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One of the most difficult parts of playing daily fantasy during the NFL Playoffs is the time it takes to research matchup trends. My goal over the next few weeks is to reduce the amount of homework readers need to make smart lineup choices.
Over the course of two articles each week, I will provide at least one matchup nugget for each team at each of the key fantasy positions. Each selection will be written from a defensive perspective. In other words, look for the Dolphins' section for a trend working for or against Travis Kelce this week.
Bills (vs. PIT)
WR - Since the team's Week 13 bye, Rashee Rice (20.2), CeeDee Lamb (18.6) and Tyreek Hill (21.2) are the only receivers to score more than 10 PPR fantasy points against Buffalo.
TE - Buffalo surrendered three TDs to tight ends during the regular season, two of which came in the same game (Cincinnati, Week 9). The Bills have not permitted one since. Over that same stretch, Kelce is the only tight end to exceed 44 yards receiving.
Chiefs (vs. MIA)
WR - Over the final five games of the season, Kansas City gave up only one double-digit fantasy effort to a receiver (Josh Palmer with 11 points in Week 18).
TE - Excluding Donald Parham's 83-yard performance in a meaningless Week 18 game for both sides, the most receiving yards that Kansas City gave up in a game during the regular season was 66. The Chiefs yielded only four scores to the position all season.
Texans (vs. CLE)
WR - Amari Cooper was responsible for 52 percent of the receiving yards (265 of 510) and both of the receiving scores Houston yielded to wideouts over the last three games of the season.
TE - David Njoku's 16.4 fantasy points versus Houston in Week 16 was the second-highest total that Houston allowed to a tight end this season. It was also one of the seven times that a tight end tallied at least six grabs versus the Texans.
Be sure to check out our free DFS Lineup Optimizer before you settle on your personnel this week.
Browns (@ HOU)
WR - Cleveland has not surrendered more than 53 yards to a receiver since Puka Nacua (105) and Demarcus Robinson (55) accomplished the feat in Week 13. For some perspective, the Browns faced Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore, Nico Collins, Garrett Wilson and Ja'Marr Chase over that span.
TE - Forty-three percent of the fantasy points Cleveland surrendered to tight ends came in three games. Four of the five scores the Browns allowed by two players occurred in those same contests (Mark Andrews in Week 4 and Evan Engram in Week 14). Dalton Schultz was the only other tight end to top 45 yards receiving.
Dolphins (@ KC)
WR - Miami has allowed a 100-yard receiver in each of its last three contests and six double-digit fantasy efforts over that stretch.
TE - Miami yielded at least 10.2 fantasy points to three tight ends over the final two contests of the regular season - one shy of the number it allowed across the first 16 weeks.
Steelers (@ BUF)
WR - The last wide receiver to top five catches against Pittsburgh was Elijah Moore in Week 11. The last wideout with more than six catches versus the Steelers was Nacua (eight) in Week 7.
TE - Excluding two meetings against Cincinnati in Week 12 and Week 16, Pittsburgh gave up 10.1 or more fantasy points to a tight end in every game starting in Week 11.
Cowboys (vs. GB)
WR - DK Metcalf (three) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (one) are the only receivers to score a touchdown against Dallas since Week 10.
TE - George Kittle (27.7) and Sam LaPorta (15.4) were the only tight ends to score more than 10.8 fantasy points against Dallas all season.
Lions (vs. LAR)
WR - Detroit has allowed at least one receiver to score at least 20 fantasy points in all but two games since the team's Week 9 bye. In the two games where an opponent failed to accomplish that, Chris Olave (16.9) and Cortland Sutton (12.1) led their respective teams.
TE - Cole Kmet's 66-yard effort against Detroit in Week 14 was the highest total by any tight end against Detroit all season. Mark Andrews (63 yards in Week 7) was the only tight end who scored versus the Lions and exceeded 12 receiving yards.
Bucs (vs. PHI)
WR - Tampa Bay gave up 14 touchdowns to receivers during the regular season, but only three of them have come since Week 11.
TE - Before facing a toothless Carolina offense in Week 18, Tampa Bay allowed at least 14.7 fantasy points to a tight end in four straight. For the season, seven tight ends hit or topped that mark versus the Bucs.
Eagles (@ TB)
WR - The fewest fantasy points any lead receiver scored against Philadelphia this season was 14.8 by Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Week 15. Twenty-three receivers scored at least 15 fantasy points versus the Eagles.
TE - Kelce (Week 11) is the last tight end to score a touchdown against Philadelphia. Despite facing Dalton Kincaid, George Kittle, Jake Ferguson, Darren Waller (twice) and Trey McBride over that stretch, the Eagles gave up an average of 50.5 receiving yards to the quintet.
Rams (@ DET)
WR - Los Angeles gave up 22 double-digit fantasy efforts to receivers for the season, nine of which have occurred over the last five contests. Only twice since Week 6 has at least one wideout failed to score 10 points versus the Rams.
TE - Prior to a meaningless Week 18 contest for the Rams and 49ers, Los Angeles gave up at least 13 fantasy points to a tight end in five of its previous six contests.
Packers (@ DAL)
WR - Green Bay has allowed at least one wideout to score more than 10 fantasy points in eight straight and in all but two games all season. During the Packers' current streak, 14 receivers have scored in double figures.
TE - T.J. Hockenson (six) was the only tight end to catch more than five passes in a game against Green Bay this season. Kmet and LaPorta were the only other tight ends with as many as five receptions versus the Packers.
