The Slate Sheet: NFL Matchup Research for September 27, 2026
NFL matchup context with league ranks, rushing usage and the exact recent-game samples behind each observation.
This is the 2026-09-27 pregame edition. Figures describe the sample at publication; roles, lineups and game conditions can change.
NFL matchup research for Sunday, September 27, 2026. Start with the league context, then check the underlying sample and the current personnel.
- Texans have the stronger sack record in this matchup
- Zach Charbonnet: 16 of 20 carries inside the 20
- Steelers bring the stronger recent rushing record
- Raiders face a pass rush with the better recent record
- Christian McCaffrey: 21 of 28 carries inside the 20
- Ravens bring the stronger recent rushing record
- Derrick Henry: 16 of 23 carries inside the 20
- Kyren Williams: 15 of 23 carries inside the 20
NFL · Pass protection and pass rush
Texans have the stronger sack record in this matchup
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Texans rank 1st at avoiding sacks; Colts rank 31st at generating them. Good sack avoidance meets limited recent sack production.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texans: sacks allowed | 0.8 per 100 attempts | 1st of 32 | Fewest sacks allowed |
| Colts: sacks made | 2.9 per 100 attempts | 31st of 32 | Most sacks generated |
The Houston Texans allowed 0.8 sacks per 100 pass attempts, ranking 1st for the fewest allowed. The Indianapolis Colts generated 2.9 per 100 opposing pass attempts, ranking 31st 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 2026-09-27. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Zach Charbonnet: 16 of 20 carries inside the 20
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Zach Charbonnet had 16 of 20 Seahawks 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 | 16 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 20 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 80.0% | 16 of 20 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Zach Charbonnet took 16 of Seattle Seahawks' 20 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 80.0% 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 · 20 team carries · 16 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-09-27. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing efficiency and run defense
Steelers bring the stronger recent rushing record
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Steelers: 3rd in rushing efficiency. Bengals: 30th in limiting it. The offense brings the stronger recent rushing form.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers: rushing offense | 5.57 yards/carry | 3rd of 32 | Most rushing yards per carry |
| Bengals: run defense | 5.37 yards/carry | 30th of 32 | Fewest rushing yards allowed per carry |
The Pittsburgh Steelers averaged 5.57 rushing yards per carry, 3rd among NFL offenses in this sample. The Cincinnati Bengals allowed 5.37 yards per carry, 30th 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 2026-09-27. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Pass protection and pass rush
Raiders face a pass rush with the better recent record
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Raiders rank 29th at avoiding sacks; Saints rank 3rd at generating them. The opposing rush has the stronger recent record.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders: sacks allowed | 13.5 per 100 attempts | 29th of 32 | Fewest sacks allowed |
| Saints: sacks made | 13.0 per 100 attempts | 3rd of 32 | Most sacks generated |
The Las Vegas Raiders allowed 13.5 sacks per 100 pass attempts, ranking 29th for the fewest allowed. The New Orleans Saints generated 13.0 per 100 opposing pass attempts, ranking 3rd 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 2026-09-27. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Christian McCaffrey: 21 of 28 carries inside the 20
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers · Kickoff 4:05 PM EDT
Christian McCaffrey had 21 of 28 49ers 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 | 21 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 28 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 75.0% | 21 of 28 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Christian McCaffrey took 21 of San Francisco 49ers' 28 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 75.0% 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 · 28 team carries · 21 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-09-27. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing efficiency and run defense
Ravens bring the stronger recent rushing record
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Ravens: 2nd in rushing efficiency. Cowboys: 24th in limiting it. The offense brings the stronger recent rushing form.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens: rushing offense | 5.87 yards/carry | 2nd of 32 | Most rushing yards per carry |
| Cowboys: run defense | 4.84 yards/carry | 24th of 32 | Fewest rushing yards allowed per carry |
The Baltimore Ravens averaged 5.87 rushing yards per carry, 2nd among NFL offenses in this sample. The Dallas Cowboys allowed 4.84 yards per carry, 24th 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 2026-09-27. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Derrick Henry: 16 of 23 carries inside the 20
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Derrick Henry had 16 of 23 Ravens 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 | 16 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 23 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 69.6% | 16 of 23 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Derrick Henry took 16 of Baltimore Ravens' 23 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 69.6% 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 · 23 team carries · 16 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-09-27. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Kyren Williams: 15 of 23 carries inside the 20
Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos · Kickoff 8:20 PM EDT
Kyren Williams had 15 of 23 Rams 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 | 15 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 23 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 65.2% | 15 of 23 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Kyren Williams took 15 of Los Angeles Rams' 23 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 65.2% 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 · 23 team carries · 15 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-09-27. 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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