Each week, just as I will give you my Nostra-Dom-Us wide receiver plays of the week at the end of each article, I will also kick off each edition of the WR vs. CB Matchup with a review of my selections from the week prior. Here’s how a faired in Week 1.
Elite Plays:
Julio Jones and Allen Robinson
Both players did just fine, but didn’t exactly produce at the “elite” level that I expected. Nonetheless, if you started either, they likely weren’t the reason you won or lost.
Affordable Plays:
Sammy Watkins (if healthy) and Doug Baldwin
In PPR formats, Watkins wasn’t awful, and might have gotten something going provided he wasn’t hobbled by a foot injury, but with him, that is something that I need to always take into account, so that’s on me. As for Baldwin, his excellent numbers far out produced his mere $6,600 price tag on DraftKings.
Bargain Plays:
Michael Crabtree and Sterling Shepard
I think I helped you guys out here with both players, as Shepard hauled in a touchdown, while Crabtree caught seven balls for 87 yards.
Headed into Week 2, here’s a look at every matchup that the league has to offer on the outside…
Off | Left WR | Def | Right CB | Analysis |
ARI | Larry Fitzgerald | TB | Alterraun Verner | Just when you thought that Father Time had him on the ropes with his "questionable" listing and rumored season end retirement, Larry legend goes out and burns the Patriots defense for 8 catches, 81 yards, and 2 TD's. Verner and the TB defense did a solid job against Julio Jones last week, but he shouldn't be a guy that fantasy owners shy away from this week. Expect Fitz to get his as usual on Sunday |
ATL | Julio Jones | OAK | Sean Smith | Julio was slow out of the gates in Week 1 against the Buccaneers, however he eventually got on track in the second half and posted respectable numbers. Considering what the Saints did to the Raiders last week – particularly through the air – I don't see any reason that Jones can't carry his second half momentum into his Week 2 matchup. With a rough start to Sean Smith's Raiders career, his matchup doesn't get any easier here... Expect Julio to produce as a WR1 this week. |
BAL | Steve Smith Sr. | CLE | Jamar Taylor | The Browns secondary didn't exactly do a good job holding rookie Carson Wentz in check, so there is no reason to expect them to do any better against a former Super Bowl MVP in Joe Flacco. Having said that, it is still hard to project the impact that the 37-year old Smith will have in the fantasy world outside of PPR formats now, as his breakaway speed just isn't there anymore. He should see plenty of targets underneath, however touchdowns will be tough to come by for him outside of the red zone. |
BUF | Sammy Watkins | NYJ | Buster Skrine | This is a tricky projection, as Watkins would certainly be the favorite here health providing, however that is just the thing, his health is predictably up in the air at the moment. Word is that Watkins is going to play through the pain, but there is no way that any responsible fantasy owner can consider him anything more than a WR3 headed into Week 2 given his history of missing games. Consider him a game time decision. |
CAR | Kelvin Benjamin | SF | Jimmie Ward | This should be an interesting matchup, as Benjamin is riding high off of a great season debut last Thursday night, while Ward and the 49ers defense have their chests puffed out after blanking the LA Rams. Instincts tell me that talent will prevail over confidence and early season form, so I would go with Benjamin here, despite rumors that he will be limited in action going forward. |
CHI | Alshon Jeffery | PHI | Nolan Carroll | There isn't a matchup that I would fear for Jeffery, as his size and talent combination is amongst the best at the position. Luckily for fantasy owners this week, he is facing a regular joe in Nolan Carroll, so he will be getting the green light special stamp of approval from me. |
CIN | A.J. Green | PIT | Ross Cockrell | Say what you want against Darrelle Revis, but he is still one of the better corners in this league… Green just showed another gear in Week 1, something that could have happened to any corner. This week, I would advocate riding the hot hand, as Green currently looks unstoppable. Want more? Against Pittsburgh in two regular season matchups last season, Green hauled in 17 balls for 250 yards, and 2 TD's. This season with an even more banged up secondary, Green is looking to best his Week 1 performance... This could get ugly. |
CLE | Corey Coleman | BAL | Jimmy Smith | A tough projection right here, as not only is Corey Coleman a rookie in just his second game, but we also have no clue how new Browns starting quarterback Josh McCown will treat him in his differently run offense. Smith is a more than formidable cornerback, so you are best off staying away from Coleman in Week 2. |
DAL | Dez Bryant | WAS | Josh Norman | All the buzz after Monday night's game was "why wouldn’t the Redskins mirror Norman on Antonio Brown?" Without getting into the detials of the matter, most defenses don't like doing that so I again don't expect it to happen in this matchup. If the Cowboys were smart, they would take a page out of the Steelers playbook here and move their star receiver around so he could get into some favorable matchups – something they failed at miserably last week against the Giants. If they do that, I see no reason that Dez shouldn't have himeslf a good game, as the Redskins did not seem interested in giving much safety help over the top to their island locked corners. |
DEN | Demaryius Thomas | IND | Vontae Davis | The Colts secondary really struggled last week against the Lions, however in this situation, Davis appears to be drawing the currently hobbled Demaryius Thomas. Dealing with a hip issue, struggling through practice, and taking on one of the better CB's in the league this Sunday, Thomas may be a star receiver not worth the price in Week 2. |
DET | Golden Tate | TEN | Jason McCourty | Regardless of who he is facing, Tate's fantasy advice remains the same: Must start in PPR, WR3 in standard leagues. |
GB | Jordy Nelson | MIN | Xavier Rhodes | Nelson may have started slow out of the gates, but as the game went on, you could tell that he was starting to get back on track. He finished with 6 catches and a touchdown, while his mere 32 yards remained as his only disappointing stat. As for his counterpart, Rhodes still is uncertain if he will play on Sunday, so you are probably safe to start Nelson as a WR1 headed into Week 2. |
HOU | DeAndre Hopkins | KC | Steven Nelson | Hopkins produced adequately in Week 1, but considering his favorable matchup, fantasy owners expected more. He will have every opportunity in Week 2, as he and the Texans will be taking on a Chiefs defense that was less than stellar against the Chargers. This is no knock on Nelson, but Hopkins should have his way here. |
IND | Donte Moncrief | DEN | Chris Harris | Kelvin Benjamin may have gotten his last week against Chris Harris, but still, Harris made a critical interception in the matchup, evening things out. I am by no means telling you to stay away from Crief this week, but keep in mind that Harris is one of the league's best CB's. Play him with confidence, but don't expect constant targets and receptions. If Moncrief is going to do damage, it will be on chunk plays and out of the slot. |
JAX | Allen Robinson | SD | Jason Verrett | As I said last week, Verrett is one of the best man-up corners in the game today. He handled himself pretty well against Jeremy Maclin in Week 1, but he has an even stiffer matchup in Week 2 taking on Allen Robinson. Receivers typically win these "even" matchups because the rules favor them, so I would confidently go with A-Rob here. |
KC | Jeremy Maclin | HOU | Jonathon Joseph | Joseph – while still an adequate CB in this league – did surrender over 100 yards to Alshon Jeffery last week. Maclin will be a slightly easier matchup for him in Week 2, however Maclin is still a receiver who will get his numbers regardless of matchup. He was solid against Verrett last week and he should do the same against Joseph in Week 2. |
LA | Kenny Britt | SEA | Jeremy Lane | Despite getting shutout on Monday night, Britt actually had himself a solid game with 4 catches for 67 yards. I would say that the Rams offense can't do much worse than getting shutout like they did last week, but then I looked at the schedule and saw Seattle... Stay away from Britt in Week 2 despite being matched up against the unaccomplished Jeremy Lany |
MIA | DeVante Parker | NE | Logan Ryan | It is still unclear if Parker will play this week, and regardless, fantasy owners shouldn't feel too good about it if he does, considering he was kept out of last week's matchup based off of a coaching decision. Clearly he is out of favor with the coaching staff and it is going to take some time to get out of the dog house. Stay away from him in fantasy until he proves otherwise. |
MIN | Stefon Diggs | GB | Sam Shields | Despite not reaching the end zone in Week 1, Diggs had an excellent season debut, regardless of the absence of Teddy Bridgewater. He will enter this matchup as the Vikings unquestioned playmaker, and should be able to handle himself against whomever the Packers line up across from him. I should note the Sam Shields may not play on Sunday (Concussion) |
NE | Danny Amendola | MIA | Tony Lippett | As I will continue to not each week, Amendola is more likely to line up in the slot than on the outside against a particular corner, but this is how the Patriots depth chart lists him. Lippett is more likely than not going to face Chris Hogan on a down to down basis in Week 2. |
NO | Willie Snead | NYG | Janoris Jenkins | Snead had himself a field day against the Raiders and their shiny new, high-priced, defense. Taking on an even more expensive defense this week, he will be looking to double his pleasure. On the side of Janoris Jenkins, he did a really nice job against Dez Bryant in Week 1, but not without some very appreciated help from his safetys over the top. Expect a less helpful game plan for Snead this week, as he doesn't impose nearly the same threat that Bryant does. |
NYG | Odell Beckham | NO | P.J. Williams | In his matchup against the Saints last season, Beckham hauled in 8 balls for 130 yards and 3 TD's. Facing an even worse secondary this season, I can only imagine what ODB will do for an encore… Consider him the top wideout this week. |
NYJ | Brandon Marshall | BUF | Ronald Darby | Marshall really struggled in his season debut, however make no mistake, he is still an elite talent and the same guy who scored 14 TD's just a year ago. Considering the public's tendency to overreact to singular instances and early season storylines, he will be a stellar low-owned option for Week 2. Despite Darby's talent, Marshall is always a threat for high targets and red zone touchdowns. Play him with confidence. |
OAK | Michael Crabtree | ATL | Robert Alford | Crabtree was solid in Week 1 against a bad Saints secondary, and provided he stays on his side of the field in Week 2, he should have a favorable matchup once again. Expect near 10 targets for the former multi-time Biletnikoff Award winner. |
PHI | Jordan Matthews | CHI | Kyle Fuller | I changed out Josh Huff here because he not only was held catchless in Week 1, but Jordan Matthews actually took many of his reps on the outside, proving to have evolved into something more than just a slot receiver. Matthews also finished as the Eagles top WR in Week 1, so his projection is likely more valuable to you guys than that of the invisible Josh Huff. Fuller is a nice cornerback, but the physicality and percise route running of Matthews may be too much for him to handle in Week 2. Keep in mind that dating back to last season, Matthews has gone over 100 yards receiving in three of his last four games. |
PIT | Antonio Brown | CIN | Adam Jones | If we learned anything from Monday, the Steelers will do everything in their power to get AB in favorable matchups all over the field. It is unclear how often he will actually line up directly with Pacman, but even if it was all game, I wouldn't predict anything less than stellar numbers for Brown because he is just that good. Brown has never given me a reason to doubt him, so until he does, I will continue to project him as a top-3 WR week in and week out. |
SD | Travis Benjamin | JAX | Jalen Ramsey | With the loss of Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin's stock just shot way up. He will for sure be seeing more targets than he has in his entire career, while the public will be more keen to him as well. Expect a price hike going forward for him in all DFS, while he will be quickly gobbled up off of the waiver wires in season long leagues. |
SF | Torrey Smith | CAR | Bene Benwikere | Regardless of who Smith is facing, he is just far too inconsistent for me to play him in any fantasy format. |
SEA | Doug Baldwin | LA | Lamarcus Joyner | Baldwin is someone whom I love to play each week regardless of matchup because he is utilized all around the field and he is so good at either burning deep or finding a soft spot in a zone. Joyner is no one to fear, while the only downside to Baldwin's stock this week is the potential injury to Russell Wilson. Wilson has gone on record, vowing to play on Sunday, so Baldwin should be a safe play in Week 2. |
TB | Vincent Jackson | ARI | Brandon Williams | If there is a DB that you have to be matched up with on the Cardinals, feel lucky that it's Brandon Williams. This is not a direct slight to Williams, however no one ever wants to take on Patrick Peterson or Tryann Mathieu. All things considered though, Jackson's uninspiring Week 1 production was a slight cause for concern considering how well the rest of the offense looked. Play him with caution if you must in Week 2. |
TEN | Rishard Matthews | DET | Nevin Lawson | Just as I said last week, until the Titans passing game emerges, continue to shy away from their wide receivers in any fantasy format. |
WAS | Pierre Garçon | DAL | Orlando Scandrick | Garçon was solid in Week 1, and considering that Orlando Scandrick's availability is still up in the air for Week 2, the Redskins wide receiver may just have himself a favorable matchup. If Scandrick can't go, he is likely to take on Cowboys rookie Anthony Brown, who did not play particularly well against the Giants in Week 1. |
Off | Right WR | Def | Left CB | Analysis |
ARI | Michael Floyd | TB | Brent Grimes | Floyd finished Week 1 with only three receptions, however his 61 yards made his night look better than it really was. Fantasy owners shouldn’t panic just yet because his minimal production isnt for a lack of targets (7). Once he and Carson Palmer get on track, Floyd should be well on his way to 1,000 yards this season. With Brent Grimes no longer operating as the elite corner that he once was, Floyd has a chance to straighten his game out in this Week 2 matchup. |
ATL | Mohamed Sanu | OAK | David Amerson | Sanu has been limited in practice all week, but apparently his ankle will be fine. Considering his excellen Falcons debut, combined with how poorly David Amerson played in Week 1, I don't see any reason that Sanu would struggle in Week 2. He was targeted 8 times in Week 1 and should see around the same amount in Week 2. |
BAL | Mike Wallace | CLE | Joe Haden | 3 catches, 6 targets, 91 yards, 1 TD. This is about the ceiling for Wallace, as he has proven time and again throughout his career to be a deep threat and nothing much else. Joe Haden is still an above average cover corner, but he lacks the elite speed to stick with Wallace. Expect Wallace to burn him a couple of times... The question always remains whether he will catch the ball or not. |
BUF | Robert Woods | NYJ | Darrelle Revis | Revis is still licking his wounds from last Sunday, after he was absolutely torched by A.J. Green for 12 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. Luckily for him on Thursday night, he will be taking on the much less intimidating Robert Woods. Expect Revis to get back on track here. |
CAR | Ted Ginn Jr. | SF | Tramaine Brock | With Kelvin Benjamin back in pads, it appears that Ginn's days may be numbered as a double-digit TD scorer. In Week 1 he hauled in only 1 target for 5 yards, while he seemed totally disengaged from this first team Panthers offense. His stock seems to be trending downard. |
CHI | Kevin White | PHI | Leodis McKelvin | White struggled in his NFL debut last week, but it is not something that people didn't slightly expect. He ran the wrong route on Jay Cutler's interception and he dropped another potential third down conversion. In all still though, he was targeted seven times and appeared to be a part of the Bears offensive plans. He is too talented to continue to struggle, so he will get on track soon. |
CIN | Brandon LaFell | PIT | William Gay | LaFell shocked me and played well in Week 1 against the Jets. It wasn't that I was intimidated by his matchup with Buster Skrine, but I just wasn't expecting four catches and nearly 100 yards out of him. I'm still not advocating for him as a fantasy start, but if you feel so inclined, William Gay is no one to fear in Week 2 either. |
CLE | Terrelle Pryor | BAL | Shareece Wright | In Week 1, Pryor established himself as the Browns no. 1 target, but the question is, what does that really mean? With Robert Griffin III now out for the season, it is tough to project how Pryor will be used in this Josh McCown offense. I would stay away from him in Week 2, especially considering the great job that Shareece Wright did in Week 1 against Robert Woods. |
DAL | Terrance Williams | WAS | Bashaud Breeland | Breeland was embarassed in Week 1 against Antonio Brown and the Steelers, and this is even when taking into consideration his interception of Ben Roethlisberger. Another embarassed player from Week 1 was the Cowboys Terrance Williams, who foolishly failed to get out of bounds on the final play against the Giants. Somethings gotta give here; someone needs to find redemption. Breeland is better than he showed in Week 1, so my bet is on him. Stay away from T-Will in Week 2, especially considering how little Dak Prescott looked down the field in Week 1. |
DEN | Emmanuel Sanders | IND | Patrick Robinson | Sanders struggled to get on track in Week 1, but he is better than that and we know it. Robinson is no one to fear and the Colts have an overall much less intimidating defense than the Panthers do. Expect Sanders to get back on track here in Week 2. |
DET | Marvin Jones | TEN | Perrish Cox | After Week 1, Jones' stock is trending upward, as he was the most targeted Lions receiver against the Colts. In all, he finished with four catches for 85 yards, while his target total reached double-digits. He is by no means a must start just yet, but it could be argued that he has reached the WR2 conversation in PPR formats. |
GB | Randall Cobb | MIN | Terence Newman | Newman had his hands full last week with the Titans Tajae Sharpe, and while not all of his seven catches were on the veteran corner, there is no way that a 5th round rookie should have the type of produciton that he did in his NFL debut. Things will only get tougher for Newman on Sunday, as he takes on one of the best receivers in the game today – Randall Cobb. |
HOU | Will Fuller | KC | Marcus Peters | This is an intriguing matchup for sure, as two of the best young perimiter players in the game will be going toe-to-toe. Peters causes turnovers better than just about any other CB in the league today, while Will Fuller is already one of the game's best deep threats entering only his second career game. Fuller should be considered a flex start despite the tough matchup because he always has the potential to burn a defense over the top. |
IND | T.Y. Hilton | DEN | Aqib Talib | It's good to have Luck back on his side, as the difference from last year to Week 1 was night and day in terms of targets and production. Hilton should once again rise to a WR1 selection each week. Week 2 may not be the best time for that trend to begin however, as Talib and the Broncos are no easy matchup. This is not me trying to discourage you from starting Hilton, but just be cautious of relying upon him as WR1 this week. |
JAX | Allen Hurns | SD | Brandon Flowers | His targets were limited, but his produciton wasn’t in Week 1, as Hurns hauled in 4 balls for 75 yards against the Packers. His matchup should be slightly tougher against a better corner in Brandon Flowers this week, however Hurns proved last season that he is more or less matchup proof. Provided Bortles looks his way more often, Hurns should get his on Sunday. |
KC | Albert Wilson | HOU | Kareem Jackson | Anyone not named Maclin or Kelce is not worth a fantasy start out of this group of Kansas City receivers. |
LA | Tavon Austin | SEA | Richard Sherman | Austin is not a threat to make a reception past the line of scrimmage… This should be another easy matchup for the league's best CB. |
MIA | Kenny Stills | NE | Malcolm Butler | Stills slipped past the Seattle defense for a potential wide open touchdown last week, but being the bum that he is, he dropped the bomb with no defender within 20 yards of him. Stills is a guy who has to prove it before I start him in any fantasy format. |
MIN | Charles Johnson | GB | Damarious Randall | Johnson brought in only 1 of his 6 targets in Week 1 and is now being listed as questionable for his status in Week 2. Stay far away from him on Sunday. |
NE | Julian Edelman | MIA | Byron Maxwell | As I will continue to say all season long, this "matchup" is misleading, as Edelman will often operate out of the slot. All things considered, the Dolphins DB's are nothing to fear for Edelman, so fantasy owners should feel very comfortable starting him in Week 2. |
NO | Brandin Cooks | NYG | Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | DRC and the Giants defense may have done a great job containing the Cowboys aerial attack in Week 1, but the Saints passing game is a total different animal. Cooks in Week 1 scortched an on paper better defense in the Raiders, so I see him having no problem putting up another two touchdowns in Week 2. |
NYG | Sterling Shepard | NO | De'Vante Harris | Taking on already one of the league's worst defenses, the rookie Shepard in my mind had a favorable matchup, but combine that with the fact that he will be personally going up against one of the Saints backup CB's, and he has become one of my favorite plays of the week. Sure he looked like a rookie in his Week 1 debut, but he still came away with a touchdown against the Cowboys and will only be getting better from here on. |
NYJ | Eric Decker | BUF | Stefon Gillmore | Ryan Fitzpatrick looked off in Week 1, so we won't make much of Decker's mere 2 receptions on 7 targets. Ultimately he still came away with a touchdown in the game, which is what he really does best for fantasy owners. He will remain a TD threat in Week 2, but his matchup will be no walk in the park taking on Stefon Gilmore. |
OAK | Amari Cooper | ATL | Desmond Trufant | Cooper had his way against an abysmal Saints defense in Week 1, but this week things will be much tougher taking on one of the league's best man corners in Desmond Trufant. Having said that, last week Mike Evans had his way with Trufant, so I don't see a reason that Cooper can't do the same. Start Cooper with confidence, however keep in mind that Trufant is no slouch. |
PHI | Nelson Agholor | CHI | Tracy Porter | Agholor had arguably the best game of his young career in Week 1, as he had his way against the Browns defense for 4 catches, 57 yards, and 1 TD. Porter had himeslf an INT last week and will be a stiffer matchup for Agholor than anyone on the Browns was last week. I would stay away from him in Week 2 and beyond, unless he begins to prove a history of consistency going forward. |
PIT | Markus Wheaton | CIN | Dre Kirkpatrick | Wheaton's status for Week 2 is still up in the air… All things considered, Eli Rogers appears to be the better fantasy play if you must start a Steelers WR. |
SD | Dontrelle Inman | JAX | Davon House | Inman filled in for Keenan Allen last season and is set to do the same this season. With that being said, he should remain fantasy obsolete considering his minimal talent and threat for production. |
SF | Aaron Burbridge | CAR | James Bradberry | Bradberry may be just a rookie, but he still has the edge over Burbridge in this scenario. Don't get it twisted though, Burbridge is not somoene who I feel comfortable starting ever – regardless of whom he is lining up against. |
SEA | Jermaine Kearse | LA | Trumaine Johnson | Kearse was clearly involved in the offense last week and should continue to be in Week 2 and beyond. Having said this, he is not Doug Baldwin and will never come near his production. I would stay away from Kearse in most fantasy formats if you have the option. |
TB | Mike Evans | ARI | Patrick Peterson | Evans took it to an elite corner in Desmond Trufant last week and will be facing arguably an even tougher one again this week in Patrick Peterson. We all know that PP is a playmaker first and foremost, however it is also known that Peterson can be beaten from time to time. If you have Evans on your team then he is likely your WR1. You can't bench him just because you fear Peterson, so roll the dice on him once again against another elite CB. |
TEN | Tajae Sharpe | DET | Darius Slay | Slay is an excellent man-up CB, however Sharpe seems to be a player who will be tough to limit in terms of targets and receptions. Consider him a must start in PPR formats, while his yardage and TD potential may be limited by the presence of Slay on Sunday. |
WAS | DeSean Jackson | DAL | Brandon Carr | Carr actually played really well last week and even came away with an interception against Eli Manning. Unfortunately for Carr in Week 2, he will be taking on DeSean Jackson – a player who he really struggles agains. If there is a week to start Jackson, it is this week, as he loves facing Dallas. |
[pagebreak]
Nostra-Dom-Us Predicts
Out of the listed matchups above, here are some of my favorite plays of the week…
ELITE PLAYS:
Odell Beckham ($9,500 on DraftKings) vs. P.J. Williams
I explained in detail above how I feel about this matchup, so I will spare you here. Beckham is my no. 1 WR play entering Week 2.
A.J. Green ($8,900 on DraftKings) vs. Ross Cockrell
Green absolutely torched a still capable Darrell Revis – despite what the public may think – in Week 1. Facing Ross Cockrell I am not intimidated in Green’s matchup in the slightest, especially considering what he did to the Steelers in two regular season matchups last season (17 rec, 250 yds, 2 TD's).
AFFORDABLE PLAYS:
Larry Fitzgerald ($6,400 on DraftKings) vs. Alterraun Verner
Fitz did damage last week against a good Patriots defense and is still being undervalued at a mere $6,400 on DraftKings. Verner may have handled himself well against Julio last week (with considerable help), but with Fitz being lined up all over the field, the Cardinals will find a way to get the ball in his hands and him in the end zone.
Doug Baldwin ($6,600 on DraftKings) vs. Lamarcus Joyner
Despite continued elite production dating back to last season, Baldwin remains at an affordable $6,600. Until he begins to get priced as an elite wideout, he will likely remain on this list.
BARGAIN PLAYS:
Tajae Sharpe ($4,100 on Draft Kings) vs. Darius Slay
Sharpe was the most targeted Titans receiver in Week 1 just as he was all of the preseason. He will likely develop into a PPR terror going forward, while his role as the Titans no. 1 wideout shouldn’t change any time soon.
Will Fuller ($4,200 on DraftKings) vs. Marcus Peters
Fuller doesn’t have the best of matchups, however considering his mere $4,200 price tag on DraftKings, he had to be on my bargain list. He finished his NFL debut with not only incredible numbers (5 rec, 107 yds, 1 TD) but also an astounding 11 targets. That’s a ton for someone who is believed to be mostly a deep target. If this remains, his price should soon skyrocket.