Receivers with Good and Bad Matchups: Week 18

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 Matchups

WR Ja'Marr Chase (CIN vs PIT) vs Donte Jackson

Pittsburgh has struggled against perimeter receivers this season and is currently allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position. The last time this duo matched up, Chase had 6 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. Jackson is currently allowing 0.30 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 17% of the time. Chase has played on a whole other level as the Bengals try to earn the last playoff spot in the AFC. He has averaged 8 catches per game and has 9 touchdowns over the past 2 months. Give the advantage to Chase with a lot on the line for both teams this week.

WR Tee Higgins (CIN vs PIT) vs Joey Porter Jr.

Higgins will find himself in the same position as Chase on the other side of the field this week. Porter Higgins finished with 5 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown with Porter in coverage. Both teams have a lot to play for with Pittsburgh trying to win the division title and Cincinnati trying to secure the last wild card playoff spot. Porter Jr. is currently allowing 0.31 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 20% of the time. Pittsburgh has not done well in man coverage over the past 8 weeks but continues to play it to give their defensive line a chance to get to the quarterback: Advantage Higgins and Chase against the Pittsburgh perimeter corners this week.

WR Drake London (ATL vs CAR) vs Jaycee Horn

Even with the change at quarterback, London registered just his second 100-yard game of the season last week against Washington. This week, he gets a great matchup with Horn projected to shadow him through the game. Horn currently allows 0.34 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 19% of the time. The young corner did not fare well against Mike Evans last week and has another tough matchup this week. Look for Atlanta to exploit this matchup as they try to win their division for their only path to the playoffs.

WR Mike Evans (TB vs NO) vs Kool-Aid McKinstry

There is a lot of incentive for Tampa Bay this week but not much for New Orleans, which has struggled through injuries and is limping to the finish line. Evans is attempting to cap off another 1,000-yard season and has several incentives to try and hit on top of Tampa Bay fighting to win the division and make the playoffs. McKinstry has stepped in and played admirably but is still giving up 0.23 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 15% of the time. Look for Evans to easily reach his milestone this week and for Tampa Bay to beat the Saints.

WR Calvin Ridley (TEN vs HOU) vs Jeff Okudah

Okudah returned to the lineup from injury and did not look good in his first start. He currently allows 0.81 fantasy points per coverage snap and was targeted 29% of the time. Houston was embarrassed by the Ravens the last time they played, and despite not having many playoff seeding scenarios to play for, they are projected to play their starters this week. Ridley has been boom-or-bust most of the season and is in a prime spot to have a big game this week.

TE Mark Andrews (BAL vs CLE)

After the slow start to the season, Andrews has been one of the most consistent tight ends in the league. He has a touchdown in every game over the past 5 weeks and is averaging 14.7 fantasy points. Cleveland has allowed just under 10 points per game since week 11 and has nothing to play for except a spoiler this week. Andrews recently beat them for 14.6 points and should be considered a top 5 start at TE this week.

TE Sam LaPorta (DET vs MIN)

After forgetting how to play football earlier this year, LaPorta has shown glimpses of the elite tight end he was last season. He has 4 touchdowns in the past five weeks and no fewer than 4 catches per game in the past month. The Vikings held him to a single catch for 25 yards back in October, but things have changed drastically since then. Both teams are fighting for the division crown and No. 1 overall seed this week. Look for LaPorta to continue his touchdown streak and put up big numbers against a Vikings defense that allows a lot of yards.