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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 four 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!
Follow me on Twitter (@colbyrconway) as well!
| Left WR | Right CB | Analysis |
| Trent Sherfield ARI | Mike Ford DET | The injury to Christian Kirk opens the door to a few more injuries for Sherfield, but the rookie out of Vanderbilt will fail to produce in Week 14, despite a favorable matchup against a struggling Detroit secondary. With just six targets in the past three weeks, the injury to Kirk doesn't guarantee a huge jump in targets for Sherfield. He continues to be unstartable in all formats. |
| Julio Jones ATL | Tony Brown GB | Jones has been inconsistent in his career against the Packers, but in his two big games against them, he went for 259 yards (2014) and 108 yards (2017). Jones' poor outing last week should be considered a blip on the radar, as he registered six straight 100-yard outings before last week's performance. As always, Jones is a WR1. Don't overthink it. |
| Michael Crabtree BAL | Steven Nelson KC | The Ravens are limiting Lamar Jackson 's pass attempts, but in a game where Baltimore will need to keep up with the Chiefs high-octane offense, Jackson could see a career-high in pass attempts. Crabtree, who has seven receptions on 11 targets over the last three weeks, has the lone touchdown amongst the Baltimore receivers, but is still hard to trust beyond the flex spot in seasonal formats. In GPPs, I don't mind Crabtree at all, but John Brown has more appeal. |
| Robert Foster BUF | Morris Claiborne NYJ | Foster's Week 14 stat line wasn't quite what I expected, but his lone catch did go for 27 yards, so he continues to be the big play guy in the offense. The former Crimson Tide receiver is the unquestioned vertical threat in the offense, and while he didn't quite score the long touchdown last week, it's coming this week. Throw Foster in your GPP tournaments for Week 14. |
| Devin Funchess CAR | T.J. Carrie CLE | Jarius Wright actually saw more snaps than Funchess last week, but that could just be a product of Funchess returning after missing the team's Week 12 contest. With Funchess receiving more snaps this week, he's a flex option, but something is wrong with Cam Newton and it is worrisome. If he's not able to drive the ball downfield and hit Funchess on those intermediate routes, it will be an unproductive day for Funchess. |
| Taylor Gabriel CHI | Marcus Peters LAR | Gabriel had some untimely drops last week, including one in the end zone that he likely should have brought in for a game-tying touchdown late in the game. It's encouraging that Gabriel continues to see targets in the offense, and hopefully that trend continues with Mitchell Trubisky likely returning to the starting lineup. Peters' struggles this season are well-documented, making Gabriel a nice flex option in Week 14. |
| Alex Erickson CIN | Michael Davis LAC | In games Green has missed this season, Erickson has failed to produce any meaningful fantasy performances. If your league values return yards, Erickson is a fine play, but otherwise, you're not doing yourself any favors. |
| Antonio Callaway CLE | James Bradberry CAR | Bradberry has allowed the most receiving yards in coverage over the past four weeks, and now gets to face Cleveland's big play receiver Antonio Callaway . The rookie out of Florida scored a 70+ yard touchdown last week that was called back on a holding call, and then a few plays later would have scored a 70+ yard touchdown, but he fumbled at the one-yard line. Crazy turn of events for Callaway and his fantasy owners, but that will straighten itself out this week. Baker Mayfield will connect with Callaway for a big one at some point in this matchup, but it's definitely coming. Callaway is a great flex option. |
| Allen Hurns DAL | Rasul Douglas PHI | Of cornerbacks with at least 50 coverage snaps over the last three weeks, only eight corners have allowed a higher passer rating when targeted than Douglas.* Furthermore, during this same three game span, Douglas has allowed the 13th-most receiving yards in coverage.* However, Hurns hardly gets used in the passing attack, receiving just four targets over the last five weeks. Unless you have money to light on fire, don't put Hurns in any of your lineups. |
| Courtland Sutton DEN | Ahkello Witherspoon SF | While Richard Sherman has been picked on in recent weeks, Witherspoon has been damn good for the 49ers. Over his last three games, Witherspoon is allowing under 13 yards per reception and a measly 50.9 passer rating when targeted.* I really like Sutton this week, given his big play ability, but his upside might be capped against Witherspoon. However, Sutton should still warrant flex status, and record a serviceable day with about 55 receiving yards and a touchdown. |
| T.J. Jones DET | David Amerson ARI | Jones has been lackluster for the Lions and despite the loss of Marvin Jones , he's failed to capitalize on added opportunities. With just three grabs for 42 yards over his past three games, we are in full fade mode right here in all formats. |
| Davante Adams GB | Robert Alford ATL | Adams is a monster and one could argue that he has the highest floor in fantasy football, given that all he does is score. Alford has struggled in coverage at times this season, and while he's been slightly better of late, he's still allowing a passer rating of 120.5 over the last four weeks.* Start Adams and at the very least, you can expect about 75ish receiving yards and his 12th touchdown on the season. |
| DeAndre Hopkins HOU | Pierre Desir IND | In his lone career game with Watson against the Colts, Hopkins went for 169 yards and a touchdown. Watson might be forced to throw it a bit more than normal in this matchup, and if that were to be the case, Hopkins is guaranteed double-digit targets, which will be fine against an Indianapolis defense that ranks in the bottom third of the league in covering the opposition's No. 1 receiver, per Football Outsiders. As always, Hopkins is a WR1. |
| T.Y. Hilton IND | Johnathan Joseph HOU | Hilton is Houston's Kryptonite as he has been absolutely dominant against a secondary that lacks major speed at the cornerback position. One of, if not his greatest asset is his speed, and that alone has given Houston fits in recent contests. In nine career games against the Texans with Luck under center he's averaging 104.4 yards with 0.78 touchdowns per game. Yeah, he's a must-start this week. |
| Keelan Cole JAX | Malcolm Butler TEN | Cole has the ability to stretch the field, but it's just not happening in Jacksonville this season. The offense has been abysmal, and Cody Kessler isn't much of an upgrade from Blake Bortles . Fade Cole, despite a matchup against Butler who has allowed plenty of success to opposing wide receivers this season. |
| Tyreek Hill KC | Jimmy Smith BAL | Hill struggled last week, catching just one ball, but I wouldn't buy into that too much. He has game-breaking speed, and up until last week's contest, he had at least 60 receiving yards in seven straight games. His fantasy points may fluctuate, but last week was more of an anomaly than the post-Kareem Hunt norm. Hill remains a WR1 with game-winning upside on any given week. |
| Mike Williams LAC | William Jackson CIN | Jackson hasn't been tested much in recent weeks (six targets in past three games), but that changes this week. Keenan Allen is the top dog and will continue to act as such, but it will be Mike Williams that produces the next best fantasy stat line against this struggling Cincinnati defense. Williams caught two touchdown passes a couple weeks ago, and his red zone prowess should come into play in this matchup, as Los Angeles should move the ball with little resistance from the sieve-like Cincinnati defense. Start Williams in your flex. |
| Brandin Cooks LAR | Prince Amukamara CHI | Amukamara has allowed under 10 yards per reception over the last four weeks, but he has allowed two touchdowns and 1.19 yards per coverage snap during that same span.* Let's be honest, however, you're not benching Cooks, and in fact, you want him in your lineup this week! Cooks has been dynamic with Jared Goff , to the tune of a 113.5 passer rating when targeting him and a 72.4 percent catch rate. The Oregon State product has at least 60 receiving yards in six straight games. |
| DeVante Parker MIA | Stephon Gilmore NE | Gilmore will be shadowing Parker throughout this contest, but Parker remains a flex option, seeing as he [finally] scored last week and is averaging seven targets per game in his last three contests. Gilmore has been tough in recent weeks, allowing just an 80.8 passer rating when targeted over the last three games, but I still like Parker in the flex in Week 14. In DFS, he should only be used in GPP lineups, and he's by no means a building block. |
| Laquon Treadwell MIN | Tre Flowers SEA | Flowers has really struggled in coverage over the past three weeks, allowing just under 20 yards per reception and a passer rating of 142.6 when targeted over the last three weeks.* However, Treadwell is hardly used in the Minnesota passing attack and hasn't lived up to the first round status Minnesota expected. Fade Treadwell, despite the tasty matchup. |
| Josh Gordon NE | Torry McTyer MIA | Gordon lucks out with Xavien Howard missing this contest. Gordon receives a nice boost to his fantasy value in this matchup, earning cash game consideration for the DFS players out there. For those in seasonal formats, Gordon is a low-end WR2 in this plus matchup. |
| Michael Thomas NO | Ryan Smith TB | If recent weeks are any indication of future events, Drew Brees and Michael Thomas should be a connection we see early and often this weekend. Over the last three weeks, teams playing the Bucs haven't thrown at Brent Grimes too often, just twice in the last two weeks in fact, compared to 15 targets to the opposing outside corner.* Thomas is in line for a big workload and don't forget about his huge Week 1 performance against this defense. Thomas is a WR1 and should be started in all formats. |
| Bennie Fowler NYG | Quinton Dunbar WAS | Fowler continues to see run in the New York offense, but Eli Manning simply doesn't look at him. And why would he? Odell Beckham , Sterling Shepard and Saquon Barkley are far more dynamic and should be seeing the majority of the attention. |
| Quincy Enunwa NYJ | Levi Wallace BUF | Enunwa has been productive with Sam Darnold under center, but not as much with Josh McCown . Reports surfaced that Darnold was healthy enough to play last week, but Todd Bowles kept the rookie first rounder on the bench for the matchup. However, the Buffalo pass defense has been relentless on the opposition, and Enunwa could see some Tre'Davious White in this matchup as well, which is not a good thing. Enunwa will be on my bench in Week 14, unless I'm in a deeper PPR setup and Darnold is under center for the Jets. |
| Jordy Nelson OAK | Joe Haden PIT | To be honest, I don't know what to make of Nelson's usage (11 targets) last week against the Chiefs. The matchup isn't great to begin with, as Haden has allowed solid marks in terms of reception percentage (57.7) and passer rating allowed when targeted (84.5).* Many of us are in the fantasy playoffs at this point, and Nelson certainly hasn't gotten you to this point, so despite seeing that many targets last week, I'm hesitant to roll him out there this week. If he gets the 11 targets again, fine, next week he may enter the lineup, but one game of 11 targets doesn't make up for the fact that he saw just 12 targets in the five games before the contest against the Chiefs. |
| Nelson Agholor PHI | Byron Jones DAL | Jones hasn't allowed a touchdown on his watch all year and in fact, he's only allowed more than 40 yards receiving in a contest twice all season.* If you don't want to consider him elite, that's fine, but he's balling out this season and has been a key piece of an upstart Dallas defense. Agholor is a risky play in Week 14. |
| Antonio Brown PIT | Gareon Conley OAK | This will be a fun matchup, and one that looks especially tougher on paper. An enhanced touchdown rate has offset the fact that Brown is catching just over 61 percent of his targets this season. Conley, part of an Oakland defense that is routinely picked apart, has been dominant in recent weeks. In fact, over the last three weeks, he's allowed a passer rating of 8.3.* Despite Conley's excellent play of late, Brown remains a WR1, but it is a road game, so Brown might fall towards the backend of the WR1 echelon. |
| Tyler Lockett SEA | Xavier Rhodes MIN | This isn't a great matchup for Lockett, but can we really doubt Lockett at this point? The dude has nine touchdowns on the season and Russell Wilson has a perfect passer rating (158.3) when targeting Lockett.* Lockett has tallied 50 or more yards AND a touchdown in three of his last four games, albeit against much softer defenses than what the Vikings boast. Lockett has earned our trust and he needs to be in your starting lineup, despite a date with Rhodes. |
| Dante Pettis SF | Bradley Roby DEN | Pettis is coming off a monster game and Roby has allowed a 130.8 passer rating when targeted and two touchdowns over the last three weeks.* Denver should take an early lead, forcing San Francisco to throw the ball early and often again this week. While Mullens won't throw for 414 yards again, Pettis has proven to be the team's most dynamic receiver with Marquise Goodwin out of action. |
| Chris Godwin TB | Eli Apple NO | Marshon Lattimore has been stingy to opposing receivers lately, but he will likely shadow Mike Evans like he did in the team's last matchup. Hey, Godwin isn't complaining, as Apple has allowed the sixth-most receiving yards and a 98.6 passer rating when targeted over the last three weeks.* Godwin found the end zone last week, and he's been efficient of late, catching nine of 10 targets over the last two weeks. |
| Corey Davis TEN | Jalen Ramsey JAX | Statistically, Ramsey may be unimpressive, especially if you look at the fact that he's allowed the third-most receiving yards in coverage over the past four weeks.* Conversely, he's allowed just a 50 percent catch rate and a measly 65.4 passer rating when targeted during that span.* Davis should still be started, but he'll be closer to a mid-level flex option this week, rather than a WR2. |
| Josh Doctson WAS | Janoris Jenkins NYG | Doctson was enjoying a nice target share with Colt McCoy under center, but it's hard to get excited about Doctson moving forward with Mark Sanchez under center. Sanchez showed a commitment to using his tight ends, meaning Doctson might just be a four or five targets per game guy, rather than the seven to eight per game he was shaping up to be with McCoy. |
| Right WR | Left CB | Analysis |
| J.J. Nelson ARI | Darius Slay DET | No thanks. Not really feeling it with Nelson this week. Nothing against him, but he just hasn't produced. He has four grabs on the year, and none since Week 7, and will see Darius Slay in coverage. Sure, Slay will pivot over to Larry Fitzgerald at times, but even so, it's just not in the cards for the speedy receiver. Fade. Fade. Fade. |
| Calvin Ridley ATL | Jaire Alexander GB | In terms of passer rating allowed over the past three weeks, there's no significant advantage going Alexander (105.1) compared to fellow rookie Josh Jackson (105.4).* However, during that span, Jackson has allowed 9.2 yards per reception, while Alexander has allowed 18.4 yards per reception. Yes, that's double! After seeing 13 targets in Week 12 against the Saints, Ridley saw just five last week. Ridley should see closer to eight targets in this game, which should be plenty of opportunities to tally 60+ receiving yards and a touchdown. |
| John Brown BAL | Orlando Scandrick KC | Lamar Jackson will have to throw the ball 30+ times in this game, and Brown has the best matchup against Scandrick. The veteran cornerback has allowed the most receiving yards, touchdowns, and highest passer rating allowed when targeted among the team's starting corners over the last three games.* Start Brown |
| Zay Jones BUF | Trumaine Johnson NYJ | Jones has been the team's top receiver of late, and the release of Kelvin Benjamin and Andre Holmes shows that they are committed to seeing what their young receivers can do with Josh Allen . Jones had a productive game in his last meeting against the Jets, and if his recent target share stays true, he could produce quality flex results. |
| D.J. Moore CAR | Philip Gaines CLE | Let's address the elephant in the room. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH Cam Newton . His arm/shoulder is bothering him, making me very hesitant to use Moore this week against the Cleveland defense. It's not that the defense scares me, as my Texans just put up nearly 30 points on them, but Moore struggled last week with a banged up Newton. Monitor the quarterback's status before locking Moore in your lineups. |
| Allen Robinson CHI | Aqib Talib LAR | Talib was eased back into action last week as he returned from a lengthy absence, but he should see the lion's share of snaps as the team's regular left cornerback. Talib is the team's best cornerback, as Marcus Peters has struggled this season, Troy Hill isn't a long-term option and Sam Shields is older and losing a step. Robinson is averaging nearly seven targets per game over the last three weeks, but the likely return of Mitchell Trubisky should benefit Robinson greatly. Start him as a low-end WR2. |
| John Ross CIN | Casey Hayward Jr. LAC | The possibility of more targets opens for Ross as A.J. Green is done for the year, but he's yet to post a big time stat line this season. Ross scored in three straight games without Green (Weeks 10-12), but he never eclipsed three receptions or 40 yards in those outings. While he could find the end zone, yards may be tougher to come by against Hayward, who is an above-average corner in the National Football League. |
| Rashard Higgins CLE | Donte Jackson CAR | In the past three games, Jackson has allowed a 100 percent catch rate (13-for-13) with one touchdown and a 144.4 passer rating when targeted.* However, Higgins has seen more than four targets in a game just twice this season, and not once in the past five weeks. He has scored three times during that five game span, but unless he's scored, he hasn't produced meaningful fantasy stats. I don't think the touchdown comes this week, so he shouldn't be started. |
| Amari Cooper DAL | Chandon Sullivan PHI | Sullivan hasn't been targeted as often as Rasul Douglas in recent weeks but that doesn't mean the opposition have feared him. Over the past three games, he's allowed a 118.8 passer rating when targeted, a 100 percent catch rate and nearly 20 yards per reception.* All cylinders are firing for a big Cooper week in this divisional showdown. |
| DaeSean Hamilton DEN | Richard Sherman SF | Sherman has really, really struggled over the last three games, allowing a passer rating of 149.1 when targeted and 1.69 yards per coverage snap.* However, Hamilton doesn't have the rapport with Case Keenum and has been targeted just four times over the past three games. Despite the good matchup, we won't be able to take advantage of it. |
| Kenny Golladay DET | Patrick Peterson ARI | Golladay certainly slides down a few notches for me in Week 14, but he isn't a complete fade. Detroit has been running him out of the slot in recent weeks, nearly as much as he's been outside in the past two weeks.* On the other hand, Peterson practically never sees the slot, taking just 11 slot corner snaps.* In a GPP lineup, I like throwing Golladay in there, because his ownership will be low with the assumption that Peterson will follow him everywhere. |
| Equanimeous St. Brown GB | Desmond Trufant ATL | At this point, any Green Bay receiver not named Davante Adams is a risky play. He's hogging the targets, leaving the rest to fight for the scraps. Not an ideal matchup here for the rookie, relegating him to low-end flex status. |
| Demaryius Thomas HOU | Quincy Wilson IND | In terms of Team DVOA, per Football Outsiders, Indy has been stronger against No. 2 receivers compared to the opposing team's top dog. Thomas won't get a ton of volume in the Houston passing attack, especially if Deshaun Watson is only dropping back 25 times and DeAndre Hopkins is getting nearly half of the looks. However, Thomas is a big wide receiver that has shown a knock to be useful in the end zone for Deshaun Watson . He will need a touchdown to reward his fantasy owners, but after not scoring against the Browns, he'll find the end zone this week as the Texans go for the division crown. |
| Ryan Grant IND | Shareece Wright HOU | Andrew Luck is throwing the ball all around the field, but to see just two targets when Andrew Luck attempted 50 pass attempts is just bad. There's no other way to put it. Earlier this year, Grant saw seven targets against the Texans, but his usage has dropped considerably, as the tight ends have become more integral to the passing attack behind T.Y. Hilton . Grant and his 24 receiving yards over the last four games can hang out on the waiver wire. |
| Donte Moncrief JAX | Adoree' Jackson TEN | Jackson has allowed the second-most yards in coverage over the past four weeks, but Cody Kessler doesn't inspire much confidence for Moncrief in Week 14. Three receptions for 40 yards last week? I'm not buying Moncrief in Week 14. No way, Jose. |
| Demarcus Robinson KC | Marlon Humphrey BAL | Even with Sammy Watkins out of the lineup in recent weeks, Robinson hasn't done much to tickle the fancy of fantasy owners around the world. In Week 14, things aren't lining up well for Robinson at all. He has just seven receptions (zero touchdowns) over the last five weeks, and during that same five week span, Humphrey has allowed just eight receptions and a 71.2 passer rating when targeted.* Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley are far better options. |
| Tyrell Williams LAC | Darius Phillips CIN | The question isn't whether or not you should start Williams, but more so if you think he will score in any given week. You're rolling the dice by playing him, because you need to pick correctly in who scores the touchdown between Tyrell Williams , Mike Williams and Travis Benjamin . With Mike Williams and Benjamin out targeting him over the past two weeks, I doubt he scores in Week 14, meaning he shouldn't be in your lineups. Great matchup, but he's not the second LA receiver to play. |
| Josh Reynolds LAR | Kyle Fuller CHI | Reynolds put up big numbers in the first game without Cooper Kupp , so maybe we were all too bullish on the second-year receiver. In a game that didn't feature over 100 points between the two teams, Reynolds caught just two of his five targets. This is a big game for the Rams, who are looking to make a statement after underwhelming last week against Detroit. He's a flex option this week again, however, as Fuller has been prone to letting his opposition break some big plays (14th-most receiving yards since Week 10).* |
| Kenny Stills MIA | Jason McCourty NE | Stills been acting as the No. 2 receiver, in terms of targets, behind DeVante Parker , and it's hard to feel good about playing Stills in this matchup. McCourty has been above-average in coverage over the last three games, but it's more on the fact that the connection between Stills and Ryan Tannehil just hasn't been there in 2018. If I'm forced to start a Miami receiver, I'm going with Parker, not Stills. |
| Stefon Diggs MIN | Shaquil Griffin SEA | I mentioned earlier that Tre Flowers has struggled in coverage for the Seahawks, but perhaps Griffin has been worse. Griffin has allowed two touchdowns and a near-perfect 156.3 passer rating when targeted over the last four weeks.* Diggs gets plenty of volume for the Minnesota offense, and despite seeing just six targets last week, he had four straight weeks of at least 10 targets. Diggs should return to that realm in this contest, which should be plenty to produce a top 15 day at the position. |
| Chris Hogan NE | Minkah Fitzpatrick MIA | Hogan saw less than half of New England's offensive snaps last week, and he is just an afterthought on this offense.* The former lacrosse standout has exactly two targets in each of his last five games. He has been one of the more notable fantasy disappointments this season. |
| Tre'Quan Smith NO | De'Vante Harris TB | Smith has been boom-or-bust this season for the Saints, with not much in between. Despite going against the Bucs, it seems like more of a bust week for Smith, as Michael Thomas should hog the majority of the targets and New Orleans will feature the rushing attack. |
| Corey Coleman NYG | Josh Norman WAS | The injury to Odell Beckham Jr. could wreak havoc on this offense, leading to ample targets to running back Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard . Coleman will see a few targets, but nothing to get fantasy owners excited. Avoid Coleman in all formqts. |
| Robby Anderson NYJ | Tre'Davious White BUF | White is one of the few corners in the league where if it's not a stud receiver against him, I'm in full fade mode. White has allowed a 60.9 passer rating when targeted over the past four weeks, not to mention 0.24 yards per coverage snap.* Fade Anderson, and expect a few more targets heading towards Quincy Enunwa and tight end Chris Herndon . |
| Marcell Ateman OAK | Coty Sensabaugh PIT | Ateman has been consistent for the most part, yet very inefficient. He's recorded 16 yards in each of the past two games which isn't great, but luckily he scored last week. Furthermore, he did see 10 targets two weeks ago, but with Jordy Nelson seeing 11 last week, Ateman saw his targets drop to just four. |
| Alshon Jeffery PHI | Chidobe Awuzie DAL | If you're targeting the Dallas secondary on the outside, don't look at Byron Jones , instead, go at Awuzie. He's allowed two touchdowns in coverage and a 114.4 passer rating when targeted over the last four weeks. Awuzie is no slouch of a corner, but he just hasn't been as imposing as Jones. Jeffery hasn't scored since October 21, and hasn't caught more than four passes in a game since that same game. Jeffery is a flex option at this point, and he may even find himself on your bench if you have better options at the position. |
| Justin Hunter PIT | Daryl Worley OAK | Worley has allowed the most touchdowns (4) in coverage among corners over the last four weeks.* Hunter, replacing struggling rookie James Washington , missed a potential touchdown last week, as the ball was just out of reach from his fingertips. I'm not expecting much this week either. |
| David Moore SEA | Holton Hill MIN | Hill is the team's fourth cornerback, but a concussion to Trae Waynes placed him on the field for some extended action, and he held his own, allowing his lone target to be caught, but limiting that reception to just seven yards, albeit six of those yards came after the catch. On the season, in limited action mind you, he's allowed a passer rating of just 64.6 when targeted and a catch rate of just 53.8 percent.* Moore found the end zone last week, and is racking up the air yards with Russell Wilson , so he's a fine play in Week 14. |
| Kendrick Bourne SF | Isaac Yiadom DEN | In a game where Nick Mullens threw for over 400 yards, Bourne saw just six targets, resulting in four grabs for 60 yards. Sure, the game script is favorable yet again for the passing attack, as the team will likely be playing from behind, but the upside just isn't there for Bourne, unlike fellow receiver Dante Pettis . Bourne is a low-level flex play in deeper PPR formats. |
| Mike Evans TB | Marshon Lattimore NO | Evans had his way with Lattimore in Week 1, catching all four of his targets for 115 yards and a touchdown with Lattimore in coverage.* However, things might be a bit different in this go around, as Lattimore has allowed a mere 68.3 passer rating when targeted over the last four weeks.* I still like Evans as a low-end WR1 in this matchup. |
| Cameron Batson TEN | A.J. Bouye JAX | Batson doesn't have a large enough role in the offense to warrant any attention for your starting lineup, and he has to go up against an offense that held Andrew Luck and Co. to zero points. Bouye has allowed 0.63 yards per coverage snap over the last two weeks.* Fade Batson. Leave him on the waiver wire. |
| Maurice Harris WAS | B.W. Webb NYG | Harris is a low-end flex option in 16-team formats, as he has his hands full with Webb in Week 14. Webb has allowed just 11.5 yards per reception and a 69.6 passer rating when targeted over the last four weeks, not to mention a 0:1 TD/INT ratio.* |
Now, here are my 10 favorite matchups in the slot in Week 14.
| Slot WR | Slot CB | Analysis |
| Keenan Allen LAC | Darqueze Dennard CIN | Allen is occupying over a third of his team's target share over the past month and the dude saw 19 targets last week! The Cincinnati defense simply cannot slow him down and his rapport with quarterback Philip Rivers is next level. Allen is a WR1, no doubt about it. |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster PIT | Nick Nelson OAK | Since the NFL calendar flipped to Week 10, Nelson has allowed the most receiving yards in slot coverage.* While Ben Roethlisberger has struggled on the road this season, and for his career, JuJu has been solid on the road. Sure, he has just one touchdown, but 717 of his 1,104 yards (about 65%) have come on the road. In DFS, I want Smith-Schuster over Antonio Brown . |
| Adam Thielen MIN | Justin Coleman SEA | Thielen has feasted against struggling corners this season, and while Coleman may not necessarily be struggling, he's certainly been vulnerable. Coleman has allowed the fifth-most receiving yards out of the slot over the past four weeks, including 1.46 yards allowed per coverage snap and a 73.7 completion percentage.* Thielen struggled last week, outside of a touchdown grab, but he should reward fantasy owners with a WR1 performance in Week 14. |
| Robert Woods LAR | Bryce Callahan CHI | Callahan has allowed a mere 14 receptions in slot coverage over the past four weeks, not to mention a 56.1 passer rating during that span.* However, one simply does not bench Robert Woods , for whatever reason. Woods is averaging 10 targets over his past two games, not to mention a touchdown reception in each of those contests. Woods is one of Jared Goff 's most reliable targets, and he should remain in all lineups during the fantasy playoffs. |
| Larry Fitzgerald ARI | Nevin Lawson DET | Yes, Fitzgerald will see some Darius Slay in this matchup, but he won't be shadowed by him, meaning there will be opportunities against Nevin Lawson . That is a good thing, seeing as Lawson has allowed two touchdowns, a passer rating of 115.0 and the 13th-most receiving yards in slot coverage over the past six weeks.* Start Fitz, as the injury to Christian Kirk likely lends itself to a couple extra targets for the future Hall of Famer. |
| Golden Tate PHI | Anthony Brown DAL | With more opportunities, Tate could be a monster in this Philadelphia offense, especially with his run after the catch prowess. He's averaging an excellent 5.8 yards after the catch per reception and his Week 14 opponent, Anthony Brown , is the third-most targeted corner in slot coverage over the past four weeks.* Start Tate and he enters the WR2 realm in PPR formats. |
| Jarvis Landry CLE | Captain Munnerlyn CAR | Munnerlyn has been vulnerable of late, much like the rest of the Carolina secondary. In the past four weeks, he's allowed the sixth-most yards in slot coverage, as well as a rather high 1.86 yards allowed per coverage snap.* Landry had a solid game against the Texans, reeling in some impressive grabs downfield. The touchdowns haven't been there, but Landry will find pay dirt this week, catching one of Baker Mayfield 's three touchdown passes in this contest. |
| Adam Humphries TB | P.J. Williams NO | I wanted to move Humphries up this list a spot or two more, but by no means does that mean I'm down on Humphries at all! Over the last three weeks, Humphries has caught 80 percent of his targets and is tied for the league-lead in touchdowns (among WRs).* He continues to put up fantasy points, and that should continue against Williams, whom has allowed the most receiving yards out of the slot over the past six weeks.* |
| Tyler Boyd CIN | Desmond King LAC | There's definitely some risk here, but Cincinnati is going to be trailing early on, and Boyd is due for plenty of targets with Jeff Driskel likely throwing it close to 40 times in an effort to keep up with Philip Rivers and Co. Boyd hasn't been as good when A.J. Green is off the field, but volume is everything, and there should be plenty of volume for the former Pitt star in this contest. |
| Willie Snead IV BAL | Kendall Fuller KC | Fuller has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards out of the slot over the past six weeks, and while Snead isn't necessarily lighting the world on fire, he has a chance to in this matchup.* Before poor performances the past two weeks, he had three straight contests of at least five grabs for 50 yards. Lamar Jackson is going to have to throw the ball in this matchup, and a career high in pass attempts should bode well for Snead in this matchup. I like him as a flex option in PPR formats. |
Elite
Davante Adams vs. Robert Alford
Alford has routinely found himself being targeted down here in the featured matchups of the week. On the season as a whole, Alford has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards, tied for 8th-most touchdowns (just two behind league leaders) and the highest passer rating when targeted (138.6) among qualified corners(at least 250 coverage snaps).* Adams is Aaron Rodgers ’ favorite target, and the star receiver is averaging 11 targets per game over the past three weeks. For the entire season, Adams has 11 touchdowns in 12 games, and Rodgers has a 129.3 passer rating when targeting his top receiver.* Adams just might end up being the top scoring receiver in Week 14.
Affordable
T.Y. Hilton vs. Johnathan Joseph
Joseph has been good in coverage this year, but speed kills, and Hilton has given Joseph and the Texans fits. Receivers able to stretch the field have given Houston problems and Hilton certainly classifies as one of those guys. Especially in NRG Stadium, Hilton has had some monster games. See for yourself:
2013 at Houston: seven receptions on 12 targets for 121 yards and three touchdowns
2014 at Houston: nine receptions on nine targets for 223 yards and a touchdown
2015 at Houston: five receptions on nine targets for 88 yards
2016 at Houston: three receptions on nine targets for 49 yards
2017 at Houston: five receptions on nine targets for 175 yards and two touchdowns
Hilton loves NRG stadium and you should love Hilton in this matchup.
The Dallas defense has been really good this season, and rather than attacking Byron Jones on the outside, let’s look to the slot, where Anthony Brown is vulnerable. Over the last three weeks in particular, opposing offenses have realized where they could exploit this defense, as Brown is the third-most targeted corner in slot coverage during that span.* Tate, coming off his best game as an Eagle by catching all seven of his targets for 85 yards and a touchdown, is a craft slot receiver that has commanded, and deserved, quarterback Carson Wentz ’s attention. He’s averaging nearly eight targets per game over his last three contests, and he has an opportunity to best last week’s performance against Brown.
Bargain Bin
Antonio Callaway vs. James Bradberry
If a stroke of luck would have benefitted Callaway just once last week, I doubt we’d be finding Callaway in the “bargain bin” section of this article. A long touchdown was called back due to a holding call on an offensive lineman, and then Houston’s defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Justin Reid forced a fumble at the one-yard line on another long completion from quarterback Baker Mayfield . Bradberry has struggled in coverage, and while he slowed down Mike Evans last week, he more or less has Evans’ number. Bradberry is unfamiliar with Callaway and just how lethal the rookie out of Florida can be stretching the football field. Mayfield loves to sling it around, and the two will connect for a touchdown at some point in the second or third quarter of this contest.
*Information gathered from research done at Pro Football Focus.