NFL: Player Matchups in Week 4
Week 4 of the NFL season provides some intriguing games and some equally headline-grabbing player matchups. Let’s take a look at the ones we think will be worth keeping an eye on.
Justin Jefferson vs Jaire Alexander
- Teams: Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers
- Position: Wide Receiver vs Cornerback
- Height: 6'1 vs 5'10
- Weight: 195lbs vs 196lbs
This elite matchup didn’t take place in 2023 due to injuries, but both Justin Jefferson and Jaire Alexander should face off opposite one another on a good chunk of snaps this weekend. Alexander struggled when the teams met last season in week 8, giving up 5 catches for 52 yards and a touchdown to Jordan Addison.
Alexander has looked much more comfortable this year under new DC Jeff Hafley. Against the Titans last week he grabbed his first career pick-six and earned an impressive PFF grade of 90.0 in pass coverage. That should give him confidence heading into likely his toughest challenge of the year. Jefferson is averaging over 90 yards a game and thriving with Sam Darnold at QB. There were a couple of uncharacteristic drops late on vs the Texans, perhaps due to a hand injury, but head coach Kevin O’Connell has said Jefferson is on track to play as normal.
Cam Heyward vs Quenton Nelson
- Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Indianapolis Colts
- Position: Defensive Tackle vs Offensive Guard
- Height: 6'5 vs 6'5
- Weight: 295lbs vs 330lbs
At the age of 35, you would have expected Cam Heyward to have slowed down. It’s quite the opposite actually, the Steelers defense has been a force to be reckoned with so far and Heyward has been a key cog in the machine. His 10 pressures include two sacks and when you pair his interior pressure with TJ Watt’s rushing off the edge, it’s obvious why Pittsburgh is leading the NFL with an EPA per play of -0.252.
I expect the Colts to have trouble moving the ball on offense, given their sluggish start to the season. Anthony Richardson has made some crazy throws but also some bone-headed misses. The problem has certainly not been his offensive line. The leader of the group is Quenton Nelson, who is yet to allow a pressure this year, can he keep that record against Heyward?
Keion White vs Trent Williams
- Teams: New England Patriots vs San Francisco 49ers
- Position: Edge Rusher vs Offensive Tackle
- Height: 6'5 vs 6'5
- Weight: 285lbs vs 320lbs
When White was drafted in the second round by the Patriots, he was a raw size/speed combo pick and failed to make much of an impact in year 1. The light has clearly gone on this season as White has been unstoppable, shifting up and down the defensive line. He’s logged five sacks in the opening three games and is a big part of why the Patriots have stayed competitive.
White should take reps against Trent Williams, however, he might look for easier opportunities on the inside as Williams has been solid so far on the left side. After missing the entire preseason over contract wranglings, a lack of preparation clearly hasn’t hampered the veteran. Watching a player in his 14th season battle against one of the most productive, young edge rushers in the league should be box office.
Nick Bolton vs JK Dobbins
- Teams: Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers
- Position: Linebacker vs Running Back
- Height: 5'11 vs 5'10
- Weight: 237lbs vs 215lbs
Justin Herbert’s ankle injury will only intensify the pressure on the Chargers’ running game. So far, it’s been somewhat of a revelation. The Chargers are averaging 152 rushing yards per game, with JK Dobbins rushing at 7.4 yards per attempt. Whether Dobbins can avoid the injury issues that have plagued his career to date is yet to be seen, but you would imagine the Chargers are going to lean heavy on him this weekend.
Tasked with running and organising the Chiefs defense on-field is linebacker Nick Bolton. He certainly popped on the tape from the victory over the Falcons on Monday night. Bolton had seven defensive stops and was seemingly always in the backfield for the Chiefs. If Herbert is at all compromised, Bolton will be able to tee off on the run game and play at his aggressive best. Harbaugh and co. might have to think outside the box to mitigate his impact.
Charles Cross vs Aidan Hutchinson
- Teams: Seattle Seahawks vs Detroit Lions
- Position: Offensive Tackle vs Edge Rusher
- Height: 6'5 vs 6'7
- Weight: 311lbs vs 268lbs
Who can stop Aidan Hutchinson? It’s a question being asked around the league. The former number 1 overall pick has lived up to his draft position this year. He leads the league with 7 sacks and also a Pass Rush Productivity score of 15.5%. You can argue he’s taken advantage of replacement level tackles in the Rams and Bucs games, so it will be interesting to see where he lines up against the Seahawks.
Hutchinson has been most productive attacking the right side of offensive lines and that would expose backup Stone Forsythe this week. However, the Lions may try and get Hutchinson going against Charles Cross at left tackle. Cross has only allowed a single sack this year and will relish the chance to test himself against the leagues top edge rusher on Monday night.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
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.