Receivers with Good and Bad Matchups: Week 13

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 CeeDee Lamb (DAL vs NYG) vs Deonte Banks

Lamb had no trouble with Banks in coverage earlier this season, finishing with 7 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. The biggest difference will be Cooper Rush, who will be starting as quarterback, but he has force-fed Lamb since taking over and is averaging double-digit targets per game. Lamb is still a must-start in PPR formats despite seeing his yards and touchdowns plummet. Lamb should line up against Banks on the outside roughly 52% of the time and see slot corner Dru Phillips the other 48%. Start Lamb with confidence on Thanksgiving.

WR A.J. Brown (PHI vs BAL) vs Brandon Stephens

Baltimore did a great job holing Quentin Johnston without a catch on 5 targets last week, but they are still allowing the most fantasy points to opposing receivers over the course of the whole season. Stephens has given up numerous big plays on the outside on a path to allowing 0.33 fantasy points per coverage snap while only being targeted 16% of the time. The Ravens have allowed 17 touchdowns through the air, and there have been 8 receivers to eclipse 20 fantasy points against them. Johnston may have been a big letdown against this secondary last week, but Brown is a much better player and is in line for a big day.

WR Ladd McConkey (LAC vs ATL) vs Dee Alford

After the poor showing last week, Johnston may have just cleared the way for McConkey to take over the target share in this offense. McConkey will be facing an Atlanta secondary that allows the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers, has given up 15 touchdowns, and allows a league-high 72% catch rate. Alford currently allows 0.32 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 21% of the time. The Chargers will be without J.K. Dobbins this week and may turn to throwing the ball more than in recent weeks. Upgrade McConkey in a great matchup this week.

WR Cooper Kupp (LAR vs NO) Ugo Amadi

Despite the team loss, the Rams' receiving group did a good job against a tough Philadelphia secondary last week. They will face a much easier New Orleans secondary this week that is without Paulson Adebo (injury) and Marshon Lattimore (trade). New Orleans has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season and is in the top 5 in receptions and yards allowed. Amadi is allowing 0.37 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 23% of the time. Kupp has a great matchup, but this entire receiving group can be upgraded this week.

WR George Pickens (PIT vs CIN) vs Cam Taylor-Britt

Pittsburgh is coming off back-to-back tough performances through the air. The connection with Russell Wilson may appear to have faded in recent weeks, but that should change against a soft Cincinnati secondary. Taylor-Britt currently allows 0.53 fantasy points per coverage snap and is targeted 23% of the time. The loss to Cleveland last week opened the door for Baltimore to get back into the division conversation. Look for Wilson to target Pickens early and often to try and establish an offensive flow this week.

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN vs WAS) vs Benjamin St-Juste

Westbrook-Ikhine has a touchdown in sox out of his last seven games and has shown a better connection with Will Levis than anyone else on the team. His hot streak is entirely touchdown-dependent, as he is averaging just 2 catches per game, but that may not be a problem against a Washington secondary that has struggled in recent weeks. St-Juste is currently allowing 0.43 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 22% of the time. Look for Westbrook-Ikhine to break another play this week and continue his hot streak.

TE Cade Otton (TB vs CAR)

Otton is coming off one of his worst games of the season against the Giants. The team got up big and did not need his services for much of the second half. That should not dissuade you from starting him this week, as he will be facing a Carolina defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Carolina allowed 2 touchdowns to Noah Gray last week and is ripe for the picking this week. Start Otton with confidence again this week.

TE Hunter Henry (NE vs IND)

Henry has continued his steady production over the past seven weeks with another 9.4-point performance in a blowout loss to Miami. He is averaging double-digit points over the past two months and is walking into a favorable matchup. The Colts have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. With Drake Maye under center, Henry has become a weekly starter at a very thin tight-end position.