NFL Sports Betting Toolkit
We are looking ahead at week 13, 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.
Top Tier Matchups
WR | Grade | DraftKings | FanDuel | CB | Grade | Matchup Grade |
| Alshon Jeffery | A | $6,900 | $7,700 | Kenneth Acker | F | A |
| Allen Robinson | B+ | $7,300 | $8,000 | Coty Sensabaugh | F | A- |
| A.J. Green | B+ | $7,600 | $8,400 | Justin Gilbert | F | A- |
| Kamar Aiken | B | $4,800 | $6,100 | Jamar Taylor | F | B+ |
| Emmanuel Sanders | B+ | $6,500 | $7,300 | Brandon Flowers | F- | A |
| Danny Amendola | B | $4,700 | $6,700 | E.J. Biggers | F | A- |
| Martavis Bryant | C+ | $5,600 | $6,900 | Greg Toler | F- | B+ |
| T.Y. Hilton | B | $5,700 | $7,300 | Antwan Blake | F- | A- |
| Julio Jones | A+ | $9,000 | $9,200 | Jude Adjei-Barimah | F- | A+ |
Alshon Jeffery - Chicago has one of the more favorable matchups of week 13, and here is hoping they can take advantage of it, unlike the last two teams who faced the 49ers. Jeffery will likely square off with Kenneth Acker, who is the 70th ranked CB, per PFF. San Francisco ranks 29th in defending the opposing WR1, and Jeffery averages 11 targets per game.
Allen Robinson - Allen Robinson could be in line for an uptick in targets, if Allen Hurns sits. He will square off against Coty Sensabaugh, who is rated as the 81st corner. Robinson averages 9.9 targets per game, and Tennessee ranks 14th against opposing WR1.
A.J. Green - Coming off of a two touchdown game performance, A.J. Green could feast once again. He could square off against Justin Gilbert, if Joe Haden can't suit up for week 13. Either way, he has a favorable matchup, as Cleveland ranks 21st against opposing WR1.
Kamar Aiken - Yes, Matt Schaub is throwing to him when he is not throwing to the other team, but Aiken is still a solid value play. Miami ranks 30th against opposing WR1, and Aiken has seen 10, 8, 14, targets in the last three weeks.
Emmanuel Sanders - Brock Osweiler was able to hit Sanders on a couple long bombs against New England. Sanders is the guy I want in this matchup, facing Brandon Flowers. He is ranked as the 110th CB, and San Diego ranks 25th in defending the opposing WR2.
Danny Amendola - Although likely questionable, still worth noting if he can put in a week's worth of practice. Philly has been shredded the last few weeks, and even with a decimated core, New England has Tom Brady. For these prices, especially on DK, Amendola will be a steal. E.J. Biggers has been horrendous against slot receivers.
Martavis Bryant - With Antonio Brown facing off against Vontae Davis, Martavis Bryant will see Greg Toler. Bryant averages 9.2 targets per game, and is a home run threat. I believe he is underpriced, and will be an excellent play regardless of the QB.
T.Y. Hilton - On the other side of this game, Hilton will likely lineup across Antwan Blake, who is rated 113th. When Indy faces a stronger run defense, much like this past week against Tampa, they are forced to air it out. Pittsburgh ranks 22nd against opposing WR1, and Hilton averages 9.4 targets per game. I love his DK price, and is in a matchup worth throwing in some tourneys.
Julio Jones - He is likely on your, well I will say naughty list, after this last week. He gets a chance to redeem himself before facing Josh Norman twice over the next few weeks. Tampa ranks 19th in defending opposing WR1, and Jones averages 13 targets per game. Lets hope Matt Ryan remembers he is on his team.
Middle Tier Matchups
WR | Grade | DraftKings | FanDuel | CB | Grade | Matchup Grade |
| Jarvis Landry | B | $6,700 | $7,400 | Ladarius Webb | C+ | C |
| Sammy Watkins | B- | $5,600 | $7,000 | Sammy A Johnson | C | B- |
| Michael Crabtree | B | $6,500 | $6,600 | Marcus Peters | D+ | B |
| Demaryius Thomas | B- | $7,200 | $7,600 | Jason Verrett | B- | C+ |
| Antonio Brown | A+ | $8,600 | $9,000 | Vontae Davis | C+ | B+ |
| Mike Evans | C+ | $7,300 | $7,900 | Jalen Collins | F- | B- |
| Larry Fitzgerald | A | $7,400 | $7,300 | LaMarcus Joyner | C | B+ |
Jarvis Landry - This Miami offense is a tough one to trust, but we Jarvis Landry has been a lock for 10 or so a game. Baltimore ranks 18th in defending opposing WR1, and Landry will see Ladarius Webb. This matchup is a tossup for me, as Webb has been decent this season. I prefer him on DK with the full point PPR, where he is not really on my radar on FanDuel.
Sammy Watkins - After Sammy Watkin's monster week, he is on our radars now. Buffalo will get a matchup against Houston, who rank 23rd in defending opposing WR1. Buffalo made it clear to get him more targets, and he saw 10 in week 12. This is up from his season average of 6. Watkins has a slightly above average matchup, worth throwing in some GPP's.
Michael Crabtree - We saw the Bills passing game torch Kansas City, well more so Watkins, but Oakland has the weapons to do much of the same. Crabtree has a better matchup than Cooper, with Kansas City ranking 23rd against opposing WR2. Crabtree is also seeing 9.5 targets per game. Marcus Peters ranks as the 63rd rated corner.
Demaryius Thomas - Jason Verett will shadow DT this week, making him less than ideal. He saw 13 targets last week, but just caught one. With the QB situation, and matchup, he is better reserved for tournaments. We know San Diego struggles on defense which is why he is still in play.
Antonio Brown - Antonio Brown is pretty close to matchup proof, so a matchup against Vontae Davis doesn't necessarily scare me off. Davis is an above average coverage corner, who has been dropping as the seasons gone on. Indy does rank 9th in defense against opposing WR1, and have shown to hold teams over the last few weeks.
Mike Evans - Desmond Trufant will likely stay on his side against Vincent Jackson, meaning Evans will draw Jalen Collins. This is an ideal matchup for Evans one-on-one, but Atlanta ranks 7th in holding teams WR1.
Larry Fitzgerald - There are two Cards on this list, and Fitz is the only one I would feel comfortable with. St. Louis ranks in the top 10 in defending all three wideout spots, but he draws the easier one-on-one matchup. Lamarcus Joyner is a subpar slot-corner.
Tough Matchups
WR | Grade | DraftKings | FanDuel | CB | Grade | Matchup Grade |
| DeAndre Hopkins | A | $8,800 | $8,900 | Ronald Darby | B+ | C |
| Doug Baldwin | B+ | $3,800 | $6,200 | Captain Munnerlyn | B- | C |
| Brandin Cooks | C+ | $6,300 | $7,100 | Josh Norman | A+ | F |
| Jeremy Maclin | B | $5,200 | $6,500 | David Amerson | B- | C- |
| Amari Cooper | C+ | $6,900 | $7,000 | Sean Smith | B- | C- |
| Stevie Johnson | C- | $4,700 | $6,200 | Chris Harris | B+ | D |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | A- | $8,900 | $9,400 | Darrelle Revis | B- | B |
| John Brown | B | $4,800 | $6,000 | Trumane Johnson | C | C |
| Eric Decker | B- | $6,300 | $7,200 | Prince Amukara | B- | C |
| Brandon Marshall | B- | $7,100 | $8,100 | Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | B | C- |
DeAndre Hopkins - Another one on the dud list from week 12, DeAndre Hopkins will not have an easy matchup in week 13. He has shown to be matchup proof, but Ronald Darby ranks as the 6th best corner in football. Buffalo also ranks 3rd in defending opposing WR1.
Doug Baldwin - After last week's performance, Doug Baldwin finds his way into the list. Minnesota ranks 15th in defending opposing WR1, and Captain is rated in the top 30 for corners. With Jimmy Graham going down, he should see a steady amount of targets moving forward, but still averages just 5.8 a week.
Brandin Cooks - Josh Norman. NFL's number one corner, move on.
Jeremy Maclin - David Amerson has come around of the second half of the season, and will see Jeremy Maclin this week. Oakland ranks 10th in defending opposing WR1, and Amerson has crept in as the 21st ranked corner. Tough matchup for Maclin, in addition to an up-and-down passing game.
Amari Cooper - Sam Smith is along the lines of Amerson, who has turned things around in the second half. Cooper is very unreliable, but very capable of coming out on top in this matchup. The C+ grade for Cooper is a bit deceiving, so still keep him in mind for GPP's.
Stevie Johnson - The San Diego passing game lit it up against Jacksonville, but that will not be the case this week. If you were looking to deploy Stevie Johnson, think again. Chris Harris is the third rated corner, per PFF. Denver ranks in the top five in defending all three WR spots.
Odell Beckham Jr. - You might be think Revis has lost a step, which it does look that way, but I still hesitate attacking Revis Island. Beckham is one of the better wideouts in the game, number eight to be exact. Jets rank 8th in defending opposing WR1, so I am still hesitant.
John Brown - St. Louis is a top rated pass defense, but have not looked like it of late. Brown and Fitz had the most success against St. Louis before, but nothing substantial. St. Louis rank in the top ten in defending opposing WR2.
Eric Decker - The matchups look tough on paper, but the Giants have just an average ranked pass defense. The Giants ranks 16th against opposing WR2, but will be facing two top 30 corners. Decker will see the Prince, who is rated 27th.
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