This is one of the best weeks in football every year.
For starters, we all get to sit down, stuff ourselves with turkey and watch a tripleheader of NFL action. This year, the Lions and Cowboys are both terrific teams, meaning we aren’t stuck with men of yesteryear like Joey Harrington and Chad Hutchinson.
After that, there are some fantastic matchups on Sunday, including the Bills and Eagles meeting in Philadelphia, while the Ravens visit the Chargers in the nightcap.
Here are the matchups to watch for all 16 affairs:
Green Bay Packers (4–6) at Detroit Lions (8–2)
Key matchup: Lions’ passing attack vs. Packers’ secondary
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The Lions have torched teams through the air this season, largely because of Jared Goff’s fine play. This year, Detroit owns an on-target throw percentage of 82.1%, best in football.
Meanwhile, Green Bay plays a ton of off-coverage, allowing for easy completions. The Packers rank 15th in completion rate against at 64.2%. Watch for how many throws Goff puts on receivers in stride.
Washington Commanders (4–7) at Dallas Cowboys (7–3)
Key matchup: Dallas’ tackling vs. Washington’s receivers
The Commanders have done a nice job of catching passes from Sam Howell and heading upfield. Washington ranks second in the NFL with 1,484 yards after the catch, only trailing Kansas City.
However, the Cowboys do a nice job limiting yards after catch, allowing 931, fourth-best in football. They’ve also only missed 32 tackles, best in the league.
San Francisco 49ers (7–3) at Seattle Seahawks (6–4)
Key matchup: Niners’ third-down offense vs. Seattle defense
The 49ers have been fantastic offensively in most areas, but third down has been a specialty. San Francisco is sixth on the key down (44.3%), keeping its drives alive.
Conversely, the Seahawks have been downright awful defensively on third down, permitting a 44% conversion rate, fourth-worst in football.
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Miami Dolphins (7–3) at New York Jets (4–6)
Key matchup: Miami’s run game vs. Jets’ front seven
The Dolphins have the league’s leading receiver with Tyreek Hill, but they can also pound the rock. This season, Miami ranks first with 5.6 yards per carry.
Meanwhile, the Jets are one of the NFL’s best pass defenses but have been vulnerable against the run, ranking tied for 19th at 4.2 yards per carry against.
New Orleans Saints (5–5) at Atlanta Falcons (4–6)
Key matchup: Bijan Robinson vs. Saints’ run defense
The Saints have been below-average this season against the run, allowing 4.3 yards per carry to rank tied for 21st in football.
While Robinson has been used sparingly compared to expectations by coach Arthur Smith, the rookie is averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6–4) at Cincinnati Bengals (5–5)
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Key matchup: Kenny Pickett vs. Bengals’ back end
The Steelers have been rancid offensively, which is why they finally fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Monday. Pickett has struggled throughout the season, with Pittsburgh averaging 10.0 yards per completion, good for 27th in football.
If the Steelers are going to get rolling, the Bengals might be a good place to start. Cincinnati is dead last in yards per completion against (12.8).
Carolina Panthers (1–9) at Tennessee Titans (3–7)
Key matchup: Tennessee’s offensive line vs. Carolina’s pass rush
The Titans have a bevy of offensive problems, perhaps led by their inability to protect. Tennessee has allowed pressure on 25.8% of snaps, third-worst in football.
But will it matter? The Panthers have been poor at getting home on quarterbacks, checking in 28th at 16.9% in pressure rate.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4–6) at Indianapolis Colts (5–5)
Key matchup: Quarterbacks vs. different defensive styles
The Buccaneers love to blitz, ranking second in blitz rate (38.3%) under coach Todd Bowles. Meanwhile, the Colts check in at 32nd (16.0%), usually sending four rushers.
The question is whether Baker Mayfield can find openings in seven-man coverage, and if Gardner Minshew can deal with pressure packages.
New England Patriots (2–8) at New York Giants (3–8)
Key matchup: New York’s offensive line vs. New England’s front
The Giants have allowed a borderline impossible 63 sacks this season, easily the most in football. Last week, they gave up nine in a win against Washington.
While the Patriots have a litany of issues, they do figure out ways to get home. While New England ranks just 15th in pressure rate, it’s first in hurry rate at 11.4%.
Jacksonville Jaguars (7–3) at Houston Texans (6–4)
Key matchup: Houston’s passing attack vs. Jacksonville’s secondary
The Jaguars have been middling defensively this season, ranking 26th in yards per play and 29th against the pass.
This could be a serious problem against C.J. Stroud and the Texans, who rank second in passing yards per game with 277.7.
Cleveland Browns (7–3) at Denver Broncos (5–5)
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Key matchup: Denver’s completion rate vs. Cleveland’s defense
The Broncos and Russell Wilson have done a nice job this season bouncing back from last year’s calamity. Denver ranks sixth in completion rate at 69.0%, utilizing backs and short throws.
However, the Browns present a great challenge. Cleveland’s defense tops the league with a completion percentage against of 55.3%.
Los Angeles Rams (4–6) at Arizona Cardinals (2–9)
Key matchup: Rams’ aerial attack vs. Cardinals secondary
The Rams have been uneven this year, and the passing game is no exception. However, they’ve done a nice job at finding air yards, ranking 11th with 1,382.
Arizona’s defense has been leaky throughout the campaign in a multitude of areas, but air yards are among the worst. The Cardinals have allowed 1,581, only better than the Chargers.
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Kansas City Chiefs (7–3) at Las Vegas Raiders (5–6)
Key matchup: Raiders’ offensive line vs. Kansas City’s pass rush
The Chiefs have been spectacular defensively this season, ranking well in almost every overall and passing category. However, they’ve been especially proficient at getting to the quarterback, ranking third in sacks (36) and second in pressure rate (27.4%).
Surprisingly, the Raiders have done a nice job avoiding pressure, whether it’s from quick passing or good protection. Las Vegas has the league’s second-best pressure rate from an offensive standpoint, at 13.8%.
Buffalo Bills (6–5) at Philadelphia Eagles (9–1)
Key matchup: Both defenses vs. third-down offenses
The Eagles and Bills have both been phenomenal in their third-down offenses, whether it’s because of Josh Allen’s right arm or the Tush Push.
Philadelphia ranks first (48.2%) while Buffalo is a close second (48.1%). Whichever defense does a better job in this spot probably wins.
Baltimore Ravens (8–3) at Los Angeles Chargers (4–6)
Key matchup: The Chargers’ red-zone offense vs. Baltimore’s defense
Los Angeles has struggled in a multitude of ways this season, but the offense has largely done its part. This is especially true in the red zone, where the Chargers are second in red-zone percentage at 66.7%.
This will be tested against the Ravens, who rank third in red-zone defense at 37.9%, only behind the Buccaneers and Titans.
Chicago Bears (3–8) at Minnesota Vikings (6–5)
Key matchup: Minnesota’s defensive IQ vs. Justin Fields
The Vikings love to blitz. This is both no secret and no surprise, based on having Brian Flores as their coordinator. Minnesota blitzes 47.4% of the time, by far the highest percentage.
Against Fields, this is a huge risk. Last week, Fields returned from his thumb injury and eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground. The Vikings can bring extra pressure, but they must stay in their lanes.
