2011 NFL Season: Under-the-Radar Matchups to Watch During Each Week of the NFL
Lockout. Blah!
Mediation. Blah!
Season starting in 2018. Blah!
Pessimism, it's time for you to leave.
Who knows when football will be back. What is important, however, is that the football season will be back. It may be delayed, but realistically it will return at some stage.
When it does, we all have a hell of a lot to look forward to. Fans may be drooling at the idea of watching Tom Brady in Foxboro or Peyton Manning in Lucas Oil Stadium, but the talent of the NFL these days is so thick that there are key players to watch all over the place.
Here are 16 regular season matchups that may not instantly come to mind but will still give you all of that excitement, adrenaline and exhilaration that the NFL offers.
Week 1: Packers Offensive Line V Greg Williams
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While Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees will draw all the headlines for the season curtain raiser, the matchup will be decided by this matchup.
It wouldn't be right to not take the biggest matchup from the biggest game during the first week of the season.
If the Packers are to continue the reigning champion tradition of winning the first game of the season, their offensive line will need to withstand the complex blitzing scheme of the Saints. Greg Williams is one of the best blitz designing defensive coordinators in the business and will have new addition Cameron Jordan causing havoc on the inside.
Green Bay's line was good last season but another year on Chad Clifton at left tackle could be worrisome, while Bryan Bulaga was good but not great as a rookie. There is a reason why the team took Derrek Sherrod in the first round of the 2011 draft.
Week 2: Jamaal Charles V Ndamukong Suh
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While the San Diego Chargers visit to New England and the Rams Monday night matchup with the Giants will obviously draw the most attention, the Chiefs and Lions will battle it out as up-and-coming teams.
The Chiefs brightest star on offense will be Jamaal Charles this year once again, even if Thomas Jones continues to erode defenses. This will be an interesting fight in the trenches because while Suh should be surrounded by fast linemen (Fairley should be a starter while Avril will likely return), Suh himself could be negated.
For all his interior dominance, Suh isn't going to be able to do much when Charles breaks it to the outside. Running away from Suh is always a smart decision, but Charles isn't just a scat back. He can run it up the middle, and on the few occasions that he does, it will be vital for Suh to stop him in the backfield.
Detroit can't afford to let Charles get a head of steam up in this game because Thomas Jones will already be battering the line. The Lions poor secondary will make it impossible for them to win this game if Charles has a big day, outside of a shootout.
Week 3: James Harrison(/LaMarr Woodley) V Anthony Castonzo
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Peyton Manning's biggest problem last season wasn't the Colts' long list of injuries, it was the pass protection. The Colts took Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo in the first round of the NFL draft.
Whether he starts on the left or the right in Pittsburgh, Castonzo will be matched up against one of the best pass rushers in the league. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison can both beat tackles in a variety of ways and are unlike any college pass rushers.
The battle which will likely receive the most attention in the buildup to this five-star matchup will be between Troy Polamalu and Peyton Manning. That matchup slides quickly into the Steelers favor if the team can get pressure on No. 18.
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Week 4: Julius Peppers V Cameron Newton
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Putting Julius Peppers in a one-to-one matchup with an offensive lineman is not exactly a fair fight. Peppers is more often than not double-teamed because of his ability to take over the trenches.
Peppers is a physical freak and now the Panthers have a physical freak at quarterback. Newton isn't anywhere near as imposing as Peppers, but his speed and agility will make for an exciting chase in the open field.
Newton will have had three weeks of running from NFL rushers to that point but won't have faced anyone like Peppers. In fact Clay Matthews is the only rusher who could even be in contention to be elite that the Panthers will face before Week 4.
Week 5: Donald Penn V Aldon Smith
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Aldon Smith was somewhat of a surprise selection for the 49ers in the draft. One thing is for certain however, Smith can rush the passer.
Pass rushers struggle against the Buccaneers because of how difficult it is to bring down Josh Freeman, but that shouldn't take away from the stellar job Donald Penn did last year.
Penn will have no fear against Aldon Smith, but the firecracker of a rookie will provide a stern test for the veteran.
Week 6: Andre Johnson V Jimmy Smith
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Standing at 6'2". Jimmy Smith is the only Baltimore Raven who can even contemplate matching up with Andre Johnson. Smith is the most talented corner on the Ravens roster, but is also completely unproven at the NFL level.
If Smith has adjusted to the NFL level at this stage, this battle could be fearsome. Both players play with a great intensity which should make for a great matchup.
Even if Johnson is the best receiver in the league, you never know how a player with as much talent as Smith is going to do during his rookie season in the league.
Week 7: Rodger Saffold V DeMarcus Ware
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Rodger Saffold was an outstanding selection for the Rams as a rookie last season. He performed brilliantly protecting Rodger Saffold's blind side, so it will be interesting to see if he excels in his second season or suffers a sophomore slump.
Not much needs to be said about DeMarcus Ware. He is the best blitzer in the league and poses a major test to any of the tackles in the league.
Saffold showed enough to possibly considered a future elite tackle in this league. His performances in his second season will be telling.
Week 8: Hakeem Nicks V Vontae Davis
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Vontae Davis is one of the most physical corners in the league, both players are incredibly gifted which makes for an intriguing matchup.
Both players have great range and wingspan. Nicks can pluck the ball out of the sky from difficult positions, while Davis has the capability to put him into those difficult positions.
Even though he had somewhat of a down year last year for interceptions, Davis definitely has the ability to turn the ball over also.
Week 9: Maurkice Pouncey V Haloti Ngata
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The AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers will feature in a prime time matchup on Sunday night in Week 9, but this matchup may not be the first that comes to your mind if you're not a fan of either team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Baltimore to renew their rivalry with the Ravens. Whenever the Ravens and Steelers meet, one thing is guaranteed: physical football.
No matchup from this game exemplifies this than in the trenches where the Steelers' all pro talent at center—Maurkice Pouncey—will face off against possibly the best defensive lineman in the whole league—Haloti Ngata.
Ngata is a rare athlete with huge presence and great athleticism. However, Pouncey can match him for physicality.
Week 10: Ryan Clady V Tamba Hali
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The interdivisional matchup in the AFC West features John Fox Bronco's and Todd Haley's Chiefs. More importantly it features the best left tackle in the league, Ryan Clady, against possibly the second best blitzer in the league in Tamba Hali.
Hali doesn't get much recognition around the league because of where he plays. Hali had 14.5 sacks last season without much help in the team's front seven. His sack total was second only to DeMarcus Ware last season.
Clady is a premiere young pass blocker who also struggles to get the recognition he deserves across the league because the Broncos aren't competitive right now.
Expect a lot of speed in this matchup as both are very explosive and agile footballers.
Week 11: Rolando McClain V Adrian Peterson
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Rolando McClain was a celebrated draft pick by the Oakland Raiders after years of maligned decisions. The 'experts' who loved this pick were proven right during McClain's rookie season.
McClain had a strong finish to the season, racking up 21 tackles in the final three games of the season. He is a physical specimen at the inside linebacker position making for a violent matchup with Adrian Peterson.
Peterson is the most violent runner in the league, and going against guys like Richard Seymour and Rolando McClain will be a highlight reel matchup.
Week 12: Joe Haden V AJ Green
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Joe Haden was in contention to be a rookie of the year last year while his matchup this week will likely be looking to follow in his footsteps.
Haden forced seven turnovers and had a sack in his first season. Look for him to excel as the Browns improve around him on defense.
Matching up with AJ Green doesn't look like a mouthwatering prospect for any corner. Green's sheer size will give him an advantage over Haden as he is 6'3" while Haden is 5'11". Nonetheless Haden's aggression, ability and awareness locating the football gives him a chance.
In what could become a Nnamdi Asomugha and Vincent Jackson type of interdivisional battle for years to come, Haden and Green could also decide the outcome of this football game.
Week 13: Patrick Peterson V Dez Bryant
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While all eyes will be on the Colts visit to Foxboro that night, the earlier Sunday slate of games features a Cowboys-Cardinals game that features another sophomore rookie face off.
Miles Austin will likely be covered by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie because of the physicality of Dez Bryant, which makes Patrick Peterson his opposing cover corner.
Peterson is considered to be a potential shutdown corner, and we will know a lot more about him at this stage of the season but taking on Dez Bryant one on one will expose any flaws that had yet to be revealed at that stage—that is if those flaws exist.
Week 14: Richard Seymour V Josh Sitton
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Should Santonio Holmes return to the Jets, watch out for his matchup with Brandon Flowers that week.
However, we return to the trenches for this week's matchup. Richard Seymour has been a dominant player in the league for a long time, while Josh Sitton propelled himself to an elite level last year.
Sitton's chances at holding Seymour off Aaron Rodgers without help aren't good, but if he manages to do so, that could be the difference in the game.
Richard Seymour has the potential to take over football games especially on big stages such as this (playing the Super Bowl champions). It may not be a popular spot to focus on, but football purists will love the tyranny of the trenches.
Week 15: Demaryius Thomas V Devin McCourty
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This matchup may not even be possible to view if Demaryius Thomas misses the whole season because of a torn Achilles tendon. However should Thomas get on the field next year he will be determined to overcome an injury riddled season full of underwhelming performances last year.
Thomas has a lot of talent. His size will cause major problems for the slender McCourty, and this matchup could be pivotal for the outcome of the game. If Thomas can get the better of McCourty, he could put up huge numbers.
All that depends on how his development goes until that point in the season. By this time Thomas will essentially be a two-year veteran with only two weeks left in the regular season. His rehabilitation will determine if he can be a big player for the Broncos next year.
His inability to run a full route tree will be irrelevant if he can become the jump ball player they hope. That is the type of receiver that would give McCourty problems.
Week 16: Kenny Phillips V Dustin Keller
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I had to go to the Big Apple this week. Even though there is very little about the game between the Jets and Giants in New Meadowlands stadium, this matchup isn't exactly between two celebrities.
Both these players are unlucky for different reasons. Phillips was looking to become one of the best safeties in the league before a knee injury stole his 2009 season, while Dustin Keller is unlucky in that there are so many star tight ends in the league right now.
Keller is the most important skill position player on the Jets offense but doesn't receive the acclaim and attention of a Braylon Edwards, LaDanian Tomlinson or Santonio Holmes. Shutting him down will be key to the Giants' game plan, and they will look to Kenny Phillips to try to do so one on one.
Week 17: Dwight Freeney V Eugene Monroe
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Eugene Monroe has been part of one of the best run blocking offensive lines in the league since he came into the league two years ago. The Jaguars will probably be running a lot in the final week of the season against the Colts in what could be a division deciding contest.
However if Blaine Gabbert is the quarterback at that time, then the Jaguars may be tempted to pass more. For that very reason this matchup becomes huge because Gabbert will never have had to deal with a rusher like Freeney.
Freeney is an expert at stripping the quarterback of the ball, and the young quarterback would have a lot on his mind without that irritation.
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