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The top showdowns on Monday Night Football and best player matchups of Week 7
The two Monday Night Football games this week offer big-time matchups. The NFL is heating up, and so is its best talent.
DAZN News’ Gavin Babbitt dives into four premier player matchups for Week 7.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, SEA) vs. Derek Stingley Jr. (CB, HOU)
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Derek Stingley are cornerstone pieces of one of the NFL’s best passing games, and one of the league's most effective secondaries.
Smith-Njigba and Stingley are both targeted 13 yards downfield on average through Week 6. Stingley will be in his comfort zone on Smith-Njigba’s routes, and is allowing receptions on only 59.1% of the targets he covers.
It’s hard to see Smith-Njigba not catching the ball with a nearly 78% reception rate, but Stingley has been great at limiting yards after the catch. He has conceded only 65 yards in the category across five games.
Stingley may be able to limit Smith-Njigba underneath, but this matchup will be settled on deeper routes. The Seattle receiver has 359 of his NFL-leading 696 receiving yards on routes of more than 20 yards.
Smith-Njigba is 10th among receivers in contested catches (six), while Stingley is 27th at his position in forced incompletions (three). Smith Njigba has the advantage going deep, where he has caught nine of 12 targets.
Expect Smith-Njigba’s dominant season to continue in Week 7.
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, DET) vs. Lavonte David (LB, TB)
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This is a clash of different generations. Jahmyr Gibbs is perhaps the league’s most dynamic running back, and in his third season. Lavonte David has played linebacker in Tampa Bay since 2012.
Gibbs is averaging 4.5 yards per carry, and ranks 12th in rushing yards (390). This is below his standards, but the marks are still respectable.
David has only nine tackles in the running game this season; seven of them have stopped plays outright. He is tackling running backs 2.6 yards beyond the line of scrimmage on average.
David’s best chance is hitting Gibbs early, and waiting for reinforcements. Gibbs is gaining only 2.5 yards after contact per attempt this season.
The Detroit running back is, however, gaining a third of his yardage in breakaway situations. If David does not execute early, Gibbs will do damage on the back end.
Look for the Lions to utilize Gibbs as a receiver against David in this game. Gibbs has the definite edge here. David is allowing catches on 85.2% of the targets he is covering.
This will be a factor in the red zone. David has allowed three receiving touchdowns this year, and Gibbs leads all running backs in receiving yardage inside the 20 (47).
Youth will beat experience in this matchup.
Maxx Crosby (DE, LV) vs. Jawaan Taylor (RT, KC)
Jawaan Taylor should expect extra motivation from Maxx Crosby this week. Kansas City has dominated the AFC West for years, and Crosby has a history of showing extra aggression towards Patrick Mahomes.
Taylor is a top-10 tackle in pass-blocking efficiency, and has not allowed a sack this season. He must stay light on his feet at 330 pounds against Crosby, who will speed rush Taylor to compensate for the weight and reach he is giving up.
Crosby is behind schedule in win rate (18.8%), ranking outside the top 30 among defensive ends. He is in the top 10 in quarterback hits (six) to go with four sacks.
Crosby must mix in different angles against Taylor. Rushing on both inside and outside moves will keep the big-bodied tackle moving side to side, and test his conditioning.
Look for the Chiefs to assist Taylor by chip-blocking Crosby on the outside. Crosby is seeing more of this, and it has been effective in dropping his pressure rate.
Taylor will come out on top because of the Raiders’ defense being on the field extensively, and Taylor’s previous success in this matchup.
In Week 8 of 2024, Taylor did not allow a pressure on 25 one-on-one reps against Crosby.
Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN) vs. Quinyon Mitchell (CB, PHI)
Quinyon Mitchell’s early success in the NFL will be tested this week by Justin Jefferson. These two players are the exact same size, and have a comparable average depth of target.
Jefferson ranks seventh in the NFL in receiving yardage (449) on 15.5 yards per catch, with a touchdown. Mitchell is holding opponents under 10 yards on the receptions he has allowed.
If Mitchell can’t slow Jefferson down on routes between 10 and 20 yards, Jefferson will bust this matchup open. Vikings’ quarterbacks have a passer rating of 139.6, and have thrown for 11 first downs on those plays.
The key for Mitchell is staying on Jefferson when he comes out of his breaks. This is easier said than done, but the second-year corner is physically equipped to do so.
Mitchell has decent height, and ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. His acceleration will come in handy in limiting yards after the catch; Jefferson is a top-10 receiver in the category.
This is going to be a close game. Jefferson will be productive, but his reps against Mitchell will be the toughest of the day. Mitchell may have a chance at an interception if Carson Wentz forces the ball to Jefferson under pressure.
Look for Jefferson to score his second touchdown on an intermediate route and finish the play with his speed. It will be a good showing for Mitchell against a top receiver, and a narrow Eagles victory.
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