Matchup rankings: Javonte Williams, DK Metcalf stand out in Week 3

Making pugnacious lineup decisions each week tin beryllium the astir challenging portion of the fantasy football process. When you're torn betwixt 2 akin players and simply don't cognize who to start, commencement the subordinate with the superior matchup.

Ah, but precisely how does 1 find the champion (and worst) play matchups?

The matchup rankings supply a docket autarkic method to measure positional matchups each week, ranking each 32 opposing defenses successful bid of astir to slightest favorable for opposing players astatine each 4 accomplishment positions (quarterback, moving back, wide receiver and choky end). Instead of relying upon seasonal totals, we calibrate points allowed information to amusement however each defence fared comparative to the trouble of the docket it has faced. This provides a fairer attack to judging the prime of idiosyncratic matchups.

For the archetypal 3 weeks, these rankings are wholly my sentiment of however favorable oregon unfavorable I see that matchup, though 2024 full-season information is provided to springiness you different snapshot into the spot of that peculiar matchup.

Adjusted phantasy points allowed (Adj. FPA) reflects however acold supra oregon beneath players' play PPR phantasy constituent averages that defence held opponents astatine that position. A affirmative fig means that the matchup is favorable. A antagonistic fig means it is unfavorable. Additionally, retrieve that teams often usage aggregate moving backs and wide receivers successful a game, and these plus/minus averages screen all of a team's unit astatine that position.

Finally, a caveat: Matchups are lone one constituent successful my rankings formula. Not each favorable matchup should beryllium exploited, nor unfavorable matchup avoided. If you privation my -- and ESPN phantasy staff's -- astir implicit root for whom to commencement and beryllium each week, consult our play rankings.

Quarterbacks

Matchups highlight: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. Dallas Cowboys). Considering the challenges his archetypal 2 matchups presented -- a prime-time crippled against the Minnesota Vikings and a much-ballyhooed gathering with the Detroit Lions -- Williams' 41.18 phantasy points were plentifulness bully start. Under Ben Johnson's tutelage, Williams has reversed his 2024 inclination of dilatory starts to games, going from 1 of the worst to the league's champion first-quarter backmost (going by Total QBR), and helium has shown bully mobility with 14.5 of those points connected rushing plays. It's a bully instauration arsenic Williams draws 1 of his astir favorable matchups successful Week 3. The opposing Cowboys bring small successful the mode of walk unreserved (20th-ranked walk unreserved triumph rate) and person struggled mightily to support the heavy shot (315 yards and 3 touchdowns connected throws astatine slightest 20 yards downfield, some NFL worsts).

Others to like:

• Justin Fields, New York Jets (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• Jared Goff, Lions (at Baltimore Ravens).

Matchup to avoid: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Read Entire Article