NFL Week 17 WR/CB Matchup Report
This is it, the last hurrah. Well, at least until next season. I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read my articles this season, and I hope they have helped you win some matchups and even some money in DFS. 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:
Julio Jones vs. Carlton Davis:
Jones has 300 receiving yards over his last two games, averaging almost ten yards per target. In the season finale, he will go up against Carlton Davis, who has been stingy in coverage while allowing just six yards per target and a catch rate of 50 percent. The reason why I like this matchup so much is that Davis has allowed seven touchdowns this year.
Tyler Boyd vs. T.J. Carrie:
Even with all of the back and forth at quarterback this season, Boyd was still able to finish as a WR2 this year. This week he will see T.J. Carrie in coverage, who is allowing nine yards per target, a catch rate of 74 percent, and a quarterback rating of 116.
Amari Cooper vs. Aaron Colvin:
Cooper will be at home this week, where he seems to be a completely different player compared to when he’s on the road. On top of playing at home, he will be facing off against Aaron Colvin. This year, Colvin has been giving up 11 yards per target, a catch rate of 88 percent, and a quarterback rating of 152.6.
Keenan Allen vs. Kendall Fuller:
Allen has been held scoreless over his last three games and hasn’t hit 100 receiving yards since week three. Hopefully, his fortune can change this week against the Chiefs. Allen will be covered by Kendall Fuller, who so far this season is giving up nine yards per target and a catch rate of 72 percent.
Sterling Shepard vs. Ronald Darby:
Daniel Jones was back under center for the Giants last week, and Shepard benefited well from his return, catching all six of his targets for 76 yards and a score. He should find similar success this week against Ronald Darby and the Eagles. This season, Darby has allowed 11 yards per target, six total touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 117.9.
The Bad:
Courtland Sutton vs. Trayvon Mullen:
As good as Sutton has been this season, producing over 1,000 receiving yards with six touchdowns in his sophomore year, he could have a tough game against Trayvon Mullen this week. This season, Mullen is giving up just six yards per target and a catch rate of 59 percent.
Kenny Golladay vs. Jaire Alexander:
Golladay is currently the WR9 in full PPR scoring this season, setting career highs in both receiving yards and touchdowns. This week, though, he faces one of the top corners in the NFC in Jaire Alexander. In 2019, Alexander is allowing a catch rate of only 55 percent and a quarterback rating of just 86.3.
Jarvis Landry vs. Darqueze Dennard:
Landry hasn’t had a 100 receiving yard game or a touchdown in his last four games, and I expect that trend to continue this Sunday against the Bengals. That’s right, the Bengals. Landry should see lots of Darqueze Dennard, who is allowing only five yards per target, just one touchdown, and a catch rate of 55 percent.
Tyler Lockett vs. K’Waun Williams:
This game is for the NFC West title, because if Seattle wins they hold the head to head tiebreaker over the 49ers. Last week, Lockett caught just one of his seven targets against the Cardinals. The matchup this week is much worse for Lockett as he’ll go up against K’Waun Williams. This year, Williams is allowing six yards per target and a quarterback rating of just 74.9.
Devante Parker vs. Stephon Gilmore:
Parker has been the lone bright spot for this lowly Dolphins team this season, as he set career highs in every receiving category. Unfortunately, he will be shadowed by the hopeful Defensive Player of the Year in Stephon Gilmore this week. Gilmore has allowed just one touchdown this season and has given up a catch rate of just 46 percent.
The Upside:
Greg Ward vs. Corey Ballentine:
Ward could be a sneaky play here, as he will be the Eagles number one wide receiver this week against the Giants. Ward has played at least 70 percent of the snaps over the last three weeks, and this week he gets Corey Ballentine in coverage. Ballentine is allowing nine yards per target, a catch rate of 72 percent, and a quarterback rating of 131.2.
Robert Woods vs. Patrick Peterson:
Woods has at least 95 receiving yards in five of his last six games and hasn’t seen less than nine targets in any of those games. His matchup against Patrick Peterson will be a fun one to watch. Peterson is giving up nine yards per target and a catch rate of 71 percent this year.
T.Y. Hilton vs. A.J. Bouye:
Hilton has now been held scoreless in his last four games. I don’t know if he will score this week, but I love the matchup. A.J. Bouye is allowing almost 10 yards per target for 772 yards this season.
Kenny Stills vs. Logan Ryan:
Houston is still fighting for the number three seed in the AFC, so there’s no need for them to sit their starters on Sunday. Stills will be up against Logan Ryan, who has allowed 79 receptions for 932 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Sammy Watkins vs. Desmond King:
The Chiefs are hoping that Miami can pull off another “miracle” and top the Patriots this week. If that happens, Kansas City has a chance to grab the number two seed in the AFC. I like this matchup for Watkins because Desmond King has allowed a catch rate of 87 percent and a quarterback rating of 133.4 this year.