NFL Week 10 Matchups to Watch: Trevor Lawrence vs. the 49ers’ Angry Defensive Line.
As Chase Young joins a club hoping to snap a three-game losing run, the quarterback for the Jaguars is probably going to face pressure. After this past weekend, the NFL season is more than halfway over. The Patriots officially host the Colts in Germany to begin the slate with an international match for the final time. The Sunday schedule then gets underway, with the Jaguars facing the 49ers in the early slot. Both teams are coming off of their respective bye weeks. Each of the 13 upcoming games has a special matchup that could determine the outcome of the current game as well as conceal it. Below, let’s look at them.
Indianapolis Colts (4–4) at New England Patriots (2–7)
Key matchup: Zach Moss, Jonathan Taylor vs. Patriots’ run defense
Indianapolis has been a strong run game this year, with a matched ninth-place finish in yards per rush (4.3). With 615 running yards thus far this season, Moss has had a fantastic season for the Colts. Nonetheless, Moss and Taylor will face difficulty gaining yards against the Patriots, who grant the second-best yards per rush in the NFL, at 3.5 yards per carry.
New Orleans Saints (5–4) at Minnesota Vikings (5–4)
Key matchup: Derek Carr vs. Vikings’ safeties
While Carr has been a better quarterback in New Orleans than Andy Dalton, he is still having trouble spreading the field. With 10.3 yards per completion, the Saints are tied for 25th place in the passing stats. The Vikings are doing a good job of limiting damage on completions in the interim. Minnesota is limiting opponents to 10.2 yards per pass, which is tied for seventh-best, thanks in part to its league-high blitz rate.
Green Bay Packers (3–5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5–3)
Key matchup: Steelers blitzes vs. Jordan Love’s protection
The Steelers are known for applying pressure whenever they have the chance. And even with Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt off the edges, Pittsburgh blitzes at the third-highest percentage in football 38%.The Packers, who have done a good job of getting the ball out of Love’s right hand before defenders get home, may find this challenging. Eighth-best in the NFL, Green Bay has only allowed pressure on 18.3% of dropbacks.
Tennessee Titans (3–5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3–5)
Key matchup: Titans’ third-down offense vs. Buccaneers defense
Even though freshman quarterback Will Levis has made the offense more explosive, Tennessee’s offensive performance hasn’t been consistent this season. Among the Titans’ most difficult challenges? They are 29th in the league in third down conversion rate (32.3%). Tennessee, though, might recover this week. Tampa Bay, which ranks 31st in the statistic at 48.2%, is a complete mess defensively on third down.
San Francisco 49ers (5–3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (6–2)
Key matchup: Trevor Lawrence vs. Niners’ front four
The Jaguars, who have used Doug Pederson as head coach since 2022, are known for their fast passing attack. No team has averaged a shorter time per drop back this season than Jacksonville, who does so in two seconds flat. It’s critical to get rid of the ball fast since San Francisco will be bringing a pass rush that includes Nick Bosa, Drake Jackson, Javon Hargrave, and Chase Young.
Houston Texans (4–4) at Cincinnati Bengals (5–3)
Key matchup: C.J. Stroud’s big plays vs. Bengals’ secondary
Last Sunday, Stroud dominated the Buccaneers with 470 yards and five touchdowns through the air. The Bengals defense, which has given up 12.1 yards per pass, the second-worst in the NFL, will be his opponent this week. Houston, meanwhile, ranks second in the category for offensive efficiency at 13.1.Houston may pull off an upset if it can force some huge plays on Cincinnati through the air.
Cleveland Browns (5–3) at Baltimore Ravens (7–2)
Key matchup: Browns’ red-zone offense vs. Ravens inside 20-yard line
Because the Browns and Ravens have two of the top defenses in the league, both teams will depend heavily on scoring in the red zone. Inside the 20, Baltimore has played strong defense, giving up scores just 33.3% of the time. Cleveland, however, ranks sixth in the red zone with a 63.6% offensive efficiency. Readers in Colorado, Michigan, and Virginia: Grab a $100 bonus at SI Sportsbook.
Atlanta Falcons (4–5) at Arizona Cardinals (1–8)
Key matchup: Cardinals’ receivers gaining YAC vs. Atlanta’s secondary
The secondary isn’t the reason the Falcons are below.500. Atlanta has done a good job of pressuring opposing receivers after the catch; they have only allowed 858 yards, which is eighth-best in the NFL, in this regard. When the wideouts are in possession of the ball, the Cardinals pose no threat at all. With just 701 yards after reception, Arizona is in last place.
Detroit Lions (6–2) at Los Angeles Chargers (4–4)
Key matchup: Chargers’ red-zone offense vs. Lions inside 20
Los Angeles, which has struggled to earn a.500 record, will look to surpass that mark this year when it takes on the Lions. The Chargers’ red-zone offense, which is ranked second at 69.2%, will probably be the reason for their victory.Despite being a strong defensive unit, Detroit has had trouble while playing within its own 20-yard line. With touchdowns allowed in 65.4% of red zone trips, the Lions rank 27th in the league.
New York Giants (2–7) at Dallas Cowboys (5–3)
Key matchup: Giants’ protection of Tommy DeVito vs. Cowboys’ front
Unsurprisingly, there may be an issue with this. The Giants have given up more sacks than any other team this season—49—and Evan Neal’s ankle injury has left the front line shattered once more. This is a problem for the Cowboys, who have Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence up front and can tackle anybody.
Washington Commanders (4–5) at Seattle Seahawks (5–3)
Key matchup: Sam Howell going up top vs. Seahawks’ secondary
Howell has 2,471 passing yards, which is second in the NFL. To Howell’s credit, there have been an astounding 1,383 air yards, which places him third in the league behind Miami and Minnesota. Even though Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen are two excellent young corners for Seattle, the back end is still vulnerable. The Seahawks are middling 19th in the league with 1,126 air yards allowed.
New York Jets (4–4) at Las Vegas Raiders (4–5)
Key matchup: Jets’ third-down offense vs. Raiders defense
New York has the worst third-down conversion rate over the last 45 years, checking in at 22.1%. Facing the Raiders, the Jets need to find relative success in this metric to win. Las Vegas has struggled badly in an effort to win defensively on third down, ranking 26th (43.1%). Can Maxx Crosby and Co. do the job?
Denver Broncos (3–5) at Buffalo Bills (5–4)
Key matchup: Broncos’ pressure vs. Josh Allen’s pocket
The Broncos have triumphed in their previous two games, but they still need to develop a pass rush after their bye. With a pressure rate of 16.3%, Denver is ranked 31st, only ahead of the Bears. On the other hand, Allen has been well-protected by the Bills. Buffalo checks in ninth place, allowing pressure on only 18.5% of dropbacks.