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.
Titans at Texans
- Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine draw average matchup ratings against a Texans defense that does well in limiting the slot but struggles against those lined up out wide.
- Both wide receivers move between alignments and will have some quality opportunities.
- The top-10 scoring WRs facing Houston have averaged 21.5 PPR, the sixth-highest average allowed in the league.
- This is an average matchup for the duo.
| Player | GMs | Tgt | Rec | Yards | TD | YPR | Tgt Shr | AirYards | AY/Tgt | Team % | WOPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Ridley | 10 | 7.6 | 3.6 | 54.1 | 0.3 | 15 | 0.26 | 122.6 | 16.1 | 0.49 | 0.73 |
| Tony Pollard | 10 | 4 | 3 | 16.8 | 0 | 5.6 | 0.14 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.21 |
| Tyler Boyd | 10 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 21.8 | 0 | 9.5 | 0.12 | 24.8 | 7.1 | 0.1 | 0.25 |
| Chigoziem Okonkwo | 10 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 19.2 | 0.1 | 8.3 | 0.11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.16 |
| Tyjae Spears | 7 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 12.6 | 0 | 5.2 | 0.1 | -2.9 | -1.1 | -0.01 | 0.14 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | 10 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 25.6 | 0.5 | 17.1 | 0.09 | 27.4 | 11 | 0.11 | 0.2 |
- Tennesee has successfully limited WRs from all alignments across the season and Houston’s WRs score weak matchup ratings against the team.
- While Nico Collins has confirmed that he’s reached the point where he can put up points on any defense it is worth noting that he could be slowed down.
- After all, the Titans have held the 10 highest-scoring WRs the team has faced to just an average of 12.4 PPR which is the lowest total of all 32 teams.
- Tank Dell could approximate PPG but its hard to envision much ceiling for him in this one.
- Dalton Schultz won’t have things much easier.
- He draws a poor matchup rating and only three teams have held the top ten highest-scoring TEs facing it to fewer PPR per game.
| Player | GMs | Tgt | Rec | Yards | TD | YPR | Tgt Shr | AirYards | AY/Tgt | Team % | WOPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Ridley | 10 | 7.6 | 3.6 | 54.1 | 0.3 | 15 | 0.26 | 122.6 | 16.1 | 0.49 | 0.73 |
| Tony Pollard | 10 | 4 | 3 | 16.8 | 0 | 5.6 | 0.14 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.21 |
| Tyler Boyd | 10 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 21.8 | 0 | 9.5 | 0.12 | 24.8 | 7.1 | 0.1 | 0.25 |
| Chigoziem Okonkwo | 10 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 19.2 | 0.1 | 8.3 | 0.11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.16 |
| Tyjae Spears | 7 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 12.6 | 0 | 5.2 | 0.1 | -2.9 | -1.1 | -0.01 | 0.14 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | 10 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 25.6 | 0.5 | 17.1 | 0.09 | 27.4 | 11 | 0.11 | 0.2 |
