This week in the Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed Analysis, we break down some of the notable matchup takeaways from the first two weeks of the NFL season! The purpose of this article is to help us identify the best matchups for wide receivers in the slot vs. out wide and how it will impact your fantasy teams in Week 3. The biggest question coming out of the early part of the season is, “Will the defenses we outline today be matchups to exploit all season long?”.
We will address some of those concerns on the slot vs. wide matchup show this Friday at 5:00 p.m. PST on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube channel, but for now, let’s dive into the top matchups for Week 3!
To see the full slot vs. wide PPG-allowed data, click here!
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Notable Out Wide Matchups
Defense: Los Angeles Chargers
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 1st
Week 3 Opponent: Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison
After getting completely crushed by the Dolphins in Week 1, the Chargers DST still allowed 11-190 to the Titans wide receivers in Week 2. This production came with DeAndre Hopkins playing at less than 100%. Now in Week 3 vs. the Vikings, we know Justin Jefferson is going to get his, but rookie Jordan Addison is firmly on the WR3 map this week after solid performances in Weeks 1 and 2!
Defense: Indianapolis Colts
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 2nd
Week 3 Opponent: Zay Flowers
The Colts’ defense has allowed two wide receivers to get over 100 yards in each game so far in 2023! In Week 1, Calvin Riley went 8-101-1 while Nico Collins had a monster 7-146-1. Heading into Week 3, Ravens top wide receiver Zay Flowers should be able to exploit this matchup. Flowers has looked great so far this season, averaging 6.5 receptions and 70 yards per game. Now with Odell Beckham dealing with an injury, Flowers is a must-start WR2/3 in Week 3.
Defense: Tennessee Titans
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 3rd
Week 3 Opponent: Amari Cooper
The Titans might be in this analysis all season long as they continue to struggle vs. outside wide receivers, especially the opposing team’s number one options. In Week 1, Chris Olave torched the Titans for 8-112, then in Week 2, Keenan Allen went 8-111-2. Now in Week 3, it looks to be Amari Cooper’s turn. Cooper played well on Monday while dealing with an injury securing 7-90 vs. the Steelers. This matchup should make fantasy managers confident to start Cooper in Week 3 after his strong performance last week.
Notable Slot Matchups
Defense: Baltimore Ravens
Slot PPG Allowed: 1st
Week 3 Opponent: Josh Downs
The Ravens’ secondary has struggled with injuries again in 2023, which has left them exposed at times vs. wide receivers. Primary slot man Tyler Boyd had a strong PPR game just last week, going for 6-52, including 4-40 from the slot. Meanwhile, rookie Josh Downs has averaged 3.5 receptions for 33.5 yards vs. two teams that are below-average matchups vs. interior wide receivers. Now heading into Week 3 vs. a team that allows the most points to the slot, Downs could hit double-digit fantasy points in PPR for the first time this season.
Defense: Cincinnati Bengals
Slot PPG Allowed: 3rd
Week 3 Opponent: Tutu Atwell
While Puka Nacua is getting all the hype right now (and rightfully so), Tutu Atwell is quietly having a great season of his own. Through two weeks, Atwell is 6th in the NFL in receiving yards from the slot and 3rd in slot receptions. This has led to Atwell being the WR16 in fantasy football through Week 2. Heading into this week, Atwell will look to build off that strong start vs. the Bengals, who just allowed 5-63-1 to Nelson Agholor from the interior just last week.
Defense: New Orleans Saints
Slot PPG Allowed: 4th
Week 3 Opponent: Jayden Reed
Surprisingly through two weeks of the season, rookie Jayden Reed leads the Packers in receiving. Reed has produced 6-85-2 on 11 targets in two games. During that span, he’s the only player to see double-digit targets on the team. Granted, most of Reed’s production has come out wide so far in 2023, but he still plays nearly 2/3 of his snaps on the inside. This should allow him to take advantage of a Saints DST that just allowed 6-50-1 to Adam Thielen from the interior in Week 2.
Don’t forget to bring all your start/sit questions to our Sunday Live Start/Sit show starting at 8 a.m. PST on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube Channel!
For more from Bobby and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @bobbylamarco.
Sources: Razzball.com, PFF.com, FantasyPros, FFToday, Pro Football Reference and Football Outsiders
