DFS Wide Receivers To Target In The Conference Champinships

January 19, 2020

Mike Riggall's favorite WR vs. CB matchups to exploit for the Championship Round of DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel. These wide receivers should be tournament and cash game targets based on matchups.

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs Davante Adams dominated the Seahawks and came through as the top wide receiver on the week. The Seahawks remained in cover-1 for most of the game and they simply couldn't stop Adams who was able to beat his man all day. Marshawn Lynch scored two touchdowns against the Packers last week, but other than that he unexpectedly struggled on the ground for the Seahawks, rushing for under three yards-per-carry. Due to the Seahawks struggles on the ground, Russell Wilson had to sling it more than usual and fed Tyler Lockett who was able to overcome a difficult matchup for 136 yards and a touchdown. Marquise Brown had a decent day but he was more of a volume receiver than a deep threat. As expected, the Vikings wide receivers didn't really come through as their entire offense struggled against the 49ers Defense throughout the game. In surprising fashion, the Chiefs wide receivers really underwhelmed as Travis Kelce and Damien Williams dominated. Here is a complete statistical recap of the Divisional Round recommendations:

• Davante Adams - 8 catches, 160 yards, 2 TD
• Marquise Brown - 7 catches, 126 yards
• Tyreek Hill - 3 catches, 41 yards
• Deebo Samuel - 3 catches, 42 yards
• DeAndre Hopkins - 9 catches, 118 yards

This week is rather difficult to evaluate because there aren't any bad teams remaining, and the skill position players have difficult matchups for the most part. The Titans are good against the run and somewhat struggle against the pass which means the Chiefs wide receiver corps should have a good showing this week. Although Travis Kelce was the big performer for the Chiefs offense last week, he will see a lot of Kevin Byard in coverage this weekend which will present some problems for him. Derrick Henry has been dominant lately and although the Chiefs struggle to stop the run, you have to wonder if he can get it done three weeks in a row. Ryan Tannehill may actually need to unleash his arm this weekend if the Titans fall behind to the Chiefs, and if they do, Jonnu Smith and A.J. Brown should be the guys that come through.

I am going to stay away from Deebo Samuel and Emmanuel Sanders this week because they both have rather difficult matchups against the talented Packers cornerbacks on the perimeter. The Packers struggle defending the run which means their running backs should have success, and although Darnell Savage is having a decent rookie campaign, he gives up five inches to George Kittle which is problematic. The Packers offense came up extremely small against the 49ers when they faced off earlier in the season but I doubt that happens again. Davante Adams looks to be fully healthy and he's been unstoppable as of late, but the other Packers receivers are inconsistent and simply hard to trust. As you will read below, it looks like this is a week to play stud wide receivers for the most part when creating your DFS lineups.

Championship Weekend WR/CB Matchups to Exploit

Davante Adams ($8,300 FanDuel / $7,900 DraftKings) Ahkello Witherspoon

Davante Adams has scored or gone over 100 yards receiving in seven of the last eight games he's played in. Adams has been on an absolute tear and the Packers have moved him around the formation to get him open, playing him on the left side of the formation just under 40% of the time. If Adams lines up on the left side a majority of the game on Sunday, he will avoid Richard Sherman and should have a huge day as long as Aaron Rodgers has time to throw.

Tyreek Hill ($7,400 FanDuel / $7,200 DraftKings) Tramaine Brock

Last week, Marquise Brown had a big day against Tramaine Brock and the Titans Defense, going for 126 yards off of seven catches. Brown didn't really pop off a ton of huge plays, but he did have a 38-yard catch. The Titans Defense is decent against the run and somewhat susceptible to big pass plays down the field. Brock is playing alright, but he seems to be the weak link in the Titans secondary. As discussed above, the Titans are solid against the run and Travis Kelce has a troublesome matchup against Kevin Byard, which means this is likely Hill's time to shine.

A.J. Brown ($6,800 FanDuel / $5,200 DraftKings) vs Bashaud Breeland

It's widely known that A.J. Brown thrives against man-to-man coverage. Although both the Ravens and Patriots play a lot of man coverage, in both of those games, Brown found himself matched up against some of the best cornerbacks in the game, and he came up small in both contests. This week, although Bashaud Breeland is playing well, he is no Stephon Gilmore. Moreover, the Titans have controlled both of their playoff games to this point on the ground, but you have to think that will come to an end if the Chiefs are able to put some serious points on the board. If the Chiefs get up early on the Titans, Ryan Tannehill may be airing it out a lot to Jonnu Smith and A.J. Brown.

Kendrick Bourne ($5,400 FanDuel / $4,200 DraftKings) vs Tramon Williams

The Packers Defense is pretty good on the perimeter and if their pass rush is able to get to Jimmy Garoppolo, he may look to get the ball out of his hands quickly to his slot receiver and tight end. If the game plays out like that, Bourne could see a lot of volume in the passing game. Kevin King is a bigger cornerback and will cover Deebo Samuel who is similarly big and tough. Jaire Alexander should cover Emmanuel Sanders for most of the game and is capable of slowing him down. That leaves Bourne with the best matchup on the week, as he should see a lot of Tramon Williams in coverage. At his low price, Bourne is a decent option if you want to get both Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams into your DFS lineups.

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