The Slate Sheet: NFL Matchup Research for October 4, 2026
NFL matchup context with league ranks, rushing usage and the exact recent-game samples behind each observation.
This is the 2026-10-04 pregame edition. Figures describe the sample at publication; roles, lineups and game conditions can change.
NFL matchup research for Sunday, October 4, 2026. Start with the league context, then check the underlying sample and the current personnel.
- Packers run game walks into a wall
- Ashton Jeanty: 17 of 19 carries inside the 20
- Pass-rush edge: Vikings rush vs Dolphins line
- Protection edge: Rams line vs Eagles pass rush
- Pass-rush edge: Seahawks rush vs Chargers line
- Ground-game edge: Jaguars run game vs Bengals run D
- Pass-rush edge: Raiders rush vs Chiefs line
- Ground-game edge: 49ers run game vs Broncos run D
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 18 of 21 carries inside the 20
- Ground-game edge: Lions run game vs Panthers run D
- Christian McCaffrey: 8 of 13 carries inside the 20
NFL · Rushing efficiency and run defense
Packers run game walks into a wall
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Packers: 29th in rushing efficiency. Buccaneers: 1st in limiting it. A run game that's been stuck meets a defense that's been stuffing it.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packers: rushing offense | 3.45 yards/carry | 29th of 32 | Most rushing yards per carry |
| Buccaneers: run defense | 2.84 yards/carry | 1st of 32 | Fewest rushing yards allowed per carry |
The Green Bay Packers averaged 3.45 rushing yards per carry, 29th among NFL offenses in this sample. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed 2.84 yards per carry, 1st 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 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Ashton Jeanty: 17 of 19 carries inside the 20
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Ashton Jeanty had 17 of 19 Raiders carries inside the 20. When they get close, it's his ball.
| Measure | Recent result | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Player carries | 17 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 19 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 89.5% | 17 of 19 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Ashton Jeanty took 17 of Las Vegas Raiders' 19 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 89.5% 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 · 19 team carries · 17 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Pass protection and pass rush
Pass-rush edge: Vikings rush vs Dolphins line
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings · Kickoff 4:05 PM EDT
Dolphins rank 30th at avoiding sacks; Vikings rank 1st at generating them. A rush that gets home against a line that's been leaking.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins: sacks allowed | 11.7 per 100 attempts | 30th of 32 | Fewest sacks allowed |
| Vikings: sacks made | 14.4 per 100 attempts | 1st of 32 | Most sacks generated |
The Miami Dolphins allowed 11.7 sacks per 100 pass attempts, ranking 30th for the fewest allowed. The Minnesota Vikings generated 14.4 per 100 opposing pass attempts, ranking 1st for the most generated. Lower is better for the offense; higher is better for the defense. A rush that gets home against a line that's been leaking. 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 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Pass protection and pass rush
Protection edge: Rams line vs Eagles pass rush
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Rams rank 5th at avoiding sacks; Eagles rank 30th at generating them. One of the cleanest pockets in football against a rush that rarely gets there.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rams: sacks allowed | 4.0 per 100 attempts | 5th of 32 | Fewest sacks allowed |
| Eagles: sacks made | 3.3 per 100 attempts | 30th of 32 | Most sacks generated |
The Los Angeles Rams allowed 4.0 sacks per 100 pass attempts, ranking 5th for the fewest allowed. The Philadelphia Eagles generated 3.3 per 100 opposing pass attempts, ranking 30th for the most generated. Lower is better for the offense; higher is better for the defense. One of the cleanest pockets in football against a rush that rarely gets there. 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 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Pass protection and pass rush
Pass-rush edge: Seahawks rush vs Chargers line
Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Chargers rank 31st at avoiding sacks; Seahawks rank 7th at generating them. A rush that gets home against a line that's been leaking.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers: sacks allowed | 11.8 per 100 attempts | 31st of 32 | Fewest sacks allowed |
| Seahawks: sacks made | 9.6 per 100 attempts | 7th of 32 | Most sacks generated |
The Los Angeles Chargers allowed 11.8 sacks per 100 pass attempts, ranking 31st for the fewest allowed. The Seattle Seahawks generated 9.6 per 100 opposing pass attempts, ranking 7th for the most generated. Lower is better for the offense; higher is better for the defense. A rush that gets home against a line that's been leaking. 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 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing efficiency and run defense
Ground-game edge: Jaguars run game vs Bengals run D
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals · Kickoff 1:00 PM EDT
Jaguars: 7th in rushing efficiency. Bengals: 30th in limiting it. Strength meets weakness on the ground.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars: rushing offense | 4.70 yards/carry | 7th of 32 | Most rushing yards per carry |
| Bengals: run defense | 4.76 yards/carry | 30th of 32 | Fewest rushing yards allowed per carry |
The Jacksonville Jaguars averaged 4.70 rushing yards per carry, 7th among NFL offenses in this sample. The Cincinnati Bengals allowed 4.76 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 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Pass protection and pass rush
Pass-rush edge: Raiders rush vs Chiefs line
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Chiefs rank 24th at avoiding sacks; Raiders rank 2nd at generating them. A rush that gets home against a line that's been leaking.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs: sacks allowed | 9.3 per 100 attempts | 24th of 32 | Fewest sacks allowed |
| Raiders: sacks made | 14.2 per 100 attempts | 2nd of 32 | Most sacks generated |
The Kansas City Chiefs allowed 9.3 sacks per 100 pass attempts, ranking 24th for the fewest allowed. The Las Vegas Raiders generated 14.2 per 100 opposing pass attempts, ranking 2nd for the most generated. Lower is better for the offense; higher is better for the defense. A rush that gets home against a line that's been leaking. 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 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing efficiency and run defense
Ground-game edge: 49ers run game vs Broncos run D
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
49ers: 5th in rushing efficiency. Broncos: 27th in limiting it. Strength meets weakness on the ground.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers: rushing offense | 4.83 yards/carry | 5th of 32 | Most rushing yards per carry |
| Broncos: run defense | 4.65 yards/carry | 27th of 32 | Fewest rushing yards allowed per carry |
The San Francisco 49ers averaged 4.83 rushing yards per carry, 5th among NFL offenses in this sample. The Denver Broncos allowed 4.65 yards per carry, 27th 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 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Jahmyr Gibbs: 18 of 21 carries inside the 20
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers · Kickoff 8:20 PM EDT
Jahmyr Gibbs had 18 of 21 Lions carries inside the 20. When they get close, it's his ball.
| Measure | Recent result | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Player carries | 18 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 21 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 85.7% | 18 of 21 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Jahmyr Gibbs took 18 of Detroit Lions' 21 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 85.7% 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 · 21 team carries · 18 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing efficiency and run defense
Ground-game edge: Lions run game vs Panthers run D
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers · Kickoff 8:20 PM EDT
Lions: 11th in rushing efficiency. Panthers: 32nd in limiting it. Strength meets weakness on the ground.
| Measure | Recent result | NFL rank | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions: rushing offense | 4.40 yards/carry | 11th of 32 | Most rushing yards per carry |
| Panthers: run defense | 5.35 yards/carry | 32nd of 32 | Fewest rushing yards allowed per carry |
The Detroit Lions averaged 4.40 rushing yards per carry, 11th among NFL offenses in this sample. The Carolina Panthers allowed 5.35 yards per carry, 32nd 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 2026-10-04. Open the supporting NFL report
NFL · Rushing work inside the 20
Christian McCaffrey: 8 of 13 carries inside the 20
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers · Kickoff 4:25 PM EDT
Christian McCaffrey had 8 of 13 49ers carries inside the 20. When they get close, it's his ball.
| Measure | Recent result | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Player carries | 8 carries | Inside opponent's 20-yard line |
| Team carries | 13 carries | Same area · 4 team games |
| Share of carries | 61.5% | 8 of 13 |
Over the 4 team games in this report, Christian McCaffrey took 8 of San Francisco 49ers' 13 carries inside the opponent's 20-yard line. The 61.5% 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 · 13 team carries · 8 player carries
Previous-season games are included; roles can change. Carries do not equal touchdowns.
Slatery red-zone report · source slate 2026-10-04. 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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