Matchup Mashup is OFD’s look at what we think are the best games of the upcoming NFL weekend.
Texans v. Colts
Sunday, October 20th, 1:05 pm
One of two divisional games that will decide who leads their division after week 7, the Texans and Colts both beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the last game each played. The Colts are coming off their bye, which was important to get players like reigning defensive rookie of the year Darius Leonard back on the field. Led by their bruising offensive line (especially second year hog molly Quenton Nelson), the Colts will try to run Marlon Mack to burn clock and keep the ball out of the hands of Deshaun Watson, the Texans star QB. Watson had a fantastic game last week dueling Mahomes, and would have had even better stats if receivers Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins hadn’t dropped a combined 3 touchdowns. With Mahomes getting injured last night, Watson looks likely to compete with Russell Wilson for the MVP, and could use a big game against a good defense to continue to bolster his case. Look for whichever team is able to assert their style of play to win this game.
Ravens v. Seahawks
Sunday, October 20th, 4:25 pm
Russell Wilson’s career speaks for itself, but the now-veteran QB is authoring an incredible season that has propelled him to the top of the MVP race. His pinpoint accuracy has meant he’s thrown no interceptions all season, and his ability to convert 3rd downs with his legs keep defenses aware at all time. Against an uncharacteristically generous Baltimore secondary, he should bolster that case. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson rolls into Seattle coming off one of the greatest dual-threat QB games ever, having passed for over 250 yards and run for 150 yards in the same game against the Bengals, becoming the first to ever do that. With a two game lead in the AFC North, the Ravens want to keep momentum and never let anyone get close. Because San Francisco’s start to the season will make the Hawks desperate, look for them to pull out a home win.
Eagles v. Cowboys
Sunday, October 20th, 8:20 pm
Another divisional game where the winner will be looking down at the other teams, the NFL rightfully decided to put this always intense game on Sunday Night. Both the Cowboys and Eagles have been somewhat disappointing this season, with the Eagles not being able to chain together two good games and the Cowboys coming off three straight losses, including to the previously winless Jets. For both teams, however, their goals for the season remain intact because of the struggles of the others. With the Giants and Redskins not likely to compete, the winner of this game has an inside track in the NFC East Division race. Both Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott are good young QBs who have struggled due to injuries to their WR core – Amari Cooper may be out this week for the Boys, and Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson have missed games for the Eagles – which have deflated their stats. Look for a big game for Dak against an injury-ravaged Eagles secondary.
Honorable Mention:
Cardinals v. Giants
Sunday, October 20th, 1:05 pm
This one is for the kids. In preparing to write this article, I had to deal with the fact that both Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones are not only rich starting quarterbacks, but also that they are younger than I am. That’s pretty depressing so let’s try to pull ourselves out of the existential crisis hole and talk about this game. Both secondaries are among the weakest in the league so the rookie QBs should have a chance to air it out and improve their standing in the Rookie of the Year race. This game also features two top-tier running backs in David Johnson and Saquon Barkley. Barkley suffered a high ankle sprain earlier in the season but has healed freakishly quickly and will return to the field this week in front of the Giants faithful. The timeless Larry Fitzgerald may be making his final appearance in the tri-state area, which is another reason to tune in to at least parts of this game. While these two teams are not playoff contenders, their future will be well on display this weekend.
