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Can’t-miss player matchups in Week 9 of the NFL
Week 9 features battles in the trenches between some of the NFL’s best players. These matchups are a mix of big hits and explosive plays.
DAZN News’ Gavin Babbitt dives into three of the best running back-defensive line matchups of the week below.
Jonathan Taylor (RB, IND) vs. Cameron Heyward (DT, PIT) and T.J. Watt (DE, PIT)
Jonathan Taylor has been the NFL’s best offensive player through Week 8. He runs primarily to the left on the interior, and to the right on the edge.
Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt will play these gaps. Heyward will line up on plays to the left, and Watt on plays to the right.
Heyward keeps running backs near the line of scrimmage and is a top-10 defensive lineman in run-stopping tackles (12) this year.
Look for the Colts to focus on the right side. Heyward has missed only 38 tackles since 2011, and has made a career of stopping the run.
This pushes the Colts away from their preferred gaps, but Taylor has scored six of his 12 touchdowns this season outside the right tackle.
Taylor will succeed if the Colts stick to this game plan. Watt plays the run well, but the right edge is where Taylor forces the most missed tackles, and averages over seven yards after contact per attempt.
Indianapolis will keep rolling in this matchup. Taylor is explosive and the key to arguably the league’s best running game.
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, DET) vs. Andrew Van Ginkel (ED, MIN)
Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Andrew Van Ginkel is set to return on Sunday after being sidelined since Week 3. Jahmyr Gibbs has six rushing touchdowns this season, and has converted 26 of his 28 targets into receptions.
The Lions love to use Gibbs as a receiver, especially on screen plays between the numbers. Van Ginkel must identify the screen call, and close quickly to assist closing the middle.
Gibbs has 129 yards after the catch on those plays this season. Each of those receptions has come at or behind the line of scrimmage. Van Ginkel allowed an average of four yards after the catch on over 200 coverage snaps last year. This makes for a good duel.
Gibbs has over 350 of his 526 rushing yards to the right side. Van Ginkel has to force him between the right tackle and right guard when Gibbs comes his way, and wrap up when Gibbs goes to the outside.
Gibbs’ best yards-after-contact numbers are on the right edge, and he is one of the NFL’s most dynamic weapons in space.
Gibbs and the Lions have the advantage here. A struggling Vikings offense will keep their defense on the field. Van Ginkel faces a tall task coming off an injury in his age-30 season.
James Cook (RB, BUF) vs. Chris Jones (DT, KC)
James Cook and Chris Jones are essential in what has become the NFL’s most intriguing matchup between the Chiefs and the Bills.
Jones plays the majority of his snaps as the right defensive tackle. He will be asked to stop Cook in his tracks there, with the Bills’ running back averaging nearly six yards after contact in that spot.
Cook has picked up 19 first downs on the right side. Jones must play well to shut down Buffalo’s drives.
Jones has been less productive than normal this season stopping the run. He has missed three tackles already after missing zero in 18 games last year.
The Bills’ offensive line has been clearing the way to get Cook well beyond the line of scrimmage. The Chiefs need the most balance possible from Jones as he plays the run and while putting pressure on Josh Allen.
More of Jones’ focus will fall on reducing Allen’s chances to throw and scramble. This opens the door for a productive day from Cook, especially if Buffalo struggles to throw on Kansas City.
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