Key Matchups for Each NFC North Week 5 Game
Brady Vernon
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) @ Chicago Bears (3-1) (Thur. 8:20 PM EST, FOX/NFL)
BetQL betting lines: TB -3.5, O/U 44.5
Tristan Wirfs vs. Khalil Mack
Generally when Khalil Mack matches up with a rookie, it’s a huge advantage to the Chicago pass rusher. However, Thursday’s game will have Mack go against Tampa Bay’s first rounder Tristan Wirfs.
Wirfs is coming off a good performance against Los Angeles Charger Joey Bosa. Bosa was so impressed after last Sunday’s game that he told The Athletic’s Daniel Popper that Wirfs is “A good player, and he’s gonna be a great player.” According to PFF, Mack has created 18 hurries this season ranking behind only Myles Garrett and Shaquil Barrett.
Brandon Thorne from Establish the Run breaks down the Wirfs-Bosa matchup very well in this video below.
https://twitter.com/BrandonThornNFL/status/1313227412814077953?s=20
Tampa Bay has already ruled out wide receivers Chris Godwin, Justin Watson and running back LeSean McCoy. Leonard Fournette is listed as doubtful, while wide receivers Mike Evans and Scotty Miller are questionable leading into Thursday. For the Buccaneers offense to look good on Thursday, they’ll need a good performance from Tom Brady. If Mack can win the battle against Wirfs enough, it’s hard to imagine Brady can deliver that necessary performance.
Minnesota Vikings (1-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-0) (Sun. 8:20 PM EST, NBC)
BetQL betting lines: MIN +7, O/U 57.5
Throw at Tre Flowers, and throw at Tre Flowers some more
The Seattle Seahawks have a very good offense. The Minnesota Vikings don’t have a very good defense. Put two and two together, Seattle is likely to continue to score a lot of points. Therefore for the Vikings to keep this game competitive they’ll need to be ready for a shootout. Luckily for Minnesota, Seattle also has a struggling cornerback.
According to PFF, Seattle’s Tre Flowers ranks 102nd of 107 qualified cornerback in terms of its coverage grades. That’s lower than all Viking cornerbacks, a surprising statement. Shaquill Griffin, the better Seahawk boundary cornerback, doesn’t typically shadow the other team’s best receiver. Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson should both have productive days against Flowers.
Seattle also lacks a pass rush, drawing up a few deep shots against Flowers should be in Minnesota’s game plan. Will the Vikings take advantage? That will be seen on Sunday night.