The Slate Sheet: NFL Matchup Research for September 13, 2026
NFL matchup context with league ranks, rushing usage and the exact recent-game samples behind each observation.
This is the 2026-09-13 pregame edition. Figures describe the sample at publication; roles, lineups and game conditions can change.
NFL matchup research for Sunday, September 13, 2026. Start with the league context, then check the underlying sample and the current personnel.
- Lions face a difficult rushing matchup
- Woody Marks: 9 of 10 carries inside the 20
- Titans have the stronger sack record in this matchup
- Giants bring the stronger recent rushing record
- Jaylen Wright: 8 of 14 carries inside the 20
- Packers face a pass rush with the better recent record
NFL · Rushing efficiency and run defense
Lions face a difficult rushing matchup
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Lions: 31st in rushing efficiency. Saints: 2nd in limiting it. A struggling run game meets a strong recent run defense.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions: rushing offense | 3.09 yards/carry | 31st of 32 | Most rushing yards per carry |
| Saints: run defense | 3.35 yards/carry | 2nd of 32 | Fewest rushing yards allowed per carry |
The Detroit Lions averaged 3.09 rushing yards per carry, 31st among NFL offenses in this sample. The New Orleans Saints allowed 3.35 yards per carry, 2nd for the fewest allowed. The league ranks explain the contrast: the run defense has the better standing relative to its peers. Watch the yardage gained on early rushing downs: repeated short gains could leave longer passing downs. The samples contain different opponents and do not forecast this game's average.
Sample: Last 4 / 4 team games before slate · includes 2025. 4 offense games · 4 defense games
Prior-season games are included. Different opponents and personnel limit the comparison.
Slatery trench report · source slate 2026-09-13. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Woody Marks: 9 of 10 carries inside the 20
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Woody Marks had 9 of 10 Texans carries inside the 20. Most of the recent rushing work near the end zone went his way.
| Measure | Recent result | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Player carries | 9 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 10 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 90.0% | 9 of 10 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Woody Marks took 9 of Houston Texans' 10 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 90.0% share identifies who received those rushing opportunities. It does not measure how many carries came at the goal line or establish a touchdown probability.
Sample: Last 4 team games before this slate · includes 2025. 4 team games · 10 team carries · 9 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-09-13. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Pass protection and pass rush
Titans have the stronger sack record in this matchup
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Titans rank 8th at avoiding sacks; Jets rank 30th at generating them. Good sack avoidance meets limited recent sack production.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titans: sacks allowed | 5.4 per 100 attempts | 8th of 32 | Fewest sacks allowed |
| Jets: sacks made | 2.9 per 100 attempts | 30th of 32 | Most sacks generated |
The Tennessee Titans allowed 5.4 sacks per 100 pass attempts, ranking 8th for the fewest allowed. The New York Jets generated 2.9 per 100 opposing pass attempts, ranking 30th for the most generated. Lower is better for the offense; higher is better for the defense. Good sack avoidance meets limited recent sack production. These are separate opponent samples, so the rates should not be subtracted. Watch whether the quarterback can complete his reads without pressure: sack history does not capture every hurried throw.
Sample: Last 4 / 4 team games before slate · includes 2025. 4 offense games · 4 defense games
Prior-season games are included. Different opponents and personnel limit the comparison.
Slatery trench report · source slate 2026-09-13. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing efficiency and run defense
Giants bring the stronger recent rushing record
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants · Kickoff 8:20 PM EDT
Giants: 3rd in rushing efficiency. Cowboys: 25th in limiting it. The offense brings the stronger recent rushing form.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giants: rushing offense | 4.84 yards/carry | 3rd of 32 | Most rushing yards per carry |
| Cowboys: run defense | 4.84 yards/carry | 25th of 32 | Fewest rushing yards allowed per carry |
The New York Giants averaged 4.84 rushing yards per carry, 3rd among NFL offenses in this sample. The Dallas Cowboys allowed 4.84 yards per carry, 25th for the fewest allowed. The league ranks explain the contrast: the offense has the better standing relative to its peers. Watch the yardage gained on early rushing downs: repeated short gains could leave longer passing downs. The samples contain different opponents and do not forecast this game's average.
Sample: Last 4 / 4 team games before slate · includes 2025. 4 offense games · 4 defense games
Prior-season games are included. Different opponents and personnel limit the comparison.
Slatery trench report · source slate 2026-09-13. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Jaylen Wright: 8 of 14 carries inside the 20
Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Jaylen Wright had 8 of 14 Dolphins carries inside the 20. He received a substantial share of the recent red-zone rushing work.
| Measure | Recent result | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Player carries | 8 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 14 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 57.1% | 8 of 14 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Jaylen Wright took 8 of Miami Dolphins' 14 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 57.1% share identifies who received those rushing opportunities. It does not measure how many carries came at the goal line or establish a touchdown probability.
Sample: Last 4 team games before this slate · includes 2025. 4 team games · 14 team carries · 8 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-09-13. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Pass protection and pass rush
Packers face a pass rush with the better recent record
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Packers rank 19th at avoiding sacks; Vikings rank 1st at generating them. The opposing rush has the stronger recent record.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packers: sacks allowed | 8.5 per 100 attempts | 19th of 32 | Fewest sacks allowed |
| Vikings: sacks made | 17.6 per 100 attempts | 1st of 32 | Most sacks generated |
The Green Bay Packers allowed 8.5 sacks per 100 pass attempts, ranking 19th for the fewest allowed. The Minnesota Vikings generated 17.6 per 100 opposing pass attempts, ranking 1st for the most generated. Lower is better for the offense; higher is better for the defense. The opposing rush has the stronger recent record. These are separate opponent samples, so the rates should not be subtracted. Watch whether the quarterback can complete his reads without pressure: sack history does not capture every hurried throw.
Sample: Last 4 / 4 team games before slate · includes 2025. 4 offense games · 4 defense games
Prior-season games are included. Different opponents and personnel limit the comparison.
Slatery trench report · source slate 2026-09-13. Open the supporting NFL report
What these numbers mean
League ranks describe the exact recent-game window shown with each observation. First is the strongest rank: fewer sacks or rushing yards allowed for a defense/protection measure, and more sacks generated or rushing yards gained for a production measure.
At the start of the season, a four-game window can include the previous season. Changes in personnel and opponents matter. Red-zone carries describe past usage, not touchdown probabilities.
Each observation keeps its original evidence and source date. Earlier observations remain readable after kickoff; they are records of the pregame research, not live game updates.
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