NFL Preview: 5 best WR/DB matchups in 2014

NFL previews (and the NFL as a whole) may not be as individually “star” driven as, per se, the NBA. Still, football is heavily focused on match-ups. True entertainment often involves seeing the best go against the best. With that said, the NFL is making things a bit more interesting on the outsides of the field. Despite ridicule for seemingly not allowing enough physical play by defenders (and I suppose some bigger receivers), a “point of emphasis” in the league this year will be illegal contact in the secondary. 

Via a video at their annual meeting, NFL officials were told:

"“Contact between receivers and defensive players prior to a pass will be a major point of emphasis this season. Defenders cannot initiate contact with eligible receivers more than five yards from the line of scrimmage when the quarterback is in the pocket with the ball. The covering official will recognize the contact and then look back to the quarterback. If he is in the pocket with the ball or in the process of releasing it, it will be a foul for illegal contact. A defender is entitled to an established position on the field beyond five yards. If he has that position, he can use his hands or arms only to defend himself from impending contact by a receiver. The defender cannot slide over and create contact with a receiver beyond five [yards]. Grabbing the jersey or any other part of a receiver’s uniform prior to a pass is defensive holding and will be called regardless of whether or not the official deems that the grab impeded or restricted the receiver. Receivers can use their hands or arms to ward off contact initiated by a defender, but cannot push-off to gain separation in an effort to catch a pass. Game officials will pay particular attention to actions at the top of the route such as these.”"

Basically, a lot of mumbo jumbo to say that things could get interesting, especially between the league’s best WR’s and CB’s. Here are five match-ups that you will not want to miss this season. And, with the contract Patrick Patterson just received (discussed later), cornerbacks across the league are going to be chomping at the bit to make the next splash in the money pool. And, by cornerbacks around the league, I mostly mean Richard Sherman. So, without further rambling, let’s start with Sherman:

Note: I tried to steer clear of repeating players and teams in match-ups, repetitiveness is no fun.