As the NFL playoff race heats up, the fantasy football season is reaching its pivotal stretch run. Week 13 presents a slate full of tantalizing wide receiver/cornerback matchups that could tilt the balance for your fantasy squad. We scoured the game film to spotlight the WR/CB duels that will have the biggest impact this weekend.
Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase vs. Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr.
The marquee matchup of the week features Cincinnati’s electric wideout squaring off against Pittsburgh’s ascending shutdown artist. Chase’s blend of deep speed and contested-catch prowess will test Porter’s sticky coverage skills. While Porter has stymied some quality receivers this season, the Bengals’ pass-catching phenom presents an entirely different challenge.
Chase is about as matchup-proof as they come. Any downgrade against Porter and the Steelers’ stingy secondary should be considered minor.
– An AFC defensive coach
Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb vs. Giants’ Deonte Banks
A breakout star meets a rookie revelation in this NFC East tilt. Lamb has emerged as the Cowboys’ unquestioned alpha receiver, while Banks has quickly earned his coaches’ trust to travel with opponents’ top targets. In their Week 4 meeting, Lamb got the better of the matchup to the tune of 7 receptions, 87 yards and a touchdown.
Has the first-round corner made the necessary strides to reverse that outcome on the road in Jerry World? Sources close to the Giants express confidence in Banks’ competitive nature and short memory. Still, Lamb’s game-breaking ability can stress even the soundest of techniques. Advantage: Lamb
Texans’ Nico Collins vs. Jaguars’ Tyson Campbell
A sneaky-important clash in the muddled AFC South playoff picture also carries significant fantasy implications. Collins has quietly posted WR2 numbers this season as the Texans’ go-to guy. He’ll draw the unenviable task of dueling with Campbell, a Pro Bowl candidate at corner.
- Collins erupted for a 12-151-1 receiving line on 15 targets in the Texans’ Week 4 loss to the Jags
- Campbell did not travel with Collins in that contest, but his responsibilities have expanded since
- Jacksonville’s defense has allowed the 3rd-most fantasy points to WRs in 2024
Despite Campbell’s imposing presence, Collins profiles as a solid WR2 with WR1 upside this week. The Jags’ zone-heavy scheme can be exploited by savvy route runners with the size to make plays in traffic. Collins checks those boxes and should be fired up in all fantasy formats.
Rams’ Cooper Kupp vs. Saints’ Secondary
The stars appear aligned for a massive game for the Rams’ do-everything receiver. Kupp is fresh off dismantling a normally formidable Eagles secondary and now gets a Saints defense that has hemorrhaged production to wideouts in 2024.
| Category | Fantasy Points Allowed | NFL Rank |
| Overall vs. WRs | 29.7 per game | 6th-most |
| vs. Perimeter WRs | 19.5 per game | 7th-most |
| vs. Slot WRs | 10.2 per game | 7th-most |
With the Saints’ top cover men either injured (Paulson Adebo) or jettisoned (Marshon Lattimore), Kupp should feast on a beatable cornerback group. Elevate expectations for the Rams’ star receiver in all lineup decisions.
These four matchups headlines a fascinating Week 13 slate, but every contest features a WR/CB battle that could swing fantasy fortunes. Dig into the complete Shadow Report to get the critical insights you need to make the optimal start/sit decisions for the playoffs push.
