2022 Matchup Monitor Week 8

Each week, fantasy players question which of their players to insert into lineups and which to bench for that week. A key component in that process is highlighting easy or difficult matchups for players. While an easy matchup does not guarantee a player to have a great performance, it’s certainly a better bet. In this weekly piece, I shine the spotlight on a few different matchups to keep an eye out for as you make your lineup decisions. This is the Matchup Monitor Week 8!

Positive Matchups

The first group or player listed in each matchup here has an advantage and potential for greater upside against their opponent.

D.J. Moore at Atlanta Falcons

With P.J. Walker at QB, D.J. Moore saw a renaissance, with the most receptions and yards he has had all season in Week 7. Prior to Week 7, Moore was already seeing a 100-percent (No. 1) Route Participation and 97.2-percent (No. 3) Snap Share. Now with a positive trend after getting a new QB throwing to him, Moore can convert that usage into fantasy points.

The Falcons just gave up a whopping 481 passing yards to the Bengals, including three receivers with at least 90 yards. Atlanta has given up at least 290 passing yards in four of its last five games. The secondary is more vulnerable now with Casey Hayward on IR and A.J. Terrell suffering a hamstring injury. Ride Moore on his upswing this week against a shaky defense.

PJ to DJ! @Panthers take the lead before halftime.

📺: #TBvsCAR on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/YUSlriyzbx pic.twitter.com/7pwR1IMbtX

— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2022

Irv Smith Jr. vs Arizona Cardinals

Arizona yields high-volume usage to tight ends, with safeties and linebackers struggling in coverage. The Cardinals have allowed at least four receptions to TEs every game this season, including three straight games of allowing at least six TE receptions.

This week, Arizona faces the Minnesota Vikings with Irv Smith at TE. Smith has seen five targets in three games this season, finishing in the top-12 TEs just once. However, he has seen good red zone usage, seeing 5 (No. 8 prior to Week 7) red zone targets so far. Smith is a middle-of-the-pack TE, but with Travis Kelce and Gerald Everett on bye, he is a good start in a positive matchup this week.

Broncos RBs at Jacksonville Jaguars

I shudder as I write this. But… Broncos RBs, namely Latavius Murray and Melvin Gordon, are good plays this week (Marlon Mack only if one of the first two is hurt). Both Murray and Gordon saw double-digit touches in Week 7 and look to be the main duo running the backfield. Regardless of Brett Rypien or Russell Wilson being the QB, Denver is going to run the ball and throw check-downs with a disappointing passing offense.

The Jaguars have allowed over 100 rushing yards in three of their last four games, including 200+ rushing yards in two of those games. Jacksonville has also allowed seven rushing touchdowns in that span, failing to stop chunk gains and scoring on the ground. Injuries are heavy at RB, so if you’ve got one of the top two Denver RBs, consider playing him this week.

Negative Matchups

The first group or player listed in each matchup here has a disadvantage and a greater potential for a lesser fantasy output than usual against their opponent.

Jacoby Brissett vs Cincinnati Bengals

If you’re looking for a bye-week play, Jacoby Brissett is likely not it. Brissett has not surpassed 18 fantasy points in a game yet this season. His highest fantasy finish has been No. 12, with a 6.5 (No. 36) Accuracy Rating prior to Week 7. Brissett’s passing ceiling is limited and his rushing upside is not enough to warrant consideration in 1QB leagues.

The Bengals have allowed less than 200 passing yards in three straight games. Cincinnati’s pass rush is also coming off a three-sack game against Atlanta. The Browns’ passing game is not good enough to blow up against a solid defense. Expect Cleveland to continue to run their offense through Nick Chubb. If you are looking for a bye-week replacement for Justin Herbert or Patrick Mahomes, look elsewhere. Brissett is unlikely to produce good fantasy output this week.

Terry McLaurin at Indianapolis Colts

Coming off a productive week, Terry McLaurin now faces the Colts’ secondary. The Colts have allowed less than 200 passing yards in three of their last four games. Stephon Gilmore is the lead CB in a secondary that has allowed over 70 yards to an opposing wide receiver just four times this season. Indianapolis may be changing QBs offensively, but defensively, the team has been solid.

McLaurin sees high usage in Washington but has never had a high-level QB. Taylor Heinicke isn’t that much better than Carson Wentz, with 44 (No. 2) interceptable passes and 6.9 (No. 21) Yards Per Attempt last season. The Commanders also ran the ball more than passing it last week with Heinicke starting, so don’t expect a high pass volume to help McLaurin. A TD-dependent play this week, it is best to avoid McLaurin if you have other options.

Dawson Knox vs Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay defense has locked down TEs this season. The Packers have not allowed over 40 receiving yards to a TE group since Week 3 and have not yet allowed a TE touchdown this season. Opposing TEs see low volume and bare red zone usage. To be fair, Green Bay has yet to face one of the top-tier TEs, but Dawson Knox is not part of that top tier.

Knox has not surpassed 41 receiving yards yet this season. His best fantasy finish is No. 10, averaging 7.2 (No. 24 prior to Week 7) Fantasy Points Per Game. The Bills run their offense through Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, with some sprinklings of Gabriel Davis and Devin Singletary. Knox has not been a large part of Buffalo’s offense, so avoid him this week against a Packers defense that has been solid against TEs.

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