The 4 Best Individual Matchups on the NFL Week 7 Schedule

While football is considered to be a team sport, there are always individual matchups that take place within the greater scope of the game.

Such matchups include great quarterbacks facing great defensive backs, great running backs facing great linebackers, great wide receivers facing great secondaries and so on down the list.

Last week we were offered the opportunity to see guys like Aaron Rogers face the Texans who have one of the best defenses in the league and Ahmad Bradshaw face Patrick Willis and the rest of the 49ers linebacking corps.

Week 7 of this NFL season is no different.  Here I give you the five best individual matchups of Week 7 in the NFL.

Robert Griffin III vs. New York Giants' Pass Rush

The New York Giants have arguably the NFL's best defensive line.

The Washington Redskins have arguably the NFL's best mobile quarterback.

What better a matchup to watch than the quick and nimble RG3 go up against Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora?

In his first NFL season, RG3 has shown that he likes to move in, around and outside the pocket.  This works for him most of the time, but can come back to bite him this week against the Giants.

Two weeks ago he suffered a concussion against the Falcons.

Look for the Giants' pass rush to try and keep RG3 contained within the pocket and get to him before he can get the ball out.

Also look to see if RG3 can use his speed and agility to get away from the Giants' pass rush if he needs to scramble and get out of the pocket.

Alex Smith vs. Seahawks Secondary

Coming off of a game where he threw three interceptions, Alex Smith needs a rebound game.

Unfortunately his 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks and their stout secondary this week.

The Seattle defense, specifically the secondary, has given top quarterbacks fits this year.  So far they have frustrated passers like Tony Romo, Aaron Rogers and most recently Tom Brady. 

The Seahawks team has beaten each of those teams and a big reason for that has been their passing defense.  The team is giving up just 224.7 yards per game through the air which ranks No. 13 in the NFL.

While the 49ers do not place a great emphasis on their passing game, they may need to do so this week as Seattle is even better at stopping the run.  The Seahawks are only giving up 70 rushing yards per game which ranks No. 2 in the league.

This means that Smith must bounce back from his horrid game against the Giants last week as he will likely be relied upon to move the offense if the 49ers cannot run the ball.

Wes Welker vs. Antonio Cromartie

Pats vs. Jets always makes for an intriguing game and this year is no different, especially when it comes to the Patriots offense vs. the Jets defense.

With Darrelle Revis out for the season, Antonio Cromartie has been playing at the No. 1 cornerback spot for the New York Jets.  Despite speculation that the Jets would not be able to survive without Revis at the No. 1 spot, Cromartie has played possibly better than anyone could have hoped for.  In Revis' absence, Cromartie has shut down top wideouts Andre Johnson of the Texans and Reggie Wayne in consecutive weeks.

As a result, Cromartie gets to cover Wes Welker this week.

Welker has returned to his usual form after an unusual slow start to the season.  He has had ten-plus catches and over 100 yards receiving in each of the last five games.

Cromartie typically draws the assignment of covering the opposing team's top wideout as the No. 1 corner, but since Welker usually operates out of the slot position, he could be covering Brandon Lloyd instead.

It will be interesting to see where Rex puts Cromartie this week.  If he is indeed lined up against Welker, this should be a great matchup to watch this week.

J'Marcus Webb vs. Cliff Avril/Kyle Vanden Bosch

J'Marcus Webb is possibly one of the most polarizing left tackles in the NFL and Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch are possibly two of the best defensive ends in the NFL.

This should be a great matchup.

Webb's troubles with great pass rushers has been well-documented this season.  He has already had trouble with guys like Clay Matthews, DeMarcus Ware and Dwight Freeney.

Avril, Vanden Bosch and their linemates, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, have been among the league's best defensive lines in the NFL.  They have given opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines fits this year.  Their most recent casualty was the Philadelphia Eagles and Michael Vick.

It will be interesting to see who lines up across from Webb on Monday night and whether or not Webb can keep Jay Cutler upright and away from Avril and Vanden Bosch.