It’s that time of week, ladies and gentlemen! We will breakdown each of the outside matchups, as well as my 10 favorite matchups out of the slot. Then, below the charts in this article, I break down my absolute favorite matchups by price in DFS, as well as likely ownership in seasonal formats. This article is critical for seasonal and daily players, as this will help you gain a competitive advantage when setting your lineups.
Remember, the No. 1 wide receiver doesn’t always matchup against the No. 1 cornerback. This isn’t a game of Madden! Seriously, it’s not!
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| Left WR | Right CB | Analysis |
| Trent Sherfield ARI | Marcus Peters LAR | Peters has been better in coverage in recent weeks, but given the likely game flow in this matchup, Sherfield should get some decent volume as Arizona will be trailing, likely from the first drive of the game. He's a low-level flex option in deeper PPR formats. |
| Julio Jones ATL | James Bradberry CAR | Jones had a 300-yard game two years ago against the Panthers, and while he's totaled 262 yards in his last three games against this team, Jones makes for a great play in Week 16. Just in time for the fantasy championships, may I add! This is a Jones week, and you can lock him in for at least 90 yards with a touchdown against Bradberry.* |
| Michael Crabtree BAL | Casey Hayward LAC | It's clear what Baltimore wants to do, and that is run the football early and often. It will be tough to do in this matchup, and Lamar Jackson may be forced to air it out. That's something we haven't quite seen yet, and honestly, the results will be entertaining. In a tough matchup with a below-average passer, Crabtree is an uninspiring option in Week 16. |
| Robert Foster BUF | Stephon Gilmore NE | Foster continues to make the most of the few opportunities he gets in the Buffalo passing attack. He continues to make at least one splash play with Josh Allen , and that should continue in this matchup. Will he eclipse 100 yards? I'm not sure about that, but I do like Foster for at least 55 receiving yards with a touchdown in this matchup. |
| Devin Funchess CAR | Robert Alford ATL | Alford has allowed a passer rating of 119.5 when targeted over the past three weeks and he's repeatedly been a victim of ours in this article. However, the excitement with Funchess just isn't there. He's not getting the attention from Cam Newton , and side note, Newton is banged up, whether he admits it or not. Newton doesn't play well to begin with on short rest, and this injury doesn't help Funchess' Week 16 outlook. Fade Funchess and leave him out of your starting lineups for your fantasy championship. |
| Taylor Gabriel CHI | Ahkello Witherspoon SF | Gabriel hasn't been productive for fantasy owners in weeks, and Witherspoon has been stingy to opposing receivers the past few weeks! Doesn't seem like a real recipe for success now does it? Witherspoon is allowing just 21 yards per game over the past three weeks, while Gabriel is averaging just 24 yards per game during that same span.* This is a big Allen Robinson week, not Gabriel. |
| John Ross CIN | Denzel Ward CLE | Last time Ross faced off against the Browns, he caught three balls for 31 yards and found the end zone. This matchup, there will be no A.J. Green and no Tyler Boyd on the field. Essentially, Jeff Driskel will have Joe Mixon and Ross at his disposal. Ross could see damn near 10 targets in this matchup, but he's not a particularly enticing play, especially since Ward can compete with Ross' speed. In deeper leagues, he's a fine play, given the expected volume, but in shallower formats, look elsewhere. |
| Antonio Callaway CLE | William Jackson CIN | After a poor outing in Week 14 against the Panthers, Callaway bounced back with five grabs and a touchdown in a win against the Broncos this past Saturday. Callaway has caught just under 65 percent of his targets over the past three weeks, while his 119 yards in that span trail only Jarvis Landry and Breshad Perriman . This is a good matchup for Callaway, and he makes for an intriguing play in DFS this weekend. |
| Michael Gallup DAL | Ryan Smith TB | Gallup wasn't involved in last week's loss, after seeing 16 targets in the two games prior. Dak Prescott will need to get the rookie from Colorado State involved early in the game, so all of the attention cannot be shifted to Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper . Gallup won't put up WR1 or WR2 numbers, but he could be a valuable flex option in PPR formats in championship week. |
| Courtland Sutton DEN | Gareon Conley OAK | Conley is in concussion protocol, which is something to monitor, but the bigger picture here is that the injury to Emmanuel Sanders hasn't done the wonders many expected for Sutton. Amongst the team's wide receivers, Sutton comes in third in yards, receptions and targets, significantly behind Tim Patrick and DaeSean Hamilton . Sutton has the big play potential, but he's averaging just eight yards per reception since Sanders' season-ending injury. He's a risky play at this juncture. |
| T.J. Jones DET | Trae Waynes MIN | Waynes has been stingy in recent weeks, but the story here is that Jones hasn't done much with the available targets in the Detroit passing attack. With just six receptions over the past five weeks, Jones is an easy fade in Week 16. |
| Davante Adams GB | Morris Claiborne NYJ | Claiborne was in coverage on DeAndre Hopkins ' excellent touchdown grab in last week's loss, but it's a similar story for Claiborne's Week 16 foe. Regardless of who is covering Davante Adams , you are starting him in all formats, as Aaron Rodgers leans on him more frequently than any other Packer receiver. Start Adams with WR1 expectations. |
| DeAndre Hopkins HOU | Rasul Douglas PHI | If Hopkins plays, which it seems like he will from his post-game presser, this is a dream matchup, as Douglas has been victimized by opposing receivers over the past three weeks. During that span, Douglas has allowed 221 receiving yards and a reception percentage just south of 67 percent. Hopkins is a must start if he's out on the field. |
| T.Y. Hilton IND | Janoris Jenkins NYG | It's hard not to get excited about Hilton in this matchup, as Jenkins is one of just three cornerbacks in the entire National Football League to allow seven touchdowns in coverage this season.* Andrew Luck has a 107.9 passer rating when targeting his top receiver, and that trend should continue this weekend. Hilton has WR1 written all over him. |
| Keelan Cole JAX | Minkah Fitzpatrick MIA | Over the past three weeks, Cole has taken a backseat to the likes of Dede Westbrook and Donte Moncrief . Cole is averaging over 14 yards per reception over the past three weeks, which is the best mark among the Jacksonville wideouts, but he's been out targeted and out gained by Westbrook and Moncrief. In a tough matchup against Fitzpatrick, Cole shouldn't be started in any lineup this weekend. |
| Tyreek Hill KC | Tre Flowers SEA | Seattle's rookie corner has allowed a 70 percent completion rate over the past three weeks, not to mention a whopping 27.4 yards per reception during that span!* Hill's injuries may slow him down a bit during practice this week, but if he's out there for the game, he needs to be started in all formats, as this matchup is simply too good to ignore. Start Hill, but do your due diligence and monitor his practice reports throughout the week. |
| Mike Williams LAC | Jimmy Smith BAL | Williams is coming off his best game of the season and Smith has struggled in coverage over the past three weeks, allowing a 114.1 passer rating when targeted and 2.05 yards per coverage snap.* The Baltimore defense as a whole is very good, but Smith has struggled, and is currently the weak link. Williams is an excellent flex option in Week 16. |
| Brandin Cooks LAR | Patrick Peterson ARI | Over the past three weeks, Jared Goff has just a 72.2 passer rating when targeting Cooks, not to mention a poor 0:1 TD/INT ratio.* Goff has struggled in recent weeks, and while this could be a "get-right" game for the Rams offense, Cooks may be slowed down, as Peterson has been like a blanket this season, being all over his opposition! Drops Cooks to a low-end WR2. |
| DeVante Parker MIA | Jalen Ramsey JAX | Ramsey is back to the Ramsey of old, talking trash and shutting down the opposition. He's allowed a passer rating of 56.6 when targeted over the past three weeks, not to mention his completion percentage of 43 percent when targeted during that span.* Parker, operating in a heavy distribution offense, against one of the best corners in the league is an easy bench candidate for Week 16. |
| Laquon Treadwell MIN | Mike Ford DET | Treadwell has a great matchup against Mike Ford , who has been brutal in coverage in recent weeks to say the least. Treadwell on the other hand, has been bad for the Minnesota offense and Aldrick Robinson provides more juice for the offense. Sit Treadwell. |
| Cordarrelle Patterson NE | Levi Wallace BUF | Patterson will take some additional snaps at receiver, but I'm sure he'll still get a handoff or two at some point in this contest. The extra snaps at receiver certainly boost his value in leagues that value kick return yards, because he should get a few extra opportunities to make plays for the New England offense. Buffalo sports a solid defense, making Patterson a risky play. |
| Michael Thomas NO | Joe Haden PIT | Thomas caught seven balls and saw his usual 10-ish targets per game, well, nine, this past week, but managed just 49 yards in the contest. The star receiver out of Ohio State hasn't topped 100 yards since facing the Rams back in the beginning of November! He hasn't scored in a month and he has just one grab of 20 or more yards in the past four weeks! The New Orleans offense has sputtered, and while Haden has allowed some yards in recent weeks, it's encouraging that the Saints are back at home in the dome. Thomas remains a WR1. |
| Bennie Fowler NYG | Quincy Wilson IND | Fowler's two grabs for 43 yards last week makes for his third-most productive fantasy performance of the season. Yeah, not great for the Michigan State product. Even with Odell Beckham Jr. off the field, he's not getting enough work. Leave him on the waiver wire. Rostering him is asinine. |
| Rishard Matthews NYJ | Tony Brown GB | Brown has allowed 116.2 passer rating when targeted over the past three weeks, including one touchdown in his coverage.* Sam Darnold is coming off one of his better games in his rookie season and Matthews' role was minimal. He simply cannot be started in any format at this juncture of the season. It's just not worth it. Don't try to be the smartest person in the room. |
| Jordy Nelson OAK | Bradley Roby DEN | Nelson's usage has remained steady over the past three weeks, as he's seen at least seven targets in each of those contests. Sure, he hasn't scored, but he's reached double-digit fantasy points in a PPR format in three straight. With Roby allowing a completion percentage of 70 percent and a passer rating of 132. 1 when targeted over the last three weeks, Nelson is a fine flex play (PPR) this weekend.* |
| Nelson Agholor PHI | Aaron Colvin HOU | Alshon Jeffery stole a long reception from Agholor, but even with that grab, it would have been a quiet day for Agholor. He saw just two targets from Nick Foles and while he remains the field stretcher in this offense, it didn't show on Sunday. However, the Texans struggle with faster receivers that are able to stretch the field vertically, and Agholor can qualify under that umbrella. He's a flex option against Houston in a must-win game for the Eagles. |
| Antonio Brown PIT | Marshon Lattimore NO | Since Week 12, only eight corners have allowed more yards in coverage than New Orleans' Lattimore. Brown is a must-start in seasonal formats, but in DFS, paying for Brown might be a mistake. He has just two road games with over 100 yards this season, and while has been able to find the end zone on the road, the yardage just hasn't been there. I'd rather have JuJu than Brown this week. |
| Tyler Lockett SEA | Steven Nelson KC | Over the past three weeks, Lockett leads the Seattle receivers in receptions and is tied with Doug Baldwin in targets. Baldwin got the touchdowns last week, but it will be Lockett this week. Lockett's Week 16 opponent, Steven Nelson , has allowed three touchdowns and a 101.9 passer rating when targeted in his last three games.* Start Lockett with confidence. |
| Dante Pettis SF | Prince Amukamara CHI | Pettis continues to get it done for his owners! Not only has he scored four touchdowns in the past four weeks, but he has a touchdown or at least 70 receiving yards in all but one game since Week 10. Tough matchup for the San Fran offense as a whole, as Nick Mullens may not have a ton of time to throw the ball with Khalil Mack breathing down his neck. However, Pettis is the receiver I want to start from this team. You can trust him in your flex spot this week. |
| Chris Godwin TB | Byron Jones DAL | Jones hasn't been tested too frequently in recent weeks, but the larger problem here is Godwin's inefficiencies with Jameis Winston . Godwin has caught just one pass over the last two weeks, but he's been targeted 13 times! He has 13 receiving yards on 13 targets the past two weeks.* Yikes! In a tough matchup, Godwin is a tough start, as his recent inefficiencies make him far from trustworthy. |
| Corey Davis TEN | Fabian Moreau WAS | Washington's secondary is full of playmakers, and Tennessee will likely give the rock to Derrick Henry 30+ times if they have the chance. Davis saw five targets last week, which was tied for the team lead, but there just isn't much excitement for a talented receiver when his quarterback is content for throwing for fewer than 100 yards. Tennessee wants to win by running the football and playing defense, and when duty calls, they will take a chance with Davis, but that has been few and far between. He's a flex play for me in Week 16. |
| Josh Doctson WAS | Malcolm Butler TEN | After a horrid start to the season, Butler has been one of the better corners in the league over the past three weeks, seeing as he's allowed a paltry 16.2 passer rating when targeted during that span.* Josh Johnson will continue to operate a vanilla offense, which lends to distributing the ball all around and taking few risks. Clearly, this will hurt Doctson, as seen by last week's goose egg. Bench Doctson. |
| Right WR | Left CB | Analysis |
| J.J. Nelson ARI | Aqib Talib LAR | Nelson just isn't getting it done and he's practically a nonfactor in the Arizona offense. Josh Rosen has his core three guys he throws to, and Nelson isn't one of those guys. Easy fade right here, ladies and gents. |
| Calvin Ridley ATL | Donte Jackson CAR | Over the last three weeks, only Philadelphia's Rasul Douglas has allowed more receiving yards in coverage than Carolina's Jackson.* In that span, he's also allowed a 118.8 passer rating when targeted and 2.09 yards per coverage snap.* Ridley is in a great matchup and is an ideal WR3 for the championship in your seasonal formats. |
| John Brown BAL | Michael Davis LAC | Davis has allowed a 50 percent completion percentage and a 64.1 passer rating when targeted over the last three weeks.* He's balling out and in the revamped Baltimore offense, Brown is seeing just a handful of targets per game. Brown is a low-level flex option in a tough matchup. |
| Zay Jones BUF | J.C. Jackson NE | Jones leads the team in targets over the past two weeks, which is great, but when you consider the fact that he's caught just four of those balls for 33 yards, it's underwhelming. With a reception percentage of just 26.7 percent during that span, Jones is a risky start. Robert Foster and Isaiah McKenzie have been better the past couple weeks. |
| D.J. Moore CAR | Desmond Trufant ATL | After seeing eight or more targets in four straight games, that streak came to an end after Moore saw just three targets from Cam Newton in Monday night's loss to the Saints. The injury that no one is talking about to Cam Newton is destroying the fantasy value of his receivers, albeit boosting Christian McCaffery. Moore is a risky start against Trufant, who's allowing roughly just eight yards per reception over the past three weeks. |
| Allen Robinson CHI | Richard Sherman SF | Sherman has allowed nearly 90 percent of his targets over the past three weeks to be caught, not to mention the 145.4 passer rating he's allowed when targeted during that span.* Robinson has been Chicago's most productive receiver in recent weeks, and I like him for WR2 production this weekend. Start Robinson with confidence. |
| Cody Core CIN | T.J. Carrie CLE | No Tyler Boyd opens up the door for some targets for Core, who has seen four targets in each of the past three weeks. However, production will likely be fickle with Jeff Driskel under center and being hounded by the Cleveland pass rush. Core isn't a core play in Week 16. See what I did there? |
| Breshad Perriman CLE | Dre Kirkpatrick CIN | Perriman scored on his lone reception last week against the Broncos, hauling in a 31-yard score from rookie gunslinger Baker Mayfield . Kirkpatrick, returning from injury, played well in Week 15, allowing just two grabs for 20 yards.* Perriman is better suited for GPPs than the flex spot in your fantasy championship. |
| Amari Cooper DAL | Brent Grimes TB | Grimes has allowed a 92.7 passer rating when targeted over the past two weeks, which isn't great, but not terrible either. However, that doesn’t matter, because Cooper is a must start this week! He's been red hot with Dak Prescott and after a down week last week, Cooper will bounce back in this matchup, which is far more favorable than Week 15 against the Colts. Since joining the Cowboys, Cooper has 70 yards or a touchdown in all but two games. Start Cooper. |
| Tim Patrick DEN | Darryl Worley OAK | Over the past two weeks, Patrick leads the Broncos receivers in receiving yards, and is second in receptions and targets. Worley has allowed two touchdowns in coverage over the past three weeks, and in a decent matchup, Patrick is a sneaky good play in all formats.* |
| Kenny Golladay DET | Xavier Rhodes MIN | Another tough matchup for Golladay, as Rhodes likely follows him around the field. However, Detroit could attempt to mitigate that a bit by lining Golladay in the slot more frequently. Detroit has done it more in recent weeks, and Golladay was able to put up good numbers last week, as he was able to get away from Tre'Davious White . Expect a similar setting in Week 16, meaning you can trust Golladay in your starting lineups. |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling GB | Trumaine Johnson NYJ | Johnson had some problems with DeAndre Hopkins and Demaryius Thomas in Week 15, allowing all five of the passes thrown his way to be caught.* MVS has seen just two targets in each of the past two games, as it appears that he's slowly fallen out of Aaron Rodgers ' favor. He's a risky start in this matchup. |
| Demaryius Thomas HOU | Avonte Maddox PHI | His role with the team has increased, and his targets have remained steady or increased in each of the past five weeks. Thomas' eight targets last week were the most he's seen with his new club, and if DeAndre Hopkins is slowed in any fashion, Thomas will take on a larger role in the Houston passing attack. Maddox was really good in coverage last week against the Rams, but he had problems earlier this season. I like Thomas as a flex play this week. |
| Zach Pascal IND | B.W. Webb NYG | Pascal had a productive game against the Texans in Week 14, but aside from the two matchups against the Texans this season, Pascal has been an afterthought in the Indianapolis offense. He has 227 receiving yards on the season, and 124 of them have come against Houston! Fade Pascal in this matchup. |
| Donte Moncrief JAX | Torry McTyer MIA | Moncrief saw 10 targets two weeks ago, but a whopping zero last week. This Jacksonville passing attack is unpredictable, but very bad, and no one can be trusted, other than Dede Westbrook . Fade everyone and anyone. |
| Demarcus Robinson KC | Shaquil Griffin SEA | Robinson scored last week, but that's about all he did in that matchup. The third-year pro out of Florida gets a solid matchup against Griffin (121.5 passer rating when targeted over last three games), but his volume isn't worthy of a roster spot in your fantasy championship. |
| Tyrell Williams LAC | Marlon Humphrey BAL | The Baltimore defense has been stingy to opposing receivers over the last four weeks, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game. In that same span, Humphrey has allowed a passer rating of just 28.6 when targeted, not to mention fewer than 50 percent of his targets being caught.* It could be tough sledding for Williams in this matchup, so knock him down a few spots. |
| Josh Reynolds LAR | David Amerson ARI | Sure, production hasn't quite been there for Reynolds since joining the starting lineup for the Rams, but come on, people! You could do much worse with your flex spot than Reynolds, a guy who has seen 19 targets over the past two weeks and gets a matchup against an Arizona cornerback NOT named Patrick Peterson ! That's key here! The Rams need a "get-right" game, and this has the makings of that. Reynolds goes for 60+ yards and a touchdown in this matchup. |
| Kenny Stills MIA | A.J. Bouye JAX | After a big outing against the Patriots, which was easily his best game of the year, Stills crashed back to reality in a much stiffer matchup. He was held to one grab on just three targets for 17 yards, as the Minnesota defense stymied Ryan Tannehill and the Miami passing attack. Jacksonville can do similar things to this offense and Stills is a risky start in Week 16. |
| Stefon Diggs MIN | Darius Slay DET | This has the makings of an Adam Thielen week, as Diggs will be shadowed by and have his hands full with Mr. Darius Slay . Detroit's top corner has allowed a 44.1 passer rating when targeted over the past three weeks, and that's without mentioning his absurd 33 percent completion percentage when targeted.* Don't expect WR1 numbers from Diggs in your fantasy championship. |
| Chris Hogan NE | Tre'Davious White BUF | With Josh Gordon out of the mix, Hogan, despite being largely ineffective all season, will deal with Tre'Davious White on the outside. The available targets from Gordon's absence will head towards Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman , not Hogan. He can be avoided in all formats. |
| Tre'Quan Smith NO | Artie Burns PIT | Albeit an injury mixed in there, since going for 157 yards against the Eagles, Smith has just two receptions and 15 yards (three games) to his name. YIKES! The Saints offense hasn't been at the elite, high-octane level we saw it at various points earlier in the season, which has hurt Smith's fantasy appeal, as well as others'. |
| Corey Coleman NYG | Pierre Desir IND | Desir has been a key member of the Indianapolis defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts over the last four weeks. Desir has made some big plays for the defense, and he's allowing just over 50 percent of his targets to be caught over the past four weeks.* No OBJ again for the Giants, so it will be Corey Coleman out wide. I'm fading here. |
| Robby Anderson NYJ | Jaire Alexander GB | Anderson, as expected, had a nice game against a slow Houston secondary, but things could be a bit different against Alexander. The rookie for Green Bay carries more speed than any Houston corner, and I'm hard-pressed to believe that Anderson replicates his numbers from last week. Anderson is a flex option at best in Week 16. |
| Marcell Ateman OAK | Tramaine Brock DEN | In his return from injury, Brock played well, allowing just three receptions on eight targets for 48 yards and a touchdown.* The touchdown allowed may make Ateman look somewhat appealing in GPPs this weekend, but it seems more like lighting money on fire. Jordy Nelson is in a better spot, and his 25 targets over the past three weeks far outweigh Ateman's 13 in that span. |
| Alshon Jeffery PHI | Johnathan Joseph HOU | Jeffery went for a season-high 160 yards, and all it took was Nick Foles under center to unleash the beast. With Carson Wentz under center, it was Zach Ertz or bust, with Jeffery sprinkled in, but Foles went to Jeffery eight times on Sunday night, which is a trend that should continue moving forward. Love Jeffery in this matchup against a vulnerable Houston secondary. |
| James Washington PIT | Eli Apple NO | Washington finally made some plays for the Pittsburgh offense last week, and while he didn't exactly light up the stat sheet, it was encouraging to see that Washington was able to make some plays. It's a favorable matchup for Washington, but I don't like Big Ben on the road and Washington is still only seeing a handful of targets. Fade again in Week 16. |
| David Moore SEA | Orlando Scandrick KC | Moore has just one reception over the past three weeks, and while the matchup against the Chiefs may sound enticing at first glance, proceed with caution. Scandrick has allowed just 1.03 yards per coverage snap and 10 yards per reception over the past three weeks.* Other Seattle receivers are in better spots than Moore. |
| Kendrick Bourne SF | Kyle Fuller CHI | The Eastern Washington product continues to make a few plays for the San Francisco offense, but in terms of fantasy production, it hasn't quite been there for Bourne. He hasn't scored since Week 9 and he's topped 60 yards in a game just twice this entire season. Don't start Bourne, especially against Fuller, who has allowed a 22.2 passer rating when targeted over the past three weeks.* |
| Mike Evans TB | Chidobe Awuzie DAL | Evans has gotten it done recently, even in some tough matchup, in terms of yards, but the touchdowns haven't been there for Evans. The star receiver has topped 80 receiving yards in three of his past five games, but he hasn't scored since the team faced the Giants back in Week 11. He'll likely see some Byron Jones in this one, but he will make his money on Awuzie, who comes in five inches shorter than Evans. |
| Cameron Batson TEN | Josh Norman WAS | Another typical week in the Tennessee passing attack for the rookie out of Texas Tech. He continues to run the routes, and continues to get nearly zero of Marcus Mariota 's attention. Tennessee has reverted to their super run-heavy game script, and when they do throw the football, it's certainly not going to Batson, as it's a full on committee in the team's passing attack. Fade Batson and leave him on the waiver wire. |
| Maurice Harris WAS | Adoree' Jackson TEN | Harris didn't do much last week and with Josh Johnson under center, it's going to be a very conservative offense in Washington, which will be all about the run game and mitigating disaster plays from Johnson. Harris will see a target here and there, but that's all you're getting. Don't waste your time here, as you will be disappointed looking at your final score to see you lost with a whopping 2.7 points from Harris. |
Now, here are my 10 favorite matchups in the slot in Week 16.
| Slot WR | Slot CB | Analysis |
| Adam Thielen MIN | Nevin Lawson DET | Lawson has allowed three touchdowns and a 113.0 passer rating when targeted in slot coverage this season.* Thielen has had some quiet weeks in recent weeks, no doubt, but with Stefon Diggs dealing with Darius Slay on the outside, Thielen will see additional targets from Kirk Cousins this weekend. Love Thielen this week. |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster PIT | P.J. Williams NO | The Saints defense has been much better of late, but here's the thing, JuJu balls out in road games. Of his 1,274 receiving yards on the season, 847 have come in road games, with the other 427 coming in home contests. Love JuJu on the road, especially since Williams has allowed the second-most receiving yards in slot coverage this season.* |
| Keenan Allen LAC | Brandon Carr BAL | Hopefully you didn't lose out because of Allen's goose egg last week, but assuming he has no restrictions on Sunday, Allen is a fine play, even in a tough matchup. He will be a game-time decision, however, so monitor his availability throughout the week. |
| Robert Woods LAR | Budda Baker ARI | Baker has allowed the eighth-most yards in slot coverage over the past three weeks, including a 122.0 passer rating and one touchdown.* Despite Jared Goff 's struggles, Woods has caught at least five passes for 61 yards on eight targets in each of the past three games. Start Woods. |
| Julian Edelman NE | Rafael Bush BUF | Over the past three weeks, Bush has allowed a 94.3 passer rating when targeted and 1.43 yards per coverage snap in slot coverage.* Edelman is averaging over 10 targets per game over his last three, catching at least seven for 86 in his past two contests. Start Edelman, especially in PPR formats, where he remains in the WR2 realm. |
| Jarvis Landry CLE | Darqueze Dennard CIN | While Landry has been underproductive with his number of targets, there is plenty of productivity to be had against the Bengals struggling Cincinnati defense. Despite topping 60 receiving yards just once in the past weeks, it feels like a productive week for Landry. I FEEL IT! |
| Golden Tate PHI | Kareem Jackson HOU | Jackson has been bouncing around in the Houston secondaries, due to players returning and players going down with injury. He's now back into a hybrid corner role, bouncing both in and out, depending on when Shareece Wright gets burned and if the Houston coaching personnel trust Aaron Colvin . In the slot, quicker, shiftier receivers can give him fits. Tate can be shifty, but his best trait his the run after the catch, but to Jackson's credit, he's an excellent tackler. Volume should keep Tate in the flex conversation in one of the more exciting games on the Week 16 slate. |
| Dede Westbrook JAX | Bobby McCain MIA | In the Jacksonville passing attack, Westbrook is the only pass catcher I would even think to potentially, maybe trust in my lineups. He struggled last week, but he has scored a touchdown in two of his last four games, including one game with seven catches for 88 yards. McCain has struggled in coverage at times, so Westbrook is a fine flex play. |
| DaeSean Hamilton DEN | Marcus Gilchrist OAK | Nick Nelson was a guy we routinely picked on in this part of the article, but with the Raiders switching to Marcus Gilchrist , we need to adjust! Gilchrist looked better than Nelson, but it's a small sample size, and Nelson will still see the field for about one quarter of the plays. Hamilton has seen 21 targets over the past two weeks, hauling in 14 of them, including one touchdown. Start Hamilton in any format where a full point is awarded per reception. |
| Isaiah McKenzie BUF | Jason McCourty NE | McKenzie has seen seven targets in each of the past two games, and if the second-year receiver out of Georgia is out on the field, he's a serviceable flex play in deeper PPR formats. Game script should be positive here as well, leading to numerous Josh Allen pass attempts. |
Elite
DeAndre Hopkins vs. Rasul Douglas
This could be the biggest mismatch between any wide receiver and cornerback on the entire Week 16 slate. Douglas has allowed the most yards in coverage over the last three weeks, while Hopkins has the third-most receiving yards in that same span.* Hopkins rolled his ankle in last week’s victory over the New York Jets, but he logged a limited practice Wednesday, which mirrors his practice availability for the majority of this 2018 campaign. Monitor his status closer to game time, but if he’s a go with full or minimal restrictions, he is in line for another monster performance.
Affordable
Despite having just one game of over 100 yards in the past five weeks, this will be a monster week for Thielen. Stefon Diggs will deal with Darius Slay on the outside, meaning that among Kirk Cousins ’ preferred targets, Thielen has the best matchup to target. In slot coverage this season, Lawson has allowed three touchdowns and a 113.0 passer rating when targeted.* Hard not to love Thielen this week, despite some poor recent performances.
Bargain Bin
Isaiah McKenzie vs. Jason McCourty
Robert Foster might be my favorite Buffalo wide receiver, but it’s hard not to like McKenzie out of the slot. First off, his price point is very favorable in DFS, and the guy has seen seven targets in two straight games. Furthermore, he’s tallied at least 8.5 fantasy points in a PPR format in three straight games, which has at least doubled his price tag on a site like DraftKings. With the Patriots allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to receivers over the past two weeks, McKenzie should have plenty of chances to produce.
*Information gathered from research done at Pro Football Focus.