Week 8 will be full of exciting and unexpected games like the NFL has given us all year. The NFL has been full of surprises between the Giants' wild 6-1 start and Tom Brady going on a three-game losing streak.
Hopefully, this DFS article will help you win some money while we watch our favorite teams and players this Sunday. Matchups for the wide receiver position aren't always as black and white as they can be for other positions. Receivers sometimes move around the formation or may face shadow coverage, meaning these matchups need to be broken down deeper based on that data.
Now, here are the top WR vs. CB matchups for Week 8. Use these to set season-long lineups, as well as gain a competitive edge in the DFS games. The matchup data used in this article is from PFF.
DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers
DraftKings $5300 / FanDuel $6200 - vs. Darren Hall
DJ Moore has finally arrived. After having an incredibly slow and disappointing start to the season, Moore finished Week 7 with seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He garnered ten targets that game and should continue to be the top option on the Carolina offense now that Christian McCaffrey was traded to San Francisco.
Darren Hall will likely be the primary defender in this matchup, who has given up 14.3 yards per reception to opposing receivers and a sky-high 137.7 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. The Falcons have had the worst pass defense this year and allowed the most receiving yards and most fantasy points to opposing receivers.
Last week was a very promising sign, as Moore has not had more than 60 receiving yards in any of the first six weeks of action. Moore has disappointed this season, but things look to be turning around, and he could be a great DFS play this weekend.
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
DraftKings $4700 / FanDuel $5900 - vs. Coby Bryant
Wan'Dale Robinson is currently on his way to becoming the WR1 of the New York Giants. He has missed a few games this season but has been the clear top receiving option over the past two games. In Weeks 6-7, he garnered a target for every 3.2 routes run (elite usage) and scored double-digit fantasy points (PPR) in both games.
He was easing into action and saw a snap count in Week 6, and he got injured mid-game in Week 7, causing him to leave the field for a while. Robinson has no injury designation and should be ready to go in Week 8 against Coby Bryant and the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have given up the seventh most receiving yards this season (1746), and Robinson should be able to rack up a ton of receptions coming out of the slot.
Coby Bryant will likely be the primary defender and currently allows 11.8 yards per reception. Bryant gave up three receptions for 50 yards last week with DeAndre Carter as his primary cover and now has a modest 60.9 PFF coverage grade this year.
Believe it or not, this game is the only game between two teams with a winning record this week. This game could be a potential shootout, and Daniel Jones should look Robinson’s way a lot this Sunday.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
DraftKings $6000 / FanDuel $6900 - vs. Rock Ya-Sin
Chris Olave has been phenomenal this season and is making a great case for offensive rookie of the year. He has had at least 80 yards and/or a touchdown in five straight games. He is the clear WR1 on the Saints right now, especially with Jarvis Landry and Michael Thomas missing time with injuries (both confirmed to miss Week 8).
Rock Ya-Sin will likely guard Olave in a game that will probably see the Saints playing from behind. Rock Ya-Sin is a decent defender, but he still allowed five receptions for 51 yards with Phillip Dorsett as his primary cover last week. Ya-Sin currently allows 12.3 yards per reception, and Olave could take advantage.
A fun fact: Chris Olave leads all wide receivers with 161 intended air yards per game (as per RotoViz), even with Andy Dalton as his quarterback over the last few contests. The Raiders are allowing the eleventh most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, and Olave will take advantage. Confidently fire him up in DFS contests this week.
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
DraftKings $7700 / FanDuel $8200 - vs. James Pierre
A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles could be in for a huge game against the weak Pittsburgh secondary. A.J. Brown will be fresh off a bye week and ready to go against the Steelers (who currently have the 31st OPRK on both FD and DK), who have given up the third most receiving yards this year so far.
Pittsburgh has been dealing with some injuries in their secondary as they give up the second most fantasy points to wide receivers (only behind Atlanta). James Pierre is the listed primary defender on A.J. Brown, but it will most likely be a mix of Cameron Sutton and Arthur Maulet as well. Brown currently boasts a 100.0 PFF matchup advantage this weekend, the highest among all receivers this week.
Brown is currently averaging 8.8 targets and 84 yards per game this season and scored his second touchdown against the Cowboys in Week 6. The Steelers have been around the middle of the pack regarding rush defense, and Philadelphia may look to let Jalen Hurts cook in this matchup. A.J. Brown will be a big beneficiary (along with DeVonta Smith).
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions
DraftKings $5000 / FanDuel $6500 - vs. Noah Igbinoghene
This week, Josh Reynolds will operate as the top outside receiver with the news of D.J. Chark heading to the Injured Reserve. Reynolds has been very solid this season, but with all the other bright spots on the Detroit Lions, he hasn’t been talked about much. Reynolds has finished with over 80 receiving yards and/or a touchdown in four straight games before the Lions’ Week 6 bye.
Reynolds did have a dud last week, only catching one reception for eight yards, so he does have a risky floor. Noah Igbinoghene will likely be covering Reynolds for more snaps than any other defender and has had a shallow 44.7 PFF coverage grade so far this season.
The Dolphins allowed 61 yards and a touchdown to George Pickens last week, along with 257 passing yards and a touchdown to Kenny Pickett. The Lions have the worst defense in the NFL and will likely fall behind pretty early in the contest, putting them in a negative game script which will only benefit Reynolds.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
DraftKings $5100 / FanDuel $5500 - vs. Chandon Sullivan
There were high expectations for Rondale Moore coming into this year after a decent rookie season. In Weeks 5-6, he had 18 targets and turned them into 13 receptions for 117 yards. Moore’s power is in PPR leagues when he is starting from the slot. DeAndre Hopkins returned last week and had more snaps from the slot (45%) than people expected, with Moore being out wide.
Hopkins is naturally used outside, and with Robbie Anderson being introduced into the lineup, Moore is projected to get most of the snaps from the slot. Chandon Sullivan will be the primary slot defender, who is giving up 14.5 yards per reception this year.
Sullivan had a slot rate of 96% in Week 6 and allowed five receptions for 98 yards against the Miami Dolphins. The Vikings have a great offense right now, which will keep this game competitive (48.5 implied total). Moore disappointed last week but could be in for a productive Week 8.
All data is from PFF, FantasyData and Player Profiler. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your DFS contests!
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