Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can help you make the best lineup decisions. By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start advice and waiver wire suggestions each week.
Down below are the receivers with the best and worst matchups this week, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.
To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB Cheatsheet.
Note that, unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjusts to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.
Projected shadow matchups
Vikings' Justin Jefferson vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (Shadow)
Terrell has shadowed George Pickens, DeVonta Smith, Mike Evans, Diontae Johnson, DK Metcalf, CeeDee Lamb, Courtland Sutton and Quentin Johnston this season. He covered these receivers on 139 of their 227 routes, including 139 of 154 on the perimeter. The receiving lines were as follows: Pickens (7 targets-6 receptions-85 yards-0 TD), Smith (9-6-69-0), Evans (7-5-62-2), Johnson (10-6-78-1), Metcalf (7-4-99-1), Lamb (13-8-47-0), Sutton (8-7-78-0) and Johnston (5-2-12-0), which works out to 15.1 fantasy points per game (only Johnston fell short of 12.7). In total, Atlanta has allowed the sixth-most WR fantasy points (most over their past four games), including the eighth most to both the perimeter and slot.
Takeaway: Terrell is a good corner, but standout receivers haven't had much trouble against Atlanta this season. Jefferson's outlook doesn't need to be adjusted, though his teammates -- specifically Jordan Addison -- stand to benefit.
