Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can help you make the best lineup decisions. By utilizing our play-by-play data, we’re able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start advice and waiver wire suggestions each week.

Down below are the receivers with the best and worst matchups this week, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.

To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB Cheatsheet.

Note that, unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjusts to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.

Projected Shadow Matchups

Chiefs’ DeAndre Hopkins vs. Broncos’ Pat Surtain II (Shadow)

Surtain has shadowed DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Mike Evans and Garrett Wilson, aligning against the four standout receivers on a combined 86 of 122 routes, including 77 of 80 perimeter routes. The receiving lines of the four were as follows: Metcalf (4 targets-3 receptions-29 yards-0 touchdowns), Pickens (4-2-29-0), Evans (3-2-17-0) and Wilson (7-5-41-0).

Denver has been in man coverage more than any other defense (57%) and, despite Surtain missing essentially two games, has allowed six TDs and the ninth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Prior to Zay Flowers‘ 29.7-point effort Sunday (he was inexplicably not shadowed by Surtain), no receiver had reached 18 fantasy points in a game against Denver this season. Hopkins has aligned on the perimeter 64% of the time since joining the Chiefs and can expect to see Surtain on those plays this week.

Takeaway: Hopkins will avoid Surtain when in the slot (about a third of the time), but this is otherwise a tough matchup and he should be downgraded.

Bears’ DJ Moore vs. Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez (Shadow)

Gonzalez has shadowed Ja’Marr Chase, DK Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Tyreek Hill, Gabe Davis, Davante Adams and Calvin Ridley, combining to cover them on 169 of 234 routes, including 139 of 158 on the perimeter and 30 of 75 in the slot. The receiving lines of those receivers were as follows: Chase (6-6-62-0), Metcalf (14-10-129-1), Wilson (9-5-33-1), Aiyuk (5-2-48-0), Hill (9-6-69-0), Davis (2-1-13-0), Adams (6-4-54-0) and Ridley (8-5-73-0).

The results have been strong, as seven of the eight receivers fell short of 14.5 fantasy points, and the exception (Metcalf) benefited greatly from a long broken-play touchdown that wasn’t Gonzalez’s fault. Moore aligns on the perimeter 77% of the time, so assuming he draws the shadow treatment (it seems likely, but I wouldn’t consider it a lock with Rome Odunze playing well on the other side), he’ll be aligned against Gonzalez throughout most of this week’s game.

Takeaway: Moore should be downgraded, whereas Keenan Allen and Odunze stand to benefit against Marcus Jones and Jonathan Jones, respectively.

Commanders’ Terry McLaurin vs. Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr. (Shadow)

Porter hasn’t shadowed on a full-time basis since Week 3, but that was somewhat expected against the Colts, the Cowboys (CeeDee Lamb plays in the slot a ton), the Davante Adams-less Raiders and a Jets team with two alpha receivers. He did travel against Drake London, Courtland Sutton and Quentin Johnston during Weeks 1-3, aligning against the three on a combined 58 of 84 routes, including 57 of 66 on the perimeter. London posted a 2-15-0 line on four targets, Sutton managed 1-26-0 on five targets and Johnston put up 2-44-1 on a pair of targets.

In Pittsburgh’s most recent game, Porter shadowed Malik Nabers on his first six routes and then mixed and matched against Nabers and Darius Slayton. Porter’s usage suggests it’s no lock he’ll follow McLaurin full time, but it seems likely with Noah Brown on the other side of the formation. Additionally, even if Porter doesn’t technically shadow, he aligns at right corner most often, which is where McLaurin has lined up 78% of the time this season.

Takeaway: Porter is a good corner, so the potential shadow makes McLaurin riskier than usual. However, it’s not a lock, and the Steelers have been generous to the perimeter lately (10th-most fantasy points allowed over the last four weeks), so any downgrade here should be considered minor.

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Tough Matchups

Cowboys’ Jalen Tolbert, CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Brooks vs. Eagles’ Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Darius Slay Jr.

The Eagles allowed 42-plus fantasy points to the Packers, Falcons and Buccaneers WR rooms during Weeks 1-4, but they have held their past four opposing WR rooms (Browns, Giants, Bengals and Jaguars) to 113 or fewer yards and one total touchdown. Only one receiver (Ja’Marr Chase, 20.4) has reached 9.0 points against the Eagles during the four-game span.

The Eagles have now allowed the fewest fantasy points to WRs over the past four weeks, including the third fewest to the perimeter and second fewest to the slot during the span. Lamb (53% slot) will primarily work against impressive rookie DeJean inside, whereas Tolbert (71% perimeter) and Brooks (86%) will match up with Mitchell and either Slay or, if he remains out, Isaiah Rodgers on the perimeter. Lamb is fairly matchup-proof, but Philadelphia’s improved pass defense shouldn’t be overlooked.

Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr., Greg Dortch and Michael Wilson vs. Jets’ D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner

The Jets have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, including the second fewest to the perimeter and fourth fewest to the slot. New York has allowed the fewest receptions, third-fewest yards and TDs (five) and a league-low 51% catch rate to the position.

Harrison (73% perimeter) moves around the formation quite a bit, but, with Gardner and Reed outside and Carter in the slot, the Jets have perhaps the league’s best CB trio, which means there isn’t any escaping a tough matchup. Expectations should be held in check for Arizona’s WR room this week.

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Advantageous Matchups

Bengals’ Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas and Ja’Marr Chase vs. Ravens’ Brandon Stephens, Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins

Baltimore has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, as well as the third-most points to the perimeter and fourth most to the slot. The Ravens have allowed 13 touchdowns (second most) to wide receivers and, after Courtland Sutton‘s big Week 9, seven wideouts have now hit the 20-point mark against them. The two highest point totals produced against Baltimore this season came when these teams met in Week 5. Chase (10-193-2 receiving line) and Higgins (9-83-2) both had their best outing of the season in a game that saw Joe Burrow throw for 392 yards and five TDs.

Chase is averaging 21.0 fantasy PPG in seven career games against Baltimore, whereas Higgins has put up 28-plus fantasy points in three of his past four full games against the Ravens. Needless to say, Higgins (assuming he returns from injury) and Chase can be upgraded in a big way.

Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and Gabe Davis vs. Vikings’ Shaquill Griffin, Byron Murphy Jr. and Stephon Gilmore

Minnesota has a ton of talent in its secondary, but it simply hasn’t converted to slowing opposing wide receivers. The zone-heavy Vikings have allowed the most fantasy points to wideouts this season, as well as the seventh-most points to the perimeter and third-most to the slot. Eight receivers have reached 17 fantasy points against Minnesota in as many games. Thomas (76% perimeter) and, assuming he returns from injury, Davis (82%) will operate primarily against Griffin and Gilmore outside, with Washington (25%) working the slot against Murphy. Expect added volume for this WR room, which means a boost in fantasy output.

Texans’ Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson and Tank Dell vs. Lions’ Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson and Carlton Davis III

Detroit has faced the most WR targets and has, in turn, surrendered the most receptions and yards, as well as the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. The volume is the primary culprit here, as the Lions have allowed the second-fewest points over expected and the third-lowest EPA to opposing passing games as a whole. Of course, as long as the Lions are winning (they’re favored again this week), teams will need to throw against them, and that has been a recipe for a lot of wide receiver fantasy points. Detroit has been much better against the perimeter (11th-fewest points allowed) than the slot (second-most allowed), so Collins (82% perimeter), assuming he returns from injury, and Dell (77%) don’t get a major boost, but occasional slot run and the probable target increase is enough to make them a bit more appealing.

49ers’ Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel Sr. vs. Buccaneers’ Josh Hayes, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum

The league’s zone-heaviest defense, Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers, including the second most to the perimeter and fifth most to the slot. Fresh off their bye, the 49ers should have a healthy Jennings to team up with Samuel and Pearsall. All three receivers have aligned in the slot over 40% of the time this season, so the trio can expect to see plenty of all three Tampa Bay corners, a group that does not include Jamel Dean (IR since Week 6) and has since benched his initial replacement (Tyrek Funderburk) for Hayes. Upgrade the 49ers’ WR room.

Ravens’ Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers and Diontae Johnson vs. Bengals’ Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II

Mike Hilton is a good slot corner, and the Bengals have thus allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the slot, but they’ve had big problems on the perimeter. Cincinnati has surrendered the sixth-most points to the boundary, including the third most over the past eight weeks. All three of Bateman (90% perimeter), Flowers (68%) and Johnson (78%) will get plenty of run on the outside and can be upgraded against Taylor-Britt and Turner.

Broncos’ Courtland Sutton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Troy Franklin vs. Chiefs’ Nazeeh Johnson, Christian Roland-Wallace and Trent McDuffie

The Chiefs have been dealing with some injuries at cornerback, but that hasn’t slowed them from shutting down wide receivers. Kansas City has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position, including the fewest to the perimeter and the most to the slot. Unlike last season, Kansas City hasn’t shadowed much this season, but it’s possible McDuffie travels with Sutton (86% perimeter) at times this week. Sutton and Franklin (65%) should be downgraded, whereas Humphrey (70% slot) and Devaughn Vele (85%) stand to benefit.

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