This article will go game by game for the Week 12 slate looking at the top wide receivers from an offense and, based on the inside/outside and left/right splits of those receivers, identify the WR vs. CB matchups likely to occur.
Receivers rarely see the same corner every play, be it due to formation quirks or zone coverage calls by the defense, so a receiver's fortunes depend on much more than just the quality of the corner they're likely to see the most in a given game. Even against a bad corner, a good receiver can be denied the opportunity if the pass rush or something else outside his control complicates things. But it's part of the puzzle, and it's worth keeping track of.
Receivers are left with an Upgrade, Downgrade, or Even verdict based on their projected wide receiver vs. cornerback matchup. This shouldn't be read as 'good' or 'bad' but rather a measured tweak from the receiver's baseline projection.
Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets
RAVENS WIDE RECEIVERS
Zay Flowers should be in a good spot here against a corner rotation that probably ranks among the worst in the league. Brandon Stephens is their top contributor but even he should be a relatively easy matchup for Flowers, while the likes of Qwantez Stiggers and Jarvis Brownlee (slot) are even easier to beat yet. DeAndre Hopkins can probably beat corners like these, too, though in Lamar Jackson's current state the Ravens might not be eager to open up the passing game.
Upgrade: Zay Flowers
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DeAndre Hopkins
JETS WIDE RECEIVERS
Last week the Jets seemed to split the slot and flanker reps between Isaiah Williams and John Metchie while Tyler Johnson and Adonai Mitchell split most of the X reps. Whoever is stuck with the X rep is probably the dud – Mitchell because he's just a mess at the moment, and Johnson because his skill set and athletic traits fit a lot better at the flanker or slot reps, where Williams and Metchie got most of the good opportunities in Week 11.
The Ravens secondary looks tough at the moment, especially relative to the standards of receivers like these. Marlon Humphrey is probably a tough matchup for whoever is in the slot on a given play, while on the boundary Nate Wiggins is tough and Chidobe Awuzie is still solid.
It's hard to call it a Downgrade given that the Jets normally project somewhere around zero as a passing offense, but the Ravens starting secondary is clearly too much for receivers like these.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: John Metchie, Isaiah Williams, Adonai Mitchell, Tyler Johnson
Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
BEARS WIDE RECEIVERS
Luther Burden seemed to displace Olamide Zaccheaus last week, and from here we might see the Bears give roughly 1/3 of the slot snaps each to Burden, Rome Odunze and DJ Moore, with some week-to-week fluctuation. More than most offenses, the three Bears receivers should split their matchups pretty evenly across the three defensive cornerback reps.
Burden, Odunze and Moore might therefore each see a fairly even split between corners Darius Slay, Joey Porter and Jalen Ramsey (slot). The three corners look better or worse depending on the success of the Steelers pass rush in a given game, and Caleb Williams still has a tendency to invite pressure. It might be difficult for Williams and the Bears offense to throw with volume, given that they have reason to implement a run-heavy game plan to provide Williams with shelter from that pass rush.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, Luther Burden
STEELERS WIDE RECEIVERS
If DK Metcalf can't get it going against the Bengals then he probably can't be trusted against anyone. The other side of the coin is that Metcalf can post some of his best numbers in challenging matchups – his big plays occur when the deep coverage slips out of position, which can happen occasionally even by the best defenses. Metcalf is risky to start and bench both. With that said, the corner matchup might be somewhat challenging between Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson on the boundary.
Roman Wilson may have overtaken Calvin Austin in the wideout rotation last week, and becomes an interesting sleeper if so. Wilson's NFL arrival was delayed but lately he's looked like the player the Steelers thought he was when they picked him in the third round of last year's draft.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DK Metalf, Roman Wilson
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots
BENGALS WIDE RECEIVERS
Tee Higgins warrants a special assignment from Christian Gonzalez, both because Andrei Iosivas isn't worth Gonzalez's time and because they don't want Higgins getting too many shots at Carlton Davis. When in the slot in three-wide Iosivas will have a major size mismatch against Marcus Jones, though Jones is scrappier at the rim than you might expect of a 5-foot-8 corner.
Mitchell Tinsley appears to be the third man up, probably playing the flanker rep when the Bengals go three-wide with Iosivas in the slot. There's not much reason to give Tinsley the benefit of the doubt even against the Davis or Jones types.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tee Higgins (matchup Downgrade if shadowed by Gonzalez but offset by volume upgrade), Andrei Iosivas, Mitchell Tinsley
PATRIOTS WIDE RECEIVERS
D.J. Turner isn't easy to beat but Stefon Diggs is still more proven in the meantime, while secondary coverage guys like Dax Hill (slot) and Josh Newton (boundary) are likely at a disadvantage against Diggs. Kayshon Boutte can run past Newton but not Turner or Hill.
Mack Hollins has been very productive over the last month, lining up everywhere but mostly on the boundary. Generally, if Diggs, Boutte and Hollins are on the field it will be difficult for DeMario Douglas to fit into the formation.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Stefon Diggs (the less Turner the better), Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins\
Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants
LIONS WIDE RECEIVERS
Dru Phillips in the slot and Cor'Dale Flott on the boundary are solid players, but probably not enough to raise any concern for Amon-Ra St. Brown, who should be able to leverage a dominant ground game into favorable down-and-distance situations where the coverage is compromised. Jameson Williams is golden as long as the Lions keep giving him underneath targets, and why would that change with the success Williams has had lately? Deonte Banks is the corner you'd really like to see, no matter whether it's St. Brown or Williams in question.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams
GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Darius Slayton is the key to the Giants offense in this one, because his downfield speed is something Rock Ya-Sin and Amik Robertson categorically cannot deal with. It's true that Slayton doesn't have the greatest game in the intermediate or underneath, but downfield specifically Slayton can be a problem for defenses that can't match his stride. Isaiah Hodgins doesn't have much speed but he can bully Robertson.
Wan'Dale Robinson is one of the more matchup-independent wideouts in the league due to how close he tends to run to the quarterback, but the Lions might be a tad challenging. Brian Branch is someone you'd rather not see when you need yardage after the catch.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
PACKERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Christian Watson has a relatively poor history with drops but in 2025 he has made a number of gnarly catches he probably wouldn't have in past years. If Watson can keep that up it would totally change his impact, from a WR3 decoy/big-play specialist to a potential WR1 type. Watson and to a lesser extent Romeo Doubs are capable of causing some downfield damage, with Watson posing his threat from either the slot or the boundary (Doubs is boundary-only).
Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers are players who need disguised coverages and pass-rush pressure to play at their best, and Murphy in particular can't run with Watson downfield. Rodgers can, albeit at a much smaller build.
Dontayvion Wicks has been killing Green Bay the past two years and deserves no benefit of the doubt even against Josh Metellus, and Metellus breathes a sigh of relief every time he sees Wicks instead of Matthew Golden.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs
VIKINGS WIDE RECEIVERS
It's difficult to offer reassurance here. J.J. McCarthy will improve in this game or get benched very soon. To this point it had been nearly impossible to thwart Justin Jefferson, but McCarthy is the one thing capable of stopping Jefferson in the NFL to this point.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Justin Jefferson (downgrade for QB reasons), Jordan Addison (see Jefferson)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts
CHIEFS WIDE RECEIVERS
Rashee Rice figures to see a lot of Sauce Gardner when on the boundary and in the slot Kenny Moore is a rugged defender prepared to play downhill, but Gardner's abilities are in a way wasted on a player who produces by as much yardage after the catch as Rice. Gardner's premium coverage abilities are best spent against refined downfield route runners, but against Rice the game of cornerback play is largely reduced to run defense. Gardner can probably play that game – it's just a task normally left with someone below his pay grade.
Xavier Worthy (ankle) is tough to trust from scrimmage at this point, but be it against Gardner or Mekhi Blackmon, but it still remains true that Worthy will run past any defense that doesn't show him sufficient acknowledgment.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy
COLTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Michael Pittman versus Trent McDuffie would be an interesting clash if the Chiefs give McDuffie the assignment, but Pittman is used to making catches even in contested coverage. If you start Pittman normally then he's the kind of player who isn't worth fussing over based on matchup.
Jaylen Watson is a solid corner opposite McDuffie, but Christian Roland-Wallace in the slot probably has something to prove still. Josh Downs against CRW probably deserves the benefit of the doubt, while Alec Pierce gets challenging looks regardless of whether it's Watson or McDuffie.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Michael Pittman (arguable Downgrade if shadowed by McDuffie), Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
Tennessee Titans vs. Seattle Seahawks
TITANS WIDE RECEIVERS
Chimere Dike in the slot with Van Jefferson and Mason Kinsey on the boundary... thrilling.
Dike has the most talent of the group, but Nick Emmanwori in the slot looks imposing and the Titans offense can't do basic things right. Jefferson and Kinsey against Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon is a matchup where the defense has all the advantages.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Van Jefferson, Mason Kinsey, Chimere Dike
Even: N/A
SEAHAWKS WIDE RECEIVERS
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is probably the most matchup-proof receiver in the league at the moment, but the matchup here is additionally favorable given that Jalyn Armour-Davis and Marcus Harris should probably be backups. Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp also have clear advantages here.
Upgrade: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
CARDINALS WIDE RECEIVERS
Michael Wilson went nuts last week and it's tough to bench him after drawing 18 targets. The Jaguars have some good coverage personnel and have shown the ability to run zones well at times this year, but Wilson's target share variable could be very favorable, especially with Marvin Harrison out again.
Greg Newsome is the corner Wilson wants to avoid, but Jourdan Lewis/Jarrian Jones both look good in the slot, too. The latter detail might be more the problem for Greg Dortch. Montaric Brown at the other boundary rep can run zones competently but can't play man coverage against the likes of Wilson.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch
JAGUARS WIDE RECEIVERS
If Will Johnson (boundary) and Garrett Williams (slot) are active here then the Cardinals will have a strong three-corner loadout between those two and Max Melton.
If Johnson or/and Williams are out then it rapidly diminishes the Cardinals on the boundary and the slot, respectively. Jakobi Meyers would gain from Johnson being out, while Parker Washington in the slot would prefer to avoid Williams. Melton against whoever is a tough matchup for the wideout in question.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington (arguable Upgrade if Williams is out), Tim Patrick
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns
RAIDERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Tre Tucker against Tyson Campbell and especially Denzel Ward is a matchup that suits the Browns, because Tucker isn't built to take on the primary attention of a defense. Campbell and Ward can both run too, especially Ward.
Tyler Lockett from the slot would get the easiest matchup – Myles Harden – but by this point there probably isn't much grounds to give Lockett the benefit of the doubt.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tre Tucker, Tyler Lockett
BROWNS WIDE RECEIVERS
Shedeur Sanders looks bad but the Raiders corners certainly aren't intimidating. If guys like Eric Stokes and Kyu Blu Kelly miss Jerry Jeudy at the jam then they're watching him run free. Cedric Tillman against Jeremy Chinn is a tough call, but Chinn is huge and athletic.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
COWBOYS WIDE RECEIVERS
The Eagles can probably neutralize one of CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens on a given play, but as long as Adoree' Jackson is at a boundary rep in nickel formations there's a clear target for Dallas. Quinyon Mitchell is the one you'd really like to avoid, and if Lamb is on the outside he can probably expect Mitchell. If Lamb is in the slot he can usually expect Cooper DeJean – far from ideal for Lamb. The talent variable with Lamb dictates that he's a no-question starter even in tough matchups, but if Pickens can get Jackson on a play then that's the primary target.
Ryan Flournoy seems to usually take the flanker rep when Lamb moves into the slot. If Lamb is in the slot against DeJean and if Mitchell follows Pickens to whichever side, then Flournoy might be the one who gets the most looks at Jackson. Jackson might be able to hold up against a player like Flournoy, but Flournoy has generally played well with opportunity and probably should be taken seriously by the Philadelphia defense, even with Lamb, Pickens and Jake Ferguson as the primary concerns.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy
EAGLES WIDE RECEIVERS
By now the struggles of DeVonta Smith and especially A.J. Brown seem to be an ongoing feature of the Eagles offense rather than an anomaly. It never made sense, so in a way it would be reasonable for Jalen Hurts to suddenly snap into a better form and produce in a way that allows both Brown and Smith to capitalize in this favorable matchup.
Caelen Carson has a lot to prove and DaRon Bland is more opportunistic than smothering in coverage, while the likes of Reddy Steward seem beatable in the slot. There's really no good reason for the Philadelphia passing game to struggle here.
Upgrade: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
SAINTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Chris Olave probably can create separation even if shadowed by A.J. Terrell, though looks at Mike Hughes would probably be far preferable yet. The Falcons might need Dee Alford in the slot again, and Olave should get plenty of looks at him, too. Devaughn Vele and to a lesser extent Mason Tipton should get most of the remaining boundary reps, but neither has really established the benefit of the doubt at this point. This game would be a good time to start, because the slack seems to be there.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Mason Tipton
FALCONS WIDE RECEIVERS
To play without Drake London is a brutal sentence for the Atlanta offense. Darnell Mooney clearly has not been himself but hopefully has been shaking off the rust. David Sills should split most of the slot reps with Kyle Pitts, leaving Mooney mostly on the boundary.
Alontae Taylor might be the toughest Saints corner at the moment, but in the slot he would see more of Sills and Pitts than Mooney. Kool Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley on the outside might be a little easier to beat.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Darnell Mooney, David Sills
Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS
Puka Nacua is matchup-proof, and Jacob Parrish will get a tough tackling test against Nacua when they clash in the slot. From the boundary the Buccaneers probably have a bright future with Ben Morrison, though as a rookie he might find Davante Adams challenging in man coverage. Zyon McCollum might be more liable yet to trip up against Adams' slick releases.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Puka Nacua, Davante Adams
BUCCANEERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Chris Godwin in true form would be a huge boost to the Tampa Bay offense, though his exact alignment splits are difficult to predict. In the past Godwin would often operate mostly from the slot, but with Mike Evans out the Buccaneers might see enough immediate need on the boundary to run a three-wide loadout with Godwin and Emeka Egbuka on the boundary with Sterling Shepard in the slot. Tez Johnson would presumably be the first up at any rep that needed relief otherwise.
Cobie Durant, Darious Williams and Emmanuel Forbes are all candidates to see starter-like reps on the boundary, but a mix of them and Josh Wallace should pitch in at the slot snaps. The personnel for the Rams secondary is not nearly as important as the scheme – the results have generally been consistent over the past few years despite the personnel fluctuating between replacement types – so beating the Rams secondary is more about dodging the obstacles they throw at you than it is beating anyone in man coverage.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers
49ERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Ricky Pearsall might continue to function more like a decoy than a consistent threat from scrimmage, if only because the 49ers are so bereft of speed outside of Pearsall that he's the only one capable of reaching the safeties on any given dropback. In other words, Pearsall might be able to clear space for Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne, but they can't do the same for Pearsall.
With that said, Pearsall can definitely do his own damage from scrimmage if Kyle Shanahan's playcalling dials it up. Jaycee Horn might or might not follow Pearsall on the boundary, but even if Horn shadows Pearsall it's still a situation where Shanahan's designs would be an overruling factor. Jennings and Bourne can probably get the better of Casey Thornton in the slot, while Mike Jackson is not a big concern on the boundary.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne
PANTHERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Tetairoa McMillan has really earned the benefit of the doubt at this point, to the point that we can probably expect a high target share even in the event that Bryce Young fails to post much passing production. Progress from Young would help McMillan's projection a great deal, but in the meantime there's reason to think McMillan's talent is compelling enough to demand consistent usage, with McMillan providing above-average returns with that usage. Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green aren't concerns for McMillan, and in both cases he might be able to bully the corners a bit even if he can't separate. Xavier Legette doesn't warrant nearly as much benefit of the doubt, on the other hand, and Jalen Coker gets a much easier matchup against Upton Stout in the slot.
Upgrade: Jalen Coker
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette
