New York Giants @ Washington Football Team-Thursday 8:15PM
WSH DT Jonathan Allen vs. NYG LG Nick Gates
Washington’s defensive line going up against the Giants’ offensive line is major matchup disadvantage on its own but there is not a larger individual matchup disadvantage than this one. Jonathan Allen is one of the preeminent interior pass rushers in the league utilizing varied pass rush moves combined with destructive brute strength and power in the interior. The Giants seem to be already making changes to their starting offensive line by moving their starting center Nick Gates to left guard to try to have a bit of a more manageable matchup against Allen. Gates does have experience playing at right guard, so by playing left guard for the first time it is difficult for offensive linemen on the fly to just be expected to produce at a specific position they have never played before. Gates is a serviceable player who plays with tenacity and decent technique. However it is a lot to ask for Gates to go up against a player of Allen’s caliber in his first start at left guard and the first time he has played guard since 2019.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers-Sunday 1PM
OAK OT Alex Leatherwood vs. PIT EDGE T.J. Watt
Coming off signing a 4 year $112 million dollar extension superstar T.J. Watt continued to show why he is one of the league’s best defensive players. Watt plays with a ferocious motor while also being one of the technically refined pass rushers in the league. Watt can beat opponents with power or speed off the edge making him nearly unlockable. This is going to be a very tough ask for rookie OT Alex Leatherwood. Leatherwood who I believe has a bright future ahead of him but is not ready to compete against Watt at this moment in time. Leatherwood can be late to initiate proper leverage against opponents leaving his upper and lower body to not be in tandem. Look for the Raiders to help Leatherwood by pairing blocking tight end Foster Moreau to help chip Watt and make Leatherwood’s life a bit easier on Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles-Sunday 1PM
SF TE George Kittle vs. Eagles Coverage Players
As everyone knows George Kittle is arguably the league’s best tight end. It is rare for a tight end to have such incredible athleticism, nuance as a receiver, and dominance as a blocker. It is going to take a varied approach by the Eagles to try to slow him down if at all. SF HC Kyle Shanahan is a genius at creating matchup advantages through his offensive scheme, allowing Kittle’s strengths to be properly utilized. He will try to match Kittle up ideally against Eagles’ linebackers Eric Wilson and Alex Singleton both of whom lack the coverage chops to stay in phase with a player of Kittle’s caliber. Philly will need to do their best to get coverage players like corners Darius Slay or Steven Nelson to try to cover Kittle at times. It was a similar approach in Week 1 against the Falcons as the Eagles employed linebackers, safeties and corners to matchup with Falcons’ tight ends Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst.
Houston Texans @ Cleveland Browns-Sunday 1 PM
HST OT Laremy Tunsil vs. CLE EDGE Myles Garrett
This is a true heavyweight fight between two of the better players at their respective positions. Garrett, a pass rushing demon who explodes off the line faster than anybody shows week in and week out what a terrifying a player he is to face. To offensive linemen’s dismay around the league, Garrett has become more technically sound with his hands than ever before utilizing varied moves with speed or power to create havoc against the pass or run. However, Tunsil is also exceptionally talented especially in pass protection. Tunsil upper and lower half are always in tandem with each other creating a brick wall for opposing pass rushers to get past. Tunsil is one of the few offensive linemen who has the foot speed to go toe to toe against Garrett’s explosiveness.
Denver Broncos @ Jacksonville Jaguars-Sunday 1PM
The Jaguars had a disastrous defensive performance against the Houston Texans in Week 1. One notable aspect of this performance was how atrocious they were against defending Houston tight end Pharoah Brown. Safety Andrew Wingard and LB Damien Wilson were responsible for letting Brown gain significant plays against the defense. Brown isn’t exactly a household name either which makes their matchup against Broncos TE Noah Fant a bit scary. Fant, has blossomed into one of the better players at his position. Showing off natural athleticism and receiving traits that make his 6’4” 250lb frame look like he’s carrying 20 pounds less than he has. Fant’s speed, stout frame, and ability as a receiver should prove to be a powerful weapon against the Jaguars lowly defense.
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers-Sunday 1PM
CAR WR D.J. Moore vs NO CB Paulson Adebo and Bradley Roby
The Saints secondary will be without star cornerback Marshon Lattimore in their game against the Panthers on Sunday. They now feature rookie CB Paulson Adebo and newly acquired CB Bradley Roby. Adebo had a stellar debut against the Packers on Sunday showing off his length and ball skills against a talented Packers receiving core while picking off Aaron Rodgers in the end zone. While Roby has not played a game yet for the Saints, he is a proven veteran that can get the job done. The chemistry in the secondary will face a tough test against Panther wide receiver D.J. Moore who is on the cusp of entering the top tier of receivers in the league. Moore makes up with his lack of height by attacking opponents’ blind spots with forceful route running, physicality and strong hands at the catchpoint. Moore will look to expose both Adebo and Roby on Sunday as their inexperience in the Saints’ secondary will be something to monitor.
Los Angeles Rams @ Indianapolis Colts-Sunday 1PM
LAR CB Jalen Ramsey vs. IND WR Zach Pascal and Michael Pittman Jr.
This is going to be a very challenging matchup for the Colts to overcome on Sunday. While Pascal and Pittman Jr. are quality receivers who offer as reliable options to most quarterbacks. They both lack a certain dynamism in their games that allow them to defeat more highly talented corners. There is no other corner in the league today that is more suited dominate this matchup than Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey, the prototypical cornerback is as physically strong as most safeties, as smart as linebackers, and offers up any trait1 you want from a NFL cornerback at an elite level. The Rams use Ramsey within their defense to be highly versatile to stop whatever they believe can be most destructive to their defensive game plan. With the Colts looking to use QB Carson Wentz’s arm strength often this season, look for Ramsey to foil that plan on Sunday.
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins-Sunday 1PM
QB Josh Allen vs Dolphins Front Seven
Josh Allen had an out of character performance against the Steelers in Week 1 prompting questions about how legitimate last season’s breakout year actually was. The Steelers dominated the Bills up front with often not even blitzing and allowing their front four to beat up the Bills offensive line to get after Allen with ease. Allen looked out of his depth at times, sailing passes over receivers and not reacting to pressure as well as he did last season2. Now Miami does not have the level of talent in their front seven as Pittsburgh does, but HC Brian Flores has a tremendous mind for attacking quarterbacks. Look for Flores to call more blitzes than Pittsburgh to make up for the lack of defensive line talent. Allen, now needs to do his best to recognize these blitzes pre-snap and try to get the ball out efficiently and hope his receivers are able to create separation against a talented Miami secondary. I do expect Allen to bounce back this week and resume his very talented level of play but it will be a test against a well-coached Miami defense.
New England Patriots @ New York Jets-Sunday 1PM
NE TE Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry vs. Jets LB CJ Mosley and Delshawn Phillips
Look out on Sunday for the Patriots to incorporate their newly acquired tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith in the passing game. The Patriots played heavily in 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE) against the Dolphins which should be the case for the entire season. Both tight ends played inline, out wide and in the slot to similar degrees, and should get more and more comfortable with the Patriots offense as the season progresses. However, they have a ripe opportunity to be create some damage this Sunday against the Jets. Their defensive performance on Sunday against the Panthers especially in pass coverage throughout their defense was seriously wanting with QB Sam Darnold being able to carve up whatever was given to him. Linebacker CJ Mosley and Delshawn Phillips could very well be exposed this Sunday as they are not known for their flexibility in coverage against nuanced tight ends like Henry and Smith.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Chicago Bears-Sunday 1PM
CIN C Trey Hopkins vs. CHI DT Akiem Hicks
Against a talented and extremely well coached Vikings defense, the Bengals offensive line shocked everyone on Sunday by playing a very competent game. They kept Burrow upright for most of the game, however center Trey Hopkins was a clear liability. Hopkins gathered a PFF pass blocking grade of only 7.5 while allowing 2 sacks and a pressure. Hopkins, arguably the worst starting center in football has to go up against Bears DT Akiem Hicks who makes a very good living by overpowering offensive linemen. Hicks is one of the more naturally powerful players in the entire league, showing off ferocious ability to get after the QB and the stop the run with ease. Hopkins will need help from fellow interior linemen Quinton Spain and Xavier Su’a Filo to help contain Hicks and fellow DT Bilal Nichols who is also a talented player to boot.
Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals-Sunday 4:05PM
MIN CB Patrick Peterson vs. ARI WR DeAndre Hopkins
It’s only been one week but the very early returns of Patrick Peterson joining the Vikings have not been promising. With Peterson aging, the zone based Vikings system makes a lot of sense for him to play in, compared to last season when Peterson played for Arizona that played a ton of man coverage. Peterson at times versus the Bengals looked unbalanced in his movements against the Bengals receivers such as rookie JaMarr Chase. Now he goes up against one of the league’s best wide receivers in DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins, a tremendous all-around receiver will be a central focal point of how the Cardinals will look to expose the Vikings by attacking Peterson routinely. Hopefully, the Vikings will bring some help with their safeties to limit damage done by Hopkins, as Peterson on paper is their best outside cornerback at this moment.
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Sunday 4:05 PM
Falcons Interior Offensive Line vs. TB NT Vita Vea
The bowling ball of butcher knives that is Vita Vea is ready to wreak havoc once again in Week 2 against one of the league’s weakest interior offensive lines. Against a Cowboys offensive line that was without All-Pro guard Zack Martin, Vea literally manhandled his competition, showing off ridiculous power at the point of attack and a relentless motor to get after the quarterback. There simply is not a nose tackle that is on Vea’s tier. Which makes his matchup against the Falcons interior offensive line quite scary. This unit was soundly defeated by the Eagles defensive line, notably one of the few nose tackles that can be close to Vea’s tier in Javon Hargrave. Guards Jalen Mayfield (a rookie making his second career start), Chris Lindstrom and center Matt Hennessy need to play to a more competent game if they want the Falcons offense to have much of a chance.
Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Chargers-Sunday 4:25PM
DAL EDGE Dorance Armstrong Jr. vs. LAC OT Rashawn Slater
In highly unfortunate news this week the Cowboys best defender in EDGE Demarcus Lawrence suffered a broken bone in his foot leaving him to miss the foreseeable future. This leaves a gaping hole in Dallas’ defense, as Lawrence is an incredible pass rusher, along with the strong possibility that Randy Gregory the other starting edge rusher is going to be missing this game as well. That leaves on the right side, Dorance Armstrong Jr. to go up against stud rookie offensive tackle Rashawn Slater. I thought Armstrong Jr, had a good game last week racking up 3 pressures, which was a third of his total pressures in 2020, but that was getting snaps behind Lawrence and Gregory. Slater in his NFL debut essentially shut down Chase Young for most of the afternoon which is no small feat let alone in someone’s first game. Slater is a technician at the position, playing with tremendous feet, hand placement, and counter measures to defeat opponents easily at times. Dallas will need to mix and match who they put up against Slater, as I do not think going at it with Armstrong Jr. alone is the right answer.
Tennessee Titans @ Seattle Seahawks-Sunday 4:25PM
TEN WR Julio Jones & AJ Brown vs. SEA CB DJ Reed & Tre Flowers
This is a pretty fascinating matchup that ironically should not be. On paper, receivers Julio Jones and AJ Brown should absolutely dominate these matchups against Seattle’s outside corners in DJ Reed and Tre Flowers. Aside from a clear talent advantage, Jones and Brown are just significantly stronger and faster than Reed and Flowers. However, in Week 1 the Titans looked woefully lethargic, with heavily conservative play-calling by Titans new offensive coordinator Todd Downing. Everyone expected Jones and Brown to eat against a Cardinals secondary that had serious talent disadvantages. However, Jones and Brown finished a combined 7 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. There needs to be a serious reversal as soon as possible for the Titans' offense and it starts with AJ Brown and Julio Jones getting the football as often as possible.
Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs-Sunday 8:20PM
BAL OT Alejandro Villanueva vs. KC EDGE Chris Jones
With breaking news this Thursday, that starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley will be missing this week’s game as he continues to recover from a severe ankle injury last season, right tackle Alejandro Villanueva will become the starting left tackle. Both Stanley and Villanueva were thoroughly dominated on Monday night against the Raiders pass rushing duo of Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue. Combined they let up a stunning 19 pressures. Villanueva looked nothing like his former self being heavily unbalanced, slow feet and inaccurate hand use to go up against the Raiders pass rushers. Now comes in Chris Jones, now becoming a full-time edge rusher looks as dominant as he was playing along the interior for the first four seasons of his career. Jones is a monstrously powerful player that just knows how to attack offensive linemen with technique and unrelenting motor. This matchup will be a major advantage for Chris Jones and the Chiefs, with Baltimore’s offensive line looking like it is nowhere near what it was in years’ past.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers-Monday 8:15PM
DET Wide Receivers vs. GB CB Kevin King
The Packers secondary has some extremely talented players in corner Jaire Alexander, and safeties Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage. However, there through one week of the season, outside corner Kevin King still remains a bit of a red flag. Against the Saints in Week 1, he was routinely exposed with eyes being manipulated too easily by what was going on in front of him. Green Bay drafted corner Eric Stokes out of the University of Georgia in the 1st round, and will likely start sooner than later if King somehow does not iron out his career long calling card of just being a highly volatile player. Detroit has a cadre of somewhat mediocre outside receivers but it honestly seems like their best chance at gaining significant yards on a more talented Green Bay defense. Receivers Kalif Raymond, Quintez Cephus and Tyrell Williams all have the ability to stretch the field vertically and attack King as often as possible. It will be up to quarterback Jared Goff to get them the ball accurately to make these plays end up working, but it definitely seems like the clearest avenue for success for Detroit’s offense.
Ball skills, coverage versatility, spatial awareness, physicality, etc.
He did certainly have some positive moments against a very talented defense. It just a bit of a mixed bag overall.