Week 5 Matchups to Monitor: BAL OL vs. HOU DL, NYJ vs. DAL, TB WR vs. SEA Coverage (2025 Fantasy Football)
Corbin Young examines several quick-hitting matchups to monitor in Week 5, including the matchup between the Cowboys and Jets.
We’ve examined several weekly matchups in a quick-hitting format for four different games, with the Cowboys and Jets being one of the most enticing from an offensive standpoint. We’ll highlight the Ravens’ offensive line matchup for their rushers, the Browns’ defensive line, and provide a relatively in-depth look at the Cowboys and Jets, as well as the Seahawks’ secondary facing the Buccaneers.
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Ravens’ OL vs. Texans’ DL
The Ravens’ offensive line ranks first in adjusted yards before contact per attempt (YBC/Att) while facing the Texans’ defensive line, allowing the 12th-fewest adjusted YBC/Att. That should be less favorable for Derrick Henry and the Ravens’ rushing attack without Lamar Jackson.
For context, Henry has the eighth-highest stuff rate at 57.1%, according to Fantasy Points Data, which defines stuff rate as the percentage of carries that were a stuffed run. Stuffed runs are carries that don’t result in a first down or a score, fewer than four yards on first down, and less than three on other downs. If you’re wondering, Henry had a 39.2% stuff rate while generating over three yards before contact (3.26) in 2024. That’s significantly worse in 2025 against a tough Texans’ defense.
Henry’s 59% snap rate, 58% rush percentage, and 2% target share in Weeks 1-2 shifted to a 45% snap rate, 56% rush rate, and a 7% target share in Weeks 3-4. Justice Hill took a snap share lead (56%) with a whopping 17% target share in Weeks 3-4. The rushing efficiency will dip with Cooper Rush as the quarterback with Jackson injured, meaning Hill might serve as a checkdown option.
The Ravens have been hit with injuries on the offensive and defensive ends. Their offensive line struggles to pass block, allowing the sixth-highest pressure rate. However, the Ravens face the Texans’ defensive line, which brings the 23rd-highest pressure rate. This might be scary for Rush if he feels pressured in Week 5.
Vikings’ OL vs. Browns’ DL
The Browns’ defensive line allows the lowest adjusted YBC/Att, while the Vikings’ offensive line generates the seventh-highest YBC/Att. That suggests it might be more of a strength-versus-strength type of matchup in Week 5. Jordan Mason boasts an above-average 2.55 YBC/Att, more than his YAC/Att (2.29).
If the Vikings struggle to establish the run game against the Browns, they’ll need to attack them through the air. The Browns’ defense has been better than expected. They’ve been pressuring the quarterback at the seventh-highest rate. Interestingly, Carson Wentz ranks third in completion rate over expected (CPOE) and 12th in catchable target rate, yet the fourth-worst in pressure-to-sack rate.
The Vikings put Ryan Kelly on injured reserve on Saturday, and they’re already down two other offensive linemen heading into Week 5. That might lead to Wentz checking down or making quick passes. Maybe there’s a sneaky opportunity for Zavier Scott, garnering a 14% target share with a 34% snap share in Weeks 3-4.
Jets’ OL Pressure vs. Cowboys’ DL Pressure
The Jets’ offensive line allows the highest pressure rate (55.1%) while facing a Cowboys’ defense that pressures the quarterback at the 10th highest percentage. Tyrod Taylor was more efficient as a passer, but Justin Fields ranked 20th in CPOE, 12th in catchable target rate, and fourth-highest pressure-to-sack rate against pressure.
When the Jets’ quarterbacks see pressure, they look toward Wilson, garnering a 57.9% first-read target share. They air it out to Garrett Wilson. That’s evident by a 44.5% air yards share, leading a team-high 1.83 yards per route run when opposing defenses pressure the quarterback.
Another way to neutralize the pressure involves running the ball effectively, which the Jets have been doing with Breece Hall. The Jets’ offensive line has been helpful, generating the third-most adjusted YBC/Att heading into Week 5. However, it’s worth noting the Cowboys’ defensive line allows the eighth-fewest adjusted YBC/Att.
Cowboys’ Pass Defense vs. Jets’ Pass Offense
This looks like a smash matchup for the Jets’ pass catchers because the Cowboys allow the most fantasy points per dropback (4.05), nearly one more point than the Dolphins at No. 2 (3.06). The Cowboys’ pass defense allows the most fantasy points per dropback when using man (2.07) and third-most against zone (0.55).
For context, the Cowboys’ pass defense often deploys zone (No. 1) and Cover 3 (No. 1). Wilson has been dominant against man cover and their most productive receiver versus zone. Mason Taylor might be a sneaky option against the Cowboys’ pass defense as the secondary option for the Jets’ passing offense.
That’s especially true when we filter by Cover 3. Taylor garners a 24% target per route rate behind Allen Lazard (25%) and ahead of Wilson (19%) against Cover 3. The rookie tight has been slightly more productive against Cover 3, evidenced by Taylor’s 2.34 yards per route compared to Wilson at 1.38. Both Taylor and Wilson have an identical 25.9% first-read target share, so both should be heavily involved against the Cowboys.
Cowboys’ Pass Offense vs. Jets’ Pass Defense
This game is quite intriguing, so let’s look at it from the Cowboys’ offensive standpoint. It’s fun because it projects to be one of the highest over/unders in Week 5 between 47 and 47.5 points.
Under Aaron Glenn, the Jets deploy man coverage at the seventh-highest rate while allowing the third-most fantasy points per dropback. They specifically like using Cover 1 (No. 7) and Cover 2 (No. 6). Previously, George Pickens crushed man coverage, but the season-long numbers don’t quite reflect that, with a 21% target rate and 1.52 yards per route run.
With KaVontae Turpin out, Ryan Flournoy should slide into more slot routes. Coming out of Southeast Missouri State, Flournoy was uber-productive, with a 42% Receiver Dominator and 2.86 Receiving Yards Per Team Pass Attempt throughout his college career. Don’t overreact to his three targets on eight routes against man coverage in 2025, or maybe he’s a sneaky player to watch. However, it should be the Pickens show again in Week 5 since Dak Prescott targeted him on the first-read 42.9% against the Packers.
Seahawks’ Pass Defense vs. Buccaneers’ Pass Offense
The Seahawks will be without Devon Witherspoon, but Derion Kendrick has been sneaky good in the slot. Kendrick leads the team in PFF Coverage Grade and allows the lowest passer rating among all cornerbacks with 10 coverage snaps and one target.
When we filter by slot coverage snaps only, Kendrick allows the lowest passer rating and the lowest yards per coverage snap in the slot among all cornerbacks and safeties with 10 or more coverage snaps. That’s notable for Sterling Shepard, who ran the highest percentage of his routes out of the slot (42.9%) among the primary options. However, the Buccaneers deployed Chris Godwin (34.9%) and Emeka Egbuka (34.1%) similarly in the slot and out wide.
The Seahawks use zone coverage at the fourth-highest rate, while allowing the sixth-lowest fantasy points per dropback. Egbuka has been the best zone option for Tampa Bay, with Shepard and Mike Evans behind the rookie.
Mike Macdonald’s defense uses tons of Cover 4 (No. 3) and Cover 6 (No. 5). That’s similar to how the Eagles deploy their coverages, ranking seventh in Cover 4 and sixth in Cover 6. In Godwin’s return, he garnered a 22% target rate with 1.22 yards per route run while facing the Eagles, who often use Cover 4 and 6. Meanwhile, Egbuka boasts a 28% target per route rate with a whopping 3.58 yards per route run against Cover 4 and 6. Shepard’s 12% target rate and 1.52 yards per route run were third on the team, not including Evans (28% target rate, 2.00 yards per route run), versus Cover 4 and 6.