Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions: Upgrade Daniel Jones, Downgrade Travis Kelce

Making informed choices in fantasy football can pose a significant challenge each week. As players evaluate their options, it becomes vital to consider matchups. Matchup rankings provide a systematic approach to assessing the weekly performance potential of players against opposing defenses. This method ranks all 32 defenses, allowing fantasy managers to identify the most and least favorable matchups for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

Strong matchups can be the difference between a winning and losing week, especially when deciding between players with similar statistics. The matchup rankings take into account how defenses have performed relative to the strength of their opponents, offering a more nuanced evaluation than simply relying on season totals. This week, there are notable shifts in player rankings based on their matchups.

Quarterback Matchup Highlights

Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts stands out as an upgrade in this week’s quarterback rankings. He has demonstrated impressive form, scoring over 22 fantasy points in each of the last three games, a feat he never achieved during his tenure with the New York Giants. This week, he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks at 21.3.

In contrast, Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos faces a challenging matchup against the Houston Texans, who currently rank as the top defense against quarterbacks. Nix’s 58.7 Total QBR places him 17th among 33 qualifiers, and he has struggled against weaker defenses. This week will test his limits, as the Texans have allowed just 10.5 points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Running Back and Wide Receiver Insights

At the running back position, Bam Knight of the Arizona Cardinals has emerged as a key player following Michael Carter’s release. He has been the leading running back in terms of snap rate, rushing attempts, and fantasy points in recent games. The Dallas Cowboys, his opponent this week, have permitted the second-most fantasy points to running backs, averaging 28.4 points per game.

On the other hand, Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints continues to struggle. At 30 years old, he is experiencing one of his most disappointing seasons, averaging a career-low 11.6 mph on rushing attempts. As he faces the Los Angeles Rams, who have limited opposing running backs to just one performance above 15 points, it may be wise to look elsewhere.

Wide receiver rankings also shift based on matchups. DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks has become a primary target for Aaron Rodgers, consistently receiving a 22% target share over the last three weeks. The Colts’ secondary has struggled, allowing multiple receivers to score over 15 points in recent games.

Conversely, Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos faces a tough assignment against the Texans. With their top cornerback sidelined, Sutton’s matchup still poses challenges, as the Texans have limited opposing wide receivers to an average of just 13.5 points, making him a risky start.

Tight End Matchup Analysis

In the tight end category, Kyle Pitts Sr. of the Atlanta Falcons remains a player to watch. His involvement in the passing game is promising, with a 27% target rate when paired with quarterback Kirk Cousins. He is expected to capitalize on a favorable matchup against the New England Patriots, who have struggled against tight ends this season.

In contrast, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs may not be a reliable option this week. Despite a strong performance in his last game, where he scored 21.9 fantasy points, he faces the Buffalo Bills, a defense that has prevented tight ends from scoring more than 8 points in any game this season.

As fantasy managers finalize their lineups, understanding these matchup dynamics can provide a competitive edge. Utilizing matchup rankings effectively can enhance decision-making, ensuring that players are started or benched based on the most favorable conditions. For comprehensive weekly rankings, fantasy enthusiasts should refer to the resources provided by ESPN and other trusted platforms.