Week 3 NFL mismatches: Why Chiefs should worry about Ravens

In Week 3, Baltimore’s rookie draws a highly favorable matchup against Chiefs slot cornerback Kendall Fuller, who already has been burned for touchdowns by speedsters Tyrell Williams (Raiders) and D.J. Chark (Jaguars). Before they entered the NFL, Williams posted a 4.42 time in the 40-yard dash, Chark a 4.34. Brown didn't run at the NFL Combine, but he reportedly was clocked at 4.32 practice. 

Fuller's total of 98 yards allowed out of the slot is sixth worst in the league. 

Ravens run defense vs. Chiefs run game

The Ravens have allowed a ridiculously low 1.8 yards per rush attempt and 20.5 rushing yards per game through two weeks, each mark the best in the NFL by a huge margin. On the other side, Kansas City has struggled to get its ground game going. The Chiefs rank 26^th in rushing yards per game (72.0) and 29^th in yards per rush attempt (3.0).

John Harbaugh’s stifling run defense is spearheaded by Pernell McPhee and Michael Pierce. They rank 12^th and 13^th, respectively, in Pro Football Focus' run defense grade (among the 223 qualified edge and interior defenders).

Because it has played with a lead over the first two weeks, Baltimore has not often had to defend the run. McPhee has played just 12 snaps in run defense, Pierce 14. Yet the pair has combined for five run stuffs in that limited time (two for McPhee, three for Pierce), a tremendous rate. (A run stuff is a tackle made short of the first-down marker that holds the rusher to a gain of two yards or less.)

An issue for the Chiefs is a lack of big-time playmaking after contact. Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy have carried the load for the Chiefs, racking up 22 and 21 carries, respectively. Neither has gained much yardage beyond what has been created for them. Among the 53 running backs with at least 10 carries, McCoy ranks 30^th in yards after contact per attempt (2.67) and Williams ranks 48^th (1.82).

Texans edge defender Whitney Mercilus vs. Chargers left tackle Trent Scott

Advice for Philip Rivers: Watch your back!

The Scott-Mercilus battle has potential to get ugly and could decide the game's outcome. In a Week 1 win against Indianapolis, the Chargers' left tackle was victimized for sacks on speed rushes from the outside by Kemoko Turray and Al-Quadin Muhammad. In a Week 2 loss at Detroit, he allowed a bull-rushing sack to Romeo Okwara. 

Mercilus has done a remarkable job filling the void left by Jadaveon Clowney, who was traded to Seattle. He has three sacks rushing from the right side, tied for second most in the NFL. Mercilus' eight pressures from the right side is sixth best in the league.

Against Jacksonville in Week 2, Mercilus pulled out all of the stops. He picked up two sacks against Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson, knocking the ball from Gardner Minshew’s hands on both. He first beat Robinson with a strong rip move to the outside. Then Mercilus set up Robinson with an outside move, before breezing by him with an excellent inside spin move (below).

Patriots secondary vs. Jets quarterback Luke Falk

The Patriots enter their Week 3 matchup with the Jets as historically large -22.5 point favorites. Perhaps the biggest reason for the massive spread is New York's awful quarterback situation. Sam Darnold is out with mono, and his replacement, Trevor Siemian, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2.

Enter 24-year old Luke Falk, who will make his starting debut at New England. Falk was drafted in 2018, but given that this is his first year playing in the regular season, he is technically considered a rookie.

Yikes!

Of the 14 rookies QB who have played at New England during the Brady-Belichick era, none have won there. Eleven have posted a sub-75 passer rating, and none have thrown for more than two TDs. 

Making matters worse for New York, the Patriots have one of their best defenses this century. Through two games, New England leads the league in fewest yards allowed (492) and points allowed (3).

This is an especially great matchup for Patriots star corner Stephon Gilmore. In two games, QBs have posted an abysmal 41.5 passer rating on targets in his direction. The Jets' offense ranks 31^st in passing yards (485).

Now this one is almost guaranteed to be ugly for the Jets.