Fantasy Soccer is all in regards to the matchups. Regardless that you drafted your staff with sure hopes and intentions, your weekly lineup choices should not be decided by the order you picked your gamers in. You must test who your gamers play and be sure to’ve bought the correct guys in — and the unsuitable guys out.
It is too early to be completely certain on which matchups shall be straightforward and which of them shall be robust, however we will take some educated guesses primarily based on wholesome personnel, defensive schemes, observe information, and key particulars of offenses. The issues we all know can assist us reduce the influence of the issues we do not know. This could result in higher choices being made.
We’ll undergo each recreation and spotlight the gamers who aren’t apparent begins and sits (since you do not have to be advised to start out Bijan Robinson). You must really feel extra snug beginning or sitting gamers primarily based on the knowledge given, and feeling snug along with your Fantasy lineup earlier than the video games begin is the perfect feeling on this planet.
All strains from Caesars Sportsbook.
Week 1 Fantasy darling Keon Coleman was principally shut down by the Jets in a run-heavy recreation script in Week 2. He was extensive open in the long run zone on a red-zone move play final week and had some stable separation when he wasn’t coated by Sauce Gardner, however he ran simply 20 routes. The Dolphins secondary is nothing just like the Jets — they’re among the many worst within the league — so there needs to be extra possibilities for Coleman to ship a minimum of a stable stat line so long as the Payments do not run up the rating like they did final week. The excellent news on that entrance is that Miami has stored up in 5 of its seven towards Buffalo with Mike McDaniel as head coach. You must really feel okay utilizing Coleman as a No. 3 receiver this week and subsequent week when the Payments host the Saints.
MUST-STARTS: Josh Allen, De’Von Achane, James Prepare dinner
STARTS: Tyreek Hill (No. 2 WR), Payments DST
FLEX: Keon Coleman (No. 3 WR), Jaylen Waddle
SITS: Tua Tagovailoa, Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer, Dalton Kincaid, Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins DST
Although Carolina bought extra stress with its move rush in Week 2 in comparison with Week 1, they nonetheless had only one sack. It is their solely collective sack on the season. The Falcons offensive line hasn’t been nice, and Michael Penix Jr. has had points with move rushes by way of two weeks (25% off-target price when pressured, 7% when not), however even they need to be capable of deal with the Panthers’ entrance, even with an uptick in blitzing anticipated. The Panthers stay dedicated to zone-heavy protection, particularly Cowl-3, and Penix has been very passive with a 1.2-yard common depth of throw towards that particular protection this yr. Drake London has an excellent 34.1% goal per route run price versus zone protection in two video games; the one different Falcon with 20%-plus in that’s Bijan Robinson. The scenario hurts the upside case for Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts, together with Penix. … Not sufficient persons are beginning Tetairoa McMillan, who has turned 19 targets right into a 13.9 PPR common, which features a 6-100-0 stat line final week towards the Cardinals. If the Falcons play with out high cornerback A.J. Terrell then there should not be something stopping McMillan from one other double-digit goal week offered the Panthers take the additional steps to guard Bryce Younger towards an up-and-coming Falcons move rush.
MUST-STARTS: Bijan Robinson, Chuba Hubbard
STARTS: Drake London, Tetairoa McMillan (No. 2 WR), Kyle Pitts (borderline beginning TE), Falcons DST
SITS: Michael Penix, Bryce Younger, Hunter Renfrow, Darnell Mooney, Ja’Tavion Sanders (stash), Tyler Allgeier, Panthers DST
The Commanders waited till Jordan Love did harm within the first half earlier than making an attempt to actually stress him and it value them big-time. The Browns could not wait almost as lengthy nor wrestle with it given that they are top-10 in blitz price, move rush stress price and sack price. They will additionally play plenty of man-to-man protection as they’ve been courting again to 2023, although hopefully high cornerback Denzel Ward performs a full recreation this week as an alternative of leaving early. This can come right down to the Packers O-line: In the event that they defend Love he ought to put up good numbers (all 4 of his passing touchdowns this yr have come towards man protection), and if they cannot persistently defend him then Love will disappoint. With out starters Zach Tom and Aaron Banks in Week 2, the Packers allowed a stress on 16 of Love’s 34 dropbacks (47.1%). In Week 1 with Tom and Banks the Packers allowed only a 26.1% move rush stress price. I might lean on Love as a low-end starter.
MUST-STARTS: Josh Jacobs
STARTS: Jordan Love (low-end starter), Tucker Kraft, Harold Fannin (low-end starter), Packers DST
FLEX: Jerry Jeudy, Romeo Doubs and Cedric Tillman (all are low-end deep-league flexes)
SITS: Joe Flacco, Quinshon Judkins (stash), Dontayvion Wicks (stash), Matthew Golden (stash), David Njoku, Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford, Browns DST
It is by no means straightforward to decrease expectations and even bench actually good gamers, however Brian Thomas Jr. has not regarded good, nor has his quarterback shined. Thomas is credited with two drops in two video games, and although it is actually laborious to criticize effort, there have been a few performs the place it regarded like Thomas wasn’t as locked in as he might have been. Apparently he is enjoying by way of a wrist damage. Thomas is third amongst receivers with 10-plus targets on his personal staff in explosive catch price and fourth in yards per goal. Not serving to his case is an 84.7% catchable goal price from Lawrence, which isn’t solely worst amongst receivers with 10-plus targets on the Jaguars however is thirty seventh out of 58 NFL receivers with 10-plus targets. By means of two weeks the Texans secondary is startingly bottom-10 in PPR factors allowed to wideouts in addition to completion price and defensive EPA per dropback to WRs. A few of that may be pinned on who they’ve performed; Lawrence is the least-effective quarterback they will have performed up so far. You may begin Thomas however expectations needs to be lowered.
MUST-STARTS: Nico Collins
STARTS: Travis Etienne, Brian Thomas Jr., Texans DST
FLEX: Nick Chubb, Bhayshul Tuten (low-end non-PPR flexes)
SITS: Trevor Lawrence, C.J. Stroud, Christian Kirk (stash), Woody Marks (deep stash), Travis Hunter, Brenton Unusual, Dyami Brown, Parker Washington, Jayden Higgins, Dalton Schultz, Jaguars DST
I am moderately sure the Bengals run protection is not superb — their D-line bought stood up a bunch towards the Jaguars final week, yielding 5.3 yards per rush to their operating backs. Assuming left sort out Christian Darrisaw is again, the Vikings entrance 5 ought to be capable of persistently do the identical to the Bengals. Mason is not the identical form of runner as Travis Etienne and even Bhayshul Tuten, he is far more of a bodily punishing again with operating downs expertise. That will imply he will not see many catches towards Cincy, which is the place they’ve actually been beat up by operating backs. But it surely does imply Mason ought to land plenty of carries, and when he is had that he is delivered: three profession video games with 20-plus carries and has over 100 rush yards and a rating in every; he has seven profession video games with a minimum of 15 touches and has a minimum of 75 whole yards in six. Except the Vikings lose whole management of the sport (something’s potential with Carson Wentz at quarterback), Mason is a secure guess for these 15-plus touches and needs to be considered as a must-start No. 2 Fantasy operating again with high 10 upside. … One different Viking to say: T.J. Hockenson has stunk out loud for 2 weeks, however Carson Wentz had a 20.2% goal price to tight ends in 2021 and 2022 (it was 33.2% in 5 years with Philadelphia). The Jaguars did not reap the benefits of the Bengals’ linebackers just like the Browns did with their tight ends; it could make sense for the Vikings to maintain issues straightforward for Wentz and have him lean on Hockenson given the matchup.
You would possibly be ok with utilizing Bengals QB Jake Browning understanding that when he began seven video games for Cincinnati in 2023 he had a minimum of 23 Fantasy factors in 5 of seven video games (he did poorly towards the Steelers twice). You would possibly really feel even higher after he put up some numbers in an up-and-down displaying over 46 snaps final week versus Jacksonville. Browning deserves credit score for some big-time throws together with the landing to Mitchell Tinsley and a deep nook shot to Ja’Marr Chase, however all three of his interceptions might have been averted if he made smarter choices with the soccer. Furthermore, Browning is like so many different quarterbacks who wrestle underneath stress, and the Vikings have reliably been one of many league’s blitz-happy defenses since defensive coordinator Brian Flores bought to city. Browning may be alright to start out, however I might be fearful about turnovers sinking his stat line.
MUST-STARTS: Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Chase Brown
STARTS: Jordan Mason, Tee Higgins, T.J. Hockenson (borderline starter)
SITS: Jake Browning (high-end No. 2 QB), Carson Wentz, Zavier Scott (look him up), Jalen Nailor, Adam Thielen, Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant, Bengals DST
Surprisingly, the Patriots lead the NFL in sacks (9) regardless of not being anyplace close to the highest in move rush stress price (33.3%) or blitz price (24%). I feel plenty of it has to do with who they’ve performed: Las Vegas and Miami, two groups with not-so-great offensive strains (each allowed a minimum of 4 sacks to the Pats). The Steelers have been stable in move safety and Rodgers has carried out a pleasant job getting the ball out quick, so there’s some hope he’ll be capable of join with DK Metcalf and Jaylen Warren sufficient to maintain them afloat in Fantasy. … Warren regarded nice final week, particularly on his lengthy catch-and-run the place he weaved his well beyond three Seattle defenders with good velocity and imaginative and prescient. He is clearly the Steelers’ high skill-position weapon — lastly.
STARTS: Drake Maye, Jaylen Warren (No. 2 RB)
FLEX: DK Metcalf, Rhamondre Stevenson
SITS: Aaron Rodgers, TreVeyon Henderson (stash), Jonnu Smith (sneaky PPR streamer), Hunter Henry, Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte (stash), Calvin Austin III, Demario Douglas,
A.J. Brown moved higher in Week 2, successful persistently on slants, hitches and different in-breaking routes towards the Chiefs’ zone-leaning protection. That half’s good, however Jalen Hurts has but to throw greater than 23 passes in a recreation this season and he did not throw greater than 22 passes in both of his two video games towards the Rams in 2024 (one within the playoffs). You already know Brown’s carried out nothing large this yr, and he solely got here by way of with a 6-109-1 stat line on the Rams partially as a result of DeVonta Smith was sidelined (the playoff recreation was partially performed in a snowstorm however Brown nonetheless noticed seven targets). If there’s hope it is that the Rams cornerback room took a success with Ahkello Witherspoon getting damage final week, urgent Emmanuel Forbes into the beginning lineup reverse Cobie Durant. Forbes has not performed nicely all through his profession, together with permitting three touchdowns in two video games as a rookie towards the Eagles — all to Brown. I might nonetheless be cautious with Brown till we see the Eagles passing recreation start to regain its type from 2024, however that particular matchup is terribly attractive.
MUST-STARTS: Saquon Barkley, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams
STARTS: Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown (low-end No. 2 WR), Eagles DST
FLEX: DeVonta Smith
SITS: Matthew Stafford, Blake Corum (stash), Tyler Higbee, Rams DST
Jets shut-down cornerback Sauce Gardner (groin) seems to be like he’ll play, however slot cornerback Michael Carter II, security Tony Adams and move rusher Jermaine Johnson II all missed observe Wednesday. Johnson’s the biggie — if he is out then the matchup is significantly better for the Bucs. And given the accidents within the secondary, it’d take advantage of sense for the Jets to stay Gardner on Bucs goal and receiving yardage chief Mike Evans, particularly in red-zone conditions. Evans was equally stored underneath wraps when he performed at Aaron Glenn’s Lions protection in 2024. That ought to make Emeka Egbuka’s matchup all the higher offered he is wholesome and Chris Godwin is not again.
MUST-STARTS: Bucky Irving
STARTS: Baker Mayfield, Garrett Wilson (No. 2 WR, particularly in PPR), Breece Corridor (No. 2 RB), Emeka Egbuka (No. 2 WR), Buccaneers DST
FLEX: Mike Evans
SITS: Tyrod Taylor, Rachaad White, Braelon Allen, Chris Godwin (getting nearer), Cade Otton, Mason Taylor, Jets DST
Jones appears to have overcome some (not all) of the sensitivity he is needed to move rush stress. There have been a number of occasions towards the Broncos he stayed poised within the pocket and threw precisely, even with defenders coming at him. It is actually saying one thing as a result of the Broncos blitzed him on 71.1% of his dropbacks and he accomplished 67.6% of his throws (64% when particularly blitzed!) for 316 yards and was sacked as soon as. By means of two weeks (and for a lot of 2024) the Titans have not blitzed greater than 32.4% of the time in a recreation and have had weak outcomes regardless of getting some respectable stress on Matthew Stafford final week. Tack on any speeding stats Jones figures to offer and there is actually optimism for Jones to remain scorching; subsequent week towards the Rams in L.A. may be when he turns right into a pumpkin. … I do not love Tony Pollard enjoying with out proper guard Kevin Zeitler and proper sort out J.C. Latham, however the left facet of the Titans line has been superb opening area for him, particularly on zone-scheme runs. Indy’s allowed over 5.0 yards per carry no matter run scheme and has given up a minimum of 15 PPR factors per recreation to De’Von Achane (to be anticipated) and J.Ok. Dobbins (much less anticipated). Pollard’s been virtually invisible within the move recreation however has averaged 19.0 carries in two not-so-close losses.
MUST-STARTS: Jonathan Taylor
STARTS: Daniel Jones (borderline starter), Tony Pollard (borderline No. 2/3 RB), Tyler Warren, Colts DST
FLEX: Calvin Ridley, Josh Downs and Michael Pittman (low-end PPR flexes)
SITS: Cam Ward, Elic Ayomanor (stash), Chig Okonkwo, Alec Pierce, Titans DST
Marcus Mariota posted a candy 205-2-0 stat line, with 34 rush yards, in 2024 when he changed Jayden Daniels within the first quarter towards a Panthers protection that had main move rush points. There isn’t any such factor as a protection with move rush points when Maxx Crosby is on the sector, and the Commanders entrance 5 has had its justifiable share of struggles not solely with the Packers final week however the Giants the week earlier than. In a battle of trainer, Pete Carroll, versus the coed, Dan Quinn, I would count on the Raiders to place plenty of stress on Mariota and drive him to get the ball out fast. That ought to spell one other week of respectable numbers for Deebo Samuel on low ADOT alternatives.
MUST-STARTS: Brock Bowers
STARTS: Ashton Jeanty (No. 2 RB), Jakobi Meyers (No. 2 WR in PPR)
FLEX: Deebo Samuel, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Terry McLaurin
SITS: Geno Smith, Marcus Mariota, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez, Dont’e Thornton, Zamir White, Dylan Laube, Commanders DST, Raiders DST
The Broncos lead the NFL in three actually large classes: man-to-man protection price (49.1%), blitz price (51.4%) and move rush stress price (51.4%) with seven sacks (fifth-best). They labored equally towards Herbert in Week 6 final yr and held him to a pedestrian 237-1-0 passing recreation whereas JK Dobbins ran for 96 yards and a landing to assist the Chargers win. Within the Week 16 rematch the Broncos went passive with extra zone protection and Herbert threw for 284-2-1 and beat the Broncos once more. It is solely a guess however given how dangerous the Chargers run recreation has been I might count on the Broncos to stay with their blitz-happy methods. Herbert’s been a unique quarterback when pressured (46.2% completion price, one landing, 15.4% off-target price) in comparison with not pressured (79.2% completion price, 4 touchdowns, 4.2% off-target price). If Denver can cease lacking tackles and corral Omarion Hampton (and/or Najee Harris) just like the Raiders did, then it ought to have a shot at hanging on to a win as an alternative of giving it away on a penalty like final week.
STARTS: Justin Herbert, Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton, Ladd McConkey J.Ok. Dobbins and Omarion Hampton (each No. 2 RBs), Chargers DST and Broncos DST (low-end starters)
FLEX: Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston (low-end flex)
SITS: Evan Engram, R.J. Harvey (stash), Najee Harris, Marvin Mims, Tyler Conklin
The Seahawks operating again duo primarily rotated drives final week, save for conditions the place the Seahawks wished to lean into Zach Charbonnet’s pass-catching versatility. This can in all probability be the case once more this week, despite the fact that Kenneth Walker III was clearly the sooner of the 2 and regarded higher out and in of his cuts in comparison with Week 1. New Orleans one way or the other held Christian McCaffrey to 4.2 yards per carry final week and James Conner to three.3 yards per carry in Week 1, so that they have some semblance of run protection. They’ve given up only one run of 12-plus yards by way of eight quarters. You are rolling the cube with Walker or Charbonnet, however a minimum of you may really feel higher about Walker’s well being after final week.
MUST-STARTS: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Alvin Kamara
STARTS: Juwan Johnson
FLEX: Kenneth Walker III (borderline No. 2/3 in non-PPR), Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed (low-end flex), Zach Charbonnet (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: Sam Darnold, Spencer Rattler, Cooper Kupp (desperation PPR flex), Kendre Miller, Seahawks DST (desperation starter), Saints DST
The Cowboys ought to have an amazing shot to drag off the win given defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ information of the Bears on either side of the ball. Usually this defensive boss revenge narrative works out, however the Cowboys protection is so mediocre that you simply should not rely on them being Dallas’ driving drive. Even the Bears ought to be capable of deal with their rare-blitzing, zone-dominant scheme and discover methods to place some factors up. The issue is that Chicago additionally has a rare-blitzing protection that is struggled to generate sacks, and their secondary has been smashed by accidents. It ought to result in a giant week for all the principle Cowboys gamers.
MUST-STARTS: CeeDee Lamb
STARTS: Dak Prescott, Caleb Williams, Javonte Williams, D’Andre Swift (low-end No. 2 RB), Rome Odunze (No. 2 WR), Jake Ferguson
FLEX: George Pickens (high-end flex), D.J. Moore (low-end PPR flex)
SITS: Kyle Monangai, Miles Sanders, Olamide Zaccheaus, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, Cowboys DST, Bears DST
The 49ers have seen 48 RB carries, seventh-most in soccer, and so they’ve allowed simply 3.6 yards per carry and one speeding landing (a goal-liner) to the Seahawks and Saints. James Conner has been underneath 15 PPR factors in two of his previous three towards San Francisco however extra importantly, has not regarded fairly just like the spry veteran we noticed final season. He is averaging 11.5 carries per recreation and three.2 yards per rush to this point with zero video games of 60-plus whole yards, and Trey Benson is taking third-down reps. Conner could also be evolving right into a touchdown-or-bust operating again, notably as defenses key in on him and take their possibilities with the Cardinals passing recreation.
MUST-STARTS: Christian McCaffrey, Trey McBride
STARTS: Ricky Pearsall (No. 2 WR), Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jauan Jennings (each borderline No. 2/3 WRs), 49ers DST
FLEX: James Conner
SITS: Mac Jones and Kyler Murray (each high-end No. 2 QBs), Trey Benson, Brian Robinson Jr., Michael Wilson, Jake Tonges, Cardinals DST
A pleasant reminder: Xavier Worthy averaged 21.6 PPR factors on 8.7 targets per recreation in his remaining six video games with Patrick Mahomes final season — all with an ageing Travis Kelce and with out Rashee Rice. That features 5 video games with 15-plus PPR factors. The Giants gave up 15.3 PPR factors to KaVontae Turpin, 17.8 to George Pickens, 20.2 to CeeDee Lamb and 22.6 to Deebo Samuel thus far this season. They’re the one 4 extensive receivers with a minimum of 4 receptions towards the Giants.
MUST-STARTS: Malik Nabers
STARTS: Patrick Mahomes, Xavier Worthy, Travis Kelce, Chiefs DST
FLEX: Wan’Dale Robinson (PPR), Isiah Pacheco (non-PPR)
SITS: Russell Wilson, Cam Skattebo (stash), Tyrone Tracy Jr., Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Giants DST
Jared Goff has continued to show that when he is pressured, he struggles and the offense follows. However by way of two video games the Ravens haven’t gotten numerous move rush stress on opposing quarterbacks, together with final week towards the Browns once they barely blitzed and solely had two sacks. The Lions additionally have not been large within the stress division despite the fact that they tried laborious of their Week 1 loss to the Packers. The hunch is that the Ravens will construct a lead and drive the Lions to throw, and Goff might find yourself having a stable recreation in consequence. Perhaps that is not sufficient to belief Goff in Fantasy lineups, however it’s best to count on his high targets to nonetheless be key components. I might be shocked if this had been a one-sided blowout.
MUST-STARTS: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown
STARTS: Zay Flowers, Sam LaPorta
FLEX: Jameson Williams
SITS: Jared Goff (high-end No. 2 QB), DeAndre Hopkins, Rashod Bateman, Isaac TeSlaa, Mark Andrews (low-end non-PPR starter), Ravens DST, Lions DST
