Go here for this week's Rushing Matchups.

Top 5 Passing Matchups

Philadelphia vs Jacksonville

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' passing game have hit their stride after an injury-riddled start to the season, particularly among key targets A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Over the past three games, Hurts has completed 71% of his throws, averaging an impressive 10.4 yards per attempt. While the Eagles haven't needed high passing volume, their efficiency has made Hurts and his receivers valuable assets. Brown's 35% target share since his return highlights his central role, with games of 116, 89, and 84 yards. Smith complements Brown well, and both are consistently involved in the end zone, suggesting increased fantasy upside if game scripts push the Eagles toward a more pass-heavy approach. In the absence of tight end Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra has emerged as the team's third read and is often used in downfield looks reminiscent of Goedert's role. Calcaterra's usage points to potential sleeper appeal, especially given the favorable matchup this week against a struggling Jacksonville pass defense.

The Jaguars' defense has been vulnerable to the air game, ranking 30th in total passing yards allowed and 31st in yards per attempt. Opponents have regularly surpassed 275 passing yards, with even higher potential yardage prevented by blowout scenarios. Jacksonville's cornerback situation remains in flux, as top corner Tyson Campbell has returned from injury, but Ronald Darby is now sidelined with a hip injury. This will likely result in heavy snaps for Montaric Brown and rookie Jarrian Jones, who has struggled in the slot, limiting their overall effectiveness against top-tier receivers like Brown and Smith. The Jaguars' issues extend beyond cornerbacks, as opposing tight ends have found consistent success. Cole Kmet, Hunter Henry, and Tucker Kraft posted big games, exposing a lack of support from Jacksonville's safeties and linebackers in covering short-to-intermediate routes. Given the recent performances of Brown, Smith, and Calcaterra, Hurts should have multiple options for moving the ball through the air in what looks to be a favorable matchup.

Kansas City vs Tampa Bay

Patrick Mahomes II, while not aiming to lead the league in yardage or touchdowns, remains one of the most efficient quarterbacks, especially in critical game situations. Through the season's first seven games, Mahomes has thrown for an average of 235 yards per game, surpassing 290 yards on two occasions. His consistent production has relied on adapting to the evolving structure of his receiving corps. This season, Mahomes has leaned more on high-percentage, underneath routes, primarily targeting star tight end Travis Kelce and rookie Xavier Worthy. In last week's win against Las Vegas, Kelce and Worthy were key, drawing a combined 20 of Mahomes' 35 targets, each finding the end zone. As DeAndre Hopkins integrates further into the lineup, we may see Mahomes diversify his targets even more. Hopkins played 22 snaps in his Chiefs debut, adding two receptions and setting up potential synergy with Mahomes, while JuJu Smith-Schuster's role may be in jeopardy upon his return. Mahomes' preference for targeting receivers underneath may be advantageous against a Tampa Bay secondary currently susceptible to high-tempo, quick-passing offenses. The Chiefs will likely look to exploit these gaps and take advantage of Mahomes' chemistry with Kelce and Worthy, while Hopkins could emerge as a red-zone threat.

Tampa Bay's defense, after starting strong, has seen considerable setbacks in recent weeks. Over the past four games, they've surrendered an average of 327 yards and allowed an alarming 14 touchdowns through the air. Struggles in the secondary are a major factor, worsened by injuries to key players. Jamel Dean, their top cornerback, is now on injured reserve, and Bryce Hall, a valuable reserve, is sidelined for the season. This has left Zyon McCollum as their most reliable option, though he's often left on an island due to a lack of depth and an inconsistent pass rush. Coach Todd Bowles, known for his aggressive defensive style, has been forced to blitz at a top-five rate to generate pressure. However, this strategy has exposed vulnerabilities in coverage, particularly against quick receivers who can stretch the field.

Denver at Baltimore

Bo Nix, the rookie quarterback, has shown significant improvement over his first NFL season, with his stats reflecting that growth. During his first four games, he managed just a 60% completion rate and averaged 4.8 yards per pass. However, over his last four games, he's upped those marks to a solid 67% completion and 7.1 yards per attempt. In Week 8, he posted his best game yet, completing 28 of 37 passes for 284 yards, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing score while avoiding turnovers. His development in poise and accuracy has been evident, showcasing the same qualities that earned him a first-round draft selection. This improvement is especially impressive given his limited receiving options, as Courtland Sutton stands as the only non-running back on the roster with over 20 catches this season. Sutton continues to play a pivotal role in the offense, contributing consistent playmaking ability. Although his target volume has decreased slightly as Nix becomes more comfortable, Sutton's efficiency has improved. His zero-target performance in Week 7 appears to have been an outlier, as he rebounded in Week 8 with his first 100-yard game of the season, with all of those yards coming in competitive game situations rather than garbage time. As this Broncos offense finds its rhythm, Sutton should continue to benefit from solid target share, creating opportunities for chunk plays and touchdowns as Nix progresses.

The Baltimore Ravens struggle to contain opposing passers, marking a significant vulnerability. Over the season's first eight games, seven quarterbacks have topped 265 passing yards against them, with four surpassing 325 yards. The one exception was Buffalo's Josh Allen, who stopped throwing early in a blowout win. Even Cleveland's backup, Jameis Winston, found success against this defense last week, throwing for significant yardage and engineering a late game-winning drive. Despite having talent in the secondary—two top cornerbacks and All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton—the Ravens defense has underperformed, particularly in defending short and intermediate routes and allowing yards after the catch. Issues in positioning have created openings up the seams, as players struggle to react quickly enough, with Hamilton and the linebackers being more effective against the run than the pass.