Error code: %{errorCode}
NFL Week 2: Premier Player Matchups - the mouth-watering position clashes this week
Every week, the NFL schedule features matchups between the league’s best players. This comes in many ways, including wide receiver versus cornerback, defensive end versus tackle, and quarterback versus middle linebacker.
Throughout the season, the best player matchups will be featured here, including analysis and what to expect as the NFL’s elite go head-to-head.
Watch the entire NFL season with NFL Game Pass on DAZN (excl. US and China).
Jalen Ramsey (Pittsburgh Steelers- CB) vs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks- WR)
Jalen Ramsey played 34 snaps covering the slot last week. This will likely continue as the Steelers host Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks in Week 2.
Smith-Njigba accounted for over half of Seattle’s total yardage in Week 1. He will be key to the game plan in Pittsburgh. Jalen Ramsey will cover the Seahawks’ receiver, as Smith-Njigba has played 76% of his career snaps from the slot.
Ramsey was targeted only once in Week 1 as the nickel corner, allowing a catch for six yards. Smith-Njigba received 13 targets on Sunday and is particularly dangerous on routes under 10 yards. Seattle will try to get him the ball underneath and make Ramsey move laterally, where Smith-Njigba has an advantage.
Ramsey is the bigger player, which will make it harder for Sam Darnold to stretch the field with Smith-Njigba. If Ramsey can limit his production near the line of scrimmage, Seattle will have to go elsewhere and run the ball, an edge Pittsburgh wants in this game.
Both of these players know this matchup can change the outcome of this game. Look for Ramsey to neutralize Smith-Njigba and cause Seattle problems offensively.
Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals- WR) vs. Travis Hunter (Jacksonville Jaguars- CB)
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen hinted at Travis Hunter playing more defensive snaps in Week 2. The two-way rookie star will go against arguably the league’s best receiver, Ja’Marr Chase.
Joe Burrow and Chase connected only twice for 26 yards in Week 1, an unsustainable trend for a player coming off a 1,700-yard season.
Chase plays primarily on the outside, which makes for long attempts downfield when he draws Hunter. Burrow will want to test the rookie. He has a chance for big gains with Chase after Hunter was not targeted last week as a corner.
If Hunter is asked to cover Chase on short and intermediate routes, the plays will be must-watch television. Chase is sensational with the ball in his hands, and Hunter is a unique caliber of athlete. While Hunter did not allow yardage after the catch in college, this is a different assignment. Chase has the physicality to overpower the 185-pound rookie.
This is an alluring receiver/corner matchup in seasons to come. Chase will come out on top in Volume One with his experience and size.
Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers- WR) vs. Derek Stingley Jr. (Houston Texans- CB)
Mike Evans and Derek Stingley are both supremely talented and play on the outside. It doesn’t get much better than that in the NFL.
With Stingley being one of the best coverage corners in football, he can play Evans one-on-one. This will come up if the Texans elect to blitz or send help to stop the run.
Evans is traditionally targeted nearly 15 yards downfield. This is deeper than Stingley’s average depth. Baker Mayfield may try Evans over the top if he gets this look. Four of the seven catches Evans made last season on routes over 20 yards went for touchdowns, and Stingley allowed the lowest passer rating at corner in the league last season, by a mile. It will be fun to watch.
The advantage Stingley has is his defense’s ability to rush the passer. Every quarterback becomes less accurate with defenders bearing down, which could present an opportunity for an interception.
The main draw here is watching the two go at it in man coverage. It will be Evans’ size versus Stingley’s athleticism.
Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers- QB) vs. Bobby Wagner (Washington Commanders- LB)
Jordan Love and Bobby Wagner face off as play callers on Thursday night. The two will go back and forth reading each other’s formations.
The Packers must run the ball better than last week to improve on time of possession. However, Jordan Love must be careful when checking into running plays. Wagner has been reading those calls for over 13 seasons, and stonewalling those plays will force three-and-outs. Green Bay is likely to run to the outside to test Wagner’s range at age 35.
The Packers were the most efficient throwing team of Week 1. Love can force Wagner into coverage by moving away from called runs and checking into throws. This forces Wagner to cover running backs and receivers in the slot, where the Packers will be at an advantage.
Whoever can win the running game between these two players will give their team a better chance of winning. It will be Wagner getting his offense the ball back, or Love keeping the ball away from Jayden Daniels by way of handing it to Josh Jacobs.
Watch the full NFL season on DAZN
Get every game of the NFL season, including the playoffs and Super Bowl, with NFL Game Pass on DAZN worldwide (excluding US & China). That includes the NFL Network, RedZone and the Downs 2 Business NFL show.
