This article will go game by game for the Week 8 slate looking at the top wide receivers from an offense and, based on the inside/outside and left/right splits of those receivers, identify the WR vs. CB matchups likely to occur.
Receivers rarely see the same corner every play, be it due to formation quirks or zone coverage calls by the defense, so a receiver's fortunes depend on much more than just the quality of the corner they're likely to see the most in a given game. Even against a bad corner, a good receiver can be denied the opportunity if the pass rush or something else outside his control complicates things. But it's part of the puzzle, and it's worth keeping track of.
Receivers are left with an Upgrade, Downgrade, or Even verdict based on their projected wide receiver vs. cornerback matchup. This shouldn't be read as 'good' or 'bad' but rather a measured tweak from the receiver's baseline projection.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins
FALCONS WIDE RECEIVERS
Drake London just has to be a lock to produce in this one. Corners like Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas and Storm Duck have no business covering a receiver like London. They might not even have any business covering Darnell Mooney.
Upgrade: Drake London, Darnell Mooney
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
DOLPHINS WIDE RECEIVERS
It's annoying and potentially significant that Jaylen Waddle is apparently playing through tweaks in both hamstrings. Waddle is expected to play and when he's
This article will go game by game for the Week 8 slate looking at the top wide receivers from an offense and, based on the inside/outside and left/right splits of those receivers, identify the WR vs. CB matchups likely to occur.
Receivers rarely see the same corner every play, be it due to formation quirks or zone coverage calls by the defense, so a receiver's fortunes depend on much more than just the quality of the corner they're likely to see the most in a given game. Even against a bad corner, a good receiver can be denied the opportunity if the pass rush or something else outside his control complicates things. But it's part of the puzzle, and it's worth keeping track of.
Receivers are left with an Upgrade, Downgrade, or Even verdict based on their projected wide receiver vs. cornerback matchup. This shouldn't be read as 'good' or 'bad' but rather a measured tweak from the receiver's baseline projection.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins
FALCONS WIDE RECEIVERS
Drake London just has to be a lock to produce in this one. Corners like Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas and Storm Duck have no business covering a receiver like London. They might not even have any business covering Darnell Mooney.
Upgrade: Drake London, Darnell Mooney
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
DOLPHINS WIDE RECEIVERS
It's annoying and potentially significant that Jaylen Waddle is apparently playing through tweaks in both hamstrings. Waddle is expected to play and when he's active Waddle is an excellent talent, but his injury or/and political situation as a potential trade chip makes things complicated as he takes on an otherwise challenging matchup against AJ Terrell. As much as Waddle is a big fish in a small pond, environmental degradation in this metaphor might have reduced the pond to something more like a fetid puddle. Malik Washington gets no benefit of the doubt against Billy Bowman in the slot, but perhaps Nick Westbrook-Ikhine can win a jumpball against a short corner like Mike Hughes.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Baltimore Ravens vs. Chicago Bears
RAVENS WIDE RECEIVERS
The Bears are now without their top three corners, leaving their projected starters in this case as Nahshon Wright and Nick McCloud as your starters, with McCloud moving into the slot for Josh Blackwell in nickel formations.
Zay Flowers is far overqualified for these corners, and the same is nearly true of both Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins.
If Lamar Jackson (hamstring) can't play, then Tyler Huntley as starter would be the only limiting factor here.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Zay Flowers (raise to Upgrade if Jackson starts), Rashod Bateman (see Flowers), DeAndre Hopkins (see Flowers)
BEARS WIDE RECEIVERS
DJ Moore has been a mess this year and Rome Odunze has his otherwise great play consistently undermined by Caleb Williams' inability to run an NFL offense. It's bad timing that the Ravens secondary appears healthy – Chidobe Awuzie is a competent counterpart to the excellent Nate Wiggins, and Marlon Humphrey is one of the league's tougher slot defenders.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Rome Odunze (the less Wiggins the better), DJ Moore (see Odunze)
Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills
PANTHERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Christian Benford is probably a good trait match to Tetairoa McMillan, and the Bills might shadow McMillan with Benford if only to keep McMillan away from the vulnerable Tre'Davious White. Then again, if the Bills activate Maxwell Hairston then Hairston would be less vulnerable than White.
Even Hairston, though, is so much smaller than McMillan that the Bills would have reason to worry McMillan would just bully the fellow rookie. Xavier Legette was encouraging last week yet probably still doesn't get the full benefit of the doubt, even against a weaker corner like White, but it's a nice matchup for Legette if it occurs. Jalen Coker against Taron Johnson is not an obviously helpful matchup for Carolina.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette (arguable Upgrade if Benford shadows McMillan), Jalen Coker
BILLS WIDE RECEIVERS
As much as it's tough to sit a guy like Keon Coleman given the inevitability of Josh Allen, it might be a challenging matchup for Coleman if the Panthers shadow him with Jaycee Horn. If Coleman gets Horn and Joshua Palmer is out, then it leaves a lot of slack for Khalil Shakir against Chau Smith-Wade in the slot. That has to be considered a green light for Shakir. Tyrell Shavers might be worth a punt pick in a DFS tournament, but he warrants no benefit of the doubt against Mike Jackson.
Upgrade: Khalil Shakir
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Keon Coleman (arguable Downgrade if shadowed by Horn), Tyrell Shavers
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets
BENGALS WIDE RECEIVERS
This one is easy: the Jets corners stand basically no chance here. Rather than Brandon Stephens or Jarvis Brownlee, the sooner threat to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins would probably be the fact that even a backup type like Andrei Iosivas can probably beat on corners like these.
Upgrade: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
JETS WIDE RECEIVERS
The Bengals have two rock-solid or better reps in DJ Turner (boundary) and Dax Hill (slot). Josh Newton perhaps is not very good at that third (secondary boundary) rep, but the Bengals can give him help and even Newton probably deserves the benefit of the doubt against the likes of Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Arian Smith
Even: Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson
Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers
TEXANS WIDE RECEIVERS
The 49ers cornerback rotation is not impressive at the moment if Deommodore Lenoir is out. Renardo Green doesn't want to have to defend the rim against Jayden Higgins, and in the slot Jaylin Noel deserves the benefit of the doubt over Upton Stout. The 49ers have hope in the fact that the Texans have wasted many snaps they can't afford on Xavier Hutchinson, who basically makes the game 10 on 11 when he's on the field. The more snaps for Higgins and Noel, the worse for the 49ers here.
Upgrade: Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Xavier Hutchinson
49ERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Kendrick Bourne disappointed last week after back-to-back 140-yard games, and it's not obvious how he'd get going in this matchup specifically. Neither Bourne nor Jauan Jennings have the wheels to take the Texans corners where they're uncomfortable. Perhaps Jennings can bulldoze the scrappy but small Kamari Lassiter, but Lassiter and Derek Stingley are ready to crash down if the 49ers can't push vertically.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Kendrick Bourne, Jauan Jennings
Even: N/A
New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns
PATRIOTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Stefon Diggs has yet to play more than 40 snaps in a game with New England, and it's unclear whether this would be a setting where that might change. As much as Diggs has shown the ability to rapidly draw and convert targets on these limited snap counts, it just puts a lot of per-snap pressure on Diggs to produce when he's running against the likes of Denzel Ward. The otherwise distinguished Tyson Campbell might be easier to beat on the other side, but Campbell can be tough to beat on his best days.
Kayshon Boutte has no obvious angle on either corner. Both can easily match his stride, and Campbell in particular is prepared to grapple if it becomes a question of physicality.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Kayshon Boutte
Even: Stefon Diggs
BROWNS WIDE RECEIVERS
Christian Gonzalez has so far only lined up on the right side. If the Patriots change nothing then Jerry Jeudy should be able to line up against Carlton Davis with regularity, and against Davis it's clearly Jeudy who has the advantage. Against Gonzalez it will generally be Gonzalez who overrules any given receiver. Isaiah Bond is definitely a danger to Davis downfield, but perhaps not anywhere else.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, Jamari Thrash
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
EAGLES WIDE RECEIVERS
If A.J. Brown (hamstring) is out then DeVonta Smith would be in a good position to do damage here. The Giants might be without standout defensive backs Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland, which if so would make it only easier for Smith to post big numbers.
Cor'Dale Flott and Dru Phillips are good corners otherwise and would be challenging for a wideout like Jahan Dotson perhaps, just probably not Smith. If Smith somehow gets looks at Deonte Banks it's over.
Upgrade: DeVonta Smith
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jahan Dotson
GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Wan'Dale Robinson is likely to see a good amount of Cooper DeJean, which is probably a matchup the Giants would prefer to avoid. Robinson has a chance against DeJean, but it'd be easier to go at Kelee Ringo or whoever might be lined up opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
It would probably be surprising if the Eagles tried to shadow Robinson with Mitchell, though it's an approach they're free to take. Darius Slayton can definitely beat Ringo, so the Eagles might prefer to sooner shadow Slayton with Mitchell, reasoning that it's better to remove Slayton's long-range touchdown threat since Robinson is mostly a chain-mover.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Wan'Dale Robinson (arguable Downgrade if shadowed by Mitchell on the boundary), Darius Slayton (arguable Upgrade if Mitchell shadows Robinson)
New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SAINTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Good as Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum might be on the boundary, both corners are more or less 'too big' to easily match the movements of shorter, lightning-quick receivers like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. If the Saints can isolate Deal and McCollum in downfield coverage against Olave and Shaheed, it's a matchup that should favor the receivers.
If the Saints don't push the ball downfield, though, or if they can't crack the Tampa zones to force Dean/McCollum to turn and run downfield, then Olave and Shaheed probably lack the physicality to withstand the reach and hitting ability of Dean/McCollum.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed
BUCCANEERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Emeka Egbuka should be able to beat up the likes of Alontae Taylor, Kool Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley. The question is whether other Buccaneers receivers can get in on it.
Tez Johnson has to be the top second candidate, as Sterling Shepard appears limited to a slot-oriented WR3 role. Shepard should be able to hold his own against Taylor in the slot, but Johnson appears the more likely of the two to go over 40 snaps in the game.
Upgrade: Emeka Egbuka
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard
Denver Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys
BRONCOS WIDE RECEIVERS
Courtland Sutton is in a great spot here – it would seem the Broncos need to utilize him about as much as possible, and meanwhile Dallas doesn't have the personnel to contain Sutton's production. Shavon Revel (knee) might help out the Dallas cornerback rotation soon, but in the meantime Kaiir Elam and Trikweze Bridges look uniquely vulnerable. DaRon Bland isn't a huge obstacle either, though he's the best of those three corners.
As always, it's tough to call Troy Franklin versus Marvin Mims, and now Pat Bryant is mucking up the picture further. Mims or Bryant against the boundary corners might be a little easier than Franklin against Bland in the slot, however.
Upgrade: Courtland Sutton
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant
COWBOYS WIDE RECEIVERS
CeeDee Lamb might or might not get shadowed by Patrick Surtain in this game, but the case against it would be that Riley Moss against George Pickens is a mismatch anyway. If Moss always needs a little extra help either way, then it might not matter to Denver whether Surtain is on Lamb or Pickens as long as he's on one of the two.
Pickens should see some Surtain if only because Surtain might not follow Lamb into the slot, where Denver generally leaves matters to the qualified Ja'Quan McMillian. Whoever is on Moss probably has the easiest matchup, so Dallas should make an effort to get one of Lamb or Pickens on Moss most of the time.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens (arguable Upgrade if Surtain shadows Lamb)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
COLTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Michael Pittman doesn't really fluctuate much regardless of the matchup, and this game is no exception. Are the Titans corners vulnerable? Yes, but even if they were good, Pittman has shown that he is prepared to draw and convert targets even when covered.
Josh Downs (concussion) gets the toughest corner draw against Tennessee – slot man Roger McCreary – and while Downs might be able to win that matchup it might be easier for Pittman and Alec Pierce to beat corners like Jalyn Armour-Davis and Darrell Baker.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
TITANS WIDE RECEIVERS
Chimere Dike gives the Titans a downfield threat they badly need, so the subtraction of Tyler Lockett shouldn't matter. If Calvin Ridley (hamstring) is out then Dike, Elic Ayomanor and Van Jefferson will need to do the lifting. Dike won't get much going underneath against Kenny Moore underneath, but downfield might present an opening.
The Colts are vulnerable on the boundary, where Charvarius Ward (concussion) is a huge loss. Mekhi Blackmon and Johnathan Edwards are likely substandard starters, and it's unclear whether Jaylon Jones can provide a timely upgrade by returning from his hamstring injury.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Elic Ayomanor, Van Jefferson, Chimere Dike
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
STEELERS WIDE RECEIVERS
DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin can run right by corners like Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs, but the Packers know that and will probably instruct the corners to play with cushions, baiting Aaron Rodgers into underneath throws so they can pounce downward from the cushion. For Rodgers to drop back long enough for Metcalf to eat up the cushion might be easier said than done – Micah Parsons is in pursuit, and Rodgers can't evade in the pocket like he used to.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin
PACKERS WIDE RECEIVERS
The Packers are overcrowded as it is, so any return for Christian Watson would antagonize the utility of Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden.
The Steelers corners otherwise are not concerning. Even Jalen Ramsey has fallen off the last few weeks, so Golden should be viable against Ramsey in the slot. On the boundary Joey Porter just isn't very good in my opinion, though trait-wise he and Darius Slay are solid counters to Doubs.
The only real concern for the Green Bay passing game would be out of respect for the Steelers pass rush – the coverage isn't good on its own.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Commanders
CHIEFS WIDE RECEIVERS
It seems like Marshon Lattimore just might be over the hill, and Trey Amos can only do so much on his own on the other side. Mike Sainristil should settle in nicely after a rough beginning this year in the slot.
Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy should each see all of the three corners, undeterred by all. It seems the Chiefs will split the remaining snaps equally between Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy
COMMANDERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Trent McDuffie might or might not follow anyone in particular – the Chiefs might be content to assume he'll incidentally catch one of Terry McLaurin or Deebo Samuel on most snaps – but the general rule is that whoever gets McDuffie on a given snap is not as likely to draw or convert a target as whoever is running against Jaylen Watson or especially Chamarri Conner, with Conner mostly appearing in the slot. Watson is a good player in his own right, however, so the slot is realistically where the Chiefs are weakest barring McDuffie getting specifically assigned to the slot, which doesn't happen that much because it forces Conner off the field in favor of the third-string boundary corner.
Stated more simply, as Washington's primary slot receiver it's probably Samuel who has the easiest matchup, and if McLaurin gets McDuffie the majority of the time as a result of Conner primarily playing the slot then it leaves McLaurin in the more difficult position. Jaylin Lane might be emerging as the WR3 behind Samuel and McLaurin, though the rookie's exact application here isn't clear and he doesn't have an obvious angle on his likely matchups.
Upgrade: Deebo Samuel
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Terry McLaurin (arguable Downgrade if shadowed by McDuffie), Jaylin Lane
