Making robust lineup selections every week may be the most difficult a part of the fantasy soccer course of. If you're torn between two related gamers and easily do not know who to start out, begin the participant with the superior matchup.
Ah, however precisely how does one decide one of the best (and worst) weekly matchups?
The matchup rankings present a schedule unbiased technique to judge positional matchups every week, rating all 32 opposing defenses so as of most to least favorable for opposing gamers in any respect 4 ability positions (quarterback, operating again, vast receiver and tight finish). As an alternative of relying upon seasonal totals, we calibrate factors allowed information to point out how every protection fared relative to the problem of the schedule it has confronted. This supplies a fairer strategy to judging the standard of particular person matchups.
As we enter Week 5, solely information from the 2025 season is used, however as soon as six weeks are within the books, solely the newest 5 weeks' value of numbers will likely be used.
Adjusted fantasy factors allowed (Adj. FPA) displays how far above or beneath gamers' weekly PPR fantasy level averages that defenses held opponents at that place. A constructive quantity implies that the matchup is favorable. A destructive quantity means it's unfavorable. Moreover, do not forget that groups typically use a number of operating backs and vast receivers in a recreation, and these plus/minus averages cowl all of a group's personnel at that place.
Lastly, a caveat: Matchups are solely one ingredient in my rankings method. Not each favorable matchup must be exploited, nor each unfavorable matchup averted. If you would like my — and ESPN fantasy employees's — most full supply for whom to start out and sit every week, seek the advice of our weekly rankings.
Quarterbacks
Matchups spotlight: Justin Fields, New York Jets (vs. Dallas Cowboys). Overshadowed within the Jets' 27-21 Week 4 loss to the Miami Dolphins have been his dashing contributions, which stored his group within the recreation and represented the sixteenth time in his 47 NFL begins that he scored at the very least 10 fantasy factors together with his legs. Fields now brings that mobility right into a matchup with the Cowboys, by far the league's worst protection, and one which has surrendered essentially the most fantasy factors passing (85.5) and fourth most dashing (24.2) to opposing quarterbacks. With a number of avenues to success, Fields elevates to a top-5 positional rating this week.
Others to love: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at Cincinnati Bengals); Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Washington Commanders).
Matchup to keep away from: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at Philadelphia Eagles). Whereas the Eagles have had their share of defensive lapses — they've allowed 4 passing touchdowns of 40-plus yards, twice as many because the next-closest group — on the entire they've held quarterbacks remarkably quiet for a group that has performed 64% of its defensive snaps with a lead. All 4 quarterbacks the Eagles have confronted common at the very least 18 fantasy factors per recreation for the season, however they averaged 15.7 in these matchups. Nix has averaged 16.6, however he has additionally largely performed to his matchups, averaging 23.0 factors in above-average matchups however 10.1 towards below-average ones (two video games for every). Count on a quieter output from him this week.
Operating backs
Matchups spotlight: Woody Marks, Houston Texans (at Baltimore Ravens). He loved a mini-breakthrough in Week 4, dealing with 9 of the Texans' ultimate 16 carries whereas pacing the group in targets (4) and receptions (3) throughout the identical time span, seemingly overtaking Nick Chubb on the group's backfield depth chart. If that is the case, Marks traces up brilliantly for a matchup towards the mightily struggling Ravens, who've allowed three 20 PPR fantasy level performances and 7 10 level scores to particular person operating backs already. The Chiefs' equally committee-oriented backfield totaled 25.1 factors on 30 touches towards this protection in Week 4.
Others to love: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (versus New York Giants); Breece Corridor, Jets (versus Cowboys).
Matchup to keep away from: Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings (at Cleveland Browns). He has been serviceable (at least) in his two video games filling in for Aaron Jones Sr. His 33.8 fantasy factors in these video games are 14th greatest amongst operating backs, and he is carried out so enjoying 62% of the offensive snaps and totaling 35 touches (tied for nineteenth on the place). Sadly, the opposing Browns have been the hardest matchup for operating backs to this point, limiting Josh Jacobs to 12.4 fantasy factors in Week 3 and the Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery mixture to 18.9 final week. The sport is trending towards having the bottom over/below all season (36.5 to start the week), which solely additional signifies it's a matchup to keep away from.
Huge receivers
Matchups spotlight: Xavier Worthy, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (at Jacksonville Jaguars). After lacking every of the earlier two weeks and all however three snaps of Week 1, Worthy roared proper again into fantasy prominence on Sunday, enjoying 59% of the offensive snaps and main all Chiefs receivers in targets (8) and receiving yards (83) whereas recording the group's two longest catches (37 and 28 yards). His fast return to No. 1 standing within the offense occasions completely with one among his most favorable matchups of the season. Jaguars CBs Tyson Campbell and Travis Hunter have struggled, affording the closest receiver a mixed 82.8 fantasy factors by way of 4 video games, per Subsequent Gen Stats, and the group has surrendered 13 catches and 4 landing receptions of 20-plus yards.
Others to love: Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. Cowboys); Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. Commanders); Keon Coleman, Buffalo Payments (vs. New England Patriots).
Matchup to keep away from: Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (versus Chiefs). One in every of fantasy's greatest disappointments to this point, Thomas has performed 85% of the offensive snaps, has a 23% goal share and two finish zone targets … and has solely 36.0 fantasy factors to point out for it, forty second amongst vast receivers. His quiet season appears more likely to prolong for at the very least one other week, contemplating the Chiefs' elite cornerback play to this point. CBs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have allowed solely 50.9 factors on 40 targets over 270 mixed protection snaps as the closest defender, per Subsequent Gen Stats, and the Chiefs as a group held Malik Nabers and A.J. Brown beneath 10 factors up to now two weeks.
Tight ends
Matchups spotlight: Dalton Kincaid, Payments (vs. Patriots). He is shortly shaping up as a touchdown-dependent fantasy participant, rating sixth amongst tight ends in fantasy factors (49.9) regardless of a 15% goal share largely as a result of he has three touchdowns. This, nonetheless, is an effective week to guess on him padding stated landing whole. The opposing Patriots have struggled towards the move, significantly after they have safeties or linebackers protecting the opposing tight finish. By means of 4 video games, they've allowed 49.3 of 60.2 factors to the place in these protection conditions. The Patriots additionally surrendered 26.5 factors mixed to Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans final week.
Matchup to keep away from: T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at Browns). Although he has totaled 23.8 fantasy factors in his two video games working with Carson Wentz, his 16% goal share throughout that point is of concern from a workload perspective. Throw on this tough-as-nails matchup, and Hockenson is a participant to keep away from. The Browns have confronted Mark Andrews, Tucker Kraft and Sam LaPorta the previous three weeks, held every of them beneath seven factors and restricted the trio to a mixed 14.2 factors.
