Go here for this week's Rushing Matchups.

Top 5 Passing Matchups

Cincinnati at Baltimore

The Bengals, currently a middling 4-5, have shown flashes of high-caliber passing, especially with Joe Burrow healthy and leading the way. Ranking 11th in net yardage rate and sitting second in the league in touchdown passes, this air attack is one of the more effective in the NFL. Burrow’s numbers dipped slightly prior to a standout Week 9 game, where he exploded for five touchdowns against the Raiders. Missing Tee Higgins has impacted the Bengals’ passing dynamics, often shifting their strategy to shorter, more conservative throws. However, even with Higgins likely sidelined again for Week 10, Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase remain potent forces. Chase has become the focal point of the offense in Higgins' absence, commanding over 30% of team targets in the past two weeks. The Bengals are utilizing him mainly on screens, but with his skill set, he remains a consistent deep threat. Chase’s 10.2 yards per target ranks him 24th among 187 qualifiers, underlining his efficiency and playmaking ability. This week presents an appealing matchup for him, as he dominated the Ravens back in Week 5 with 10 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Mike Gesicki has also been impactful in recent games, especially in favorable matchups. Playing on about half of the team’s snaps, Gesicki has posted 173 yards and two touchdowns over the last two games and could see similar involvement here.

The Ravens, despite holding Super Bowl aspirations, continue to struggle defensively, particularly against the pass. Their pass defense ranks last in the NFL, allowing explosive performances on a near-weekly basis. While Baltimore has faced a challenging lineup of quarterbacks, it’s concerning that nearly every passer has found success. Six of their nine opponents have topped 275 yards, and four of the last five have thrown multiple touchdowns. The Ravens’ defensive struggles seem to be rooted in depth issues and perhaps a misaligned scheme, not a significant talent drop-off. Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens are dependable cornerbacks, but they haven’t been able to contain passers on their own. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins, who returned from injury alongside Humphrey in Week 9, has been inconsistent, alternating between flashes of dominance and allowing costly plays. Until the Ravens can solidify this secondary, Burrow and his pass-catchers, led by Chase and Gesicki, are well-positioned to exploit this vulnerable unit in Week 10.

San Francisco at Tampa Bay

Brock Purdy and the 49ers head into Week 10 looking for a bounce-back performance after a rough outing against Kansas City in Week 8. Purdy’s recent play has shown a mix of both the highs and lows typical of a developing quarterback, but his ability to capitalize on softer matchups has been impressive. Against weaker pass defenses, he’s delivered strong results, posting 515 yards at an efficient 9.5 yards per attempt, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. Purdy’s struggles have largely come from a rotating lineup, with star players like Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel Sr. all missing time. However, he seems to be finding a rhythm even without his full complement of weapons. He performed well against the Cowboys by targeting George Kittle frequently, demonstrating a growing ability to utilize his secondary receivers effectively. This week, he may benefit from the return of Samuel and Jauan Jennings, both of whom would provide a significant boost to San Francisco's offensive potential. Jennings, who recorded 263 yards and three touchdowns in Weeks 3 and 4, should be a valuable fill-in for Aiyuk if needed, while McCaffrey’s presence, if he’s healthy enough to play, would enhance both the yardage and scoring opportunities across the board.

The matchup itself appears promising, as Tampa Bay’s pass defense has struggled immensely as the season has progressed. Beset by injuries and facing high-powered offenses, they now sit 30th in pass defense, with a recent stretch that’s exposed their limitations even further. Over the past three games, they’ve allowed 283 passing yards per game and 8.3 yards per throw, ranking near the bottom of the league. This period excludes Kirk Cousins’ explosive Week 5 performance, where he threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns against them. Tampa Bay’s secondary is notably lacking in talent, especially with top cornerback Jamel Dean sidelined. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. remains a versatile playmaker, but he can only cover so much ground. With Dean out, unproven names like Tykee Smith and Josh Hayes have taken on larger roles, but they’ve struggled against both speedy and physical receivers. Recent games saw Rashod Bateman and Darnell Mooney exploit the secondary’s gaps with deep catches, while the physical DeAndre Hopkins put up 86 yards and two touchdowns last week. Even elite tight ends have found success against this unit, making this a matchup ripe for Purdy to exploit with Kittle, and potentially Samuel and McCaffrey, in the mix.

Philadelphia at Dallas

Jalen Hurts continues to be a reliable fantasy producer, especially given his rushing ability, but his recent success through the air has only added to his value. Over Philadelphia’s four-game winning streak, Hurts has reached peak efficiency, completing 72% of his passes and averaging an impressive 10.2 yards per attempt. His passing yards per game sit at a modest 211, but that number is deceptive, given the blowouts that have limited his opportunities. This week’s close 1.5-point spread suggests a more competitive game script, which should allow Hurts to leverage both his rushing and passing talents fully. The timing couldn’t be better, as Hurts finally has his elite wide receiver duo, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, healthy and on the field together. Brown’s Week 9 knee injury appears minor, and he’s expected to play in this crucial divisional matchup. Over the last four games, both Brown and Smith have topped 60 yards three times each, underscoring the efficiency and versatility of Philadelphia’s passing game. Given the recent struggles of the Dallas defense, Hurts seems primed for another productive outing.

The Cowboys’ defense, which started the season strong, has faltered in recent weeks. Since Week 3, opposing quarterbacks have completed 71% of their passes against Dallas. This decline coincides with injuries to key defenders like Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, and DaRon Bland. Although Parsons has a decent chance of returning for Week 10, he’s unlikely to solve all of the defense’s issues single-handedly. Bland’s absence, in particular, has forced Dallas to lean heavily on Jourdain Lewis and Caelen Carson in coverage, both of whom have struggled as full-time players. Even star corner Trevon Diggs has been inconsistent this season. The result has been a vulnerable secondary: opposing wide receivers have scored five touchdowns over the last three weeks, with five different receivers topping 70 yards in that span. That number doesn’t include standout performances from tight ends, like George Kittle’s 6 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 or Sam LaPorta’s 52-yard touchdown in Week 6. While Dallas’s defense is working to get healthy, it remains a unit with exploitable weaknesses, especially against a high-octane Eagles offense led by a red-hot Hurts.