Wide Receiver Matchup Grades: Week 12

We are looking ahead at week 12, to find the elite matchups for wide receivers against corners. Using Pro Football Focus's ratings as a base, we are able to get an advanced look at what matchups we can take advantage of. They matchups are broken down into the top tier matchups, middle tier matchups, and matchups to fade. Now the opposing cornerback may not always be on the highlighted receiver, but this is a look at who the highlighted receiver will likely see most of the game. Not every number one cornerback covers the opposing team's wide receiver. They usually stay on their side of the field, and on occasion can shadow a number one. I will continue to edit it during the week, if there is given news of a switch in matchups.

Thanksgiving Matchups

Calvin Johnson - Matchup-wise, Calvin Johnson has been in some good spots this season, but the state of the Lions offense ruins many of these matchups. Nolan Carroll has been consistently average this season, and ranks as the 53rd rated corner, per PFF. If you believe Johnson is washed up, PFF has him as the 7th best wideout.

Golden Tate - Tate is best suited for DraftKings, with the full-point PPF, and is in play with a great matchup. He will see E.J. Biggers, who is a D rated coverage corner. F overall. Philly is coming off a game where they were shredded by Tampa Bay. Not that Detroit is a good offense, but with the talent they have, they have the better Turkey day matchups.

Jordan Matthews - Some weeks you might be asking if Jordan Matthews is still in the league, and the answer is yes. Matthews has a poor F grade, but this is a guy who can help take down a Thursday GPP. Quandre Diggs has a C- grade, but in coverage has been in the 50-60 ratings range for the season.

Dez Bryant - The Josh Norman treatment will keep me off Dez Bryant come Thanksgiving. Norman lowers floors, and ceilings as the league's number one corner. Norman has not had a rated game lower than 85 this season.

Terrence Williams - Because Bryant will see Norman, Terrence Williams could see some looks against Charles Tillman. Williams has not been great this season, due to Romo missing most of the season. Tillman is an average coverage corner, and Williams could be the one to come through in the passing game.

Randall Cobb - Aaron Rodgers has torched Chicago in prior meetings, and even with some rough edges, history should repeat itself. Cobb has a C+ grade, which is a bit low for him, but I can not argue with it. The Rodgers-Cobb duo has only hit twice this season. Bryce Callahan has had grades in the mid 60's for coverage, with a D+ overall grade. Give Cobb the advantage here.

James Jones - Jones had been quiet up until the last game against Minnesota, where him and Rodgers connected for some beautiful plays. This is very similar to Cobb, where Jones will see an average corner. With Rodgers under center, these guys have the clear advantage.

Alshon Jeffery - After sitting out last week, Alshon Jeffery is probable for week 12. Jeffery has played a handful of games this season, but has chalked up a 93.7 PFF rating. He will face Sam Shields, who ranks as the 27th best corner. This is not a matchup I am shying away from. Look for tons of volume, and Jeffery getting the better of Shields.

Top Tier Matchups

Eric Decker - Seven touchdowns on the season for Eric Decker, and I am looking for him to build on that this week. He will see Jamar Taylor, who ranks as the 105th rated corner, per PFF. With Grimes on Marshall, Decker is my wideout of choice in the Jets offense.

Antonio Brown - Richard Sherman has risen in coverage grades, but just to an upper C level, per PFF. Nothing stellar. There are better matchups to pick on for star wideouts, but Sherman is not scaring me off Brown.

Allen Robinson - It looks like Allen Robinson will see Brandon Flowers, and have us salivating for this matchup. Robinson has had a phenomenal year, and is rated as the 8th best wideout. Brandon Flowers? Not so much. He is the 110th rated corner, who has never had a coverage rating over 50.

Amari Cooper - Cooper will have an easier matchup this week against Coty Sensabaugh, who has steadily dropped in coverage ratings. Cooper has had a consistent C rating this season, but nowhere near his teammate Michael Crabtree. King Crabs is still my preferred Raider wideout.

Michael Crabtree - King Crab is the 12th rated WR, per PFF. He has been consistently around the B grade week-to-week, and gets another juicy matchup. Perrish Cox is an average coverage corner, who is ranked as the 63rd best corner.

Julio Jones - Julio Jones is matchup proof, other than when he sees Josh Norman, but that is not today. Xavier Rhodes will possibly be shadowing him this week, who has been continuously torched this year. Minnesota ranks 14th vs. opposing #1 WR's.

DeAndre Hopkins - This is the obvious wide receiver play this week. The Saints have been horrendous against opposing passing games. They rank 30th vs. #1 WR's, and Hopkins is simply matchup proof right now. Delvin Breux has a nice PFF grade, but Hopkins just had a successful visit to Revis Island.

Larry Fitzgerald - You can take your pick for which wideout to pick against Arizona. Palmer and company have a favorable matchup against the 31st rated pass defense. Fitz will see Jimmie Ward, who has a slightly below average coverage grade.

Middle Tier Matchups

Sammy Watkins - Kansas City has the looks of a top five defense this past week, and we are looking at a pivotal game between two wild card hopefuls. If you want to take a Sammy Watkins shot in GPP's, the matchup is average, no better, no worse. Marcus Peters has had mid 70's coverage grades this season, while Watkins has had his best receiving grades of the season in the last three weeks.

T.Y. Hilton - Purely based on matchup, T.Y Hilton would be highlighted for me this week. Sterling Moore has had mid-50 coverage grades this season, while Hilton continues to carry B- receiving grades week-to-week. Hilton has not had sustainable QB play, which has limited him this year.

Mike Evans - Vontae Davis left last week's game, and no news has been reported on his status. If he does play, the matchup is one I will not likely target much of. If Davis is out, he will see Greg Toler, and you can bump up Evans into the top tier for matchup grades.

Odell Beckham Jr. - Bashaud Breeland will have his hands full with Odell Beckham Jr. Breeland ranks as the 20th best corner, but still Beckham Jr. has the upper hand. He ranks 9th among wideouts, logging upper 80 receiving grades the last few weeks. If you are looking to pick on Chris Culliver, Rueben Randle will be matched up with him.

A.J. Green - For the second week in a row, A.J. Green finds himself in a tougher than usual spot against an opposing secondary. He will avoid Janoris Jenkins, likely, meaning Marvin Jones gets the red line through his name for me. Trumaine Johnson is rated has the 15th best corner, and Green is the 10th rated wideout. He put up a 4-79-0 line against Peterson, who is a similarly ranked corner.

Martavis Bryant - Bryant will see Williams, with Richard Sherman now shadowing Antonio Brown. I still believe both of them have a favorable matchups, just due to Seattle lacking on defense this season. Bryant is a great GPP play in week 12.

Jarvis Landry - The Jets secondary has looked very average the last few weeks, but either way, Jarvis Landry is in a great spot. He will see Buster Skrine, who ranks as the 86th best corner, but has an F- coverage grade. Landry still dominates targets each week, making him the viable option in the Miami passing game.

Tough Matchups

Brandon Marshall - Brent Grimes did a fairly good job keeping Dez Bryant under wraps, even though he found the end zone. Marshall is still a high-volume target, but I believe the matchup limits his ceiling this week.

Allen Hurns - The tough matchup will go to Allen Hurns, who will see Jason Verrett. He is an above average cover corner, who has stifled opposing wideouts at times this year. It is tough to fade Hurns with his production, and just San Diego being awful as a whole on defense, but individually Robinson is the guy I want.

Jeremy Maclin - Not that you were going to play Jeremy Maclin anyway, but he sees Ronald Darby this week. Buffalo has two of the better corners in the game, and Darby ranks as the 4th best corner. If the lack of passing volume hasn't taken you off Maclin, the matchup will put the nail in the coffin.