Matchups to Attack
Tyler Boyd vs P.J. Williams
Tyler Boyd has been the epitome of a boom or bust player this season. Through eight games, he has scored 20+ DK points in five games, while scoring fewer than 10 DK points in his other three games. Overall, he’s averaging 6.1 receptions for 77.5 yards and 0.6 touchdowns on 8.3 targets per game. Boyd should shift into the top receiving role with A.J. Green injured. While there is some concern that his role could stay the same, Boyd will likely see double digit targets in a projected high scoring game that the Cincinnati Bengals could be trailing in.
He has played 73% of his snaps as the Cincinnati slot receiver, and that likely to remain the same, even with Green’s injury. Boyd will matchup with P.J. Williams, who has played 82% of his snaps as the New Orleans Saints slot corner. He has graded out as the second worst cornerback in the NFL this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He has been targeted on 18% of his routes covered, allowing a 68% catch rate. Williams also ranks in the bottom-12 of the NFL in fantasy points allowed (0.45) per route covered this season. Furthermore, he ranks as a below average cornerback in yards allowed (1.77) per route covered.
Robert Woods vs Shaquill Griffin
Robert Woods has quietly been one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL this season. After struggling the first week of the season, he has scored double digit fantasy points in each of his last eight games. On the season, Woods is averaging 5.7 receptions for 82.6 yards and 0.3 touchdowns on 8.2 targets per game. He has also been a significantly better option in Los Angeles, where he’s averaging 21.7 DK points per game. For comparison, Woods is averaging only 15.0 DK points per game on the road this season.
He has spent the majority of his snaps (44%) as the Los Angeles Rams slot receiver this season, but that was because of an injury to Cooper Kupp. Woods has also spent 43% of his snaps as the Rams right outside receiver, and that is where he will spend the majority of this game. He’ll matchup against Shaquill Griffin, who has played 96% of his snaps as the Seattle Seahawks left outside cornerback. He has struggled quite a bit this season, allowing a 68% catch rate, while being targeted on 17% of his routes covered. Griffin is also allowing 0.34 fantasy points per route covered this season. Overall, he has graded out as Pro Football Focus’ ninth worst cornerback in the NFL. Woods doesn’t need help to produce, but he’s a player that will benefit from an elite matchup in Los Angeles this week.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs Torry McTyer
Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been enjoying a solid rookie season. He rarely saw the field over the first four weeks, but he has played a significantly larger role in the Green Bay Packers offense from Week 5 on. Their receiving group, specifically Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison, has dealt with injuries this season, thrusting MVS into a bigger role. Over the last four weeks, he’s averaging 3.8 receptions for 79.3 yards and 0.5 touchdowns per game. He has also recorded two games with 100+ yards over that span. Valdes-Scantling has also been a consistent option since joining the starting lineup, as well, scoring double digit DK points in each of his four starts.
He has moved around the formation, playing the majority of his snaps (55%) in the slot, as he was starting for an injury Cobb. He’s now playing as an outside receiver with Cobb healthy and Allison on IR. As an outside receiver, MVS will spend the majority of his time across from Torry McTyer, as Xavien Howard will shadow Davante Adams. McTyer has played 97% of his snaps as an outside cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, and it will be as if McTyer shadowing Valdes-Scantling for the majority of the game. McTyer has only been targeted on 13% of his routes covered, but he’s allowing a ridiculous 82% catch rate. He also ranks as a well below average cornerback in fantasy points (0.37) and yards (2.17) allowed per route covered this season. Per Pro Football Focus, McTyer has graded out as a bottom-10 cornerback in the NFL in 2018, and Valdes-Scantling will see a major boost in value due to this matchup.
Matchups to Avoid
Seth Roberts vs Desmond King
Seth Roberts has struggled for the majority of the season, but he has been a more valuable fantasy asset over the last four weeks. Over that span, he’s averaging 3.0 receptions for 30.3 yards and 0.3 touchdowns on 4.8 targets per game. His role has increased with Amari Cooper in Dallas, as well. He struggled to make an impact in his last game, but saw 17 total targets in his three previous games, scoring 8+ DK points in each of those games.
Roberts has spent the majority of his time as the Oakland Raiders slot receiver, playing 73% of his snaps out of the slot. He matches up against Desmond King, who has played 95% of his snaps as the Los Angeles Chargers slot corner. King has allowed a 68% catch rate this season, but he has only been targeted on 12% of his routes covered. He ranks as an above average cornerback in fantasy points (0.23) and yards (1.21) allowed per route covered, as well. King has graded out as the best cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, and this is one of the easiest matchups he’ll see on the season.
Corey Davis vs Stephon Gilmore
Corey Davis enjoyed an elite game against the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this season, but has struggled through his other seven games. Davis is averaging only 4.5 receptions for 56.4 yards and 0.1 touchdowns on 8.3 targets per game. Outside of his matchup against the Eagles, Davis has failed to top 65 yards or score a touchdown in any game. He has also scored single digit DK points in four of his eight games this season. Davis has been an inefficient player that has struggled with upside because of his lack of touchdown potential.
Davis has moved around the formation quite a bit this season, but that won’t matter this week. He’s expected to be shadowed by Stephon Gilmore, who has graded out as a top-five cornerback in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Gilmore has held his opponents to a 55% catch rate, while being targeted on 16% of his routes covered. He’s also allowing only 0.22 fantasy points and 0.97 yards per route covered this season. Davis will continue to struggle with his efficiency in this game, making him a high risk option without too much reward because of his lack of touchdowns.
Kenny Golladay vs Kyle Fuller
Kenny Golladay looked like an elite player to start the season, but he has been struggling over his last three games. Over his first five games, Golladay averaged 5.4 receptions for 85.6 yards and 0.6 touchdowns (18.2 DK points) on 10.3 targets per game. His numbers has declined significantly as he’s averaging only 2.0 reception for 31.7 yards (5.4 DK points) on 2.3 targets per game. Golladay is expected to see more targets with Golden Tate in Philadelphia, but that wasn’t the case last week, as he only saw four targets in that game.
He has played 40% of his snaps as the Detroit Lions right outside receiver this season. He’ll spend the majority of his time against Kyle Fuller, who has played 100% of his snaps as the Chicago Bears left outside cornerback. Fuller has graded out as Pro Football Focus’ third best cornerback in the NFL, allowing a 60% catch rate, while being targeted on 17% of his routes covered. Golladay could also spend time against Bryce Callahan and Prince Amukamara, who have both graded out as above average cornerbacks in the NFL this season. Regardless of the matchup, Golladay could struggle, as Chicago has held other talented receivers to average lines throughout the season.
