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Estimated Reading Time:12 minutes
What made NFL Week 17 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 17's top individual wars swayed the arrow of victory in their team’s direction. Consider Devon Witherspoon not allowing a single catch against Tetairoa McMillan in the Seahawks’ victory over the Panthers.
Below are 10 head-to-head collisions to circle as you determine which games to prioritize watching and/or following this weekend, featuring lots of compelling repeats.
Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE Alex Highsmith vs. Baltimore Ravens T Ronnie Stanley
Much like the NFC South, it’s only fitting that the blemished AFC North title comes down to the NFL’s final regular-season game. The Ravens-Steelers rivalry rarely disappoints, and this latest installment should prominently feature Highsmith vs. Stanley.
With T.J. Watt sidelined due to a collapsed lung, Highsmith has wholeheartedly stepped up in his absence — and has played at an elite level over the second half of the season. Since Week 9, Highsmith’s 88.6 overall PFF grade is the third-best for an edge defender. He’s been fabulous against both the pass and run, producing top-10 marks against both in that duration.
Stanley began his first year after an extension a bit slowly but has rounded into usually consistent form. Since Week 12, his 82.6 PFF pass-blocking grade is the third-best for qualified tackles, giving up just eight pressures in that span. Moreover, Stanley also boasts a respectable 71.0 PFF run-blocking grade on the year.
Stanley contained Highsmith in Week 14, holding the edge defender to one pressure (albeit a sack) in Baltimore’s loss. If the tackle has an encore, it would likely favor Baltimore to secure its third straight division title.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Carolina Panthers CB Mike Jackson
In classic NFC South fashion, nobody seems to want to claim the division crown. Yet the victor of Panthers-Buccaneers will (most likely) do just that, even by flying ever-so-close to the .500 record mark. The game should be intriguing for several reasons, including rehashing this duel on the outside.
Tampa Bay’s offense has flatlined over the second half of the season, especially in light of Baker Mayfield’s struggles. However, Evans always looms, causing headaches for opposing defensive coordinators. Across seven games in 2025, the six-time Pro Bowler has produced a career-low 70.9 PFF receiving grade with 1.63 yards per route run, but both are still very respectable numbers.
Likewise, Carolina’s defense has still lagged in Dave Canales’ second season — but Jackson has been a revelation. Since Week 8, his 90.6 PFF coverage grade paces qualified corners, and his season-long nine pass breakups are tied for 11th.
Two weeks ago, Jackson contained Evans to one catch for one yard on four targets opposite Evans. If the Panthers standout repeats that effort on Saturday, there’s a good chance that Carolina will stake its first division title in 10 years.
Click here to access PFF's Matchups Tool!Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce vs. HoustonTexans CB Derek Stingley Jr.
The first Colts-Texans matchup in Week 13 was an inflection point in the AFC South. Indeed, the Texans have continued their winning streak since then, while Indianapolis has remained winless in that stretch. Although this showdown is more for seeding, it still presents a good receiver-corner war.
Like several other members of the Colts’ offense, Pierce has assembled a terrific 2025 season. His 80.1 PFF receiving grade is tied for 13th among wideouts with 75 or more targets, and his 1.94 yards per route run is 16th. However, Pierce has been negatively impacted by Daniel Jones suffering an Achilles tear in Week 14, posting only a 65.9 receiving mark with 1.06 yards per route run in those four games.
Stingley started the season a bit slowly, but he’s reminded fans and analysts why he’s one of the sport’s pre-eminent cornerbacks. Since Week 9, his 87.3 PFF coverage grade is second among qualified corners, yielding only 186 yards and a 53.6 passer rating across those nine games.
Stingley commanded the first go-around between these two studs, holding Pierce to one catch for 18 yards during eight head-to-head matchups. If Pierce still struggles to get open on Stingley — which he did in Week 13 — that will only magnify the spotlight on rookie Riley Leonard in his inaugural NFL start.
Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.
Highsmith vs. Stanley isn’t the only battle to monitor on Sunday night. Flowers vs. Porter gives a glimpse into two good, young players that should line up all evening.
Flowers has received flak for fumbles of late, but he’s still been a dynamic and effective option for Lamar Jackson. His 80.1 PFF receiving grade is 12th among qualified receivers, and his 105.4 passer rating is tied for 11th.
Pittsburgh’s defense has experienced an inconsistent season, but Porter has rounded into a net positive. The third-year cornerback owns a career-high 74.9 PFF coverage grade and ranks top-four in both passer rating allowed (57.1) and forced incompletion rate (24%).
One area where Flowers could potentially exploit Porter is after the catch. Flowers’ 5.1 yards after the catch per reception tie for the eighth-most for wideouts, while Porter has missed 13.9% of his tackles. Pittsburgh’s lanky corner will need to wrap up effectively and stay penalty-free against the quick Flowers if the Steelers want to win their first division title in five seasons.
Click here to access PFF's Matchups Tool!DenverBroncos WR Courtland Sutton vs. Los Angeles Chargers CB Donte Jackson
Although Chargers-Broncos is a potential playoff preview, this game loses some zeal with Los Angeles sitting Justin Herbert. Still, both teams will be motivated to improve their postseason positioning, and talent permeates each side of the ball. More specifically, two good veterans will clash for most of the game.
Even as Denver’s offense has vacillated, Sutton has remained a model of consistency. Sutton has produced a 77.6 PFF receiving grade with 1.70 yards per route run, achieving each of those numbers for the second straight season. He’s also one of the game’s better contested catch options, hauling in 53.1% of his tries in 2025.
Jackson may not have tremendous star power, but he’s done a fine job for Jesse Minter’s defense since his arrival. His 74.7 PFF coverage grade ties for 11th among qualified cornerbacks, and his 16.9 snaps per reception are the seventh-most.
Jackson got the advantage on Sutton in these teams’ first meeting in Week 3, allowing only one catch for four yards on two targets. Crucially, though, Sutton was charted as open on three of his six matchups with Jackson. If Trey Lance can locate his top target more often, then Los Angeles could potentially prevent Denver from claiming home-field advantage.
Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. ChicagoBears CB Jaylon Johnson
The Lions’ recent skid has put a damper on the team’s Week 18 game against the Bears. Even then, these NFC North foes will presumably still try in earnest to win, especially considering Chicago’s playoff outlook. St. Brown vs. Johnson is certainly a matchup to circle, assuming that the receiver plays through injury.
Detroit’s 2025 campaign fell off the rails for a number of reasons, but St. Brown wasn’t one of them. The star was as prolific as ever in 2025, churning out a 90.0 PFF receiving grade with 2.41 yards per route run and 63 first downs gained. It wouldn’t come as a surprise whatsoever if he notches his third All-Pro nod.
Johnson has only played 210 total snaps for the Bears this year, which hasn’t been representative of the player we’ve come to know in recent seasons. Johnson has garnered only a 64.0 PFF coverage grade, although his 65.3 passer rating when targeted is in the 94th percentile.
In the two Bears-Lions games last year, St. Brown only got open on three of his 12 matchups with Johnson — and wasn’t targeted once. Ben Johnson certainly hopes that his star corner can look the part again as he seeks his first win against his former team.
New England Patriots WR Stefon Diggs vs. Miami Dolphins CB Rasul Douglas
Although the Patriots and Dolphins have experienced relatively divergent seasons, both teams appear intent on playing starters — and competitive football — in Week 18. As New England jockeys for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, key in on Diggs vs. Douglas.
Diggs has made headlines for the wrong reasons ahead of Week 18, facing strangulation and assault charges. However, the standout is expected to play against Miami. Diggs has been Drake Maye’s biggest asset in his quest for the MVP award, posting an 87.8 PFF receiving grade with 2.42 yards per route run and a 113.5 passer rating when targeted.
Douglas has been a fellow free-agent revelation for the Dolphins in 2025. The journeyman owns a 73.5 PFF coverage grade, surrendering just a 65.2 passer rating when targeted — the eighth-lowest among qualified corners.
Diggs and Douglas only matched up three times in Week 2, with Diggs catching his lone target for six yards. If Diggs plays a similar proportion of snaps inside (45% at Miami), then these two might not duel as often. But when they do line up opposite each other, it will prove compelling.
Cleveland Browns EDGE Myles Garrett vs. CincinnatiBengals T Orlando Brown Jr.
Sure, Browns-Bengals might be for nothing more than nominal state bragging rights. But when the NFL sack record is at stake, it’s hard to ignore that matchup. That’s especially resonant when the tackle on the other side is on a hot streak.
Garrett may not be enjoying a career-best season from an advanced analytics standpoint, but he’s also amid a stretch that very few — if any — can claim. The Browns star is on track to secure his fifth straight year with a 92.0-plus overall PFF grade and a sixth consecutive campaign with a 90.1 PFF pass-rushing grade.
Brown and the Bengals’ offensive line began the 2025 season in underwhelming fashion, but the unit has displayed promise in recent weeks. Since Week 12, Brown’s 82.3 PFF pass-blocking grade is the fifth-best among qualified tackles, having allowed only one sack and 10 pressures in those six games.
Garrett has been a little less effective of late, being held to four or fewer pressures in three of his past four outings. Will Brown be up to the challenge — if Cincinnati even leaves him isolated with the eventual Defensive Player of the Year?
Seattle Seahawks EDGE Demarcus Lawrence vs. San Francisco49ers T Colton McKivitz
It’s tough to ask for more from the football scheduling gods than Seahawks-49ers in Week 18, with the NFC’s No. 1 seed going to the victor. Although lots of stars should see the field in Santa Clara, there aren’t a boatload of epic individual battles. Still, Lawrence vs. McKivitz should be entertaining.
Lawrence has looked like his havoc-inducing Dallas self in his first season with Seattle. While he hasn’t been amazing as a pass-rusher, he’s been one of the NFL’s better run-defending edge rushers. More specifically, Lawrence’s 84.8 PFF run-defense grade leads qualifiers at the position, and his 9.4% run stop rate is second.
Trent Williams rightfully obtains most praise on San Francisco’s offensive line, but McKivitz has flown under the radar this year. The extension recipient places seventh among qualified tackles with an 83.9 overall PFF grade, including a stellar 90.2 PFF run-blocking mark.
Lawrence vs. McKivitz will take center stage in the ground game, but the tackle could have the edge in pass protection with his 72.9 PFF pass-blocking grade. Either way, whoever prevails should certainly impact a game that could be down to the wire.
New Orleans Saints EDGE Chase Young vs. Atlanta Falcons T Jake Matthews
Few would’ve considered that the Saints-Falcons Week 18 affair would hold much gravity, but it very well may decide the NFC South winner. On top of that, both teams have demonstrated considerable growth in the back half of the season. Atlanta’s offense vs. New Orleans’ defense is a worthwhile battle, especially Young vs. Matthews.
The Saints’ defense has played like a top-10 unit in Brandon Stanley’s first season calling the shots, and Young has been the primary disruptor up front. His 74.7 PFF pass-rushing grade is 14th among qualified edge rushers, and his 9.3 Pass-Rush Productivity score is 12th.
Matthews has long been one of the league’s better pass-blocking tackles, and the veteran is following the same arc this season. His 84.1 PFF pass-blocking grade is the fifth-best among qualified tackles, not to mention his fourth straight campaign with at least an 80.0 mark in that category.
When these powerhouse players faced off six weeks ago, Young prevailed. The former No. 2 overall pick collected two pressures and a sack over 15 pass-rushing matchups with Matthews, although the Saints lost 24-10. The 33-year-old tackle will look to rebound after a down showing against Jared Verse on Monday night.