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

Bengals at Ravens

The Ravens present the Bengals’ offense with a significant challenge. Baltimore’s defense has been solid in every metric that we track and is allowing just 1.2 points per target (PPT) to WRs. The league average is 1.6 PPT.

Tyler Boyd draws an above-average matchup rating thanks to running 44% of routes from the left slot. Overall, the Ravens haven’t been favorable to the alignment, but are surrendering the eleventh-highest points per game (PPG) to the left slot. Since 2021, Boyd has been averaging 1.9 PPT against all teams as opposed to 1.7 against Baltimore. When the teams met in Week 2, he went six of eight for 52 yards.

Coincidentally, Ja’Marr Chase has averaged 1.9 PPT against the league but 1.7 PPT against Baltimore. This is an average matchup for the star receiver. Tee Higgins put up eight receptions, 89 yards, and two touchdowns against Baltimore in Week 2, but has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game.

Mark Andrews should be in line for another solid TE1 week. Cincinnati has done little to slow tight ends down this season and Andrews put up 15.5 PPR when the teams met in Week 2. Andrews caught five of eight targets in this game for 45 yards and a score.

The Bengals are an average matchup for Zay Flowers. Slot WRs are approximating average PPT against Cincinnati and haven’t put up lofty per-game totals.