By using our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start decisions and fantasy advice each week. Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can also help you make the best waiver wire pickups.
Below are the receivers with the best and worst matchups this week, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.
To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB cheat sheet.
Unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjust to a per-game basis to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.
Advantageous matchups
Cardinals' Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore and A.J. Green vs. Lions' Amani Oruwariye, Will Harris and Ifeatu Melifonwu
Detroit is in a tough spot at corner, as starter Jerry Jacobs went down for the season and joins top slot corner AJ Parker on injured reserve. With Jacobs out, Oruwariye is the team's clear No. 1 perimeter corner with one of rookie Melifonwu (out last week), Nickell Robey-Coleman (played 91% of the snaps last week after being called up from the practice squad) or Jalen Elliott (88 coverage snaps off the bench this season) handling the other side of the field. Parker is eligible to return from IR this week, but the undrafted rookie had been struggling regardless, as has replacement Will Harris. Detroit is simply short on talent and health, which sets them up for disaster against an Arizona offense that has had four wide receivers on the field for a league-high 19% of its pass plays. Detroit hasn't faced a ton of pass volume as a product of trailing often but still ranks around middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to receivers. This is obviously a major mismatch, so upgrade Arizona's receivers across the board.