plays. McConkey has surpassed Quentin Johnston in the pecking order, but Johnston has still made an impact with touchdowns in three consecutive games. Tight end Will Dissly is another key piece, catching four or more passes in five of his last six games. Herbert's history of maximizing veteran tight ends like Dissly makes him a reliable part of this offense.

The Ravens' pass defense, however, remains the Achilles heel of an otherwise strong roster. While the run-focused Steelers and Broncos struggled in this matchup, every other opponent has thrived. Baltimore's defense allows an eye-popping 9.3 yards per attempt and 261 passing yards per game, with six of their 10 opponents exceeding 290 passing yards. Ja'Marr Chase is just one of many receivers to exploit this group, as the secondary struggles with consistency and personnel issues. Marlon Humphrey remains an elite cornerback, but Brandon Stephens has been a weak link on the other side. The team has considered integrating recent acquisition Tre'Davious White into Stephens' role, but White has been a shadow of his former self, struggling with the Rams before being released. Safety help has also been shaky, with Marcus Williams' decline leading to his potential benching for Ar'Darius Washington. Washington pairs with Kyle Hamilton, who has excelled in some areas but continues to struggle with downfield coverage.

Philadelphia at LA Rams

Jalen Hurts has been one of the NFL's most efficient passers over the past two months. Since Week 6, he trails only Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson in yards per attempt, benefiting from the return to health of his receiving corps. One of the key strengths of the Eagles' passing attack—especially for fantasy purposes—is its streamlined target distribution. A.J. Brown remains the centerpiece, commanding 31% of the targets since Week 6 and averaging 83 yards per game. DeVonta Smith continues to excel as one of the league's top No. 2 options, while tight end Dallas Goedert, an upper-tier receiver, is back to provide another reliable target. Few other players see meaningful usage, keeping this attack focused and efficient.

The Rams' defense, however, has struggled mightily despite midseason personnel changes aimed at improving their secondary. Over the past four weeks, they've allowed opponents to average 273 passing yards on 70% completions, with three of the last four quarterbacks throwing multiple touchdowns. Even rookie Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looked poised against this unit last week, completing 30 of 40 attempts. The Rams' secondary issues have been glaring, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Week 9 explosion (7 catches, 180 yards, 2 touchdowns) providing a blueprint for attacking their coverage. Regular cornerbacks Darious Williams and Cobie Durant have been consistently beaten, while Ahkello Witherspoon's addition to the rotation has done little to stabilize things. Slot defender Kamren Kitchens has also struggled, leaving few bright spots in coverage. The Rams' secondary is ill-equipped to contain elite wideouts like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who have favorable matchups across the board. Until the Rams' front office can overhaul their secondary—likely in the offseason—this defense will remain vulnerable to high-powered passing attacks like Philadelphia's.

Washington vs Dallas

Jayden Daniels' efficiency has taken a noticeable hit over the past month. His completion rate, yardage per attempt, and red-zone efficiency have all dipped, though the exact cause is unclear. It's possible he's encountering a rookie wall, especially compared to his stellar start, or perhaps his Week 7 rib injury is lingering more than expected. Regardless of the reason, this matchup against the Cowboys presents an ideal opportunity to bounce back. Daniels' recent struggles came against two of the league's toughest defenses, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, making this matchup a significant upgrade in terms of matchup. Despite his challenges, Daniels consistently targets Terry McLaurin (22% target share) and Zach Ertz (19%). McLaurin's production has been inconsistent, alternating strong fantasy outings with quieter ones, but the Commanders' high-powered offense always offers scoring upside. Ertz has also been a reliable option in the passing game, helping stabilize the offense even when Daniels has faltered.

The Cowboys are fading fast in 2024, and their defense has been a major disappointment down the stretch. Even with Micah Parsons returning from injury, their pass defense has devolved into a bottom-third unit. While opponents haven't needed to throw much against them due to lopsided game scripts, when they do, they find consistent success. Over the past four games, opposing quarterbacks have completed 71% of their throws at an eye-popping 9.7 yards per attempt before easing off in the second half. Parsons alone cannot compensate for a decimated secondary. Tre'Von Diggs is enduring one of the worst seasons of his career, and the depth behind him has been tested significantly. Players like Josh Butler and Israel Mukuamu have been forced into full-time roles and are frequently exploited. Meanwhile, the safety duo of Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson continues to underwhelm, with Hooker showing signs of decline and Wilson lacking the range needed to provide meaningful help in coverage.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland

The Steelers are not built to win games on the back of their quarterback, but Russell Wilson has provided solid enough play to keep them competitive. While Wilson's efficiency is far from elite, his willingness to take shots downfield is a key asset for this offense. Most importantly, he consistently leans on alpha wide receiver George Pickens, who has commanded 30% of Wilson's targets. Pickens has recorded 70+ yards in five of his last seven games, regularly delivering highlight-reel-worthy deep catches. Early-season concerns over his effort and energy have quieted down as he's emerged as a dependable focal point of the Steelers' passing attack. Beyond Pickens, however, there's little consistency in the receiving corps—no other player averages even 30 yards per game. Still, this streamlined offense suits Pickens' skill set, allowing him to rack up both big plays and routine catches.

The Browns, sitting at 2-8, are accustomed to facing run-heavy game plans, but they've struggled to defend the pass when opponents take to the air. While they face just 29 pass attempts per game, they rank near the bottom of the league in yards allowed per throw over the last three weeks. Facing stars like Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert explains some of those struggles, but even struggling offenses have found success. Last week, Derek Carr and the Saints delivered their best passing performance in months, and the Browns' secondary continues to give up too many explosive plays. Only three teams have allowed more completions of 20+ yards, and the last two weeks highlight this vulnerability: Marquez Valdes-Scantling posted 87 yards and a touchdown last week, while the Chargers' Quentin Johnston exploded for 118 yards and a score the week prior. Cleveland's secondary does feature two standout players in Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit, but the rest of the group is shaky. Martin Emerson Jr. and Greg Newsome II have struggled this season and may not retain full-time roles next year, leaving the unit in need of a significant talent infusion. With the Browns' deep-ball struggles and season-long inconsistencies, this matchup looks favorable for Pickens, who thrives on downfield opportunities and has the skills to exploit Cleveland's leaky coverage.