Making tough lineup decisions can be the most challenging part of the fantasy football process. When you’re torn between two similar players and simply don’t know which one to start, consider the strength of their matchup.
Determining the best (and worst) weekly matchups can be a complex task. While it’s common to rely on last season’s statistics, this approach ignores the significant changes that occur in the NFL over a seven-month offseason. A more effective method is to use a schedule-independent approach, ranking all 32 defenses based on their performance against each position.
For Week 5, full-season data is used to provide a fairer assessment of individual matchups. The “Adj. FPA” (adjusted fantasy points allowed) metric shows how each defense has performed relative to the difficulty of their schedule. A positive number indicates a favorable matchup, while a negative number indicates an unfavorable one.
Quarterbacks
* Matchup highlight: Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at Los Angeles Rams). Love faces a Rams defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per pass attempt.
* Others to like: Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (at Washington Commanders); Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (at Jacksonville Jaguars).
* Matchup to avoid: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. New Orleans Saints). Mahomes will be without Rashee Rice and faces a tough Saints defense that has held quarterbacks to the fewest fantasy points per pass attempt.
Running Backs
* Matchup highlight: D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. Carolina Panthers). Swift faces a Panthers defense that has struggled against running backs, allowing three 20-point performances so far.
* Others to like: Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Dallas Cowboys); Jerome Ford, Browns (at Commanders).
* Matchup to avoid: Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Atlanta Falcons). The Falcons have faced a tough schedule and have held running backs to 19.2 PPR fantasy points per game.
Wide Receivers
* Matchup highlight: Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at Jaguars). The Jaguars have been a cure-all matchup for passing games, with the Bills and Texans putting up huge fantasy numbers in recent weeks.
* Others to like: Amari Cooper, Browns (at Commanders); Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (vs. Las Vegas Raiders).
* Matchup to avoid: Diontae Johnson, Panthers (at Bears). Johnson faces a Bears defense that has held wide receivers to 12.5 PPR fantasy points or less.
Tight Ends
* Matchup highlight: Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. Colts). Engram faces a Colts defense that has surrendered two of the nine highest single-game PPR fantasy point totals for the season.
* Matchup to avoid: Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. Cowboys). The Cowboys have held tight ends to 1.4 PPR fantasy points per target, making them a tough matchup for Freiermuth.
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