During this week’s slate of NFL games, a ton of individual matchups will take center stage as 30 of the league’s 32 teams take to the field.
Can Denzel Ward continue his great rookie season in route to leading the Browns to a winning record against Keenan Allen and the equally hot Los Angeles Chargers? Patrick Peterson will look to continue his excellent play in hopes of stopping a Vikings receiver in Adam Thielen who is on pace to break the single-season catch mark. And in Kansas City, the Patriots must contend with the league’s best offense, Tyreek Hill included.
These are among the top individual matchups for each Week 6 NFL game.
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants: Odell Beckham Jr. vs Ronald Darby
OBJ finally broke out big time this past Sunday, putting up eight receptions for 131 yards in a narrow loss to the Carolina Panthers. It was needed, especially after he spouted off at the mouth in the days leading up to the game. But it was not enough for New York to avoid a 1-4 start to the season.
The good news here is that these Giants are on a short week and will be hosting an Eagles team that’s in the midst of an ugly two-game losing streak. They will be doing so against a secondary that’s pretty much given up the house to opposing receivers in the passing game. In a matchup that pits two struggling NFC East teams against one another, how Beckham Jr. performs will be telling.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons: Donovan Smith vs Takkarist McKinley
Despite his team’s 1-4 start to the season, McKinley has been brilliant. The former first-round pick has five sacks thus far this season. That accounts for all but three of Atlanta’s quarterback take downs. With the injuries we’ve seen to this unit, Takk will have to keep this up in order for the Falcons to have any chance to get back into the NFC South race.
This coming Sunday, he’ll be tasked with going up against an underrated left tackle in Donovan Smith who has proven to be that franchise stalwart the team was expecting when it surprisingly selected him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He’ll need to hold up here if the Buccaneers want to end their current two-game losing streak and send the Falcons’ playoff aspirations packing for the cold winter.
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns: Keenan Allen vs Denzel Ward
We’re running out of expletives to explain just how good Ward has been as a rookie this season. He was legitimately one of the primary reasons Cleveland earned its second win of the season last week against the Baltimore Ravens. With the Ravens leading 3-0 in the second quarter, Ward picked off Joe Flacco right near the goal line. It stalled the drive and helped Cleveland pull out a 12-9 overtime win.
On the other hand, Allen returned to form with a convincing performance against a bad Raiders team. He recorded eight catches for 90 yards on 11 targets. That helped Philip Rivers and Co. earn a second consecutive win. In a game between two potential playoff contenders, this one matchup could loom large.
By: Vincent Frank
