Welcome to Going Deep! This weekly article will make use of charting data, advanced metrics, and other RotoViz tools — specifically the newly released Passing Game Matchup Rater — to help readers better understand the challenges facing wide receivers and tight ends in the coming week. As my process makes heavy use of the Matchup Rater, I’d highly recommend that you set aside half an hour to watch the tutorial/walkthrough and take a spin through the tool.
Please note that we only touch upon players with 6.0 or more PPG in this article.
This week will be a little different. In Part 1, except for the Thursday and Saturday night games, I’ll simply be including the charts for each matchup. Analysis and important notes will follow on Saturday. With some injuries and QB situations up in the air, I’d like to have the most up-to-date information for the analysis.
Part 3 will publish late Saturday night or Sunday Morning.
MATCHUPS
LIONS AT COWBOYS
- CeeDee Lamb will close out the fantasy season with a strong performance against the Lions.
- Detroit has been favorable for wide receivers operating from the slot. Lamb and Brandin Cooks both move across the formation and will benefit from this.
- Lamb looks like a WR1 and Cooks is a WR3 with some upside for this contest.
- Detroit has been favorable for wide receivers operating from the slot. Lamb and Brandin Cooks both move across the formation and will benefit from this.
- Jake Ferguson faces a Detroit defense that has been limiting in overall points per game (PPG) surrendered to tight ends.
- He matches up with the team better than the average TE but figures to finish somewhere around TE18 this week.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown should be able to overcome a difficult matchup.
- Just three TEs have finished as TE1s against the Cowboys.
- This limits the outlook for Sam LaPorta, who profiles as a fringe TE1 in the matchup.
