Fantasy Soccer is all concerning the matchups. Despite the fact that you drafted your workforce with sure hopes and intentions, your weekly lineup choices should not be decided by the order you picked your gamers in. You want to test who your gamers play and be sure to’ve acquired the fitting guys in — and the mistaken guys out.
It is too early to be completely certain on which matchups shall be simple and which of them shall be robust, however we are able to take some educated guesses based mostly on wholesome personnel, defensive schemes, monitor data, and key particulars of offenses. The issues we all know will help us decrease the influence of the issues we do not know. This could result in higher choices being made.
We’ll undergo each sport and spotlight the gamers who aren’t apparent begins and sits (since you do not have to be informed to begin Bijan Robinson). You need to really feel extra comfy beginning or sitting gamers based mostly on the data given, and feeling comfy along with your Fantasy lineup earlier than the video games begin is the very best feeling on the planet.
All traces from Caesars Sportsbook.
Trey Benson takes over as Arizona’s lead working again in a tricky matchup. He is an excellent match for his or her hole scheme run sport and appears sufficiently big to plow via weak sort out makes an attempt for additional yardage. Whereas Benson’s very a lot a big-play ready to occur, he hasn’t proven persistently good imaginative and prescient nor does he routinely make defenders miss along with his jukes. It additionally does not assist that the Cardinals offensive line has been up and down this 12 months. All that mentioned, alternative is king in Fantasy Soccer and Benson ought to get numerous it on a brief week, even when it is versus a Seahawks run protection yielding simply 3.2 yards per rush (2.8 towards gap-scheme runs) with zero touchdowns allowed on the bottom. That is robust, however I would not rule out Benson making performs as a receiver — he has seven catches in his previous two video games and was Arizona’s primary third-down again when James Conner was wholesome. … Kyler Murray had 22 Fantasy factors in his final sport towards Seattle, 19.8 within the two prior. He is been over 20 Fantasy factors twice in his final six conferences with them.
I am to see how the Cardinals generate cross rush strain towards the Seahawks. They have a tendency to not blitz a lot and play numerous zone protection behind, which might find yourself being conducive to Sam Darnold’s sport. He is clearly worse when pressured (63% catchable cross price when pressured this 12 months in comparison with 93.6% when not). Seattle’s offensive line has improved its cross rush strain price allowed every week this 12 months; this does not determine to be a tricky problem for them, even when they’re on the street. It isn’t sufficient to make Darnold an excellent begin, he is extra of a desperation starter. Additionally, Cooper Kupp’s goal per route run price and common depth of goal have been manner decrease towards zone protection in comparison with man-to-man this month. … Kenneth Walker III performed 75% of the snaps final week and scored twice however had a depressing 2.4-yard common towards the Saints. The shortage of explosiveness when he modified instructions that I noticed in Week 1 was again, as was a tiny, tiny little bit of hesitation on a few of his first-half runs. Hand-in-hand with that was some premature blocking by his offensive line. Each points improved within the third quarter even when the Saints knew the Seahawks had been working the ball with an enormous lead. It is that form of play plus the return of Zach Charbonnet (who performed extra snaps than Walker in Weeks 1 and a pair of) that hold me from having numerous confidence in Walker this week. The Cardinals are top-12 in defensive rush EPA, rush success price allowed and yards earlier than contact per rush allowed.
MUST-STARTS: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Trey McBride, Kenneth Walker III (No. 2 RB)
STARTS: Trey Benson (No. 2 RB), Seahawks DST
FLEX: Marvin Harrison Jr., Zach Charbonnet (low-end flex if energetic)
SITS: Kyler Murray, Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, Michael Wilson, Cardinals DST
Carson Wentz was stable final week in a blowout win over the Bengals, however he was hardly blitzed and his short-area targets, specifically his tight ends, had been open. The Steelers have routinely blitzed at a 40%-plus price in every sport this 12 months with eight sacks (5 final week), however they acquired smashed by tight finish Hunter Henry final week, usually leaving him free in protection due to busts or as a result of they performed heavy zone and allowed brief throws to go his manner. Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson did not look fairly working round however he did benefit from an excellent matchup final week (6/5-49-1) and could possibly be respectable once more this week. What retains me from rating him greater is the return of Jordan Addison, who has been superior when used as a short- and intermediate-area goal, and the emergence of Jordan Mason’s sturdy working. Each elements might restrict Hockenson (and Wentz’s) quantity; particularly for the reason that Steelers run protection, whereas improved final week as a consequence of some contemporary faces, has given up 4.2 yards per rush to RBs with a third-worst 11.7% explosive rush price allowed via three weeks.
MUST-STARTS: Justin Jefferson
STARTS: Jordan Mason, T.J. Hockenson (borderline starter), Vikings DST
FLEX: DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren, Jordan Addison (low-end flex)
SITS: Carson Wentz, Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Austin III, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Kenneth Gainwell, Zavier Scott, Jalen Nailor, Adam Thielen, Steelers DST
Michael Penix Jr. was robust to observe final week — he air-mailed a number of throws and was late getting the ball out on others. Nobody’s trusting him in Fantasy leagues except they’re out of choices, however Drake London’s 5.9 and 10.5 PPR factors in his previous two video games had been the value Fantasy managers paid for Penix’s troubles. London hasn’t been working numerous deep routes and when he has he is hardly ever focused (4 in three video games), and when he is focused the cross just isn’t correct (zero catches). The excellent news is that Washington has allowed a 78.1% catch price to all receivers on throws within 15 air yards for 9.7 yards per catch and three red-zone scores (two final week). The unhealthy information is that whereas Washington simply gave up a monster sport to Tre Tucker final week, however each single different receiver they’ve taken on, together with Malik Nabers and Jakobi Meyers, scored nicely underneath 15 PPR factors. I would decrease the ceiling for London.
MUST-STARTS: Bijan Robinson
STARTS: Drake London (No. 2 WR at greatest), Zach Ertz (low-end TE), Commanders DST (low-end DST)
FLEX: Deebo Samuel (borderline No. 2/3 WR), Jacory Croskey-Merritt
SITS: Marcus Mariota, Michael Penix Jr., Kyle Pitts (high-end No. 2 TE), Darnell Mooney, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez, Tyler Allgeier, Falcons DST
I do not suppose it will matter how a lot the Saints blitz or not, they rank second-worst in cross rush strain price and solely got here up with 5 sacks in Week 1 as a result of Kyler Murray held the ball too lengthy. Josh Allen may have all kinds of alternatives to throw, it is only a matter of how a lot he’ll should. James Prepare dinner will run right into a Saints protection that did a pleasant job attacking Kenneth Walker final week and Christian McCaffrey the week earlier than. He’ll nonetheless get good numbers, however perhaps there are some probabilities for a 25-to-30 try sport for Allen. The Saints have allowed no less than one receiver to get 18-plus PPR factors in every sport this 12 months, often a bodily, high-volume non-slot wideout (Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jauan Jennings, Marvin Harrison Jr.). Keon Coleman suits that profile better of any Payments receiver. … As for Dalton Kincaid, he is regarded nice to date this season. His 5.3 targets per sport aren’t nice however a modest 6.9 ADOT with a cool 6.2 yards after the catch per reception are. The Saints let up 12.1 PPR factors to Trey McBride within the season opener and 16.6 PPR factors to 49ers tight ends Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges in Week 2.
MUST-STARTS: Josh Allen, James Prepare dinner
STARTS: Alvin Kamara (No. 2 RB), Juwan Johnson, Dalton Kincaid, Payments DST
FLEX: Keon Coleman (No. 3 WR), Chris Olave (high-end No. 3 WR in PPR), Rashid Shaheed (low-end flex)
SITS: Spencer Rattler, Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer, Ray Davis, Kendre Miller, Saints DST
Here is a pattern that depresses me as a Jameson Williams supervisor: Williams’ goal per route run price is decrease towards man protection (4.3%) than zone protection (15.1%). Each of these numbers stink, and the pattern goes again to final 12 months, too. It means Jared Goff seems way more usually at Amon-Ra St. Brown (an astonishing 41.7% goal per route run price versus man) than Williams and even Sam LaPorta (8.7% versus man this 12 months). The Browns have performed extra man-to-man protection than every other protection. I would be nervous beginning Williams; LaPorta is harder to sit down however his numbers have been lean currently, plus the Browns have been principally good towards tight ends.
MUST-STARTS: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown
STARTS: Quinshon Judkins (borderline No. 2/3 RB), Sam LaPorta (middle-end TE), Lions DST (at Cincy in Week 5)
FLEX: David Montgomery, Jameson Williams (low-end flex)
SITS: Jared Goff, Joe Flacco, Cedric Tillman, Jerry Jeudy, Harold Fannin Jr., David Njoku, Jerome Ford, Isaac TeSlaa, Browns DST
At 37.7%, Houston’s offensive line is not even near permitting essentially the most cross rush strain via three weeks (the Jets lead the league at 50%). That is not the massive purpose why Stroud has struggled — he himself is. He owns the fourth-highest off-target price of any qualifying QB, and he is really had the next off-target price (15%) when not pressured in comparison with when he’s (13.8%). Stroud’s additionally been putrid within the crimson zone with a 28.6% completion price (solely Russell Wilson was worse) and a stone-worst -1.21 EPA per dropback with no touchdowns. It does not assist that the Texans have run the fewest red-zone performs — 13! — this season. This week he’ll see a Titans protection that is blitzed on the sixth-lowest price and has two sacks via three video games. Perhaps that’ll assist Stroud get out of his funk, however till it occurs the one Texans participant you can begin is Nico Collins on the hope he will get double-digit targets once more.
MUST-STARTS: Nico Collins
STARTS: Texans DST
FLEX: Tony Pollard
SITS: C.J. Stroud, Cam Ward, Elic Ayomanor (low-end flex), Calvin Ridley, Nick Chubb, Tyjae Spears (stash!), Woody Marks (stash), Christian Kirk (stash), Jayden Higgins, Dalton Schultz, Titans DST
We have already seen Drake Maye lean on Hunter Henry in 2 of three video games, count on him to do it once more towards the Panthers. Carolina has performed heavy zone protection this season — with glorious play from their cornerbacks. It is the Panthers’ cross rush that leaves rather a lot to be desired as they do not blitz a lot and have had a tragic cross rush strain price in two of three video games. Maye’s at his greatest when he is acquired time to throw and going through zone protection, so this matchup needs to be an excellent one for him. And it is not unhealthy for Henry both as Brenton Unusual and Trey McBride every had no less than 9.9 PPR factors towards Carolina this 12 months; Kyle Pitts would have had greater than 7.9 final week however his quarterback fell aside. Maye ought to look to Henry once more for extra completions, particularly since his protection will not be a good as different huge receivers on the Patriots. That is what occurred final week.
Editor’s notice: Lineup recommendation evaluation to return. Examine again.
Jaxson Dart is likely to be rushed to the beginning lineup, however he was a high quality prospect whom I acquired to know on the Senior Bowl, and his school movie was extra good than unhealthy. I really like the gunslinger mentality, the fast launch and good velocity, the mobility and willingness to run, the red-zone effectivity and his anticipation as a thrower. I am nervous about how he’ll deal with the blitz (he didn’t deal with it nicely final 12 months) and the way he’ll decipher coverages. By way of three weeks the Chargers have performed numerous heavy zone protection and actually solely blitzed rather a lot within the second half of final week’s sport towards the Broncos — and did not actually succeed (one second-half sack). Bo Nix was near hitting three separate deep passes, one thing that may completely stand out on movie to the Giants and Malik Nabers. The Chargers additionally acquired gashed for six.5 yards per run by Denver’s working backs final week, permitting a run of 10-plus yards on 23.1% of their carries. That is very vital as they’ve struggled there since shedding Khalil Mack to harm. It opens the door for Cam Skattebo to maintain churning as he did final week towards the Chiefs.
MUST-STARTS: Malik Nabers
STARTS: Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton, Cam Skattebo, Ladd McConkey (No. 2 WR), Chargers DST
FLEX: Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston (each high-end flexes), Wan’Dale Robinson (PPR flex)
SITS: Jaxson Dart (stash), Oronde Gadsden (deep stash), Theo Johnson, Devin Singletary, Giants DST
The Eagles run sport ran out of steam final week, however the cross sport got here out of the casket just like the Undertaker meme. I’ve tracked A.J. Brown all season and he clearly regarded like his outdated self final week. Extra importantly, Jalen Hurts regarded like his outdated self as a thrower. They could want a repeat efficiency in Week 4 because the Bucs haven’t let up greater than 3.8 yards per rush to working backs in a sport but this 12 months. Towards the cross it is a completely different story: Tampa Bay is just about common besides in yards after catch allowed — 6.3 per reception, which is third-most within the league. Getting his pass-catchers out in house shall be essential for Hurts to have an excellent sport.
Philadelphia’s protection has been rocked by accidents over the previous week: edge rusher Nolan Smith and cornerback Jakorian Bennett each went on injured reserve. Bennett had taken over for Adoree Jackson at nook when he acquired damage. Even when Jackson performs, whoever traces up reverse Quinyon Mitchell goes to get numerous consideration from Baker Mayfield. Smith’s absence thins out a cross rush that had generated a lot of its strain from its D-line to start with. It helps the Bucs, who’ve been ravaged by accidents of their very own alongside the offensive line. Vic Fangio’s protection did attempt kicking its blitz price up a notch final week towards the Rams and it did not assist them — they’ve three sacks all season. Final 12 months towards Fangio’s Eagles we noticed Mayfield full 30 of 47 passes for 347 yards and two scores, ending with 32.9 Fantasy factors. Not having Mike Evans will sting, however he labored round that final week on low quantity; this week he ought to find yourself throwing an excellent quantity.
MUST-STARTS: Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Bucky Irving, A.J. Brown
STARTS: Baker Mayfield (low-end starter), Emeka Egbuka (No. 2 WR), DeVonta Smith (low-end No. 2 WR)
SITS: Dallas Goedert (high-end No. 2 TE), Sterling Shepard, Rachaad White, Chris Godwin (will change if he is energetic), Cade Otton (desperation starter), Jahan Dotson, Ryan Miller, Eagles DST (borderline starter), Buccaneers DST
The Rams blitzed on 37.8% of Jalen Hurts’ dropbacks final week. It is uncommon for them to blitz that a lot, and but I would be shocked if the Rams did not do the identical factor to Daniel Jones in Week 4. Jones has been spectacular besides when pressured: His completion price dropped from 79.4% to 52%, his off-target price has primarily doubled from 7.9% to 16%, his yards per try common sank 3.0 yards and he has but to throw a landing when underneath duress. The movie does present loads of performs the place Jones connects despite defenders getting close to him, nevertheless it’s actually been good cross safety from his workforce that is helped him maximize his play. If Jones has an edge it is within the matchups his pass-catchers have towards the Rams cornerbacks, however he’ll should beat the blitz to ensure that it to repay. That is likely to be asking for an excessive amount of — I would contemplate different choices.
MUST-STARTS: Jonathan Taylor, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams
STARTS: Tyler Warren, Rams DST (low-end beginning DST)
FLEX: Michael Pittman (high-end PPR flex)
SITS: Matthew Stafford and Daniel Jones (each high-end No. 2 QBs), Josh Downs (low-end flex), Blake Corum (stash), Colts DST
If the Jaguars had been taking over a dominant opponent it will be simple to only sit Brian Thomas Jr. and watch for a greater week. However the 49ers misplaced Nick Bosa, their greatest cross rusher, so it ought to flip a nasty matchup extra impartial for Trevor Lawrence & Co. Will it assist Thomas? Look, his pace is not a difficulty however his palms and timing with Lawrence are. He dropped one other cross final week, there have been no less than two performs final week the place Thomas wasn’t in the fitting place for a throw from Lawrence, and there have been others the place Thomas acquired open and Lawrence threw elsewhere. Three receivers have had eleven-plus PPR factors towards the 49ers to date this season, however two had no less than 10 targets. And whereas Marvin Harrison Jr. did not have an enormous sport final week, he was near it had he held onto the soccer a few instances on downfield throws. Level is, it is a secondary that should not be feared nor a cross rush that ought to threaten Lawrence. There’s an opportunity Thomas might come via if he can simply maintain on to the soccer a few instances. You need to begin him with lowered expectations.
MUST-STARTS: Christian McCaffrey
STARTS: Travis Etienne, Ricky Pearsall, Brian Thomas Jr. (No. 2 WR)
FLEX: Bhayshul Tuten (low-end non-PPR flex)
SITS: Brock Purdy (high-end No. 2 QB), Trevor Lawrence, Brenton Unusual (desperation PPR TE), Parker Washington (desperation flex), Travis Hunter, Brian Robinson Jr., Kendrick Bourne, Jake Tonges, 49ers DST, Jaguars DST
Everybody is aware of after Monday night time that the Ravens run protection was mauled on the bottom to the tune of 6.4 yards per rush by Detroit’s working backs, however the Chiefs have been bottom-five in complete rush yards and complete rushes with zero explosive RB runs on the 12 months. Taking strain off of Patrick Mahomes with the run sport is sensible, however the Chiefs have didn’t do it and will not have the ability to even towards a surprisingly challenged Ravens run protection. It would then come all the way down to how a lot cross rush strain the Ravens can get on Mahomes. That is an issue — the Ravens have actually solely blitzed rather a lot after they’ve trailed in video games, and even after they do get strain they fail to sack the quarterback. Mahomes hasn’t been nice throwing the ball — he owns the best off-target price of any qualifying quarterback this season at 21%, and he has three passing touchdowns via three weeks. It does not assist that Mahomes has 18 or fewer Fantasy factors in every of his previous two towards the Ravens (each Chiefs wins).
MUST-STARTS: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry
STARTS: Patrick Mahomes (low-end No. 1 QB), Zay Flowers (No. 2 WR), Mark Andrews, Ravens DST
FLEX: Tyquan Thornton (low-end flex), Marquise Brown (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: DeAndre Hopkins, Rashod Bateman, Travis Kelce (high-end No. 2 TE), Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, Brashard Smith, Justice Hill, Chiefs DST
Las Vegas’ greatest difficulty is its offensive line. After they’ve been overmatched the entire offense has struggled, however after they have not been overmatched the entire offense has shined. Geno Smith uncorked some spectacular throws final week (and in Week 1) when his line was high-quality. Ashton Jeanty ripped off some high quality runs final week. Chicago’s performed extra zone protection with out its prime cornerbacks on the sector, its cross rush solely generated some motion final week as a result of the Cowboys had been down a starter amongst its entrance 5 and did not have CeeDee Lamb to scare them off, and its run protection was gashed by the Lions and Cowboys in consecutive weeks, notably permitting 3.22 yards earlier than contact per rush, a tell-tale signal that their D-line is not doing sufficient to push again towards opposing offensive traces. I’ve acquired some hope that the Raiders offense does nicely in a positive matchup.
MUST STARTS: Rome Odunze, Brock Bowers
STARTS: Caleb Williams, Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty (No. 2 RB), Jakobi Meyers
FLEX: D’Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, Tre Tucker (low-end flex)
SITS: Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, Cole Kmet, Kyle Monangai, Dont’e Thornton, Bears DST, Raiders DST
Towards the supposed lowly Chicago Bears cross rush final week the Cowboys allowed a 40.5% cross rush strain price with Dak Prescott on the sector. Chicago upped their blitz price to a still-low-but-high-for-them 25.5% to assist land the excessive price, doubtless as a result of they felt good about their defensive plan as soon as CeeDee Lamb was off the sector. After the sport, beginning guard Tyler Booker joined heart Cooper Beebe on the injured checklist, leaving the Cowboys offensive line in additional bother. It solely will get worse because the Packers are prime 5 in cross rush strain price (45%) and sacks (10) for the season. And so they’re doing it with out blitzing a lot. Inexperienced Bay has additionally held all however one huge receiver to underneath 10 PPR factors this season, an inventory that features Terry McLaurin, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and everybody on the Browns. Deebo Samuel had 17.4 PPR factors thanks largely to a garbage-time landing in Week 2. Tight ends have fared a lot better, particularly in PPR, so Dallas’ greatest Fantasy choice amongst its cross catchers for the week is likely to be Jake Ferguson.
MUST-STARTS: Josh Jacobs
STARTS: Jordan Love, Javonte Williams (No. 2 RB), Jake Ferguson, George Pickens (borderline No. 2/3 WR), Tucker Kraft, Packers DST
SITS: Dak Prescott, Matthew Golden (desperation flex), Dontayvion Wicks (stash), Romeo Doubs, Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Miles Sanders, Emanuel Wilson, Cowboys DST
The Jets have some defensive points: Sort out machine Quincy Williams is on injured reserve, as is his backup Marcelino McCrary-Ball. It would imply a rookie begins there. Within the secondary, new outdoors cornerback Brandon Stephens has been terrible in protection and nickelback Michael Carter II has been a legal responsibility as nicely. They’re additionally struggling to get strain on the quarterback, rating fourth-worst in cross rush strain price whereas calling blitzes at a top-10 price. All of this makes for a extremely good matchup for Tua Tagovailoa, who’s nonetheless getting the ball out fast however not fairly as fast as final 12 months. That is an excellent factor because it provides his receivers extra time to separate. He is additionally been very environment friendly within the crimson zone on the uncommon events when the Dolphins have been there. Tyreek Hill figures to see numerous Sauce Gardner in protection, which is a small downside you may ignore while you set your lineup, however the remainder of the receiving group for Miami ought to do nicely.
MUST-STARTS: De’Von Achane
STARTS: Tyreek Hill (borderline No. 1/2 WR), Garrett Wilson, Breece Corridor,
FLEX: Jaylen Waddle (No. 3 WR)
SITS: Tua Tagovailoa (borderline No. 1/2 QB), Tyrod Taylor (assuming he begins), Ollie Gordon II (stash), Braelon Allen, Darren Waller (stash), Dolphins DST, Jets DST
Bo Nix was so near an enormous sport final week as he overshot Marvin Mims on two deep balls and Courtland Sutton on one other, off by perhaps a yard on every of them. Nix additionally appeared a bit of too jumpy within the pocket because the Chargers acquired over a 40% cross rush strain price on him. Fortunately, Nix faces a Bengals protection that hasn’t blitzed a lot and is ninth-worst in cross rush strain price. A cushty Nix has confirmed to be an excellent factor — in 14 profession video games when he is been pressured underneath 33% of his dropbacks, Nix has delivered no less than 20 Fantasy factors 9 instances with six of these being 26-plus factors. That features a 27.9 banger in a Week 17 loss at Cincinnati final 12 months.
MUST-STARTS: Ja’Marr Chase
STARTS: Bo Nix, JK Dobbins (No. 2 RB), Courtland Sutton (high-end No. 2 WR), Tee Higgins (borderline No. 2/3 WR), Broncos DST
FLEX: Chase Brown
SITS: Jake Browning, Troy Franklin (stash), R.J. Harvey (stash), Marvin Mims, Tahj Brooks, Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant, Evan Engram, Bengals DST
