Philadelphia Eagles: 6 Matchups to watch versus NFC West opponents

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DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2. The Philadelphia Eagles got Darius Slay for matchups like the one they have on December 20th.

This might be one of the best positional duals of the entire Eagles season. While Nickell Robey-Coleman versus Larry Fitzgerald will be intriguing, Darius Slay versus DeAndre Hopkins should be a matchup to remember regardless of the outcome. Week 15 will be the first time these two have ever gone head-to-head, and it could be an opportunity for Slay to further prove himself as not only a top ten corner but maybe as the best of the best.

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The expectation for Darius Slay this year is that he’ll follow the top receiving threat on the other team on almost every single down. That’s what the three-time Pro Bowl nod did best in Detroit, including what he did it under Jim Schwartz in his rookie year. Slay can do it all. He can get physical and press at the line, or he can give cushion and still make plays as evidenced by his 19 career interceptions and 104 career passes defended.

DeAndre Hopkins isn’t afraid to get physical either. That’s the name of his game. He’s gotten a First-Team All-Pro nod in each of the last three seasons and has dominated his competition. He’s missed just two career games and has missed the 1,000-yard mark in just two of his seven seasons.

Throw the ball anywhere near him and he’s probably going to come down with it. You won’t see him misjudge too many passes, but we’ll have to wait and see if that changes in Week 15. If the Eagles are to be successful in this one, what Slay does versus Hopkins will go a long way in helping decide how this one turns out. Hopkins is going to get his like he does almost every Sunday, but Slay just needs to prevent any game-changing plays. This one could go either way.

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