This week in the Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed Analysis, we break down some of the notable matchup takeaways from the first few weeks of the NFL season! After Week 4, we are beginning to see some trends when it comes to which teams allow more fantasy points to the slot vs. out wide to wide receivers. In this article, we are going to identify those matchup trends to see how they will impact your fantasy teams in Week 5.
We will address additional slot vs. wide matchups in more detail 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 5!
To see the full slot vs. wide PPG-allowed data, click here!
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Notable Out Wide Matchups
Defense: Pittsburgh Steelers
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 1st
Week 5 START: Zay Flowers
Through Week 4, Zay Flowers is the WR33 in PPR. That doesn’t sound overly impressive, but when you realize he has done that vs. the 4th toughest early season out wide schedule, it’s clear the best is yet to come for Flowers in 2023. Three of the first four games came against teams that were in the top 8 teams in the fewest fantasy points allowed out wide. This week Flowers gets a blow-up spot vs. a Steelers team that has allowed the most fantasy points out wide this season. This includes monster games for Nico Collins (7-168-2) and Davante Adams (13-172-2) in each of the past two games.
Defense: Denver Broncos
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 4th
Week 5 START: Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard
Surprisingly we saw a spark to the Jets passing game as Zach Wilson looked to finally turn a corner vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. This includes hyper-targeting his top option Garrett Wilson giving him 14 targets vs. a tough Chiefs secondary. Now heading into Week 5, the Jets have a big opportunity to build off that performance as they face the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have been getting torched by outside WRs, including allowing big games to D.J. Moore (8-131-1), Tyreek Hill (9-157-1), and Terry McLaurin (5-54-1) each of the past three games.
Defense: Atlanta Falcons
Out Wide PPG Allowed: 30th
Week 5 SIT: Nico Collins and Tank Dell
The Texans passing game has been a revelation so far this season. Nico Collins has emerged as a legit WR1, while Tank Dell has proven to be a reliable WR2. The only caveat is that this duo did their damage vs. the 6th easiest strength of schedule for outside WRs through Week 4. This week they will have their toughest test yet vs. a Falcons DST that shut down notable outside WRs Calvin Ridley (2-38-1) and Romeo Doubs (2-30) in two of the last three games. After a very hot start to the season, it’s best to view both these players as WR3/4s in Week 5.
Notable Slot Matchups
Defense: Detroit Lions
Slot PPG Allowed: 4th
Week 5 START: Adam Thielen
Adam Thielen has found the fountain of youth as he currently sits as the WR11 in PPR through Week 4. Thielen has emerged as the top weapon for Bryce Young leading the Panthers in every receiving category. Thielen does have some sell-high appeal, as the Panthers have faced the softest slot schedule through Week 4. However, in Week 5, Thielen should stay hot vs. a Lions DST that has allowed the 4th most fantasy points to the slot this season.
Defense: Atlanta Falcons
Slot PPG Allowed: 5th
Week 5 START: Robert Woods
While Nico Collins and Tank Dell have grabbed all the headlines, Robert Woods has quietly had a strong first season in Houston. Through Week 4, Woods has only faced one defense (Ravens) who have been above league average in the percentage of fantasy points allowed to the slot vs. out wide. This week Woods should see a few more targets thrown his way, as the Falcons are only one of three teams that allow at least 50% of their fantasy production to the slot. This should put Woods on the WR3 map in PPR formats in Week 5.
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