RWi RosterWatch Matchup Tool – Week 1

Welcome back. This is a proprietary weekly tool provided by RosterWatch.

It is designed to be a decision-making tool for gauging the defensive opponents your fantasy players face. If you are new to this, our time-tested, most popular tool, the instructions couldn’t be simpler, and can be found below.

Matchup Week 1

To use the tool, think about your fantasy player.

Let’s say you own 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick, and would like to see how he matches up against the defense he faces this week.

First look at the 49ers’ matchup for the week, and see what the number is inside the “vs. QBs” cell for the 49ers’ OPPONENT.

(Kaepernick is a QB, and you would like to know his opponent’s rank vs. that position.)

As you will see, the 49ers are playing the Cowboys, who have a big, blue ‘No. 1’ in their “vs. QBs” cell. This is a great indicator for Kaepernick owners.

Repeat the same process for other players on your roster as you are trying to decide which players to start and which to sit.

“1″ is the best matchup, “32″ is the worst.

BLUE: Best Matchups
LIGHT BLUE: Borderline Top Matchups
LIGHT RED: Borderline Bottom Matchups
RED: Worst Matchups

The rankings represented here are derived via a proprietary algorithm which takes into account not only standard “fantasy points against” metrics from 2013, but also weighted averages of separate individual player scouting grades for members of the 2014 unit that will be defending, pass-rushing, or covering against the position in question. For the first 3 weeks of the 2014 season, trends to end 2013 are quantified and reflected in the overall matchup rating as well as offseason changes with a small bit of credence given to scouting metrics collected from starting units in the 2014 preseason.

+Based on Standard Scoring
++RW Proprietary Algorithm

69 Comments

  1. ↓ Post By cwink2121

    Looking for 2 rb’s to play and my flex from R. Jennigns, Gerhart, Gore, Hill, M. Floyd, Kelvin Ben?

    Also Keep Kenny Britt or look for Back up to Charles Clay?

  2. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

    Cwink, roll with Gore, Jennings, and Gerhart this week. I think Benjamin is going to be a beast, but let’s see how he does in an NFL game first. Hold onto Britt for now. There will be plenty of tight ends around throughout the season, but talent like Britt isn’t as available week to week.
    -Trashman

    1. ↓ Post By cwink2121

      That’s where I was Leaning – Thanks Trashman. Just don’t want to see Floyd light up the Chargers secondary… but RBs should get me touches! I was debating on dropping Britt for a flier on Kelce, but I follow what you’re saying.

      Thank!

      1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

        Cwink- I thought you meant Malcolm Floyd! That might change things as San Diego is the best WR matchup on our matchup tool. In this case, I’d be just as happy to Gore, Jennings, and Floyd.
        -Trashman

        1. ↓ Post By cwink2121

          Your Cheat sheet wouldn’t have allowed me to draft Malcom Floyd 🙂

  3. ↓ Post By 1cme1

    Trashman, I enjoy listening to you guys on Sirius/XM. I used your draft guide for my draft and here is what I have: Cutler/C Palmer
    Megatron/Dez/Keenan Allen Welker/Mike Evans
    L Bell/D Martin/R Jennings/Vereen/Sproles
    Ertz/Clay
    Bengals D
    We are a PPR league. Any thoughts or suggestions for week 1? Thank you.

    1. ↓ Post By cwink2121

      My thoughts are you’re stacked and must be playing with morons. Getting all that talent – WOW. 12 teams or 8?

      My suggestion would be sit back and watch your team dominate!

      -cwink

      1. ↓ Post By 1cme1

        It is a 10 team league, some of our guys just picked on name value only.

        1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

          1cme1-

          We’d need to know your starting roster limits to know exactly- first thoughts it’s at least worth mulling over Mike Evan instead of Keenan vs Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie. We are going Jennigs, Vereen, and Martin in ppr. It’s tough between Clay and Ertz- in ppr Clay gets a ton of targets but we’ll go with the elite matchup here and roll the dice on Ertz to score a touchdown. Good luck.

          1. Post By 1cme1

            Byron sorry, i should have noted that.
            we go 1 qb, 1 rb, 2 wr, 1 te, and 2 flex that can be a rb, wr, or te.
            right now i have: Cutler, LeV Bell, Dez, Calvin, Ertz, Bengals D, in the 2 flex is where Keenan & R. Jennings currently sit.
            available on the bench: douggy martin, vereen, sproles, evans, clay & welker sspd
            thanks for the help

  4. ↓ Post By pyroforce

    I have a bit of an embarassing problem – I need to cut someone for a kicker. The problem is there’s no one that I dislike enough to make it simple at the moment. I used your cheat sheet with a few modifications for the people i was drafting with and ended up with this monstrosity in a 12 team standard.

    Starters
    QB – Andrew Luck
    RBs – Eddie Lacy, Giovani Bernard, Rashad Jennings (Flex)
    WRs – Keenan Allen, Cordarrelle Patterson
    TE – Jimmy Graham
    D – Cleveland (because i’m a dirty homer)

    Bench
    WRs- Terrance Williams, Kelvin Benjamin, Justin Hunter
    RBs- Fred Jackson, Lamar Miller, Devonta Freeman

    Jeremy Hill was jettisoned already for a similar reason, so i’m currently planing on dropping Freeman for him because… jesus christ. If that goes through, who’s the proper drop for a kicker? Or just be a boss and run the table without one?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      pyroforce-

      Love this post. Monstrosity is right! Yes- def drop Freeman for Hill. It would be boss to go no kicker, but we can’t recommend that- too many weeks decided by just a few points. We would drop Lamar Miller in a New York Minute without any remorse. Good luck.

  5. ↓ Post By eyak29

    Looking at the match up tool I can’t help but think that I should play M Floyd since he should tear up the Chargers. The question is to I bench G. Tate or R. Jennings to do so. My brain says Tate but the gut says otherwise.

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Eyak-
      Jennings is going to have a lot more chances to make an impact than Tate, who is going up against the 4th best def against the pass. We’d go Floyd for Tate here.
      -Trashman

      1. ↓ Post By eyak29

        Thanks Trashman. I was also thinking about benching Tate but being a Lions fan it couldnt convince myself to do so but I will be taking your advise.

  6. ↓ Post By Merks127

    Hey guys this matchup tool helped a bunch. Still wondering weather to go with heath Miller or branden cooks for my flex? The league is a 12 team ppr. Thanks. Love your show or Sirius xm!

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Merks- We have to think that NO vs ATL is going to be a shootout of epic proportions in a dome, and you want to have a part in that.
      -Trashman

  7. ↓ Post By bbreathes

    Listen to the show and love the info. Your cheat sheet and XM show made me, according to yahoo, win my draft. I went by the sheet and am a little worried on WR. 12 man standard. 4th round pick. Let me know what you think and if you think I need to strengthen at WR.
    Starters
    QB Matt Ryan
    RBs Jamaal Charles, Doug Martin, Toby Gerhart
    WR Percy Harvin, Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans
    TE Julius Thomas
    D Seatle
    Bench
    RB Sproles, Greene
    WR Woods, Britt, Austin, Lee

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      bbreathes-
      I know it looks scary to have to depend on such unproven talent at WR, but from our sources within the NFL we know that Benjamin and Evans are in for huge roles this season- especially Benjamin. Britt is going to be the de facto number one in St.Louis, and that means something even without Bradford. Woods is the only guy I’m a little concerned about due to E.J. Manuel’s struggles, but I’d wait till after week one to see how that situation looks. Fortunately, the rest of your team is solid enough to withstand a shaky week.
      -Trashman

      1. ↓ Post By bbreathes

        Thanks Trashman, I’m all I’m with you guys and am 100% confident on your info and advice. I can’t believe we finally made it to week one. Good luck to you and everyone out there using Rosterwatch to dominate their league’s.

  8. ↓ Post By Josh

    So completed my 12 team 1/2ppr qb rivers, rbs ap and lev bell, wrs Marshall, ant brown, desean, te graham, flex Stacy and Fred Jackson. Dunbar, maclin, stills, Ladarius green, Odell beckham, James jones, bridgewater(same bye as rivers…whoops). Made trades ly that gave more an extra 2nd rounder…ap fell to me at 6 and I stole graham at 13! Marshall and Jackson followed

  9. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

    Josh-

    The fact that you were able to pull this draft off AND squeeze Graham into this deal is impressive. Lots of guys we love this season. It’s guaranteed playoffs for you with some minor in-season management. Stay tune, and good luck.

  10. ↓ Post By adsmith765

    Used your cheat sheet and draft guide. This is what I ended up with. What do you think? Any suggestions on 1st week rb start? MJD has a favorable matchup but I am leaning toward Forte and Vereen.
    10 man league, standard scoring and format. I have
    QB: Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson
    RB: Matt Forte, Shane Vereen, Maurice Jones Drew, and Jeremy Hill
    WR: Jordy Nelson, Antonio Brown, Julian Edlemann, Anquan Bolden, Cody Lattimer
    TE: Jason Witten and Tim Wright
    K: Justin Tucker
    DEF: Carolina

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      adsmith765-

      Really close call at QB- we are rolling with Luck here. Also- Forte + Vereen + Jordy, Antonio, Julian, Witten. We can’t get excited about MJD this week at NYJ. Good luck

  11. ↓ Post By Josh

    Xm doing fantasy cap challenge?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      Josh-

      Was just wondering the same myself! I dominated it last year! Haven’t heard a thing- assuming it might be going by the waste side in favor of more actual fantasy leagues inside the channel.

      1. ↓ Post By Josh

        That sucks. It was fun.

  12. ↓ Post By rul8agn

    Flex question: Kelvin Benjamin or Mark Ingram this week? Standard non-ppr scoring.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      rul8agn-

      Good question- we are confident Kelvin will get the looks. He is their best redzone target. Good luck.

  13. ↓ Post By Josh

    What are you thoughts on Odell Beckham Jr this year. Obviously he is injured to start but can he have an impact say week6-8 on?

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Josh-
      Beckham Jr. was one of our favorite wr prospects coming into the draft this season, and if you’d gone to his pro day, as we did, you’d feel the same way. He has huge hands, and he snatches the ball out of the air with ease. He’s also a great route runner. Beckham has the potential to make an impact as soon as he’s healthy, but you kind of have to temper expectations for all NYG receivers relying on Eli Mannings erratic arm. Hopefully he straightens things out this season.
      -Trashman

  14. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

    Check out this sick draft using the draft cheat sheet for most of it. Mind you I had the 12th pick in a full point ppr, qb, 2 rb, 3wr, te, flex, k, def. I also missed the first two picks because I got home from work late and my laptop decided it needed to update. Anyways I digress here it is in order. Also this draft was unconvential in their picking and my first two picks were auto pick. Personally I probablly would have taken some combo of demarco murray and marshall or julio jones for picks 1/2, but not disappointed.

    Jimmy Graham, Brandon Marshall, Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Andrew Luck, Ray Rice, Justin Hunter, Kelvin Benjamin, Devonta Freeman, Andrew Hawkins, Carson Palmer, Aaron Dobson, James Starks, Isaiah Crowell, Steelers Def, Matt Bryant

    My starting line up of course will be for week 1:
    graham, luck, vereen, jennings, hunter, benjamin, and marshall. My flex I dont know if I should start Hawkins or Dobson? I doubt starks or crowell will get any work. I can cut someone and pick up Shonn Greene at Rb, or the following WR’s: boykin, baldwin, britt, james jones, john Brown, Malcom Floyd, or Allen Hurns. I am leaning towards Greene or Floyd, and may cut someone anyway to pick up Floyd.
    Thoughts?

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Yeager-
      I like the way you think. I would pick up Greene and/or a receiver who is going to get you consistent production, as you already have big upside guys. To me that’s Britt as the Ram’s de facto no.1 even with Hill under center, Floyd, or even Jones who should get a bunch of targets. I wouldn’t own Starks unless I also owned Shady and Palmer is luxury as well.
      -Trashman

      1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

        Trashman you mean Lacy right? Tell him not to cut Crowell just yet!!!

        1. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

          Thanks Byron. I don’t want to cut crowell yet because Tate I am sure will get injured just like steven jackson will which is why I have freeman. if tate does I think crowell will be the starter and if jackson goes down freeman becomes the starter. then I have another starter and trade bait.

      2. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

        Thanks Trashman. I don’t understand how Shady or palmer play into the equation as they aren’t on my team. I will see what Britt doesn, but I am leaning towards picking up Greene and or Floyd (if that bum can stay healthy) Now here is a difficult one for you. Flex: Kelvin Benjamin or Justin Hunter? Chew on that one.

        1. ↓ Post By yeagermeister

          Sorry I do see I included Palmer, forget I mentioned my whole lineup. I only got him as luxury insurance for luck, bc all other qb’s left that were decent were taken as backups. I don’t wanna be left with manziel or fitzpatrick or someone of that caliber. I do see your point though.

        2. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

          Yeager-
          I misspoke. I meant Lacy. For my flex I go with the guy who will get the most opportunities that still has upside. That’s Benjamin. He’s an every down player and a constant TD threat. I love Hunter, but he’s only playing three wide sets currently.

  15. ↓ Post By renourka

    Oops, guess my HTML skills are rusty .. that giant link is his team and my team is linked from the word “and” above… Sorry! Just in case here’s again.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      renourka-

      We are confused here- what is your question?

      1. ↓ Post By renourka

        Sorry guys but I’ve tried positing the same trade question twice but both are awaiting moderation? I think it might be because I posted two separate HTML links of each of our team screenshots? Basically I’ve got an offer of Brandin Cooks for my Stevan Ridley in my 12 team Standard league. I’ve got Jennings, T-Rich, Sproles, A. Williams, and S. Greene as my other RBs with only Percy, Kelvin, and J. Hunter as WRs. Rodgers at QB, Graham at TE and Gronk at the FLEX for the moment. His team is as follows: QB: Luck WR: DT and B. Marshall RB: Gerhart & B. Tate TE: M. Bennett FLEX: Maclin and his Bench: Cooks, L. MIller, R Randle, D. Bowe and Kelce. What would RW do? Also assuming the answer is no trade, who should I play at FLEX this week? GRONK or Ridley? Thanks a lot for your time and sorry about the spamming of comments!

        1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

          Renourka-
          Hold on tight to Ridley, as he could end up being one of your better backs with uncertainty for Richardson and Greene over the season. He’s still NE’s best inside runner and goal line threat. See if he’ll give you Randle or Bowe for Greene. Also there are going to be more receivers who end up being valuable waiver wire acquisitions than rbs. Check out some of the guys in my Garbage Grab piece this week for reference. If Gronk goes, you have to play him.
          -Trashman

        2. ↓ Post By renourka

          Thanks for the reply below Mr. Trashman! Instead of trying to trade Greene for Randle or Bowe… am I better off dropping him for M. Lee or Britt? Other RBs in FA include DeAngelo Williams, Ivory, DMC, Khiry so maybe carrying all those RBs is unnecessary?

          1. Post By Dorian Colbert

            Renourka-
            Either option is viable. Lee could go big early if Shorts misses time, and Britt will be the first option against a Vikings team that was the best match-up for QBs last season. There seem to be plenty of options on the waiver in both rb and wr positions.
            -Trashman

  16. ↓ Post By wmcgrath

    I need to choose this week between starting Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger. Both have bad match ups. Should I start Ben Roethlisberger over Tony Romo based on the match up tool? The reason I ask is a lot of sites rank Tony Romo ahead of Ben Roethlisberger this week.

    Should I start Rashard Jennings over DeSean Jackson in a flex spot in a 12 team full point ppr 6 point per touchdown league? I see Rashard Jennings has a more difficult matchup this week according to the match up tool. However, I am reluctant to start DeSean Jackson due to the way RGIII has looked this preseason. In addition, Rashard Jennings is the lone bright spot in an abysmal Giants offense and is a three down back who is going to get a lot of touches.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      wmcgrath-

      Great question. Romo will likely land higher than Big Ben when our rankings go final this week. We’ll take him at home against a hobbled Niners defense to begin the season. CLE / PIT has the makings of a classic grind it out AFC North game in Week 1.

      YES- we love Rashad!!! He’s a sneaky PPR rb monster- that nobody ever talks about his 4-5 receptions per game last year over his 7 starts. It’s part of the reason the Giants love him for their new WCO. DeSean is not a volume receiver. Good luck!

  17. ↓ Post By ChrisC530

    Worried about K. allen (SD) ..have Ball and Lacy at RB and Patterson and White at WR..need a flex out of MJD, Ingram, Evans, Hopkins or Woods…

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      ChrisC530-

      You are keen to worry about Keenan! I own Rivers and have some concerns myself this week agains that secondary- could be a lot of action on the ground this week for SD against a very weakened ARZ front 7. It’s a little bit trashy but we are totally willing to roll the dice on Mike Evans in WK 1. He’s an absolute beast like few we have seen before. Ingram is the other option- just a hard situation to trust. Love that you own MJD, Hopkins, Woods- just not quite ready to roll those guys out this week unless push comes to shove, and having a stud like Keenan no matter the matchup is never a push-come-to-shove ordeal. When in doubt play your studs- either Keenan or Evans this week. Good luck

  18. ↓ Post By grh1988

    Looking at filling out 3rd WR and flex. Waiting on Ray Rice to get back which will make the flex option much easier. Anyway WRs i have available for last spot and flex are Kelvin Benjamin, Deandre Hopkins, Robert Woods, Jordan Matthews. I don’t think andre williams or devonte freeman are worth flexing.

    I was thinking Hopkins and Benjamin, but Robert woods intrigues me.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      grh1988-

      We are really high on Woods this season, we like that you are giving him consideration. We are going Kelvin NO QUESTION here. Comes down to Woods or Hopkins- neither QB situation is ideal At least we know Woods is EJs guy- no matter how lackluster that sounds. We’ll also go with the slightly better matchup here in a game where the Bills may be forced to throw the ball. It’s time to roll out Robert Woods. Good luck, sir. (or ma’am).

  19. ↓ Post By Steve

    10 team PPR. Kick return TDs 6pts and 1pt for every 10 return yards to individual. Cobb tonight? V. Jackson or M. Floyd(ARI) to replace in flex if need be. Team is stacked thanks to your cheat sheet. Thanks in advance!

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      Steve-

      Yes- all good options. We would roll the dice here on Cobb. Never hurts to buy stock in Aaron Rodgers. Good luck.

  20. ↓ Post By bwoodru87

    PPR 12 team league, picked up Charles with my 1st pick (3rd pick overall), so he is locked in as my RB1. When the turn came I usually go RB’s but picked up Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson since I just couldn’t leave that value out there. My question is who to keep as RB2 and then play at flex. Options are: Vereen, F.Jackson, Sankey, Ingram, or VJax. My initial hunch is to keep Vereen at RB 2 and play VJax at the flex, only I am wondering if Freddy is a better option going up against Chicago vs Vereen at Miami. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!

    -Cheers

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Jackson is a much bigger TD threat, and he plays on third downs, which are usually passing downs. Also, Chicago gave up the most fantasy points to rbs last season. So while I love Vereen overall in a ppr, this might be one of Jackson’s best matchups all season. I’d go with FJax and Vjax.
      -Trashman

  21. ↓ Post By rul8agn

    Heath Miller or Travis Kelce? 10 team PPR

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      rul8agn-
      Kelce has upside, but Miller is the safer, more consistent pick. Unless this is a backup position, I’d go with Miller.
      -Trashman

  22. ↓ Post By tcards19

    I have a trade offer on the table. 10 team PPR: I get Arian Foster and Reggie Bush for Alshon Jefery and Toby Gerhart.

    Other RB’s: Andre Ellington and MJD
    Other WR’s: Cordarrelle Patterson and Terrance Williams
    TE: Jimmy Graham

    Make the Trade?

  23. ↓ Post By Josh

    Start desean or maclin. 1/2 ppr?

    1. ↓ Post By Alex Dunlap

      Josh we’d lean slightly to Maclin – love the matchup and he should have a few big games before he gets hurt again.

      1. ↓ Post By Josh

        Hey now don’t jinx my man! Lol. He was a 13th round keeper so anything is bonus. I kinda want to see desean with rg3 too thanks.

        1. ↓ Post By Josh

          10 targets and a td. Could be a stud. Advice should help to the win. Now need 18 from rivers to win well total.

          1. Post By Byron Lambert

            Josh-

            We have Rivers tonight as well in a league. It’s going to be close. We hate the matchup. Good luck.

      2. ↓ Post By Josh

        Thanks guys. Won a close matchup by 5 points. Literally the difference was this choice. You rock! Really hoping I can grab locker off waivers. Cowboys are horrid! Rivers against Seattle is also horrid lol

  24. ↓ Post By Josh

    Crazy to start mccown over rivers??? Hate rivers matchup against Arizona.

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Definitely not crazy. We only have them a few spots apart in our rankings. We do give the edge to Rivers, but go with your gut.

  25. ↓ Post By icepick16

    Hey guys. Who would you rather have in a flex spot for this week, Ryan Matthews against the worst matchup for RBs or Sammy Watkins and his ribs against the Bears secondary?

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Mathews. His volume outweighs the matchup. No telling what Watkins will get.

      1. ↓ Post By icepick16

        Awesome. Thanks Trashman

  26. ↓ Post By Rmlortie

    Should I plug Anquan Boldin in as a flex WR over Reggie Wayne now that Crabtree is hobbled?

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