Welcome to Going Deep! This weekly article will make use of charting data, advanced metrics, and other RotoViz tools — specifically the 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. (Note that for 2024, the “Target Explorer” tab has been removed from the tool.)
Please note, in general, this article will only discuss players averaging 6.0 or more PPR.
Jets at Vikings
Minnesota has been an easy matchup for opposing wide receivers and is vulnerable across wide receiver alignments. As a result, the Jets’ WRs match up well with the defense, and Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard are positioned for success. Since Week 14 of last season, the team has allowed six top six weeks, and even WR1 weeks. Minnesota has been a bit more challenging for opposing tight ends, from the perspective of actual fantasy points versus point per game (PPG), but has allowed TE1 week in four of its last six games.
| Player | GMs | Tgt | Rec | Yards | TD | YPR | Tgt Shr | AirYards | AY/Tgt | Team % | WOPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Wilson | 4 | 8.5 | 5 | 47.8 | 0.2 | 9.6 | 0.26 | 71.2 | 8.4 | 0.32 | 0.61 |
| Allen Lazard | 4 | 6 | 4 | 51.5 | 0.8 | 12.9 | 0.18 | 51.8 | 8.6 | 0.23 | 0.43 |
| Breece Hall | 4 | 6 | 4.5 | 33.5 | 0.2 | 7.4 | 0.18 | 12.2 | 2 | 0.05 | 0.31 |
| Tyler Conklin | 4 | 4.5 | 2.8 | 31.5 | 0 | 11.5 | 0.14 | 30.8 | 6.8 | 0.14 | 0.3 |
| Mike Williams | 4 | 2.5 | 2 | 30 | 0 | 15 | 0.08 | 32.2 | 12.9 | 0.14 | 0.21 |
| Braelon Allen | 4 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 14.2 | 0.2 | 8.1 | 0.07 | -1 | -0.4 | 0 | 0.1 |
In contrast, the Jets have been a much more formidable foe, with only five opponents in recent week scoring more than 15.0 PPR and WRs managing just 79% of PPG. Further, the team has been stout against both slot and wide alignments. While Sam Darnold has been on fire, this sets up as a tough matchup for the Vikings’ passing attack and Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor should be expected to have modest performances.
| Player | GMs | Tgt | Rec | Yards | TD | YPR | Tgt Shr | AirYards | AY/Tgt | Team % | WOPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Jefferson | 4 | 7.2 | 5 | 89.5 | 1 | 17.9 | 0.29 | 89.2 | 12.3 | 0.42 | 0.73 |
| Aaron Jones | 4 | 4.8 | 4 | 35.8 | 0.2 | 8.9 | 0.19 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.01 | 0.29 |
| Jordan Addison | 2 | 4 | 3 | 53.5 | 0.5 | 17.8 | 0.16 | 66.5 | 16.6 | 0.27 | 0.43 |
| Jalen Nailor | 4 | 2.8 | 2 | 34.2 | 0.8 | 17.1 | 0.11 | 32.5 | 11.8 | 0.15 | 0.27 |
| Johnny Mundt | 4 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 11 | 0.2 | 6.3 | 0.11 | 10.5 | 3.8 | 0.05 | 0.2 |
| Brandon Powell | 4 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 7.2 | 0 | 9.7 | 0.06 | 16.8 | 11.2 | 0.08 | 0.15 |
