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 13!
Positive Matchups
The first group or player listed in each matchup here has an advantage and potential for greater upside against their opponent.
Trevor Lawrence at Detroit Lions
In a comeback victory against Baltimore last week, Trevor Lawrence threw for three touchdowns and 321 yards. Lawrence now has three straight top-12 QB finishes, with five in his last six games. The Jaguars’ weapons are improving, and pass-catchers are getting open, as Lawrence entered Week 12 with a 2.25-yard (No.4) Receiver Target Separation.
The Lions’ defense consistently yields big games to opponents, who have scored less than 20 points just twice against Detroit this season. Opposing QBs have thrown for over 250 yards in four of Detroit’s last five games, tossing nine touchdowns in that span. Lawrence is becoming a consistent QB. He’s showing flashes of accuracy and poise under pressure. Facing a bad Lions defense, Lawrence is a solid play and a good QB for your rest-of-season lineup.
Trevor Lawrence ranks this month
Rank
Comp pct 76.9% 1st
Pass Rating 116.1 2nd
Pass TD-INT 6-0 2nd pic.twitter.com/Mj76jsOcbS— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 28, 2022
Drake London vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers allowed the No. 7-most WR fantasy points entering Week 12. Pittsburgh has allowed 10 receiving touchdowns in its last four games, yielding over 300 passing yards in two of those games. Atlanta is not known for passing, but Pittsburgh is the matchup for a big-body receiver to succeed. Similar archetypes in Michael Pittman, Tee Higgins, and A.J. Brown have flourished against the Steelers recently.
Drake London Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
With Kyle Pitts out now, Drake London can see more opportunities. He saw just four targets last week but saw over 80-percent of snaps for the seventh time this season. London has disappointingly declined since Week 3, but this week is a good time to take a chance on a rejuvenation. With Pitts out and Atlanta facing a bad Steelers passing defense, London has a shot to be fantasy relevant again this week.
Kyren Williams vs Seattle Seahawks
The Rams backfield is now split between Kyren Williams and Cam Akers. Of the two, Williams is trending upwards. He has 23 touches over the last two weeks while Akers has 22. Williams is also involved in the passing game with eight targets in his previous three games, while Akers has six targets all season. So, Williams is the Rams’ RB to target moving forward.
The Seahawks just allowed a whopping 303 total yards to Josh Jacobs. They have allowed over 100 yards rushing to opponents in each of their last three games, yielding 17 RB receptions in that span. Facing a porous run defense, Williams has the opportunity to become Los Angeles’ sole fantasy viable RB. This week is the time to buy in on him.
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.
Matt Ryan at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys’ defense has allowed eight passing touchdowns in their last six games while limiting opposing QBs to under 230 passing yards in each of those games. Micah Parsons and company have been lock-down this season. They’ve allowed over 20 points in a game just twice this season.
Only viable in Superflex leagues, Matt Ryan has thrown 10 interceptions this season. With 14 total turnovers, Ryan has struggled to get the Colts’ offense going. While he entered Week 12 with an 8.1 (No. 7) Accuracy Rating, he also had 23 (No. 6) danger plays. A sturdy Dallas defense awaits in Week 13. Look elsewhere in your 2QB leagues, Ryan’s turnover-prone play will not bode well in a matchup with Dallas.
Devin Singletary at New England Patriots
Over the last two weeks, Devin Singletary has carved up a pair of poor run defenses. However, he faces the Patriots this week. New England has not allowed over 100 yards rushing over its last four games. Only four rushing touchdowns have been scored on this Patriots unit this season with a stout defensive front holding the line.
Devin Singletary Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Singletary is in a Bills offense that entered Week 12 with 25.2 (No. 18) run plays per game. Josh Allen tends to vulture goal-line touchdowns while James Cook has been getting more involved recently. Prior to Thanksgiving, Singletary was averaging 0.80 (No. 40) Fantasy Points Per Opportunity. With Allen taking a share of Buffalo’s already little touchdown opportunity, Singletary is in a tough bind this week.
Treylon Burks at Philadelphia Eagles
Rookie Treylon Burks is finally becoming a consistent fantasy asset. He has back-to-back games of at least 70 receiving yards and 15 fantasy points. However, he has yet to pass a 70-percent Snap Share in a game this season. Burks entered Week 12 with a 53.2-percent (No. 96) Snap Share and 67.6-percent (No. 76) Route Participation, showing he is not yet getting WR1 usage.
Treylon Burks Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Despite allowing 110 yards to Christian Watson last week, the Eagles’ secondary has still been stout this season. They have allowed over 215 passing yards once over their last six games. Philly corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry both rank in the top-10 of PlayerProfiler’s CB rankings this season. Burks is trending upward, but this is a week where he is likely to post a dud.
