NFL Week 14 WR/CB Matchup Report
It’s week 14 and most fantasy leagues are in the first round of the playoffs. As I’ve done with every article this season, I’m going to focus on five wide receivers, ranked in my top 24, that I feel have good matchups. I’m also going to look at my top 24 WR rankings and select five players that I feel don’t have very good matchups. Finally, I’m going to select five WRs outside of my top 24 rankings that I feel have some upside this week. You can use these picks in your season-long leagues (as a guide, not as a start/sit), or even when selecting your DFS lineups.
The Good:
DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chris Harris:
Chris Harris was one of the top shutdown slot corners in the league for years. This season he was moved to the outside, playing just six percent of the time in the slot, and the results have varied. This week he faces a top three wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, who has also had mixed results this season, though still a top-five fantasy wideout. Harris has been allowing ten yards per target and a quarterback rating over just over 100 this year.
D.J. Moore vs. Isaiah Oliver:
Moore has been nothing short of spectacular in his second season. He has scored three touchdowns over his last two games and has already beaten every stat from his rookie season. This week he gets Isaiah Oliver in coverage. Oliver has allowed almost 600 receiving yards, a catch rate of 68 percent, and a quarterback rating of 110.
Cooper Kupp vs. Akeem King:
Even though the Rams are underdogs this week, their implied total is still around 24 points. Cooper Kupp will go up against Akeem King of the Seahawks, who hasn’t allowed a touchdown this season, but he has given up 15 yards per target, along with 10 receptions on 11 total targets for a catch rate of 91 percent.
Julio Jones vs. James Bradberry:
Jones has been limited in practice all week, but he does look like he should be ready to go against the Panthers. Bradberry has been decent in coverage this season, but I have to give the advantage to Jones here as Bradberry is allowing over eight yards per target and a total of 522 receiving yards.
Kenny Golladay vs. Trae Waynes:
Everyone is picking on the Vikings secondary this season and for good reason. What used to be one of the better groups in the league, is now a complete liability in coverage. Trae Waynes is giving up almost 600 total receiving yards, a catch rate of 70 percent, and a quarterback rating of 108.
The Bad:
Michael Thomas vs. Ahkello Witherspoon:
No, I’m not saying you should bench Michael Thomas! What I will say is that the 49ers have been excellent against wide receivers this season, allowing just 23.6 schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to all wide receivers, and only 41.1 receiving yards per game to opposing WR1. Witherspoon is giving up just six yards per target and a catch rate of only 32 percent.
Tyreek Hill vs. Stephon Gilmore/Patriots Secondary:
Now, we don’t know if Gilmore will shadow Hill on Sunday. Hill could see Jonathan Jones, who is a bit faster than Gilmore, and then possibly get some safety help over the top. Either way, I think the New England Patriots will make slowing down Hill their top priority.
DeVante Parker vs. Blessaun Austin:
Over his last four games, Parker has been on fire, averaging double-digit targets, and over 100 receiving yards per game. This week could be a bit trickier for him, as he will see Blessaun Austin in coverage. Austin has only been targeted 21 times this season, but is giving up just four yards per target, and is allowing a catch rate of only 48 percent.
Stefon Diggs vs. Darius Slay:
It looks like Adam Thielen will miss yet another game with that hamstring injury. Dalvin Cook is also banged up but said he will play. That means not only will Darius Slay shadow Diggs, but he could see lots of double coverage. Slay is having another really nice season, allowing a catch rate of just 53 percent, and a quarterback rating of only 74.
DJ Chark vs. Casey Hayward:
Garder Minshew is back under center for the Jags and that is great news for his favorite target in Chark. The bad news is that Chark will be shadowed by Casey Hayward this week. This season, Hayward is allowing less than seven yards per target, has given up less than 260 total receiving yards, and only a 51 percent catch rate.
The Upside:
Jamison Crowder vs. Jomal Wiltz:
I love this matchup for Crowder. Wiltz has given up four touchdowns this season and PFF has given him a rating of just 41.3.
Will Fuller vs. Will Parks:
The Texans wideouts should be very productive this week. Will Parks is allowing over 10 yards per target, a catch rate of 80 percent, and a quarterback rating of 148.5 this season.
James Washington vs. Patrick Peterson:
Patrick Peterson just hasn’t been the same player this season that we have been accustomed to seeing. Three of the Cardinals’ cornerbacks were limited in practice on Friday, with two of them being very questionable. If Washington does see mostly Peterson in coverage, I like his chances. Peterson is allowing 11 yards per target, a catch rate of 78 percent, and a quarterback rating of almost 130.
Marvin Jones vs. Xavier Rhodes:
Like his teammate that I mentioned earlier, the Lions wide receivers against the Vikings secondary is a great matchup. Well, for the Lions it is. Xavier Rhodes this season has allowed 11 yards per target, over 600 total receiving yards, four touchdowns, and a catch rate of 69 percent.
Dede Westbrook vs. Desmond King:
While I don’t love Chark’s matchup, this could be a nice spot for Westbrook against Desmond King. King is giving up 10 yards per target and a catch rate of 86 percent this year.
