Play the matchups in fantasy football, and you’ll win more often than you lose. Now that we’re in the thick of the bye weeks, knowing the matchups to avoid and exploit becomes even more important. Bellow you’ll find the key matchup stats to know from each of the 15 remaining games this week.
Baltimore vs. Jacksonville (London)
Javorius Allen is an RB2 this week.
Yes, the Jags are a good defense. But take a look at what they gave up on the ground last week. The Titans backs racked up 138 rushing yards and two scores in that contest. That’s not to say that Allen is going to put up similar numbers, but he’s in a good position to produce, especially with Terrance West banged up. Allen has led the Ravens backfield in touches in each of the Ravens’ first two games this season and makes for a solid RB2 option this week.
Denver @ Buffalo
Fade Trevor Siemian.
Yes, he’s the No. 1 fantasy quarterback through the first two weeks of the season, but Siemian figures to come back to earth on the road against a Bills team that has yet to give up a passing score this season. Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas owners should still fire up the duo, but Siemian is a very volatile play this week.
Pittsburgh @ Chicago
Avoid Jordan Howard.
This advice isn’t necessarily because of the matchup, though the Steelers have held opposing backfields in check thus far this season. However, it’s extremely difficult to trust Howard in starting lineups right now. He’s dealing with a shoulder injury that has limited him in practice. That plus the emergence of Tarik Cohen as the passing down back puts a serious cap on Howard’s fantasy value. At best, Howard is a flex option this week, but it’s really too risky to start him this week.
Atlanta @ Detroit
Ameer Abdullah is a sneaky play.
While he isn’t an every-down back, Abdullah is the clear lead in early-down situations and is coming off a solid performance on Monday night. He offers upside this week against a Falcons defense that has already allowed two rushing scores and two receiving scores to running backs this season.
Cleveland @ Indianapolis
Start Jack Doyle.
Apparently, it doesn’t matter who’s under center for the Colts. Last week, Doyle racked up eight catches for 79 yards with Jacoby Brissett throwing him the ball. Expect more of the same this week in a dream matchup against the Browns. Cleveland yielded the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends last season, and that’s exactly where they sit two weeks into 2017. Jesse James scored twice against the Browns in Week 1 and Ben Watson racked up eight catches for 91 yards on Cleveland last week.
Tampa Bay @ Minnesota
Ignore the matchup data for Dalvin Cook.
If you look at matchup data from this season, you’ll see that the Bucs have given up the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. However, that’s based on one game and it was against the Bears. Last season, the Bucs were a middle-of-the-road matchup for running backs. While this year’s version of the Bucs defense is arguably better, they aren’t a shut-down unit. Cook owners should continue to start the rookie as a front-end RB2 this week.
Houston @ New England
Deshaun Watson is this week’s Hail Mary play.
This one isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for DFS upside, Watson might be worth a tiny bit of exposure. Through two weeks of the 2017 season, on the Saints have given up more fantasy points per game than the Patriots have to opposing quarterbacks. Now, that doesn’t mean we should expect a massive game from Watson, but he has very real upside that was on full display last week. Watson is an uber-sneaky play this week.
Miami @ NY Jets
Jay Cutler is streamable.
Through the first two weeks of the season, only the Saints and Patriots have given up more fantasy points per game to quarterbacks than the Jets. Those in a pinch at quarterback may want to give Cutler a look this week. Game script isn’t likely to favor a huge game, but the Jets have given up five passing scores over their first two games.
NY Giants @ Philadelphia
Downgrade Carson Wentz.
The second-year signal-caller is off to a hot start with 300-plus passing yards in each of his first two games. However, fantasy owners may want to look for another option this week. The Giants were the second-worst matchup for quarterbacks in 2016, and have given up just 390 combined passing yards over the first two weeks of the season.
New Orleans @ Carolina
Upgrade Cam Newton.
It’s been rough for Newton owners so far this year, as the 2015 No. 1 fantasy quarterback has thrown just two passing scores and sits a lowly 21st in fantasy scoring. That’s one spot behind Mike Glennon. You read that correctly. However, you’re going to want to fire him up this week in a plus matchup against a Saints secondary that has been absolutely torched over the last two weeks, giving up 798 yards and six scores through the air. Newton gets back on track in this one.
Seattle @ Tennessee
Avoid Marcus Mariota if you can.
The third-year quarterback has major upside, but he showed last season that he’s far from matchup-proof. After leading quarterbacks in fantasy scoring from Weeks 5-12 last season, Mariota posted three clunkers in a row during the fantasy playoffs. Over that stretch, he faced three strong defenses in the Broncos, Chiefs, and Jags. Seattle has only surrendered one passing score so far this season, and that was to Aaron Rodgers. Mariota could struggle this week.
Cincinnati @ Green Bay
Fire up Ty Montgomery as an RB1.
Don’t worry about the talk that the Packers might lighten Montgomery’s load. He remains the clear feature back in Green Bay, and gets a plus matchup this week against the Bengals. Cincinnati has yielded 256 rushing yards and a score to opposing running backs over the first two weeks of the season.
Kansas City @ LA Chargers
Both Chargers tight ends are interesting in this one.
Hunter Henry got of the schneid last week with seven catches for 80 yards, and Antonio Gates found the end zone. Both players are worth a look this week against the Chiefs. With Eric Berry out for the season, the Chiefs got lit up by Zach Ertz last week for 97 yards on five catches. Of the two tight ends, Henry is the preferred fantasy option, but Gates is also worth exposure in DFS tournaments.
Oakland @ Washington
Keep rolling with Marshawn Lynch.
The volume was there in last week’s blowout win, but Lynch remains a back-end RB1 play this week in a plus matchup against the Redskins. Washington surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points per game to running backs last season, and just gave up a big fantasy day to Todd Gurley in Week 2. Lynch looks like his vintage self, and it’s only a matter of time before he posts a massive fantasy day.
Dallas @ Arizona
Another rough matchup for Ezekiel Elliott.
Fantasy owners weren’t happy with what they got out of Elliott last week, and they could be in store for another disappointing result. The Cardinals were the second-worst fantasy matchup for running backs last season, and they’ve held opposing backfields in check so far this year, giving up just 51 yards on 22 attempts to the Lions and 54 yards on 23 attempts to the Colts. You’re still starting Elliott no matter what, but don’t jump off a bridge if he posts another lackluster fantasy line.
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