Receivers with Great or Bad Matchups Week 13

Photo: USA Today Sports

This article highlights 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 Matchup

WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ vs MIN) vs Akayleb Evans

The Vikings’ secondary continues to struggle against opposing receivers. They are currently allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the position and will be facing a Jets team that looked good with Mike White under center. Wilson exploded last week with a new quarterback and gets an even better matchup this week against Evans. The young corner is allowing 0.59 fantasy points per coverage snap and has been routinely picked on. Wilson will see tougher coverage from Patrick Peterson when he lines up on the left side but should have no problem against Chandon Sullivan in the slot. Wilson plays all over the field and should not have any trouble scoring against the Vikings’ defense.

WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs BAL) vs Brandon Stephens

The Broncos offense has not been scoring touchdowns this season, but Sutton is still moving the ball down the field and has been the favorite target of Russell Wilson. This week he gets a great matchup against a Ravens’ secondary that is currently allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. They are especially weak on the perimeter, where they are allowing 0.37 fantasy points per coverage snap to each side. Sutton is heavily targeted and in a good spot to do some damage against this Baltimore secondary.

WR Keenan Allen (LAC vs LV) vs Tyler Hall

The Chargers' offense started to get going last week with their thrilling 2-point conversion to win the game against the Cardinals. Allen is finally starting to look healthy and is making big catches all over the field. Mike Williams is expected back this week and could cut into the overall targets for Allen, but he has the better matchup overall. The Raiders are currently allowing the most fantasy points to opposing slot receivers, where Allen lines up 63% of the time. Look for solid production from Allen this week, as he has the best matchup of any Charger.

WR A.J. Brown (PHI vs TEN) vs Kristian Fulton

The Eagles showed their run-first mentality last week and found a lot of success. However, we may see a complete 180 this week as the Titans are currently allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and the second-most to the slot position. Brown is the clear favorite when it comes to targets in this offense, and the loss of Dallas Goedert at tight end has pushed more to receivers overall. Look for another big week from Brown and this Eagles’ offense.

WR Christian Kirk (JAX vs DET) vs Will Harris

The corner situation for Detroit is a mess right now. Jeff Okudah was out last week with a concussion and could miss more time. The rest of the secondary has not been any better, and Harris is currently allowing 0.38 fantasy points per coverage snap. Jacksonville has started to blossom on offense and is riding high after their upset over the Ravens. The Lions’ secondary is allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and Trevor Lawrence is playing his best football as a pro. Kirk is the main guy in this offense, but the rest of the receivers can be upgraded as well.

WR Drake London (ATL vs PIT) vs Ahkello Witherspoon

London’s season has been up and down as a rookie. He has looked like a feature receiver at times and totally disappeared at others. He has seen an increase in targets with Kyle Pitts shut down for the season and should likely see 20+% this week against Pittsburgh. London should line up against Witherspoon just over 50% of the time this week and should be able to win that battle. Witherspoon is currently allowing 0.55 fantasy points per coverage snap and is one of the weakest parts of the Pittsburgh secondary. Look for Atlanta to try and throw the ball more than usual this week to take advantage of this matchup.

TE Pat Freiermuth (PIT vs ATL)

Last week was a big letdown for Freiermuth. He was held way below his season average in targets, catches, and overall points. However, he has a great matchup this week against Atlanta. The Falcons have only allowed two touchdowns to opposing tight ends but are still allowing nearly 13 fantasy points per week to the position. Look for Pittsburgh to attack the middle of the field with Freiermuth and try to build on a win from last week.

TE Evan Engram (JAX vs DET)

It may be hard to trust Engram after he has scored just 7.6 fantasy points over the past three games, but he is walking into a great matchup against the Lions. Their defense has allowed 7 touchdowns, the 4^th most fantasy points, and a 75% catch rate to the tight end position. Engram has shown he can score in the right position and there should be none better than the Lions this week.

Unfavorable Matchup

WR Mike Evans (TB vs NO) vs Marshon Lattimore

Lattimore has missed seven consecutive games due to an abdominal injury but is expected to return this week. There is a chance he is limited in his first game back, but his historical success against Evans speaks for itself. When the pair met back in Week 2, they got into a fight and were promptly ejected. Both players play a physical brand of football and have seen a lot of each other over the years. Watch the injury report heading into the weekend, but if Lattimore is ruled healthy and ready to go, we can lower expectations for Evans.