Why week 5’s star showdowns could decide the NFL’s Divisional races

October is here, and NFL divisional races are heating up. Week 5 features unique matchups between opposing teams’ best which got underway with the San Francisco 49ers' thrilling overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.

Here are DAZN News Gavin Babbit's premier player matchups of the week. 

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Jordan Mailata (LT, PHI) vs. Nik Bonitto (ED, DEN) 

For consistent best-on-best action, this is the best matchup of the week. Jordan Mailata and Nik Bonitto are both All-Pros, and will face each other all game on the left side of the Eagles’ line. 

Without a doubt, Mailata holds the physical advantage. The Eagles’ left tackle is virtually immovable at 6-foot-8, 365 pounds. Bonitto stands 6-foot-3, and weighs 240 pounds. 

Mailata will control the running game. Once moving forward, even All-Pro talent can’t slow him down. Bonitto is far less productive on these plays; he has only five tackles on running downs, which is tied for 79th among all defensive linemen. 

Bonitto must maximize his pass-rushing opportunities. He will have limited chances with the Eagles throwing at the lowest rate (45.6%) in the NFL. 

The key to this matchup is Denver forcing the Eagles to throw. The Broncos have yet to see the volume of running plays they will face this week, but have been excellent taking the run away from opponents nonetheless.

Bonitto has created at least six quarterback pressures in each game this season, and is tied for the league lead in sacks (5). With Mailata yet to allow a sack in 2025, and allowing only 1.5 sacks all of last season, Bonitto will rely on quickness to get after Jalen Hurts. 

Bonitto is likely to sack Hurts once this week. He will need to make it count, and force a fumble to flip this game. If he does not succeed, the Eagles will ice the game, handing the ball to Saquon Barkley. 

Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN) vs. Denzel Ward (CB, CLE) 

Justin Jefferson is fifth in receiving yardage (326), and without his starting quarterback, again. Denzel Ward has allowed only 10 catches this year, and the Browns are elite in stopping the pass. 

Jefferson has played split out to the right on almost 40% of his snaps this season. These are the downs he will find Ward in coverage. 

Ward’s goal is to defend Jefferson well on routes toward the middle of the field. A surplus of NFL corners have tried this, and failed, but it is key to keeping the Vikings’ receiver from taking over the game completely.

Jefferson has caught all seven of his targets over 10 yards in the seams this season. Those catches have gone for 19 yards each, and included his only touchdown. 

On average, these two are targeted at almost the same depth. Ward has struggled with missed tackles to start the year, so if he doesn’t keep the ball out of Jefferson’s hands, he will be conceding yards after the catch. Jefferson is a top-10 receiver in the category. 

Ward can use his exceptional speed to recover when Jefferson beats him. If he is consistent getting back into plays, he will have a better chance on late throws from Carson Wentz. 

Minnesota will have its hands full with the Cleveland pass rush, which will reduce throwing opportunities. Regardless, Jefferson is the superior player to Ward. 

Small mistakes will spring Jefferson for a big game in London. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, SEA) vs. Jamel Dean (CB, TB)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is off to the best start of his young career with over 400 receiving yards already. Jamel Dean plays corner on the right side of the Tampa Bay defense, and has been key to the Buccaneers limiting total yardage. 

In coverage, Dean has the deepest average depth of target of any Tampa Bay corner. Smith-Njigba has 193 of his receiving yards on routes over 20 yards, setting up a duel downfield.

Dean has been superb this season,  allowing receptions on only 37.5% of targets, and a passer rating of only 19.8. Sam Darnold will be testing Dean regardless, as his own passer rating targeting Smith-Njigba is 127.5. 

The two players are similar in stature. Smith-Njigba will have the edge on 50-50 balls; he has converted four of five contested catches on the season, while Dean has only one pass breakup. 

Dean will impact this matchup on shorter routes. He’s allowed only seven yards after the catch in four games. Tampa Bay must force Darnold underneath this week. Smith-Nijgba has been far less effective within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. 

Smith-Njigba will come out on top. His reception rate (78.8%) is high enough to outweigh Dean’s coverage. Seattle’s star receiver has become one of the league's top route runners. 

Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR) vs. Fred Warner (LB, SF)

The most impressive piece of Fred Warner’s game is his speed. Warner moves sideline to sideline like no other linebacker, adding weight to every read Matthew Stafford makes on Thursday night. 

Stafford is second in passing yardage (1,114) through Week 4, with significant production coming in the middle of the field and under 10 yards. 

Warner is allowing a catch once every nine coverage snaps on the season. Thirteen of Puka Nacua’s 42 receptions this year have come between the hash marks, within 10 yards. 

San Francisco will pass Nacua off to Warner in zone coverage on drag and slant routes. Warner has been more vulnerable allowing yards after the catch than normal to start the season, and Nacua is superb with the ball in his hands. 

If Warner succeeds in stopping Nacua on these plays, he forces Stafford to target Kyren Williams and Tyler Higbee underneath; the two have a combined 114 receiving yards on the year. Davante Adams is typically targeted further downfield. 

Stafford must be strategic checking to inside runs. Kyren Williams gets most of his carries between the guards, and Warner is a top-four linebacker in tackles in the running game.

This will be a chess match all night, but give the edge to Stafford based on his experience in this matchup, and Nacua’s premier talent. 

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver PostgettyGetty Images