Receivers with Great or Bad Matchups Week 4

Photo: USA Today Sports

This article attempts to highlight some of the best and worst matchups for wide receivers and tight ends each week. Using player tracking data from various sources (NFL.com, Pro Football Focus, ESPN, etc.) as well as reviews of recent trends, I look for situations to exploit or avoid when setting your weekly lineups. Given that this article is intended to help across all sites (both DFS and season-long), variations in pricing and scoring systems are not taken into account so obviously, the values could shift depending on where you are playing. The main intent of this article is simply to call out some players who could be significantly helped or hurt by their situations each week.

Favorable Matchups

WR Jakobi Meyers (NE vs GB) vs Keisean Nixon

There is a lot of uncertainty around the quarterback situation in New England right now, but Meyers has a great matchup in the slot this week. He will be working against Nixon, who has allowed .63 fantasy points per coverage snap so far this season. The Green Bay secondary was blown up by the Vikings in Week 1 and then have limited a punchless Chicago offense and a Tampa Bay squad without any of its star receivers. Even without Mac Jones this week, Meyers has a great shot to put up a solid performance this week

WR Richie James (NYG vs CHI) vs Kyler Gordon

The Giants have a big void for targets after the Sterling Sheperd was lost for the season. Daniel Jones has to throw someone the ball and James has the best matchup this week against Gordon. The Bears secondary is performing in the middle of the pack so far this season, but Gordon is currently allowing .68 fantasy points per coverage snap right now. He is being picked on early and often and opposing offenses are finding a lot of success against him. This is not going to be a high-scoring game, but the nearly 10 targets per game that Sheperd was commanding will have to go to someone and there may be enough volume to make James a sneaky sleeper this week.

WR Michael Gallup (DAL vs WAS) vs Kendall Fuller

This is a situation to monitor later in the week, but after logging another practice, Gallup is on track to make his season debut. Cooper Rush has looked good under center to this point, and the Cowboys offense started to click in the second half against the Giants last week. Gallup would line up against Fuller on a large chunk of his routes this week, and Fuller is currently allowing 0.5 fantasy points per coverage snap early this year. The entire Washington secondary has not played very well this year and was dominated by Philadelphia last week. Gallup has a great shot to pick up where he left off last season but watch his status and potential snap count as he eases back into his role.

WR Michael Pittman (IND vs TEN) vs Terrance Mitchell

The Titans are struggling to field a full secondary early this season and recently snagged another body off the Patriots practice squad. They are currently allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and the most to outside receivers and six touchdowns. Pittman will find himself in another great matchup this week if Matt Ryan can get the ball to him. Look for another week of high volume for Pittman in what is also one of the best matchups of the week for any receiver. Mitchell is allowing .76 fantasy points per coverage snap and will likely be picked on again this week.

WR Isaiah McKenzie (BUF vs BAL) vs Damarion Williams

Baltimore has struggled in the secondary so far this season. They have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing receivers as well as the most to slot receivers. McKenzie is walking into a good spot against Williams and could see a boost if Gabriel Davis misses time due to injury (limited practice on Wednesday). Baltimore allowed the big comeback from the Dolphins in Week 2 and a late surge from the Patriots last week. Josh Allen is going to continue throwing the ball, and McKenzie should benefit against a beaten-up secondary this week.