Go here for this week's Rushing Matchups.
Top 5 Passing Matchups
Pittsburgh vs Baltimore
Russell Wilson hasn't reached elite status among AFC quarterbacks, but his willingness to push the ball downfield gives Pittsburgh's offense a higher weekly ceiling—especially in a favorable matchup like this one. Wilson has yet to throw 30 passes in a game this season, but his 14.7 yards per completion leads all quarterbacks with at least 75 attempts, showcasing his ability to create big plays. The Steelers' offense is streamlined, with targets focused mainly on a few players. George Pickens, for instance, commands a massive 28% target share, while no other receiver has seen more than 15%. Although this hasn't resulted in massive volume for Pickens, his splash-play ability has kept him productive, with five games over 70 yards. Always a threat to break open a play, Pickens is a valuable asset in fantasy, just a play away from tilting a matchup in his favor.
Meanwhile, the Ravens' pass defense has been a surprising weak spot this season, ranking dead last across the league. Six of their nine opponents have passed for over 275 yards, with four of those topping 325. Notably, two of the teams that failed to hit 275 yards were held back more by game flow than by defensive strength. This puts a lot of pressure on Lamar Jackson to compensate for defensive deficiencies, as the Ravens have struggled to contain big plays downfield. Although Marlon Humphrey has held his own on one side, Brandon Stephens has had a tough season, allowing opposing receivers too much room to operate. Safety help has been lacking, even when All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton is on the field, as both he and Marcus Williams have struggled in coverage and tackling in 2024. These issues were on full display in a recent game against Cincinnati, where Ja'Marr Chase racked up 264 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown. On that play, Chase broke through a cluster of six Ravens defenders with just one blocker in front, exposing tackling and angle issues across the unit. Chase's performance made him the ninth player this season to hit 95 or more yards against the Ravens. Until they can address these coverage and tackling deficiencies, Baltimore's pass defense remains an enticing target for fantasy managers. With Kyle Hamilton looking like he might miss this week, that would put the Ravens in an even more difficult spot this week. With Wilson's deep-passing efficiency and Pickens' big-play potential, the Steelers are well-positioned to exploit a Ravens defense that has been unable to contain explosive passing attacks.
NY Jets vs Indianapolis
Few have faith in the Jets right now as they sit at 3-7, and Aaron Rodgers has shown his age this season. Still, despite their struggles, the Jets have undeniable talent on offense, and their Week 11 matchup against the Colts could be exactly what they need. Rodgers, who has been vulnerable behind a weak offensive line, should benefit from the Colts' middling pass rush, giving him more time to connect with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson in the Colts' soft zone coverage. Adams, reacclimated to the Jets' offense, is stepping into an even bigger role with Allen Lazard sidelined, and he and Wilson combined for 58% of Rodgers' targets last week.
The Colts' pass defense has struggled significantly, ranking 26th in the league with 254 passing yards allowed per game. That number might be even worse had they not faced backup quarterbacks like Will Levis, Tyler Huntley, and Malik Willis. Against stronger quarterbacks, the Colts' secondary has frequently allowed big games, surrendering over 280 passing yards in six of their seven other matchups. Notably, they've allowed several wide receivers to post season-best performances, including stars like Justin Jefferson and George Pickens, but also lesser-known players like Christian Kirk, Mack Hollins, and even tight ends like Cole Kmet and Josh Oliver. The primary issue for Indianapolis is a lack of consistency and depth in the secondary. While slot corner Kenny Moore II has performed well, the boundary corners have left large gaps for wideouts to exploit. The Colts have some promising young talent at cornerback, but they lack the depth to keep up with skilled receivers. Additionally, the safeties provide minimal support over the top, which has allowed receivers to find space deep downfield. This weakness plays into the hands of Wilson and Adams, two wideouts capable of breaking open the game if given room to operate.
New England vs LA Rams
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has sparked excitement in New England with a promising start, refreshing a position that's long struggled with consistency. The Patriots have cycled through quarterbacks like Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Jacoby Brissett, and late-era Cam Newton in recent years, but Maye is proving to be a different breed. Though not flawless, his mobility and arm strength offer real playmaking potential, providing a notable upgrade to a previously stagnant offense. For fantasy, this means an elevated baseline for New England's underperforming pass-catchers. While no Patriots receiver is on track to hit 750 yards this season, there's hope for Kayshon Boutte, who has taken on a larger role recently, earning a 20% target share over the last three games. His increasing involvement could diminish the snaps of slot receiver Demario Douglas, whose 6.7 yards per target has limited the offense.
The Rams' pass defense, ranked 25th overall, has been even more vulnerable on a per-attempt basis, sitting tied for 31st with the Jaguars. This unit has struggled due to both a talent shortage and a lack of depth, with no immediate reinforcements in sight. Their early-season bet on veteran Tre'Davious White fell through, leaving a thin secondary that has been exploited all season. The Rams rely heavily on Darious Williams and Cobie Durant as their every-down cornerbacks, but both have struggled in 2024. Safety Quentin Lake, who plays every down, has provided minimal assistance downfield or across the middle, leaving ample space for opposing receivers. These issues have been evident in their recent matchups, where top receivers have repeatedly put up big numbers. In Week 9, Jaxon Smith-Njigba torched them for seven catches, 180 yards, and two touchdowns, winning on all levels of the field. Earlier games saw similar performances from elite wideouts like Justin Jefferson (8 for 115), Jauan Jennings (11 for 175 and 3), Marvin Harrison Jr. (4 for 130 and 2), and Jameson Williams (5 for 121 and 1). With this trend, the Rams' secondary presents a favorable matchup for Maye and the Patriots' receivers, especially if Boutte's role continues to grow. Maye's ability to spread the field and take advantage of weak coverage could yield opportunities for big plays this week.
Houston at Dallas
C.J. Stroud has struggled to make a fantasy impact in 2024, but Week 11 offers a promising opportunity for a rebound. The matchup against Dallas is favorable, and playing on the road just four hours from home minimizes travel fatigue. Stroud also gets a significant boost with the return of top wideout Nico Collins, who has missed the last 5.5 games. Without Collins, Stroud's completion rate dropped to 59%, with his yards per attempt falling to 6.9. Collins has been effective all season against tight coverage, and the Cowboys' depleted secondary lacks the personnel to contain him. Collins' return also benefits Tank Dell, who thrives as a complementary receiver, especially when he can capitalize on coverage shifted toward Collins rather than operating as the primary target. With Dell exploiting space downfield, Stroud could find more success targeting both receivers.
The Cowboys' defense has faltered recently, contributing to a disappointing season. Their games have followed a pattern: opposing quarterbacks carve up the Dallas secondary for two to three quarters, then ease up with a comfortable lead. Over their last four games, the Cowboys have allowed quarterbacks to complete 73% of passes at an average of 10.5 yards per throw, with eight touchdowns and just one interception. Though Micah Parsons' return in Week 10 bolstered the pass rush, even Parsons can only do so much. Dallas pressures quarterbacks at the league's second-highest rate, but they rely heavily on blitzing to achieve it. This strategy puts immense pressure on a secondary significantly weakened from its 2023 form. The Cowboys' cornerback Trevon Diggs has had a rough year, posting career-low performances, while DaRon Bland has yet to play this season. For their aggressive scheme to work, Diggs would need to return to his top form, handling single coverage effectively. Safety help is also thin, as Donovan Wilson has struggled in coverage assignments, leaving the Dallas defense vulnerable to downfield plays. Given these challenges, the Cowboys may find it difficult to contain both Collins and Dell, giving Stroud a rare opportunity to maximize his efficiency and fantasy value. This matchup could mark a turning point for Stroud, especially if he can exploit the Cowboys' weak secondary with Collins back in action.
San Francisco vs Seattle
Brock Purdy and the 49ers' offense were on an upward trajectory even before Christian McCaffrey's return, and now they're looking more like last year's dynamic squad. Over the past two weeks, Purdy has completed 69% of his throws for 613 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing the depth of this offense. With Brandon Aiyuk sidelined, Jauan Jennings has stepped up admirably, clearing 85 yards in three of his last four full games. Tight end George Kittle has been battling a hamstring injury, but McCaffrey (six catches for 68 yards last week) and rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall (four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown) have filled the void effectively. Deebo Samuel Sr. continues to be used across the offense but isn't as heavily relied upon as in past years. When relatively healthy, as they are this week, this offense's only real threat is injury to its key players.
The Seahawks have faced a difficult schedule of quarterbacks this season, including Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, Kirk Cousins, Josh Allen, and Matthew Stafford. Unfortunately, they've struggled to contain any of them, even Daniel Jones, who posted his best game of the season against them in Week 5. Across these matchups, Seattle's defense has allowed quarterbacks to complete 68% of passes for an average of 270 yards. Purdy, who spread the ball around effectively and beat Seattle downfield in Week 6, is set to face this defense again on Sunday. In that game, Seattle had no answer for Deebo Samuel Sr.'s 76-yard touchdown, which capitalized on poor coverage, and Samuel is just one of several wideouts who have found success downfield against this secondary. Seattle's top cover man, Devon Witherspoon, primarily plays in the slot and has taken a step back from his stellar 2023 form. Riq Woolen has similarly regressed, leaving the Seahawks' coverage vulnerable. Recently, they've been beaten inside by receivers like Cooper Kupp (11 catches for 104 yards) and Khalil Shakir (9 catches for 107). Tight ends have also found openings against this group, with five different tight ends posting 45+ yards and Kittle scoring twice in their last meeting. Given this matchup and the Seahawks' struggles against versatile, deep offenses, the 49ers are well-positioned to exploit these weaknesses and continue their offensive momentum this week.
Bottom 5 Passing Matchups
Minnesota at Tennessee
Sam Darnold's 2024 season with the Vikings has shown troubling signs of regression after a strong 5-0 start. Through that initial stretch, he posted an impressive 103.4 passer rating and displayed efficiency and confidence in the pocket. However, since then, he's experienced a decline, recording a 94.5 rating as the team has gone 2-2. While his 69% completion rate remains high, one of the league's best, his touchdown-to-interception ratio has slipped from an impressive 11:4 during the win streak to an even 6:6, with one lost fumble over the last four games. This gradual statistical drop-off conceals a deeper struggle; on the field, he no longer appears to be the confident, efficient quarterback that carried Minnesota's offense early in the season. Last week's matchup against Jacksonville highlighted these struggles, as Darnold managed only 6.3 yards per attempt and threw three costly interceptions. His tendency to force throws toward a well-covered Justin Jefferson has become a point of vulnerability. Jefferson's elite talent has often masked offensive deficiencies, but Darnold's reliance on him is making the offense increasingly predictable. Outside of Jefferson and recently-returned tight end T.J. Hockenson, the Vikings lack consistent receiving threats. Hockenson, fresh off an injury, has been a valuable option, but no other Viking is averaging more than three receptions or 45 yards per game. Jordan Addison, who flashed potential earlier in the season, has seen his target share drop as he's been relegated primarily to deep-ball situations, which Darnold has struggled to connect on.
Facing the Titans' defense will be a significant test. Although Tennessee sits at 2-7, defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has managed to construct one of the league's top pass defenses. This unit leads the NFL in passing defense and ranks second on a per-attempt basis. Despite battling multiple injuries, the Titans have held up remarkably well, with only Josh Allen surpassing 210 yards against them back in Week 7. While some of their numbers are bolstered by game flow, as opponents typically lead against them, the per-snap stats validate their effectiveness. They've allowed the fourth-fewest net yards per throw, thanks in part to a pass rush led by Jeffery Simmons and Arden Key, which consistently pressures quarterbacks and forces mistakes. In the secondary, Darrell Baker Jr.. has excelled in coverage, filling in for the injured L'Jarius Sneed, while Roger McCreary continues to show growth in the slot, limiting options for opposing quarterbacks. This creates a challenging scenario for Darnold, whose success often depends on finding open receivers—a luxury he may struggle to find against this defense.
Dallas vs Houston
The Dallas Cowboys offense is struggling and appears to be bottoming out, with Dak Prescott sidelined for the season. Cooper Rush, now stepping in as quarterback, has had a rough time filling the void; his Week 10 performance (13 of 23 for just 45 yards and two turnovers) showcased his limitations as he failed to move the offense effectively or capitalize on opportunities. This decline is surprising given Rush's successful stint in 2022, when he managed to win 4 of 5 starts with efficient play. Now, the offense has become predictable and lacks a reliable ground game, forcing Rush to rely on short, conservative throws. Although he has talented receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson, their potential impact has significantly diminished, as they're no longer poised for top-tier fantasy or real-life production.
Meanwhile, the Texans' defense under DeMeco Ryans has emerged as one of the league's elite units. In his second season, Ryans has transformed this defense into a formidable force, recently intercepting Jared Goff five times and recording a league-high 10 interceptions over five weeks. Despite a late-game rally by the Lions last week, they've consistently shut down opposing quarterbacks, including top talents like Goff and Josh Allen, forcing them into their season-worst performances. Much of this success stems from their solid draft picks: Derek Stingley Jr. has proven his skills as a shutdown corner, rookie Kamari Lassiter has been impactful (if cleared to play), and slot specialist Jalen Pitre has already racked up five interceptions and several pass breakups, limiting receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown in key matchups.
Dallas will likely lean into a conservative passing approach to avoid turnovers, but the Texans' defense is built to counter exactly that type of offense. They excel at suffocating short throws and creating turnovers, making this a challenging matchup for the Cowboys. If the Texans can continue to capitalize on their defensive momentum, they'll have the upper hand, further complicating Dallas's offensive woes.
Washington at Philadephia
Jayden Daniels' momentum faces a tough test against a formidable Eagles defense this week. Though Daniels has had an impressive season, he's coming off his worst performance as a pro, completing just 50% of his passes for 202 scoreless yards against Pittsburgh. Now, he faces a talented Eagles defense for the first time—a unit that could easily exploit the weaknesses around him. While Daniels is electrifying, his supporting cast is less so. Terry McLaurin has Pro Bowl potential, but he's the only Commander averaging over 45 receiving yards per game. The nominal No. 2, Noah Brown, would still be under 300 yards on the year if not for a tipped Hail Mary catch. Daniels' success will likely depend on McLaurin and veteran tight end Zach Ertz winning tough one-on-one matchups—something few receivers have managed against this Eagles secondary.
The Eagles pass defense has returned to its Super Bowl contender-level dominance from 2022 after a subpar 2023 season. Barring a rough game in Week 4, they've held opponents to an impressive 4.9 yards per attempt, the lowest in the league by a significant margin. The secondary has been especially effective at neutralizing top wideouts. Last week, they held CeeDee Lamb to just 21 yards on 10 targets, and other stars like Ja'Marr Chase (11 for 54), Malik Nabers (8 for 41), and Brian Thomas Jr.. (4 for 22) have similarly struggled in this matchup. This feat is even more impressive considering that top cornerback Darius Slay Jr.. has seen limited snaps over the past month. Despite their impressive pass defense, the Eagles don't rely on blitzes, opting instead to keep things simple for their high-snap rookies. Rookie Quinyon Mitchell has been strong, even occasionally dominant, on the outside, while fellow rookie Cooper DeJean has excelled in a hybrid slot role. DeJean, alongside C.J. Gardner-Johnson, has created a "no-fly" zone up the seams, making it challenging for opposing quarterbacks to find open targets. Tight ends have seen some volume against the Eagles, but few have been efficient, which could spell trouble for Daniels if he's forced to lean on Ertz. This matchup will likely test Daniels' resilience and creativity against a defense designed to limit big plays and force mistakes.
Cincinnati at LA Chargers
Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are on fire heading into Week 11, with Burrow amassing 679 yards and nine touchdowns over the past two games. Chase has been his primary target, hauling in 18 catches for 307 yards and four touchdowns in that span. Despite the formidable connection, their upcoming matchup with Jim Harbaugh's Chargers could slow them down. The Chargers have been built to limit passing attacks and have succeeded in containing wideouts consistently this season. It's also questionable whether Chase can carry the offense week after week, especially as Tee Higgins remains limited in practice and hasn't played since Week 7. Without Higgins, Chase hasn't seen the same quality of targets and routes, which was evident before his recent breakout, as he averaged just 5.4 yards per target in the three games prior.
The Chargers' defense, reworked under Harbaugh, has been dominant since a rocky opener against Gardner Minshew II and the Raiders. Since then, only one team—Spencer Rattler and the Saints—has surpassed 250 passing yards against them, and that came in garbage time. Injuries have impacted their cornerback group, but they have shown remarkable depth and resilience. Although Asante Samuel Jr. remains uncertain to play, rookies Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart have stepped up, performing well in coverage despite the defense ranking just 31st in pressure rate. The unit benefits greatly from All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr., whose playmaking ability and ball-tracking skills elevate the whole secondary. While James is a safety, his ability to limit opposing wideouts has been a key factor, as he's helped hold down top targets like Marvin Harrison Jr., Courtland Sutton, and George Pickens. The Chargers' strategy of rolling coverage to contain elite receivers will be a challenge for Chase, who's facing one of his toughest matchups of the year. While Burrow and Chase have been electric, they'll likely need to rely on volume rather than explosive plays to find success against a defense that excels at neutralizing opponents' best downfield options.
Seattle at San Francisco
Geno Smith has been a yardage leader for much of the season, but his recent performances reveal some challenges. Over the past month, both his volume and efficiency have fluctuated, impacted by pressures and sacks behind a shaky offensive line. Adjusted for sack yardage, Smith's per-attempt rank drops from 12th to 19th. He also leads the league with 10 interceptions, a stat that has often impacted his fantasy value. Smith tends to produce for fantasy only when forced into high-scoring shootouts, but those are ironically among his least efficient games in real life. Last week, his late-game rally helped hide several costly sacks and turnovers, illustrating his inconsistency. While he has a talented receiving corps, even the returning DK Metcalf is projected to face a challenging matchup against San Francisco.
The 49ers' pass defense, meanwhile, has been hitting a Super Bowl-caliber stride. After some early struggles, they've recently limited top quarterbacks, holding Patrick Mahomes II to just 154 yards and Baker Mayfield to 116. Smith did manage over 300 yards against them in their last matchup, but context matters: the Seahawks trailed throughout and leaned heavily on the pass. When the game script remains neutral, opponents have struggled to generate much downfield, particularly No. 1 wideouts, who have been forced into low-efficiency, volume-dependent performances. San Francisco's secondary has been a key factor in this success. Despite top corner Charvarius Ward's absence in recent weeks, Deommodore Lenoir has emerged as a reliable No. 1 corner, with Isaac Yiadom also proving his value in increased snaps. This added coverage depth has offset a decline in the team's pass rush, creating a formidable, shutdown unit that limits passing production effectively. With a wealth of secondary talent, the 49ers defense poses one of the toughest challenges in the league, making it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to find consistent success, especially in downfield passing.
