Tristan H. Cockcroft
Oct 8, 2025, 08:24 AM ET
Making pugnacious lineup decisions each week tin beryllium the astir challenging portion of the phantasy shot process. When you're torn betwixt 2 akin players and simply don't cognize which 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 schedule-independent 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.
Now that 5 weeks are successful the books, lone the astir caller 5 weeks' numbers volition beryllium utilized going forward.
"Adj. FPA," oregon Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed, 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 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: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at Baltimore Ravens). He's playing immoderate of his champion shot implicit the past 2 weeks, he's performing exceptionally connected heavy throws (fourth-ranked 133.7 passer standing connected throws astatine slightest 20 yards downfield), and helium has arguably the champion No. 1-2 wide receiver operation successful shot successful Puka Nacua and Davante Adams (209.7 phantasy points combined, 47.4 much than immoderate different team's apical two). Now Stafford enters Week 6 with 9 days' rest, facing a Ravens defence that is injury-ravaged and performing horribly done 5 weeks. DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), a cardinal to their walk rush, is retired for the season, and S Kyle Hamilton, CB Marlon Humphrey and LB Roquan Smith are each question marks. With each 4 sidelined past week, C.J. Stroud scored 28.76 phantasy points against these Ravens.
Others to like: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at Miami Dolphins); Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (versus Read Entire Article

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