Every fantasy manager knows that schedule strength can greatly impact fantasy player performance. The more granular one can get in matchups, the better.

My matchup points system uses various fantasy points and allowed metrics as a base. Then, variables such as the likelihood of a team getting into a high-scoring game and pass-blocking/pass-rush strength are added. These combined grades are then placed on a curve and given a 1-100 score, with 1 being the least favorable and 100 being the most favorable.

Keep in mind that these grades are all based on fantasy-scoring relevance. For example, as detailed in my soft secondaries and the receivers who’ll benefit most from them in fantasy football article, a defensive back who has a strong yards per attempt (YPA) allowed but a low PPR fantasy points per game (PPR FPPG) allowed will be graded as a favorable matchup in this system.

Over the years, I have found that the most valuable part of the weekly schedule strength analysis is on the outer margins. This weekly article will cover that area, highlighting players with a matchup points total of 80 or higher and detailing players with 20 or lower.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s move on to the best and worst matchups for Week 5. The list below shows all players with favorable and unfavorable matchups. I’ll highlight players from each positional list, beginning with quarterbacks.

Metrics are via TruMedia/PFF, Stathead or NFL Next Gen Stats unless otherwise noted. Point references are in PPR unless otherwise noted.

Quarterbacks

Justin Fields, NYJ (vs. DAL): Fields has racked up a quarterback league-leading 11.3 points per game on rushing plays. With that type of rushing pace, he doesn’t need much in the way of passing to be a QB1 candidate. With the Cowboys providing Fields the only matchup points total of 80 or higher at this position, Fields can be considered a near must-start in Week 5.

Running backs

Alvin Kamara, NO (vs. NYG): My Week 4 fantasy review points out that Kamara is losing some work to Kendre Miller. That might normally be cause for fantasy concern, but the Giants rank 31st in fantasy points allowed per game on planned rush plays. Kamara should be in starting lineups, even if he continues splitting work with Miller.

Woody Marks, HOU (@ BAL): Marks had a breakout game with 27.9 points against Tennessee last week. Facing a Baltimore defense that is next to last in points allowed on planned rush plays gives Marks another path to 20+ points. He belongs in every starting lineup this week.

Trey Benson, ARI (vs. TEN): Benson scored only 10.4 points in his first game as James Conner’s replacement. Facing a Titans defense that has allowed 23.6 PPG on planned rushing plays (ranked last) should change Benson’s scoring trajectory in a major way. Find a way to get him into the lineup this week.

Tight ends

Dalton Kincaid, BUF (vs. NE): Kincaid has been hit-or-miss this year. Last week was a miss with only one catch for 28 yards (albeit for a touchdown). Facing a New England secondary that has allowed 15.1 FPPG to tight ends should make this one of Kincaid’s hit weeks.

Darren Waller, MIA (@ CAR): Waller gained only 27 yards on three catches on Monday night, but two of those went for touchdowns. The low volume may make fantasy managers hesitant to start him against Carolina. The fact the Panthers have allowed 285 yards and 11.0 yards per target (YPT) to tight ends (both rank next to last) should remove that hesitation. Waller should be a mid-tier TE1 this week.

Dalton Schultz, HOU (@ BAL): Fantasy managers looking for a longshot upside play at this position should strongly consider acquiring Schultz. Teams have completed a ridiculously high 26 of 27 passes to tight ends against Baltimore this year. Houston will target this weakness all day long. It ought to result in Schultz being a viable TE1 in Week 5.

Sam LaPorta, DET (@ CIN): LaPorta has been a fantasy dud for most of this season, but don’t overthink it. The Bengals have allowed 15.9 FPPG to tight ends and are tied for the most tight end targets against. This will be LaPorta’s bounce-back game, so get him into all lineups.

Running backs

Jacory Croskey-Merritt; Chris Rodriguez; Jeremy McNichols; WSH (@ LAC): Week 4 showed that Washington is truly committed to a running back-by-committee (RBBC) setup. Croskey-Merritt, Rodriguez and McNichols had 20, 20 and 19 offensive snaps, respectively, last week. It’s tough to get much fantasy start value out of an RBBC. That goes double versus a Chargers defense that ranks eighth in points allowed on planned rush plays. Add it up, and this just isn’t a week to start a Commanders running back.

Isiah Pacheco, KC (@ JAX): Pacheco finally posted a double-digit point total, but he cleared that bar by a small amount (12.2 points) versus a highly favorable matchup. Jacksonville is nowhere near a plus matchup versus the run. The Jaguars rank second in rush yards allowed on planned rushing plays and second in points allowed on those plays. That means Pacheco likely goes back to his single-digit scoring pace. It also means he’s a bench candidate in most leagues.

Wide receivers

Jaylen Waddle, MIA (@ CAR): Waddle is all but certain to receive more targets now that Tyreek Hill is out for the year with a dislocated knee. However, he’ll receive extra attention, and Carolina’s secondary is stacked with strong coverage players.

Panthers starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson have superb yards per target numbers this season. Horn has allowed only 4.7 YPT this season, while Jackson has a 5.3 YPT mark. Those numbers rank each of the duo in the top 11 in this category (minimum 15 targets).

Waddle won’t be able to get away from strong coverage, which is not enough to make Waddle a unanimous sit candidate, but if you’re between him and another player, coverage concerns might be the tiebreaker that keeps him on the bench in many leagues.

Deebo Samuel; Terry McLaurin, WSH (@ LAC): There isn’t a tougher pass-coverage matchup for wide receivers right now than the Los Angeles Chargers. Donte Jackson (1.3 YPT), Derwin James (3.3) and Tarheeb Still (4.9) all rate near the top of the league in this key coverage metric.

The Chargers have also allowed the fewest completions (eight) and the lowest completion percentage (25.8) on vertical passes this year.

McLaurin’s injury status, lack of production this year and the difficult matchup should push him to the bench in most leagues. Samuel’s dual-threat ability allows him to still be considered for start status, but there are likely better options in smaller leagues.

(Photo of Justin Fields: Rich Storry/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)