WR/CB MATCHUPS REPORT
This new featured tool displays how each defense performs against their opponent’s receiving yardage gained by position.
New this year: Rank now considers the opponent. So for example, if the Vikings limit the Packers WR1 to only 18 yards but that WR1 happens to be Sammy Watkins, that won’t be as impressive as Denver which allows more yards (36) to DK Metcalf.
If you see a team is ranked 1st vs. WR #1, that defense is currently the best at limiting their opponent’s WR #1. Or, if you see a team is ranked 32nd against WR #2, that defense is the worst against WR #2’s. This is a great tool to find and exploit useful matchups. Don’t forget to check out all the positions as well (WR #1, WR #2, Other WRs, TE & RB).
• An even more formidable opponent stands to hamper passing attack in Week 16: the weather. As we saw on Thursday, biting cold and wind is set to impact several games on Saturday. The Week 16 weather forecast for the Browns/Saints game is set for single-digit temperatures and sustained winds in excess of 25 MPH gusting to 40 MPH. This will wreak havoc on passing games. All Browns and Saints pass-catchers should be downgraded. The forecast is similar in Chicago but the wind won’t be quite as strong. Still, Bills and Bears wideouts should be bumped down, making Tre’Davious White a top IDP option.
• The Detroit Lions have been decimated by slot receivers all season. Plus, since Sam Darnold reclaimed the starting job in Carolina, WR D.J. Moore has run more than 65% of his routes out of the slot. That makes Moore a borderline WR1 on Saturday.
• No team allows fewer overall points to wide receivers than the Denver Broncos. CB Patrick Surtain, who is PFF’s No. 2 overall coverage corner, is a big reason why. That won’t help a struggling Rams offense get back in shape this week. Consider it a big obstacle for Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell in deep playoff lineups.
• Conversely, it’s a great week to target Tampa tight ends. No team has been shredded more by opposing tight ends than the Cardinals. The only problem is handicapping the snaps. Tampa employs multiple tight ends. Cade Otton played 65% of the snaps last week but had a lowly 2.4% target share. Cameron Brate played 39% of the snaps but absorbed 5 targets. Both players look like strong secondary plays this week, with Otton having a higher floor.
• Detroit has only allowed 307 receiving yards all season to running backs. No opposing RB has topped 20 receiving yards against the Lions since Week 7. Detroit also has yet to surrender a receiving TD to any running back all season. This caps the upside for both D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard in PPR formats.
• No. 2 wideouts have had a ton of success against the Ravens. However, Baltimore’s secondary has really tightened up over the last month. In their last three contests, Baltimore has only allowed 130 yards per game to wide receivers, with 1 total TD surrendered. That, and Atlanta’s futile passing attack makes Drake London a risky bet in Week 16.
