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Mike Riggall's favorite WR vs. CB matchups to exploit for Week 10 of DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel. These wide receivers should be tournament and cash game targets based on matchups.
In Week 9, the Seahawks defeated the Buccaneers 40-34 and, as expected, provided some offensive fireworks. The high-scoring contest resulted in Tyler Lockett, Mike Evans, and D.K. Metcalf all finishing in the top-three of fantasy scoring at the wide receiver position. Tyreek Hill proved to be too fast for the Vikings secondary, finishing as the No. 5 wide receiver in Week 10, and Lions receivers Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay scorched the Raiders secondary, both finishing in the top-10 at the position.
Allen Robinson and Robby Anderson each had tremendous matchups in Week 9 and both had terrible performances, mostly due to poor quarterback play from Mitch Trubisky and Sam Darnold. Both Panthers receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel came through for fantasy last week and Devante Parker continues to have his best season as a professional football player to date. Here is a complete statistical recap of the Week 9 recommendations:
- Tyreek Hill - 9 targets, 6 catches, 140 yards, 1 TD
- Allen Robinson - 5 targets, 1 catch, 6 yards
- John Brown - 7 targets, 4 catches, 76 yards
- Robby Anderson - 4 targets, 2 catches, 33 yards
- Pivot: Devante Parker - 6 targets, 4 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD
- D.J. Moore - 10 targets, 7 catches, 101 yards
- Pivot: Curtis Samuel - 6 targets, 3 catches, 64 yards, 1 TD
- Kenny Golladay - 7 targets, 4 catches, 132 yards, 1 TD
Now, let's move onto the current week and find the best matchups to exploit for DFS tournaments and cash games. On the high-end, both Mike Evans ($8,600 Fanduel / $7,600 DraftKings) and Chris Godwin ($8,200 Fanduel / $7,400 DraftKings) have very beatable matchups for the second week in a row. Both Buccaneers wide receivers should come through against a Cardinals Defense that has given up the fourth-most passing yards-per-game on the season. The Cardinals secondary hasn't been much better since the return of Patrick Peterson and this game has an over/under set at 52 points which means these guys are likely to score. Michael Thomas ($8,700 Fanduel / $8,300 DraftKings) is also in a really nice spot this week against a Falcons Defense that has allowed eight receivers to score 20 or more PPR points this season.
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Week 10 WR/CB Matchups to Exploit
Zach Pascal (6,400 FanDuel / $5,300 DraftKings) vs Nik Needham
Through the first nine weeks of the season, the Dolphins are giving up 251.6 passing yards-per-game which ranks them in the middle of the pack. Of late, the Dolphins Defense hasn't given up as many passing yards as they were at the start of the season. However, that's not because their pass defense is greatly improved, but rather because teams are running more, to the tune of 150.8 yards-per-game which is second-worst in the NFL. The Dolphins are still giving up 8.6 yards-per-pass which is fourth-worst in the NFL, so they aren't great against the pass on a per-play basis. If the Dolphins are able to move the ball against the Colts Defense and put some points on the board, the Colts will be forced to put the ball in the air and exploit the weak Dolphins secondary. Early in the season the Dolphins were scorched for big play after big play, and that could easily happen this Sunday. With T.Y. Hilton out for Week 10, Pascal is in line for some serious work.
Jamison Crowder ($6,500 FanDuel / $5,000 DraftKings) vs Corey Ballentine
The Giants Defense ranks in the bottom-10 of the league giving up 263.6 passing yards-per-game through Week 9. In Week 8, the Giants surrendered eight catches and 95 yards to Lions slot receiver Danny Amendola. Going back further, the Giants have surrendered big games against other slot receivers, including Julian Edelman and Adam Thielen. However, Crowder is still somewhat of a risky play this week because Jets tight end Chris Herndon is supposed to return to the lineup. He may draw targets from Sam Darnold in the middle of the field which would have otherwise gone to Crowder.
Pivot: Robby Anderson ($5,900 FanDuel / $4,700 DraftKings) vs Janoris Jenkins
Robby Anderson has been unsuccessfully featured in this article for the last two weeks in a row. Anderson has a tremendous matchup against a terrible Giants secondary that has been absolutely gashed for big plays this year. The Giants have given up 38 plays of 20+ receiving yards and 11 plays that went for 40+ receiving yards, which is worst in the league. Although Anderson's matchup looks great, you need to proceed with caution here because the Jets' offensive line is not very good and Sam Darnold has been struggling. Anderson does, however, offer some additional intrigue this week because Chris Herndon is returning to the lineup for the Jets. Herndon may draw more defensive attention to the middle of the field which could mean looser coverage for Anderson.
Christian Kirk ($5,700 FanDuel / $5,200 DraftKings) vs Sean Murphy-Bunting
The Buccaneers Defense gives up just 3.4 yards-per-carry on the season which makes them the second-best rush defense on a per-play basis. The Buccaneers pass defense, however, is a different story, giving up just under 300 yards-per-game at 7.7 yards-per-play. This leads me to believe that Arizona's high-paced offense will rely on the passing game to move the ball up and down the field in a game that has an over/under set at 52 points. Kirk has yet to score a touchdown this season, so it feels like he's due, but that's more of a gut feeling. The Buccaneers have also given up 33 plays of 20+ passing yards so far this year, so there's a decent chance Kirk hits a big one.
Russell Gage ($4,700 FanDuel / $3,400 DraftKings) vs Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Both Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley will have problematic matchups against Marshon Lattimore and Eli Apple in Week 10. Russell Gage emerged in Week 8 after Mohamed Sanu was traded to the Patriots, playing 57% of the offensive snaps and proved himself to be a decent playmaker. The over/under in this one is set at 51 points and the Saints are favored by 13.5 points. Out of all of the Falcons receivers, Gage has the best matchup against the Saints and this game should feature a lot of throwing by the dirty birds given the fact that they're heavy underdogs.
Darius Slayton ($5,600 FanDuel / $4,200 DraftKings) vs Darryl Roberts
They are struggling as a team this year, but the Jets Defense is actually very good against the run, surrendering a league-best 3.1 yards-per-carry and just 89.2 rushing yards-per-game. Jets slot cornerback Brian Poole has been very good in coverage this year, but the guys on the outside have been absolutely brutal. Darryl Roberts has surrendered a team-high 460 yards in coverage and a QB rating of 102.6 when quarterbacks throw in his direction. With both Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram declared out for Week 10, things are setting up for Slayton to have a huge game.
