Receivers with Good and Bad Matchups: Week 8

This article highlights some of the best and worst matchups for wide receivers and tight ends each week. Using player tracking data from various sources (NFL.com, Pro Football Focus, ESPN, etc.) and reviews of recent trends, I look for situations to exploit or avoid when setting your weekly lineups. Given that this article is intended to help across all sites (both DFS and season-long), variations in pricing and scoring systems are not considered, so obviously, the values could shift depending on where you are playing. The main intent of this article is simply to call out some players who could be significantly helped or hurt by their situations each week.

Favorable Matchup

WR Drake London, Darnell Mooney (ATL vs TB) vs Tyrek Funderburk, Zyon McCollum

This feels like a slam dunk matchup after these teams met in week 5, when we saw Kirk Cousins throw for 500+ yards as London and Mooney combined for 260 yards and 3 scores. We should not expect that same level of performance, but Tampa Bay is also coming off another game where the secondary was lit up by the Baltimore Ravens. Tampa Bay runs a zone-heavy defense and has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Top corner Jamel Dean is on the IR, and the offense is not likely to do the defense any favors with several key players hurt. Upgrade the Atlanta offense this week.

WR Romeo Doubs (GB vs JAX) vs Tyson Campbell

Jacksonville continues to struggle all over the field. The defense currently allows the 4th most fantasy points to opposing receivers, including the most to the perimeter. They have allowed 10 touchdowns through the air and rank in the bottom 5 in yards and receptions. Campbell is one of the biggest culprits, currently allowing 0.30 fantasy points per coverage snap, and is being targeted 14% of the time. Jordan Love is willing to force the ball into tight coverage and take chances deep down the field. Upgrade the entire Green Bay passing game this week.

WR DJ Moore (CHI vs WAS) vs Benjamin St-Juste

Washington is coming off a big win against Carolina, where St-Juste played well against Diontae Johnson. However, the overall numbers for the young corner are not very good, and the Chicago offense is rounding into form. St-Juste currently allows 0.47 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 23% of the time. No one in the offense allows less than 0.30 fantasy points per coverage snap, and the entire Chicago offense has a chance to score this week. Give Moore the biggest upgrade with the most advantageous matchup.

WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs CAR) vs Jaycee Horn

It is hard to trust Sutton after he put up a goose egg last week, but the matchup against Horn is one of the best in the NFL this week. The young corner has struggled mightily on the outside and is currently allowing 0.38 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 18% of the time. Carolina is limping into this week after being dismantled by Washington last week, and the Broncos are looking to hit their offensive stride. Bo Nix is still developing in this offense and has a great chance to build better chemistry with Sutton in a game setting this week.

WR Christian Kirk (JAX vs GB) vs Javon Bullard

Kirk has been an afterthought in this offense since the emergence of Brian Thomas Jr. That could change this week with a great matchup against the struggling slot corners in Green Bay. Bullard is currently allowing 0.42 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 25% of the time. Jacksonville has all the pieces on offense to be elite but has struggled to put it together early this season. Look for Kirk to have a breakout game against a Green Bay secondary that has struggled outside of Jaire Alexander.

WR George Pickens (PIT vs NYG) vs Deonte Banks

Pickens was one of the happiest wide receivers last week when he finally got Russell Wilson back under center. His routes were crisp and the ball was on time with the new quarterback. This week he will have to fend off the shadow coverage of Banks. That has not been an issue for most receivers this season with Banks allowing 0.44 fantasy points per coverage snap and being targeted 21% of the time. The whole Pittsburgh offense looked better last week and they get a great matchup against the Giants this week.

TE David Njoku (CLE vs BAL)

Njoku finally got things going with the Browns last week after suffering an injury early in the season. He was the TE1 overall for scoring last week despite losing his starting quarterback. The trade of Amari Cooper has opened up even more targets for Njoku. The Ravens just let Cade Otton score double-digit points against them on Monday Night and Njoku has the potential for another top 5 finish with Jameis Winston under center.

TE Evan Engram (JAX vs GB)

Engram has come back from his hamstring injury and slotted right back into this offense. He has 15 targets in his last 2 games and scored a combined 26.7 fantasy points. Green Bay has struggled against tight ends and is allowing 13 points per game on average to the position. This game has the makings of a shoot out with each team putting the ball in the air at a high rate. Trust Engram to go back to his target heavy ways and land squarely in the top 10 for tight end scoring this week.