Uncover the Best Fantasy Football Matchups for the Playoffs

Advantageous Wide Receiver Matchups

Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN) vs. Tyrique Stevenson (CB – CHI): Despite quarterback challenges, Justin Jefferson has had a decent year and is currently QB2. Drafted in the first round this summer, fantasy managers are about to be rewarded with a dream matchup. According to Fantasy Points Data, only Houston Texans cornerback Eric Murray allows more fantasy points per route run than Stevenson. Stevenson allows 0.41 fantasy points per route run and is being targeted on 22.4% of routes run against him. Jefferson should have a spike week and finish in contention for the overall fantasy WR1.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – NO) vs. Benjamin St-Juste (CB – WAS): Over the past five weeks, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been the WR15 and is looking to extend that. Considering he had a bye during this span, his current production is even more remarkable. He is the WR11 in points per game. There is some risk as the Saints will be without Derek Carr, but the Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi is trying to coach himself into the permanent head coaching job and will likely have the team play hard. St-Juste allows 0.35 fantasy points per route run, tied for the third most allowed by a cornerback. There is an opportunity for Valdes-Scantling to have a great outing.

Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN) vs. Josh Newton (CB – CIN): In the past five weeks, Calvin Ridley has been the WR17 with some good ceiling performances against weaker defenses and some low-floor finishes against stronger ones. This week, he has an excellent matchup against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Ridley manages 0.39 fantasy points per route run and is up against Josh Newton, who allows 0.32 fantasy points per route run. This matchup should suit quarterback Will Levis and Ridley, making him a mid-range WR2 with upside.

Challenging Wide Receiver Matchups

Jordan Addison (WR – MIN) vs. Jaylon Johnson (CB – CHI): Jordan Addison had a huge game in Week 14 but is expected to come back to earth this week. Justin Jefferson has a better matchup and is likely to be flooded with targets. The Chicago Bears allow the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends, which is good for T.J. Hockenson. Jaylon Johnson is one of the best corners in the NFL, allowing only 0.13 fantasy points per route run. Fantasy managers might find it hard to fade Addison, but he should be viewed as a WR3.

Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE) vs. Joshua Williams (CB – KC): Since his Week 10 bye, Jerry Jeudy has been the WR2. The Browns coaching staff is working with quarterback Jameis Winston to get them on the same page. However, there is concern about the ceiling of this week's matchup. Jeudy is going against the Kansas City Chiefs and Joshua Williams, who allows only 0.13 fantasy points per route run. Fantasy managers should view Jeudy as a volume-based WR2 fantasy start sit option.

Michael Pittman (WR – IND) vs. Patrick Surtain (CB – DEN): Michael Pittman has been a disappointment for fantasy managers this season. Despite a big contract, he is the WR53 on the season. With the lowest passing volume offense this week and the shadow coverage of Defensive Player of the Year candidate Patrick Surtain, who allows only 0.13 fantasy points per route run and is targeted on only 9.3% of routes, it's time to drop Pittman and replace him with a running back handcuff.