Matchups Start/Sit

The Patriots are on a roll. Mac Jones has been the best 2021 rookie quarterback and continues to improve weekly. The offense is supported by bell-cow back Damien Harris, while Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne fight for weekly relevancy.

The Falcons are a mess. They’re struggling on both sides and missing talent. Kyle Pitts is reliable and Wayne Gallman is a solid temporary option. Matt Ryan, however, struggles to consistently produce at a high level.

The New York Jets have allowed at least 6 receptions to opposing RBs in five of their last six games, allowing at least 4 receptions to opposing RBs each game this season.Gaskin has had four straight games with at least 15 touches, including at least 3 receptions in four of his last six games. Facing a New York team that struggles against pass-catching backs, Gaskin is set up nicely to perform better than his usual output.

D.J. Moore has not finished as a top 20 WR since Week 4, with just one top 35 finish in that time. Washington just shut down Tom Brady and Tampa Bay, giving up just 220 passing yards and snagging 2 interceptions. The Football Team has not allowed a 100-yard WR since Week 1, so don’t expect Moore’s production to jump back up this week.

The Rams come in with one of the league’s heaviest hitting offenses. Matthew Stafford leads the league in passing yards, Cooper Kupp is having a career year, and Darrell Henderson has been an efficient replacement for Cam Akers. Overall, the Rams are the better team in this matchup and should win the game.

Jimmy Garoppolo looks to continue his hot steak, as he gets George Kittle and the revamped Brandon Aiyuk back for the second time. In addition, Deebo Samuel is having a breakout season. The 49ers can move the ball through the air, but will first look to establish the run with Elijah Mitchell.

The Ravens are coming in fresh off of a rebound victory. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense have had their struggles, but have lit up the field and produced three elite scorers at their position. Expect the offense to stay hot versus an average Dolphins defense.

The Dolphins are a mess. The offense has been consistently missing key playmakers. This has forced targets to Myles Gaskin, Jaylen Waddle, and Mike Gesicki. The fins will look to turn things around against a beatable Ravens defense.

He’s still splitting time with Melvin Gordon, but Javonte Williams has a good matchup to produce for fantasy purposes this week. The Eagles have allowed 100-plus rushing yards to opposing backfields in seven games this season. Philadelphia has also been a bad matchup for opposing WR corps this season, so expect the Broncos to pound the rock. The Eagles are a good matchup for Williams to produce above his normal output this week.

Seemingly playing through injury this season, Antonio Gibson’s value has not nearly been as high as fantasy community consensus had him at the beginning of the season. He is averaging 3.9 (No. 41 among qualifying RBs entering Week 9) True Yards Per Carry this season, despite 47 (No. 5) Evaded Tackles. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is one of the more difficult matchups for opposing RBs. Gibson will be in for a rough day with smaller rush opportunity this week.

The Chicago Bears have disappointed yet again, but look to continue to improve. Justin Fields looks to advance on his breakout performance. Darnell Mooney continues to dominate opportunity, while Allen Robinson continues to disappear. Look for the Bears to have a decent night against the Steelers.

Big Ben is dust, but has been able to support Diontae Johnson to a WR1 statusl. Najee Harris has been given an insane amount of opportunity, and has been one of the most reliable fantasy options of 2021. The Steelers overall have a better team than Chicago, but have been known to fade offensively.

The Jets pulled off a miracle last week, but are not a good team. Mike White looks to be serviceable, but will rely on Michael Carter and Ty Johnson heavily to move the chains. Jamison Crowder is the only Jets receiver who will see enough opportunity to be relevant.

The Colts are going to handily win this game, and Jonathan Taylor is going to put the offense on his back yet again. He’s totaled over 200 yards in 5 straight games. Carson Wentz remains a middle-of-the-road option, and Michael Pittman is the Colts’ alpha.

Raven safeties and linebackers have struggled in coverage and the defense overall has not been great at tackling. Tyler Conklin is the fourth-highest targeted receiver in a Vikings offense that entered Week 8 with the fifth-most team pass plays in the league. Conklin is a good gamble to take against a struggling defense on a pass-favorable team.

Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick combined for nine receptions last week. Heading into Week 8, Sutton led the league with 928 (No. 1) Air Yards, but subsequently had 480 (No. 1) Unrealized Air Yards. Both Patrick’s and Sutton’s Target Accuracies and yards per target ranked outside the top 25 receivers entering Week 8. Meanwhile, Jeudy has just returned from injury. The Broncos receivers are victims of mediocre QB play and will struggle to put up fantasy numbers against a solid Dallas secondary.

Daniel Jones and the Giants have been up and down, but have shown the ability to hang around and produce close games. Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney have gobbled up targets and have been solid WR2’s. Devontae Booker has been quietly effective as the temporary lead back, but looks to improve on a stretch of RB3 performances.

There’s not much to say about the Chiefs. While the offense has struggled recently, this is the perfect get-right spot. They elite playmakers weren’t leaving lineups regardless. Other players like Darrel Williams and Mecole Hardman are high risk/high reward.

Kalif Raymond is top-25 among wide receivers in Yards After Catch Per Target (3.38) and Yards After Catch Per Reception (5.08). Why is this important? The Eagles defense is allowing a completion percentage of 74.36-percent of all passes and their 821 Yards After Catch allowed is 12th-most in the NFL. If Terry McLaurin can’t get his yards through the air, he’ll have a difficult time getting it after the catch. The Broncos have allowed 653 (third-fewest) Yards After Catch this season.

This brings us to the Rams’ opponent, the Houston Texans. Their defense has allowed 1149 (No. 4) Completed Air Yards and have allowed an Average Target Distance of 8.7 (ninth-most in the NFL). There aren’t many wide receivers available in free agency that have six consecutive weeks of 25+ Routes Run. Scoop up Van Jefferson and start him this week!