One way I look at matchups each week is through the lens of an entire team’s offense against their opponent’s defense. Overly strong or weak positional matchups can lead to a specific game script or fantasy outcome as a result. When looking at non-stud options, matchups have a way of leading to value.
How to read the chart:
Teams are paired up by game, two per article, with the tema defense on the left half of the chart and the opposing offense on the right half. Each category represents the positional efficiency for or against, with the overall score merely an average of the positional marks for the team.
The Cardinals are inefficient outside of their quarterback-to-wide receiver connection. Unfortunately for them, that is the strength of the Seattle defense. Add in a limited-at-best Larry Fitzgerald and things get dicey for Arizona. Andre Ellington will depend on receptions to fuel a strong fantasy day and Seattle’s weak spot, against tight ends, is not a bankable avenue for John Carlson and the Arizona tight ends regularly.
The same applies to the Seattle offense. Their strengths, at quarterback and running back, are the strengths of the Arizona defense. Marshawn Lynch against the Cardinals’ front seven is one of the best matchups of Week 12. Temper expectations for Russell Wilson (through the air at least) and the few owners that may be contemplating rolling out Doug Baldwin.
The Chargers should lean on Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd this week. Antonio Gates has a tough draw against the Rams, one of the stingiest matchups for tight ends. The Chargers run game? It should be a struggle. Philip Rivers is a low-QB1 as usual with a neutral matchup.
The Rams struggle on offense outside of a rogue Kenny Britt bomb here and there. The Chargers are neutral on defense across the board, outside of clamping down on tight ends (good luck, Jared Cook). Outside a shot in the dark with Britt in a lineup or Tre Mason as a low-RB2, the Rams offense is a pass this week.
