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By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defense 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 decisions and fantasy advice each week. Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can also help you make the best waiver wire pickups.

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 Cheat Sheet.

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

Bears' DJ Moore vs. Chiefs' L'Jarius Sneed (Shadow)

Sneed was tasked with shadowing Calvin Ridley last week and the plan seemed to work well. Jacksonville's top receiver was held to 32 yards on seven targets in the game, leaving Christian Kirk to dominate from the slot (103 yards on 13 targets). Moore aligns on the perimeter 80% of the time, so we can expect these two to face off on most of Chicago's pass plays this week. Kansas City's pass defense is off to a decent start (second-fewest fantasy points allowed over expected).

Takeaway: There's no need for major concern, but Moore can be downgraded slightly.

Dolphins' Tyreek Hill vs. Broncos' Pat Surtain II (Shadow)

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Surtain -- one of the game's top corners -- shadowed Davante Adams in Week 1 prior to aligning on both sides of the field in Week 2. He shadowed clear No. 1 wideouts throughout 2022, as well, and is thus likely to travel with Hill when he's aligned on the perimeter (64% of the time so far this season) this week.

Takeaway: Hill's versatility makes him tough to defend, but his ceiling is slightly lower with Surtain on him 60-70% of the time. Meanwhile, Jaylen Waddle (if cleared from a concussion) has an elite matchup against Damarri Mathis on the other side of the field and should be upgraded.

Jets' Garrett Wilson vs. Patriots' Christian Gonzalez (Shadow)

I was on the fence on this projection, but it's worth a discussion. Gonzalez -- a first-round rookie -- has yet to shadow full time, but he chased A.J. Brown at times in Week 1 (18 of his 30 perimeter routes) and full-on shadowed Tyreek Hill in Week 2 after Marcus Jones left the game (14 of 14 perimeter routes after Jones left). Brown didn't have much trouble against Gonzalez (granted, it was his NFL debut), but Hill was limited to a 5-40-1 receiving line on nine targets on Sunday night (2-17-0 on four targets against Gonzalez).

Takeaway: This shadow scenario may not play out, but New England is infamous for gameplanning to slow the opposing team's top receiver. Wilson can be downgraded.

Eagles' A.J. Brown vs. Buccaneers' Carlton Davis III (Shadow)

Davis (toe) was out last week after shadowing Justin Jefferson in Week 1. We also saw Davis shadow down the stretch in 2022, which suggests that he'll work against Brown here in Week 3. These two haven't seen each other since Week 8 of 2019. Then with Tennessee, Brown posted a 2-11-1 receiving line on three targets in that game. He was covered by Davis on 13 of his 21 routes.

Takeaway: Davis struggled against Jefferson in Week 1 and isn't a sure thing to play this week, so while he's a very good corner, there's no need for concern here.

Buccaneers' Mike Evans vs. Eagles' Darius Slay (Shadow), Chris Godwin vs. Eagles' James Bradberry (Shadow)

These teams last met in 2021 (twice) and Slay shadowed Evans in both of those games. Evans was limited to a 2-27-0 receiving line on four targets in the Week 6 meeting, but rebounded with a 9-117-1 line on 10 targets in the playoff game (granted, most of the latter wasn't against Slay). Slay shadowed Justin Jefferson in Week 2 and, especially if Bradberry (concussion) remains out, he's a good bet to follow red-hot Evans around here in Week 3. If Bradberry returns, he'll see plenty of Godwin on the other side of the field.

Takeaway: Both Tampa Bay receivers should be started with confidence. While the Eagles' perimeter corners are great, the defense is struggling with injuries.

Commanders' Terry McLaurin vs. Bills' Tre'Davious White (Shadow)

White is back, healthy and resuming duties as a shadow corner. Buffalo's top perimeter man shadowed Garrett Wilson for a chunk of Week 1 (16 of his 21 perimeter routes) and Davante Adams for a chunk of Week 2 (13 of his 18 perimeter routes). The Buffalo defense is off to a good start, having allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.

Takeaway: Especially considering his underwhelming target share so far this season, McLaurin should be downgraded.

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Tough matchups

Cardinals' Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore and Michael Wilson vs. Cowboys' Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Stephon Gilmore

The Cowboys have one of the best one-two punches at perimeter corner in Diggs and Gilmore. The results are already showing, as Dallas has allowed the fewest fantasy points to receivers through two weeks. That includes the sixth fewest to the slot, which is where Bland has joined the fun with strong play so far this season. Brown (78% perimeter) and Wilson (64%) will see a lot of Diggs and Gilmore, whereas Moore (59% slot) will primarily work against Bland. Downgrade Arizona's receivers.

Patriots' DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner

The Jets weren't at their best against Dallas in Week 2, but this remains one of the league's top cornerback trios. In two games against the Jets last season (both Mac Jones starts), the Patriots totaled 440 passing yards and one offensive TD. Only one Patriots wide receiver totaled more than 20 receiving yards across the two games and that was Jakobi Meyers (who is now with the Raiders). Parker (93% perimeter) and Bourne (69%) will primarily work against Gardner and Reed and can be downgraded. Smith-Schuster (47% slot) will see a lot of Carter and also shouldn't be in lineups.

Titans' DeAndre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Treylon Burks vs. Browns' Martin Emerson, Greg Newsome II and Denzel Ward

The Browns' defense has surrendered one touchdown through two games -- a long TD to George Pickens on "Monday Night Football." Other than Pickens' 4-127-1 receiving line, no WR has reached double-digit fantasy points against them and Ja'Marr Chase (5-39-0) is the only other to clear 4.0 fantasy points. Hopkins (63% perimeter) and Burks (59%) will work against Emerson and Ward on the boundary this week, with Westbrook-Ikhine in the slot against Newsome. Downgrade Tennessee's receivers.

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Advantageous matchups

Ravens' Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Colts' Dallis Flowers, Kenny Moore II and Darrell Baker Jr.

It's only been two weeks, but the Colts have allowed the second-most fantasy points to WRs this season, including the most to the perimeter. It's far from a shock considering their secondary personnel, especially with second-round rookie Julius Brents yet to make his pro debut. Instead, Flowers and Baker (both 2022 UDFAs) are handling perimeter duties, with Moore in the slot in nickel. Ravens WRs Flowers (67% perimeter) and Beckham (96%) will work primarily outside and can be upgraded, whereas Bateman and Nelson Agholor remain off the fantasy radar.

Chargers' Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer vs. Vikings' Akayleb Evans, Josh Metellus and Byron Murphy Jr.

The Vikings have been in zone on a league-high 80% of the pass plays they've defended this season. The results haven't been great, as while they're midpack in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, they've surrendered the 10th-most points to the perimeter and the eighth most over expected. Murphy and Evans are the primary perimeter corners and will see plenty of Williams (62% perimeter) and Palmer (74%) this week, leaving Allen (64% slot) to work against Metellus. Chargers receivers can be upgraded in what has the makings of a high-scoring affair.

Vikings' Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Jordan Addison vs. Chargers' Asante Samuel Jr., Ja'Sir Taylor and J.C. Jackson

Editor's Picks

The Chargers have the talent they need for a very good secondary, but things haven't quite panned out. Samuel has emerged as the team's top corner, leaving Jackson (who has struggled badly early this season) in a rotation with Michael Davis and slot corner Taylor. Through two games, the Chargers have surrendered the most fantasy points to wide receivers (third most over expected), including the second most to the perimeter and sixth most to the slot. Jefferson (76% perimeter) and Addison (77%) can be upgraded against Samuel, Jackson and Davis, while Osborn (51% slot) is in a good spot against unproven 2022 sixth-round pick Taylor.

49ers' Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel vs. Giants' Deonte Banks, Adoree' Jackson and Tre Hawkins III

The Giants' early-season numbers against wide receivers don't look too bad (12th fewest fantasy points allowed), but that's mostly related to volume (29 WR targets against is fourth fewest). New York's CB situation remains a work in progress, with a pair of rookies -- Banks and Hawkins -- manning the perimeter and Jackson transitioning to the slot. Aiyuk (75% perimeter) and Samuel (60%) will primarily work against the rookies and can be upgraded.

Fantasy football wide receiver cornerback matchups nfl week 3

2023-09-20 21:01:42