We’re back for our look at some key matchups from Week 4’s biggest games.
1. Eagles C David Molk vs. 49ers DL Justin Smith
A lot of the Eagles’ offensive success in 2013 was powered by an integrated offensive line that played together for all 16 games. Against the Redskins in Week 3, they were ravaged by injury. The most consequential long-term may have been to center Jason Kelce, who had sports hernia surgery and will miss up to two months. That forces Molk, a seventh-round pick of the Chargers who spent 2013 out of the NFL, into the starting lineup. He played well enough against a poor Redskins defense, but faces a much stiffer task this week on the road in San Francisco against a talented defensive line led by Smith. If he cannot hold his own, against Smith, Ian Williams, Ray McDonald, and company, Nick Foles will be forced into quick throws.
2. Lions WR Calvin Johnson vs. Jets CB Antonio Allen/Darrin Walls
The problem is simple: Johnson is the league’s best, most talented wide receiver. The Jets will likely once again be without their most pedigreed corner after Dee Milliner failed to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. That leaves lightly-touted Allen and Walls the starting cornerbacks again. Neither will be able to cover Megatron on their own. They’ll still have to try. Matt Stafford will test their coverage ability. Rex Ryan will try to confuse Stafford with disguised pressures and hard to read coverages. Stafford will throw the ball for Johnson anyway. That connection could win the game on its own for the Lions.
3. Bears WR Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall vs. Packers CB Sam Shields and Tramon Williams
Two big, physical receivers. Two corners with the physical traits to make life difficult for them. This was one of the more interesting matchups in football last year, and it should be a fun battle to watch on both sides once again.
4. Ravens TE Owen Daniels vs. Panthers OLB Thomas Davis
One thing we know about Gary Kubiak’s offense is it involves a prominent receiving role for the tight end. Dennis Pitta was going to be Joe Flacco’s safety valve, but his hip injury suffered against the Browns knocked him out for the season. Daniels seems likely to inherit a big role. He doesn’t move as well as he did when he was younger, but his Houston years mean he knows the offense better than any other player on the team. Fellow veteran Davis will probably end up covering him a fair amount and has the veteran savvy to keep up with him. Can he?
5. Falcons OT Jake Matthews vs. Vikings DE Everson Griffen
One of the keys to Atlanta’s annihilation of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Thursday was the time Matt Ryan had to sit in the pocket and wait for the deep routes to develop. Matthews’ return from injury was a big key to that. Griffen is the Vikings’ most talented pass rusher. Minnesota’s defensive backs are unlikely to be able to stick with Julio Jones and Roddy White consistently, so the pass rush must force Ryan into quicker, shorter throws. Otherwise, Atlanta will score 30-plus points, and that means too much pressure on Teddy Bridgewater to throw the AP-less Vikings to victory in a shootout. Bridgewater is talented, but he’s not ready for that yet.
