In last week’s fantasy football GameDay Edge article, I introduced a new pressure chart based on how often offensive lines gave up pressures versus opposing defensive lines generated pressure above the NFL median. Here is an interesting note on the Kansas City-Denver game from that analysis to the Week 13 outcome.
Kansas City had the best pressure matchup against the Denver Broncos. That was evident in the game. Denver played well and had success, especially running the ball. Denver’s defense even kept them in the game. However, there were several key plays where Kansas City pressure stalled Denver drives and blew the game open. Teddy Bridgewater threw interceptions which were a result of this pressure that essentially put the game away.
Week 14’s median NFL pressure rates are shown below.
Week 14 Pressure Matchup Chart
Check out week 13’s article for an overview of the development of the Pressure Chart.
Week 14 Explosive Matchup Chart
Rushing Tidbits
- In the first game against Baltimore, Cleveland running backs only ran 15 times with little success. Now with Marlon Humprey out, Cleveland will have more success running. Baltimore can’t play man coverage exposing their young secondary. Look for Cleveland’s rushing attack to bounce-back in a big way for fantasy football.
- The Seattle Seahawks have great matchups across the board: both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Play all your Seattle stars in fantasy football DFS and Lineup Showdown leagues.
- The Raiders have a good passing matchup this week. Their OL matches well against the Chiefs pressure and will test the CBs downfield; however, the Kansas City Chiefs have played inspiring defense lately.
- Teams with plus rush matchups for fantasy football are Cleveland Browns, Detriot Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, LA Rams, LA Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks.
- Teams with bad rush matchups are Houston Texans (bad matchups everywhere), NY Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Arizona Cardinals.
Passing Tidbits
- Green Bay will likely have success in the passing game. A stack of Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, and Aaron Rodgers in fantasy football DFS and Lineup Showdown leagues will be chalk.
- San Francisco 49ers will have success throwing against the Cincinnati Bengals but will feel the Bengals’ pressure. George Kittle has the potential to finish as TE1 this week in fantasy football.
- Las Vegas has a great matchup against the WFT. WFT can’t generate much pass rush and the Raiders like taking shots downfield. Derek Carr is a sneaky play in DFS this week.
- Tampa Bay – Buffalo game is a matchup of the offensive line (TB) allowing the fewest pressure rate (10.8%) versus the defense (BUF) generating the most pressure rate (30%). Due to Tampa’s OL insane performance thus far, the numbers favor Tampa; but look for the Bills to rattle Tom Brady. If the Bills do not execute their pressures, Tampa will win this game in a landslide.
- Teams with plus pass matchups with good explosive and pressure matchups are Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks.
- Teams with bad pass matchups are Houston Texans (bad matchups everywhere), Atlanta Falcons, and New York Giants.
