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

Buccaneers at 49ers

Both defenses playing in this matchup have been favorable opponents for WRs as each is allowing more than 110% of PPG to be scored.

San Francisco is ceding significant points per game (PPG) to players lined up out wide which contributes to above solid matchup ratings for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

The 49ers duo of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are well-positioned for a great game against the Buccaneers’ defense that has struggled in to cover WRs from both alignments and sides of the field. Aiyuk and Samuel own some of the highest matchup ratings of the week and will look to add to the list of WR1 weeks the team, six in total, that the team has allowed. Both receivers frequently occupy the slot and TB is allowing 1.9 points per target (PPT) to WRs operating from this alignment versus the league average of 1.6 PPT.