This week in the Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed Analysis, we break down some of the notable matchup takeaways from Week 1 in the slot vs. out wide for wide receivers. We then discuss how it will impact your fantasy teams in Week 2. The biggest question coming out of last week is “Will these defenses be matchups to exploit all season long or, in some cases, be outliers as these defenses regress back to their 2022 production?”.
We address some of those concerns on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube channel!
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Notable Out Wide Matchups
Defense: Los Angeles Chargers
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 1st
Week 2 Opponent: Tennessee Titans
DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks have an immediate bounce-back spot vs. a Chargers DST that was lit up by the Dolphins’ passing attack in Week 1. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for nearly 300 yards receiving vs. Los Angeles last week. The only issue is that Hopkins is dealing with an ankle injury. This latest update could put Burks firmly on the WR3 map.
Defense: Tennessee Titans
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 3rd
Week 2 Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams could rebound after a quiet Week 1 as soon as this week vs. the Tennessee Titans. The Titans got roasted on the outside, allowing a combined 39 PPR points from Rashid Shaheed, Chris Olave, and Michael Thomas. Now making the matchups even stronger is that one of the Titans’ top cornerbacks, Kristian Fulton, will most likely be out. This should allow Big Mike to produce Top 24 wide receiver numbers this week.
Defense: Kansas City Chiefs
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 6th
Week 2 Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones have an opportunity to build off a strong Week 1 in another plus matchup vs. the Chiefs in Week 2. The Chiefs allowed 72% of Amon-Ra St. Brown’s production from the outside and a solid 4-80 receiving line from Josh Reynolds. With top Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed playing at less than 100%, Ridley makes for a solid DFS play, and Jones is a WR3 in Week 2.
Notable Slot Matchups
Defense: Cleveland Browns
Slot PPG Allowed: 3rd
Week 2 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
Even in a big Week 1 win vs. the rival Cincinnati Bengals, Deshaun Watson and the Browns passing game wasn’t firing on all cylinders. On a day where Watson only threw for 154 yards, Elijah Moore paced the team in production, going 3-43. Now Moore gets to face a Steelers DST that allowed a combined 6-72-1 from the slot to the 49ers last week.
Defense: Seattle Seahawks
Slot PPG Allowed: 6th
Week 2 Opponent: Detroit Lions
After struggling in Week 1 vs. the Rams, the Seahawks have another tough matchup vs. the Lions in Week 2. The lone area where the Lions seemed to struggle was manning the slot. After allowing the seventh-highest percentage of fantasy points from the slot in 2022, the Lions picked up right where they left off in 2023. In Week 1, the Lions allowed the second most fantasy points from the inside. Jaxon Smith-Njigba shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a WR4 but could see a nice uptick in production after a slow start to the season.
Defense: Arizona Cardinals
Slot PPG Allowed: 10th
Week 2 Opponent: New York Giants
It’s hard to take a lot from the Giants’ horrific Week 1 performance, but we can look at usage. Slot wide receiver Parris Campbell led all Giants players in routes and saw 76% of them in the slot. This week Campbell gets a Cardinals DST that allowed 11 PPR fantasy points to Commanders’ slot man Curtis Samuel. Campbell isn’t a must-start by any means, but he could provide solid value as a dart throw in DFS in Week 2.
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
