NFL: Player Matchups in Week 3

Another fascinating week in the NFL beckons and we have the five biggest matchups we will be taking a close look at during the weekend’s action…

Terrion Arnold vs Marvin Harrison Jr

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A rookie-on-rookie battle to kick off our Week 3 player matchups. Terrion Arnold has had an up-and down-start to his season with the Detroit Lions. He’s shown glimpses of the traits that made him a first-round selection but too often his physicality has got the better of him. He’s drawn four penalties in two games and given up 11 yards per reception.

Now, he faces another stiff challenge against Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. After a quiet first week, Harrison made his detractors eat their words with a 4-catch, 130 yard and 2 touchdown performance vs the Rams. He also clocked in at over 20mph, showing the athleticism he decided not to demonstrate at the combine. It will be an intriguing battle, one that Arnold needs to win to get back on track.

Joe Alt vs TJ Watt

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If you are looking for a rookie who has impressed from the off, look no further than Joe Alt with the LA Chargers. Despite having to shift from left tackle to right tackle, Alt has had a fantastic first two weeks. PFF have him charted as giving up 1 sack and 1 hurry in 126 snaps. Against Carolina he earned a blocking grade of 87.2.

Week 3 brings him his sternest test yet. All-Pro TJ Watt takes most of his snaps from the left hand side of the defense matching him directly against Alt. He has six hurries, including two sacks, so far this year. Not only that but Watt ranks first in edge run stop win rate per ESPN, showing his versatility in both facets of the game. For the Chargers offense to function, they need Alt to keep Watt under wraps.

Saquon Barkley vs Alvin Kamara

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In honour of the running back renaissance that is gripping the NFL, we have a positional head-to-head based around two of the most talented offensive players in the league. Both guys have started the season well, in particular, Kamara who dominated Dallas with 180 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. A nightmare for fantasy owners who faced him!

Barkley is going to be best remembered for his drop that left the door ajar for he Falcons’ game-winning touchdown drive, but outside of that, he too has had a strong start to the season. Averaging 4.5 yards per carry, the Eagles will be keen to establish the run once more. Both teams know that the run game will open up the rest of the offense and likely be the defining feature of this battle.

Danielle Hunter vs Chrisian Darrisaw

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Two old teammates will do battle when the Vikings face the Texans this weekend. Danielle Hunter will be familiar with Christian Darrisaw’s game from practices last year, now he will look to exploit that knowledge and get to Vikes QB Sam Darnold.

Hunter was clearly enjoying working opposite Will Anderson as the two destroyed the Bears o-line in Week 2. Both edge rushers are in the top-20 of ESPN’s Pass Rush Win Rate metric, showing how formidable they are.

Darrisaw has already had two solid tests in the shape of Brian Burns and Nick Bosa, both times aquitting himself well, with the Vikings coming out victorious and Darnold moving the offense with aplomb. Who will get the upper hand when these two face off in opposition?

Nnamdi Madubuike vs Tyler Smith

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Nnamdi Madubuike was one of the star defensive players of the 2023 season and was richly rewarded, signing a 4-year, $98 million deal. Now, he must prove he is worth that hefty price tag. The Ravens are bedding in a new system given the departure of defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and Madubuike has been solid operating next to Travis Jones.

Trying to keep a lid on those two interior defensive linemen will be Cowboys guard Tyler Smith. Having started as a left tackle in his rookie year, the switch inside has suited Smith and he has become one of the most reliable members of Dallas’ offensive line. He’s only allowed a single pressure in 2024 so far, can Madubuike change that and get the Ravens a much-needed win?

AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.