Welcome to Going Deep! This weekly article will make use of charting data, advanced metrics, and other RotoViz tools — specifically the newly released Passing Game Matchup Rater — to help readers better understand the challenges facing wide receivers and tight ends in the coming week. As my process makes heavy use of the Matchup Rater, I’d highly recommend that you set aside half an hour to watch the tutorial/walkthrough and take a spin through the tool.
Please note that we only touch upon players with 6.0 or more PPG in this article.
MATCHUPS
Falcons at Cardinals
Drake London returns to action against a Cardinals defense that has been favorable to WR alignments and is ceding the seventh-highest percentage of points per game (PPG) to WRs. London will face coverage from a variety of Arizona’s defenders but will look to do damage when opposed by Marco Wilson. Wilson is allowing 11.2 PPG and 2.2 points per target (PPT) which is a full 0.6 PPT higher than the league average.
Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith will enjoy facing a defense that is allowing TEs to score 114% of PPG. As Pitts lines up as a traditional TE far less than Smith, he benefits from the Cardinals’ favorability for WR alignments. Of course, this has been the case in previous games, and Smith has managed four TE1 weeks.
Kyler Murray returns for the Cardinals and will look to elevate the team’s aerial attack. The Falcons haven’t been favorable to WRs lined up out wide, but slot WRs are faring much better and the defense is allowing WRs to score 113% of PPG. As a result, this matchup creates a solid opportunity for Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore to have successful outings.
TEs have fared well against the Falcons and Trey McBride looks to be in a good spot to outscore his PPG of 7.0.
