Over the course of the past four weeks, some NFL players have completely broken out and surprised their teams, while other players just want to make us close our eyes because it’s too painful to watch them in action.
Week 5 presents some awesome individual player matchups that are definitely worth watching to see which side prevails.
Seattle Seahawks defense versus the new-and-improved Andy Dalton
Cincinnati Bengals gun-slinging quarterback Andy Dalton has gotten off to a smoking hot start this season, averaging 296.75 passing yards and 2.25 touchdowns per game.
And, very un-Dalton like from seasons past, he only has thrown one interception in his 116 passing attempts. The new-and-improved Dalton and his Bengals will be hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and it will be interesting to see if the quarterback can continue his elite play.
So far this season, the Seahawks defense has only allowed three passing touchdowns and an average of 203 passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks.
However, their secondary has yet to register an interception, and at the rate Dalton is going that stat might not change on Sunday. Furthermore, the Bengals offense as a whole is playing about as razor sharp as it gets and is averaging a league-high 422 yards, along with 30.25 points per game. Meanwhile, Seattle’s stout defense is allowing just 278.8 net yards per game.
We’ll see whether Dalton prevails or Seattle’s secondary gets the upper hand this Sunday.
Devonta Freeman will test Washington’s stingy rush defense
The Atlanta Falcons suddenly have a stud running back by the name of Devanta Freeman, who is like a shot of dynamite. Freeman is making other teams’ front sevens look ridiculously haggard after posting seven rushing touchdowns in his past three games.
Whether Freeman will receive heavy dose of reality, get away with the farm or settle in the middle will be seen on Sunday when he faces Washington’s stingy rush defense. To date, Washington has allowed opposing running backs an average of only 59 rushing yards per game and one total rushing touchdown all season.
Something is primed to give when the NFL’s top-scoring running back comes face to face with the NFL’s No. 2 ranked rush defense.
Surely, those who own Freeman in fantasy football hope the running back comes away victorious.
Peyton Manning against Charles Woodson (Battle of the old dudes)
The Oakland Raiders host the Denver Broncos in a critical AFC west matchup, and the home team will have the opportunity to tighten the up the current standings for the division.
This matchup pits two former 1998 first-round draft picks in quarterback Peyton Manning and safety Charles Woodson, who are both 39 years old. Woodson has 62 career interceptions and already two to date in the 2015 season. And, the one quarterback he has yet to pick off in his 18-year career is Manning.
If Manning was in his prime 2013 form when he threw only 10 interceptions, we would probably favor him in this contest. However, Manning is slowing down and making some mistakes, as shown by his five picks already this year. Odds are Woodson has been studying Manning on film and knows where his weaknesses are.
The Raiders have already proclaimed that they plan to “take Manning down” and that could start with Woodson dialing in on his old nemesis this Sunday.
Kansas City Chiefs’ weak pass defense could make Jay Cutler’s day
Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears barely scraped by with their first win of the season against the Raiders last Sunday. However, Cutler could be primed for a major outing in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs secondary that has allowed a whopping average of 311 passing yards and 2.75 touchdowns per game to opposing quarterbacks.
Cutler could also find success with some dump offs and short passes to running back Matt Forte, who is still one of the best in the business, against the Chiefs that have allowed four running back scores this season.
Also going for Cutler is that the Chiefs defense has only managed a lousy two interceptions all season. If only Alshon Jeffery was able to play, the setting would be even more perfect for Cutler. Since that may not be the case, watch for Cutler, who targeted his tight end Martellus Bennett 13 times last week to be follow that trend.
Cutler should be on course to post 300-plus yards along with a couple of scores in Sunday’s game. Additionally, this makes him a sneaky cheap daily fantasy football option as well.
Amari Cooper versus Aqib Talib
Oakland Raiders first-round draft pick Amari Cooper has been enjoying quite a productive season thus far, averaging 97.3 receiving yards per game and scoring two touchdowns.
However, in Week 5 Cooper will be pitted against some stiff completion in Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib, along with the rest of Denver’s scary secondary. To date, the Broncos have only allowed only one wide receiver touchdown and an average of 128.75 yards per game to the position all season.
Talib has already managed two interceptions and will be looking to build on that number against young quarterback Derek Carr and the rookie wide receiver on Sunday.
And, while there are supporters backing Talib in his corner of the ring, might we put out the fact that Cooper torched Cleveland Browns top cornerback Joe Haden in Week 3, putting 134 yards on the board.
This should be an exciting matchup to watch.
Colin Kaepernick faces an exploitable New York Giants’ worst-ranked pass defense
In four games, the New York Giants have allowed the most passing yards of any team to opposing quarterbacks at an astonishing average of 327.25 yards per game.
The Giants host the San Francisco 49ers, led by recently bumbling quarterback Colin Kaepernick, in a Sunday Night Football showdown. So, get your popcorn ready, because Kaepernick is either going to breakout big time or continue spiraling down his southward path. If it’s the latter, that’s when you start pelting the television with the popcorn.
So far this season, Kaepernick has averaged only 181.75 passing yards per game and has scored just three total touchdowns — two passing and one on the ground — along with five interceptions and a lost fumble. He has been sacked a miserable 14 times along the way, as well.
One thing going for Kap is that the Giants defense has only registered five sacks and five interceptions all season. Might the quarterback actually have a chance to remain upright and possibly throw a touchdown — something he hasn’t accomplished since Week 2?
If Kaepernick cannot take advantage of the the NFL’s worst pass defense, then the 49ers are in a world of trouble moving forward.