- A.J. Brown vs. Pat Surtain II is a doozy: Two of the NFL's best from a season ago should line up early and often in Week 5.
- George Karlaftis takes on Anton Harrison: The third-year tackle looks to maintain his breakout play in a huge Monday night showdown.
- Unlock your edge with PFF+: Access Premium Stats, dominate fantasy with in-season tools and projections and make smarter bets with the new PFF Player Prop Tool.
Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes
What made NFL Week 4 so exciting is true of every fresh slate of action: Watching individual star 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 4’s top individual wars swayed the arrow of victory in their team’s direction. Consider Ja’Marr Chase’s one catch for eight yards on two targets against Pat Surtain II.
Below are 10 head-to-head collisions to circle as you determine which games to prioritize watching and/or following this weekend.
Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown vs. Denver Broncos CB Pat Surtain II
Brown and Surtain have both headlined this list over the first quarter of the NFL season. Now, they top the rankings yet again when they go head-to-head.
To put it mildly, Brown has had a lackluster start to the 2025 season. After finishing 2024 with a 90.9 PFF receiving grade and 2.61 yards per route run, those numbers have dwindled to a 69.8 grade with just 1.19 yards per route run so far this season. In fact, things have gotten so underwhelming for Brown that he apologized for a cryptic tweet posted after Philadelphia’s Week 4 win.
Likewise, Surtain’s beginning of a new campaign has been a bit disappointing. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year has registered only a 53.4 PFF coverage grade thus far — although he limited Ja’Marr Chase to one catch for eight yards across 15 direct matchups last week. Indeed, Chase was charted as being open on only 30.8% of such snaps.
Denver’s 40.5% man coverage rate is the fourth-highest in the NFL, which means that Surtain feels likely to shadow Brown throughout this game. With the Eagles’ offense still seeking a consistent rhythm in the passing game, Brown’s ability to win against the NFL’s best all-around corner will loom large in a showdown between two elite defenses.
Cleveland Browns EDGE Myles Garrett vs. Minnesota Vikings T Christian Darrisaw
Another pair of players who have been prominent features on this list — and who have played up to the billing in an additional season.
Garrett remains among the NFL’s very best few defenders, with his 92.1 overall PFF grade sitting fourth among qualifiers and his 93.0 PFF pass-rushing grade the second-best in the league. The Browns star has secured five or more pressures in all four games this year, including a whopping four pressures on 19 matchups against Taylor Decker in Week 4.
After being sidelined to begin the season with a knee injury, Darrisaw has returned with a vengeance. The Vikings tackle has posted a 66.2 PFF pass-blocking grade in two games, allowing four pressures and no sacks across 79 pass-blocking snaps.
With 147 of Garrett’s 183 snaps in 2025 coming along the defense’s right perimeter, he and Darrisaw should battle consistently in this international matchup. Darrisaw’s ability to hold up against arguably the league’s best pass rusher will prove critical along an injured Minnesota offensive line — and in a duel between two of the NFL’s premier defenses so far.
Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens vs. New York Jets CB Sauce Gardner
Cowboys-Jets probably isn’t the most electrifying game on the Week 5 schedule, but it does still offer a clash between two prodigies at their respective positions.
After being traded from the Steelers to the Cowboys, Pickens has maintained his strong receiving acumen. The 24-year-old owns a 77.3 PFF receiving grade with 1.79 yards per route run. With CeeDee Lamb sidelined in Week 4, Pickens put on a show, catching eight passes for 134 yards on an 80.9 PFF receiving grade.
On the other side lurks Gardner, who started the season in impressive fashion but has waned a bit over the last two weeks — his PFF coverage grade sat below 48.0 in Weeks 3 and 4. Against the Jets on Monday night, the two-time All-Pro surrendered only two catches for 11 yards, but both went for first downs — and one was a touchdown by Darren Waller.
Aaron Glenn’s Jets have deployed man coverage at the eighth-highest clip (31%) this season, and Gardner has regularly shadowed opposing team’s top wideouts. Expect more of the same in what should be a spirited war between two young, competitive standouts. More specifically, considering that Pickens has hauled in 63.6% of his contested catches — yet Gardner’s 79.1 PFF coverage grade on contested targets — there should be a rigorous fight for the ball every time it’s in the air.
Houston Texans EDGE Danielle Hunter vs. Baltimore Ravens T Ronnie Stanley
The usual glint of a Texans-Ravens matchup has diminished because of Baltimore’s glut of injuries, including Lamar Jackson. Still, this game features terrific talent that should line up on nearly every play.
Hunter hasn’t missed a beat on the heels of his unreal 2024 season. The 30-year-old sports a 91.0 PFF pass-rushing grade with a 27.4% pass-rush win rate, both of which are top-six marks among qualified edge rushers. Indeed, Hunter has accrued a staggering 11 pressures over his last two games.
The good news for the Ravens is that Stanley has been able to stay on the field, although he hasn’t been quite as secure at left tackle as usual. So far this year, the two-time Pro Bowler has already yielded three sacks — more than he did in all of 2024 — along with nine pressures. If it holds, Stanley’s 94.2 pass-blocking efficiency score would be the lowest in a full season in his career.
While playing next to fellow star Will Anderson Jr., Hunter has predominantly aligned along the defense’s right side (140 snaps) — where he boasts a 90.9 overall PFF grade. Stanley will have to mitigate Hunter as best as possible if he wants to protect backup Cooper Rush in what figures to be his first start of 2025.
Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Jacob Parrish
Buccaneers-Seahawks is one of the more fun duels in Week 5, pitting two of the NFC’s better teams against one another (in a stellar uniform matchup, no less). When the Seahawks have the ball, this clash is one to circle.
In his third pro season, Smith-Njigba has found additional ways to elevate his play. The 23-year-old has performed like one of the best receivers in football in 2025, possessing a 90.6 overall PFF grade with a 90.1 PFF receiving grade — both of which slot second among qualifiers. His breakout season has dovetailed with playing much more on the perimeter, with 77.2% of his snaps coming out wide.
Meanwhile, Parrish has emerged as potentially the NFL’s next great young slot cornerback. Over four games, the Kansas State product has registered a 79.4 overall PFF grade with a 77.8 PFF coverage grade. Against the Eagles last week, Parrish permitted just two catches for zero yards on three targets, breaking up the other pass thrown his way.
The Buccaneers will likely head out west with neither Jamel Dean nor Benjamin Morrison able to play in this contest. That should only elevate Parrish up the pecking order, setting up regular matchups with Seattle’s top receiver. The third-round rookie has been up to the task thus far, although he faces a considerably tougher assignment in Week 5.
Denver Broncos EDGE Nik Bonitto vs. Philadelphia Eagles T Jordan Mailata
Broncos-Eagles should be entertaining for a multitude of reasons, including that the teams are constructed very similarly: Two stout defenses and elite offensive lines with quarterbacks who are still establishing consistency in 2025. Hence, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see this game appear again on this list.
Bonitto has been prolific through the first four games of 2025, compiling an 86.7 PFF pass-rushing grade with a 24.1% pass-rush win rate. He’s generated at least four pressures in every contest this season, although he’s been less dominant against tougher competition. In Week 3 against Joe Alt, Bonitto produced just two pressures on 23 pass-blocking matchups, good for an 8.7% pressure rate.
Meanwhile, Mailata has remained in the upper echelon of the league’s offensive linemen. His 86.5 overall PFF grade is third among linemen to play 150 or more snaps, and he’s added a 74.3 PFF pass-blocking grade in the process. The All-Pro was spectacular in Tampa Bay, giving up zero pressures on 32 opportunities.
In 2025, 88.3% of Bonitto’s defensive snaps have arrived from the defense’s Right B gap outward. That means that he and Mailata should match up upwards of 20 times in this intriguing game. While Mailata may have the upper hand in the run game, Bonitto will need to display his usual pass-rushing abilities to give Denver a chance of pulling off the upset.
Las Vegas Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby vs. Indianapolis Colts T Braden Smith
Raiders-Colts features two squads looking to get back on track after suffering grueling Week 4 losses. This showdown will play a legitimate role in swaying the outcome.
After recording only a 70.1 PFF pass-rushing grade in an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, Crosby looked all the way back last week against the Bears. His 91.3 overall PFF grade was his highest in a single game since Week 17, 2023, as he totaled five pressures and an interception. On the year, Crosby owns a 76.8 PFF pass-rushing grade with a 17.0% pass-rush win rate.
Smith entered Week 4 playing like one of the better right tackles in football, but he struggled mightily against the Rams. The Colts tackle surrendered five pressures and two hits on 35 pass-blocking snaps, securing just a 41.6 PFF pass-blocking grade. For more context, Rams standout Byron Young bested Smith on their 12 pass protection matchups — notching two pressures on a 16.7% pressure rate.
Las Vegas’ upstart defense, which sits 13th in EPA per play, faces a humongous test against Indianapolis’ hyper-efficient offense. The Raiders will need Crosby to wreak havoc yet again if they want to collect their second victory of 2025.
Miami Dolphins EDGE Jaelan Phillips vs. Carolina Panthers T Taylor Moton
Dolphins-Panthers presents a tale of two teams whose 2025 seasons haven’t gotten off to the auspicious beginnings that they hoped, not to mention pits two of the NFL’s worst defenses against each other. Still, there’s a compelling individual showdown to be had.
Staying healthy has been Phillips’ biggest challenge, because when on the field, he’s been among the NFL’s more underrated edge rushers. His play this year certainly qualifies, as the 26-year-old has generated a 75.5 PFF pass-rushing grade on a 20.3% pass-rush win rate — good for 18th among qualified edge rushers. In Week 4, Phillips added two more pressures on 17 pass-rushing matchups against Jets first-round pick Armand Membou.
Along an offensive line littered with injuries, Moton has held up his end of the bargain in 2025. Moton’s 76.0 overall PFF grade is the 12th-best among qualified tackles, allowing only nine pressures through 164 opportunities — including just three over his last two games.
Working within Miami’s strong edge rusher triumvirate, Phillips has played 67.1% of his snaps along the defense’s left perimeter — although he’s registered only a 49.8 overall PFF grade in those spots. Hence, he and Moton should butt heads throughout Sunday’s game in a battle between two good players.
Kansas City Chiefs EDGE George Karlaftis vs. Jacksonville Jaguars T Anton Harrison
Possibly the most unheralded great game in Week 5 is Chiefs-Jaguars on Monday Night Football, with Kansas City seeking to continue rebound against a 3-1 Jacksonville squad. While much focus will be on Jacksonville’s emerging defense against Patrick Mahomes & Co., this matchup is also a great one.
After inking a four-year, $93 million extension this offseason, Karlaftis has found ways to turn up his play by a notch in 2025. The Chiefs stud boasts a career-best 75.5 PFF pass-rushing grade so far, producing a 16.3% pass-rush win rate and 23 pressures — tied for the second-most among any defensive player.
Harrison’s Year 3 breakout has followed the precedent set by recent fellow first-round tackles. In 2025, the Oklahoma product has bettered his blocking grades in both pass protection and run-blocking. Indeed, Harrison possesses a 74.0 PFF pass-blocking mark, yielding only four pressures across 137 opportunities.
Karlaftis has rotated a bit this season, lining up along the defense’s left side on 108 snaps compared to 91 on the other. Interestingly, his overall PFF grade when aligned near right tackles sits at 63.8, whereas it rises to 90.1 against left tackles. The Jaguars hope that trend can play into their strengths on Monday as they look to establish themselves as a bonafide AFC contender.
Arizona Cardinals Dl Calais Campbell vs. Tennessee Titans G Peter Skoronski
The winless Titans traveling to take on the reeling Cardinals isn’t an overtly amazing matchup. Still, this game features two standouts of different ages in the trenches.
Campbell’s Benjamin Button act hasn’t stopped at all in 2025. Back in Arizona, Campbell has played like one of the league’s foremost interior defenders, even at age 39. His 84.3 overall PFF grade ranks fifth among qualifiers, and his 77.3 PFF pass-rushing grade is his best since 2019.
Likewise, Skoronski’s play has taken another leap in 2025. The Northwestern alum sits fifth among qualified guards in overall PFF grade (72.9), posting 74.2-plus grades as both a run blocker and pass protector. Additionally, Skoronski’s 17.7% impact run-block rate is tied for 12th among guards to play 100 or more snaps.
As Tennessee’s flatlining offense — which ranks 32nd in EPA per play and success rate — seeks to establish a foundation, Skoronski’s ability to contain Campbell could be a turning point.
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