Should I bench my star player because of a bad matchup?
Usually no. Top players stay in your lineup most weeks no matter the opponent. Matchups are best used to decide between two similar players, not to bench your best options.
Matchup
A matchup is the game or defensive opponent a player faces in a given week, which affects how well that player is expected to perform.
In fantasy football, a matchup refers to who a player or team is playing against that week. A wide receiver going against a weak pass defense has a good matchup, while a running back facing a tough run defense has a bad one. Managers look at matchups when setting their lineups, because the same player can be a must-start one week and a bench candidate the next depending on the opponent.
Matchups matter for team positions too. A defense facing a turnover-prone quarterback has a strong matchup, while a defense facing a high-powered offense has a weak one. Kickers can also be affected, since kickers on teams expected to score a lot often get more field goal and extra point chances.
It is important not to rely on matchups alone. Talent, role, and volume usually matter more than the opponent. A star player with a tough matchup is often still a better start than a backup with an easy one. The best approach is to use matchups as a tiebreaker between players you rank closely.
Common questions
What makes a matchup good or bad?
A good matchup means the opponent is weak at stopping that player's position, such as a pass defense that gives up lots of yards to wide receivers. A bad matchup means the opponent shuts down that position or that player's role.
Related terms
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