Wide Receiver Matchups To Target in Week 11

The Week 10 wide receiver matchup article didn't yield the greatest results. As expected JuJu Smith-Schuster torched the Bengals and finished as WR-8 on the week and Terry McLaurin was WR-20 which was decent, but short of expectations. John Brown was on his way to having a huge day, but he suffered an injury and needed to leave after catching six balls for 72 yards. Christian Kirk didn't do much as the Cardinals relied on the run against the Bills and Robert Woods, didn't do much against the Seahawks Defense which was a huge surprise. Keenan Allen had a quiet game but at least he scored finishing as WR-28 and Tyler Boyd, along with the entire Bengals passing game, was stifled by the Steelers Defense.

Nothing is more important than evaluating matchups when making lineup decisions. From a yardage standpoint, the Patriots, Jaguars, Falcons, Seahawks, Jets and Texans Defenses are giving up the most yards-per-pass which means they aren't great on a per-play basis. The Falcons, Seahawks, Bengals, Panthers, Vikings, Lions and Jets have given up 32-or-more explosive pass plays which means big-play wide receivers are likely to have good games against those defenses. Through the first 10 weeks of the season the Seahawks, Titans, Falcons, Vikings and Cowboys Defenses are giving up the most fantasy points to wide receivers which makes them units you want to exploit.

Now, here are the top WR vs CB matchups for Week 11. This week there are some big names that haven't had the greatest seasons so far with some great matchups. Use these to set season-long lineups, as well as gain a competitive edge in the DFS games.

Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals

$6,600 FanDuel / $5,600 DraftKings – vs Jimmy Moreland

On the season Washington has been fairly tough against opposing passing attacks, but that's partially due to the fact that they've played some fairly weak competition. Decent quarterbacks have actually taken care of business against Washington, which means Joe Burrow should be able to move the ball against them. Joe Mixon is out again this week which means Tyler Boyd may be in for a big day against Jimmy Moreland who gives up a 69% catch-rate. Washington is actually favored in the game which means the Bengals will likely be playing from behind.

Mike Williams, L.A. Chargers

$5,900 FanDuel / $5,100 DraftKings – vs Blessuan Austin

The Jets are a train-wreck so far this season and they just let go Pierre Desir who has been getting toasted. Blessuan Austin appears to be taking Desir's place in the lineup but he likely won't fair much better. Mike Williams is a big-play threat and he's facing a Jets secondary this week that has given up 32 explosive plays and 8.1 yards-per-pass which puts them towards the bottom of the league in both categories. The writing is on the wall for a Mike Williams blow-up game.

Damiere Byrd, New England Patriots

$5,300 FanDuel / $3,500 DraftKings – vs Vernon Hargreaves III

Vernon Hargreaves surrenders 1.84 yards-per-route covered which is one of the highest marks in the NFL. Damiere Byrd is the Patriots deep-threat, and although he hasn't seen many targets from Cam Newton so far this season, this is the week he could come through given the matchup against Hargreaves. This is a riskier play which means Byrd should only be used in deeper season-long leagues and as a deep tournament play in DFS.

Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys

$6,900 FanDuel / $5,400 DraftKings - vs Chris Jones

The Cowboys offense has struggled since losing Dak Prescott for the season, but they will get Andy Dalton back this week which is a positive. Amari Cooper has a great matchup against Chris Jones who surrenders a catch on 85% of passes thrown in his direction which means Cooper shouldn't have much opposition. If the Vikings come out and play a ton of zone on defense, Cooper could have a huge day.

Steven Sims Jr., Washington Football Team

$4,600 FanDuel / $3,000 DraftKings – vs Mackensie Alexander

Steven Sims returned to the lineup last week and played 45% of the offensive snaps. In his second week back from injury he should become more involved and will likely see some targets in the passing game because Washington spends so much time trailing their opponents. Mackensie Alexander gives up a catch on 82% of throws in his direction which means Sims may see some volume, especially since Terry McLaurin will draw a tough matchup against William Jackson. Sims should only be used in the deepest season-long leagues and as a tournament play in DFS.

Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens

$5,900 FanDuel / $5,800 DraftKings - vs Davontae Harris

Marquise Brown has been a tremendous disappointment so far this season but if he was ever going to come through it's this week against a Titans Defense that gives up the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. This game has one of the highest totals of the week with an over/under set at 49.5 points which means it could be a shoot-out. The Titans have given up 20 receiving touchdowns so far this year which is tied for fifth-most in the NFL. Malcolm Butler gives up a 63% catch-rate which isn't terrible, but he simply doesn't have the wheels to hang with Brown. If you can't trust Brown to get it done this week, you can't trust him at all.

Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

$8,200 FanDuel / $7,300 DraftKings – vs Kendall Sheffield

Michael Thomas hasn't put up great numbers in his first two games back from injury but Week 11 might be the matchup he needs to start gaining some momentum. The Falcons have been more competitive since they fired Dan Quinn and Alvin Kamara is a little banged up heading into the weekend which means the Saints may throw more in this one. Jameis Winston was supposed to take over at quarterback for Drew Brees while he sits out with broken ribs, but surprisingly Taysom Hill is expected to get the start. Whether Winston or Hill plays quarterback on Sunday, Thomas should be fine, but Winston would provide more big-play ability to the passing offense. Thomas should draw coverage from Kendall Sheffield who surrenders a 74% catch-rate and 2.79 yards-per-route covered, so if there's ever a week that Thomas will come through, it's Week 11 against the Falcons. This game has an over/under set at 52 points so it may be a shootout.

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