NFL Week 4: Premier Player Matchups - the headline-grabbing position clashes this week

Watching the best of the best never gets old. Week 4 features one of the NFL’s marquee reunions of the season, as well as elite matchups from the interior to the sidelines. 

These are DAZN News’ premier player matchups of the week. 

Dak Prescott (QB, DAL) vs. Micah Parsons (GB, DE) 

Micah Parsons was traded to the Packers in August after a tumultuous contract negotiation with Jerry Jones. His target is a close friend on Sunday night.

The Cowboys throw at the third-highest rate (66.0%) in the NFL, with Dak Prescott tied for the league lead in attempts (126). The Dallas offensive line is allowing pressure - Parsons will have his chances to make plays. 

Prescott’s completion rate is 71.4 %, eighth best overall. He's thrown for 800 yards, and had drops from his receivers, making his adjusted completion rate 82.5%. 

Parsons is relentless in his pass-rush. Even when blocked initially, he doesn’t quit.

This season, Parsons has averaged over six seconds before making a sack, even with his quick get-off. He remains elite in overall win rate (27.0%) 

The only way around Parsons winning this matchup is Dallas executing in the run game. CeeDee Lamb is doubtful for Week 4, and George Pickens is typically a deep threat. 

Parsons and the Packers will have their way. 

Christian McCaffrey (RB, SF) vs. Travon Walker (DE, JAX)

The 49ers need Christian McCaffrey this week. The Jaguars’ run defense is holding opponents to only 82.7 yards per game. 

McCaffrey has stayed inside to start the season. Most of his attempts, and yardage, have come between the tackles. 

With the 49ers down multiple receivers and without George Kittle, the Jaguars can focus on stopping the interior run game. 

This forces plays to Travon Walker on the outside. He has not missed a tackle in the run game this year, and has five play-stopping tackles. 

Walker has good vision coming off blocks on the edge. It allows him to play back inside and assist on McCaffrey if San Francisco opts to go there.

This play is in the script with how the star running back allows plays to develop. 

McCaffrey has an advantage as a receiver. He has 31 targets in three games, as a running back. He averages 8.5 yards per reception.

Walker has struggled covering screens to start the year. Look for San Francisco to throw to McCaffrey on the right side. 

San Francisco will wear down Walker, and the Jacksonville defense.

Ja’Marr Chase (WR, CIN) vs. Patrick Surtain II (CB, DEN) 

Ja’Marr Chase and Patrick Surtain are All-Pro talents. They link up on Monday night, and whoever wins the matchup will directly impact the outcome.

Surtain is slightly bigger than Chase, making the outlook on deep routes bleak. The Bengals will get the ball in Chase’s hands underneath, and on screens to let him run. 

He is as good as it gets after the catch. 

Surtain stays to the outside, playing both the left and right side. He could shadow Chase in man coverage. Cincinnati may put Chase in the slot to avoid Surtain, but zone coverage from Denver will align them regardless. 

Chase is a top-five receiver in targets and yardage despite losing Joe Burrow. Most of his production has come catching the ball within 10 yards downfield. 

Surtain has been targeted by opposing quarterbacks at 13 yards, making these routes short of where he’s been playing. 

This matchup comes down to whoever wins in the open field. Chase has the edge there, and will be productive, but Denver will win this game with its offense. 

Tyreek Hill (WR, MIA) vs. Sauce Gardner (CB, NYJ) 

The Jets and Dolphins are both looking for their first win of the year. Miami needs Tyreek Hill to break out - its offense depends on big plays. 

The Jets’ defense must give its inefficient offense as many possessions as possible. 

Hill has caught three of six targets over 20 yards, and accumulated 45% of his yardage on those routes. With Gardner playing both sides of the field, these two will see each other plenty. 

Tyreek is yet to make a contested catch on a deep route. He is likely to lose on those plays with Gardner having five inches on him. 

Hill does have the speed and quickness advantage one-on-one. In man coverage, he will have opportunities to take Gardner over the top. He must create space on those looks to have a big game. 

Gardner has yielded a passer rating of only 68.2 to opposing quarterbacks this year. Tua Tagovailoa’s play must improve to give Hill a chance. 

With protection they will have openings to gash the Jets. Gardner has allowed receptions of at least 30 yards in back-to-back games. 

Overall, the Miami scheme is too predictable. The Jets know they want to throw. Hill may come down with a big catch, but the consistency will be lacking, giving Sauce and the Jets the victory.

• Read next | Full preview: Vikings and Steelers clash in NFL’s first Ireland game
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• Read next | NFL Week 4 Power Rankings: Lions crash top three after statement win over the Ravens

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