- DJ Turner and Zay Flowers go at it again: The Bengals corner won Round 1 on Thanksgiving, but this rematch could define each team's season.
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Estimated Reading Time:12 minutes
What made NFL Week 14 so exciting is true of every fresh slate of action: Watching individual player matchups. The ability to analyze some of the NFL’s brightest and most burgeoning stars clash with one another nearly every snap shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Indeed, while one play can alter an entire game flow, the victor of Week 14’s top individual wars swayed the arrow of victory in their team’s direction. Consider Derek Stingley Jr. limiting Rashee Rice to zero catches across five matchups.
Below are 10 head-to-head collisions to circle as you determine which games to prioritize watching and/or following this weekend.
Green Bay Packers EDGE Micah Parsons vs. Denver Broncos T Garett Bolles
As a football fan, it’s tough to ask for more than two top-two seeds in each conference going to war in Week 15. Packers-Broncos will be a tremendous all-around game, especially in the trenches.
The Packers have finally started to look like the Super Bowl contender that was expected in the preseason, and Parsons is an undeniable reason why. His 91.6 overall PFF grade is the third-highest for any defender this season, and his 93.0 PFF pass-rushing grade trails only Myles Garrett.
Meanwhile, Bolles is on an All-Pro track — mostly because of how good of a pass-blocker he is. The former first-round pick leads qualified tackles with an 89.4 PFF pass-blocking grade, permitting zero sacks and just 15 pressures through 13 games. Bolles’ 2.9% pressure rate allowed is also the lowest among tackles with 350-plus pass-protection snaps.
The Packers deploy Parsons all over the defensive front, but his most snaps have come aligned in front of the left tackle. That means we’ll get one of the game’s best pass rushers against one of the better pass-blockers on Sunday. Get your popcorn ready.
Los Angeles Rams EDGE Byron Young vs. Detroit Lions T Penei Sewell
Whenever the Lions and Rams have met over the last few seasons, it’s almost always been an instant classic. That trend should repeat itself with lots on the line in Week 15. And with a game this good, there’s invariably at least one individual player matchup to watch.
Jared Verse gets most of the credit on the Rams’ unbelievable defense, but Young is quietly enjoying a monster season. His 84.0 overall PFF grade is the ninth-highest among qualified edge defenders, including a 77.0-plus PFF grade in both run defense and as a pass rusher.
Sewell is starting to form his own tier at the offensive line position. In 2025, he’s yet again the highest-graded lineman in football at a ridiculous 96.0 mark, and his 0.71 PFF Wins Above Replacement are the third-most among any non-quarterback.
Considering that Young has typically aligned in front of the right tackle — with Verse most often clashing with the left tackle — that sets up this titanic showdown between two tremendous players.
Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson vs. Denver Broncos CB Pat Surtain II
Green Bay’s red-hot offense against the lockdown Denver defense is worth the price of admission alone in this game. Indeed, the league’s most explosive pass unit takes on the defense surrendering the fewest chunk plays through the air. Watson vs. Surtain plays right into that tune.
Since coming back from injury, Watson has simply been one of the best wideouts in football. From Weeks 8-14, his 89.0 PFF receiving grade is third among receivers with 35 or more targets, and his 135.1 passer rating when targeted is the second-best.
The 2025 season hasn’t been quite as amazing as Surtain’s Defensive Player of the Year campaign, but he’s still regarded as pro football’s best cornerback. Surtain’s 15.8 snaps per reception this season are tied for 11th, and his 75.5 passer rating when targeted is 14th among qualifiers.
Watson’s 14 explosive receptions are tied for seventh over the last seven weeks, whereas Surtain has relinquished just three all season. If Green Bay can move the ball downfield in Denver, that bodes well for its chances — but if the Broncos can slow down Love and Watson during Toyotathon, then Sean Payton’s bunch could claim the AFC’s top slot.
Click here to access PFF's Matchups Tool!Los Angeles Chargers WR Ladd McConkey vs. Kansas City Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie
Chargers-Chiefs may not be quite as tremendous as some other games on this weekend’s slate, but it’s consistently delivered over the last few seasons. Even more is at stake in this weekend’s go-around with the Chiefs clinging to their playoff lives. When everything is on the line, that means that Kansas City’s best corner should guard the Chargers’ top wideout.
McConkey’s second season hasn’t been quite as dynamic as his first, producing a 71.0 PFF receiving grade with 1.50 yards per route run. Still, the Georgia product owns a 72.9-plus receiving mark in five games this year, and has been above 63.9 in 10 contests.
McDuffie suffered a knee injury after only nine snaps in the Chiefs’ duel with the Texans last week, which certainly didn’t augment their chances. Despite a poor two weeks grading-wise, McDuffie’s 74.7 PFF coverage grade remains the 10th-highest among qualified corners.
Although Los Angeles upset Kansas City in Brazil in Week 1, McDuffie contained McConkey to one catch for nine yards across two targets. However, it’s important to note that the receiver was charted as open on six of their 12 matchups — which underscored Kansas City’s coverage woes in that game. The Chiefs will look to amend that in a do-or-die divisional showdown.
New England Patriots WR Stefon Diggs vs. BuffaloBills CB Christian Benford
One of the major surprises of the 2025 NFL season has been not only the Patriots’ ascendance, but the team being in rather solid control in the AFC East. That could change quickly based on Week 15’s results, which may be driven by Diggs vs. Benford.
Diggs started his Patriots tenure a bit slowly, but he’s been exactly what New England needed at the wide receiver position. His 80.8 PFF receiving grade is 11th among qualifiers, and his 2.16 yards per route run are also 10th. Diggs’ contributions have raised New England from one of the league’s worst receiving corps to one of its best, sitting fourth in PFF receiving grade as a team.
Benford, long one of the league’s more underrated players, also began the year in disappointing fashion. But in the last two weeks, he’s played like his usual self, boasting an 86.9 overall PFF grade since Week 11 — which is the second-highest among qualified corners in that stretch. The stud has made impact plays all over the field, recording touchdowns in both of his last two games via a fumble recovery and pick-six.
In New England’s revelatory upset over Buffalo in Week 5, Benford and Diggs were only aligned on three snaps, with Diggs catching his lone target for 10 yards. We’ll see if Buffalo gets Benford more involved to stop a premier New England threat this time around.
Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce vs. SeattleSeahawks CB Devon Witherspoon
One of the zanier NFL storylines in the last few years will likely come to fruition on Sunday, when 44-year-old Philip Rivers is anticipated to start for the Colts. Rivers’ play will drive much analysis of the game, but it shouldn’t overshadow this great receiver-corner clash.
Even though the Colts’ offense has waned over the last few weeks, Pierce is still playing like one of the better receivers in the NFL. His 81.6 PFF receiving grade is the 11th-best among qualifiers, and he’s one of two at the position with zero drops on at least 65 targets.
Meanwhile, Witherspoon has been unreal this season, particularly of late. Over the last four games, the Seahawks star boasts a 91.1 overall PFF grade and a gaudy 90.9 PFF coverage mark. In that span, Witherspoon has yielded only 107 total yards into his coverage, intercepting a pass and breaking up three others.
Seattle’s elite defense doesn’t deploy much man coverage, doing so at only a 15.4% clip — which is the fourth-lowest among any unit. Still, with Witherspoon mostly aligning at boundary corner, that sets up for some high-level battles with Pierce throughout what could be a trying day for Indianapolis.
Click here to access PFF's Matchups Tool!PittsburghSteelers WR D.K. Metcalf vs. Miami Dolphins CB Rasul Douglas
Although both teams have been inconsistent — and borderline bad for stretches — of 2025, the Dolphins and Steelers enter their Week 15 primetime showdown trending upward, and with a chance of making it to the playoffs. In particular, key in on this battle between two good veterans.
Metcalf’s inaugural year in Pittsburgh has been a topsy-turvy one, reflected by his 75.3 PFF receiving grade. More specifically, Metcalf owns only four games above a 70.0 receiving mark, yet also four below 60.0. Week 14 was much more the former, as the ex-Seahawk gashed the Ravens with seven catches for 148 yards on an 82.3 receiving figure.
Douglas signed with Miami late in the offseason, but he’s been a stabilizing presence on an underwhelming defense. The former Bill owns a 77.6 overall PFF grade and a 75.6 PFF coverage mark, both of which are top 10 among qualified corners. Moreover, Douglas’ 66.3 passer rating when targeted ranks sixth.
The Dolphins’ defense has been susceptible through the air, surrendering explosive passes at the sixth-highest rate (14.9%). Aaron Rodgers and Metcalf will look to capitalize on that on Monday night, but the wideout will have to get past a strong cover corner.
Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers vs. Cincinnati Bengals CB D.J. Turner II
Whenever Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow go head-to-head, it’s almost always hard to look away. Both teams are going full bore to make it back to the postseason after letdown seasons, with Week 15 potentially a de facto eliminator for Cincinnati. The Bengals will need their top healthy defender to shut down an impressive receiver.
Even with Jackson down for several weeks, Flowers has been effective yet again in 2025. His 77.4 PFF receiving grade, 2.26 yards per route run and 35 first downs gained are all top-20 figures among qualified receivers. Also, Flowers’ 5.7 yards after the catch per reception are the fifth-most.
Cincinnati’s defense has remained one of pro football’s worst, but it’s not Turner’s fault. The former first-round pick has delivered this year, playing like an elite cornerback. Turner’s 80.3 PFF coverage grade slots as the third-best among qualifiers, and his 0.35 WAR is tied for fourth among defensive players.
Turner offered Flowers zero extra helping on Thanksgiving, limiting him to zero catches on two targets across 14 total matchups. If the cornerback locks down Baltimore’s top pass-catcher yet again, then Burrow and the Bengals can extend their slim playoff hopes for one more week.
Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams vs. Detroit Lions CB D.J. Reed
Like others on this list, Lions-Rams is such a compelling game that it’s hard not to feature twice. This time, a featured matchup is on the perimeter when the Rams have the ball.
Puka Nacua has continued his blistering pace in 2025, including recording the highest PFF grade by a receiver ever. But Adams has been similarly great in his first year in LA, ranking eighth among qualifiers with an 82.8 PFF receiving grade. Adams has also made life easier for Matthew Stafford by boasting a quarterback-friendly 112.0 passer rating when targeted.
The Lions’ secondary is yet again injury-riddled, which means Reed will have to step up. The former Jet has been solid in his first year in Detroit, registering a 67.1 PFF coverage grade while playing just 249 coverage snaps. Reed’s 79.1 passer rating against is also in the 76th percentile.
Detroit deploys man coverage at the league’s second-highest rate, which feels unlikely to change even with Brian Branch being out for the season. Considering that Adams leads all Rams wideouts in perimeter snaps, expect him to battle with Reed regularly on Sunday afternoon.
Click here to access PFF's Matchups Tool!Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle vs. Pittsburgh Steelers CB James Pierre
As it turns out, two good receivers will suit up in Pittsburgh on Monday night — and both should face a tough cover for much of the evening.
The Dolphins’ decision to retain Waddle at the trade deadline is looking like a sharp one. The former first-round pick sports an outstanding 86.9 PFF receiving grade this season with 2.29 yards per route run. Also, Waddle’s 63.2% contested catch rate is the fourth-highest among qualifiers, which is even more impressive considering his 5-foot-10 stature.
Pittsburgh’s defense has generally struggled this season, but Pierre has been a revelation. Among cornerbacks with 200 or more coverage snaps, Pierre ranks second in PFF coverage grade (89.8), first in yards allowed (142), second in forced incompletion rate (30%) and fourth in passer rating when targeted (52.8).
Waddle vs. Pierre pits two players against each other who own top-10 grades at their respective positions over the last seven weeks. The receiver’s quickness against Pierre’s instincts, foot speed and ball skills should be fun to watch.