X vs. O: Breaking down Week 5's most intriguing tactical matchups

Between an NFC Championship Game rematch, a tilt between the top scoring offense and the league's best defense, and some intriguing divisional games, Week 5 of the NFL season has plenty of appealing contests on tap.

Without further ado, here's a look at key tactical questions from three matchups in particular that will go a long way toward determining the outcomes.

Vikings' double-moves vs. Eagles' secondary

Last season, these two teams met with a berth in Super Bowl LII on the line, as the Philadelphia Eagles dismantled the visiting Minnesota Vikings 38-7, paving the way for their first-ever championship.

The rematch, however, has a different flavor. The Vikings will travel east with a 1-2-1 record after losing to the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday, and sit just third in the NFC North. As for the Eagles, they're coming off an overtime loss in Tennessee that dropped them to 2-2.

In Philly, some criticism has been pointed at the secondary, particularly cornerback Jalen Mills. There have even been calls for Mills to be benched in favor of Sidney Jones or Rasul Douglas, and while head coach Doug Pederson waved off those ideas, there's certainly room for improvement. Specifically, Mills is often susceptible to double-moves by wide receivers, and the Titans targeted him early on those designs last week:

Here, Corey Davis (No. 84) runs an out-and-up route, and Mills (No. 31) bites on the break to the outside, allowing Davis to get separation on the vertical portion.

On Sunday, Mills will go up against a talented group of wide receivers that includes Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Both are very strong route-runners, and Diggs in particular has already demonstrated an ability to execute double-moves:

You can be sure the Vikings will look to isolate Mills on similar routes. How the cornerback responds might just write the story of this game.

Patrick Mahomes vs. Jaguars' defense

Through four games, the Kansas City Chiefs' offense led by budding star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been the most captivating storyline in the league. Overall, the Chiefs are the league's No. 1 scoring team, having dropped more than 36 points per game. And the legend of Mahomes grew larger in KC's comeback victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday night, as the QB led his team back from a ten-point deficit and even completed a pass with his left hand while being chased down by Von Miller.

Aside from Mahomes, the Chiefs' offense features an array of dangerous weapons - including Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt, Sammy Watkins, and Chris Conley - which makes it difficult for defenses to play standard coverage schemes against it. Basic zone coverages see weaknesses exposed, while man-coverage schemes often lack the talent to handle those skilled offensive players in one-on-one matchups.

However, standing in Kansas City's way Sunday will be the Jacksonville Jaguars, who feature the league's best defense. After a historically great 2017, the unit is off to another strong start this year, allowing a league-low 14 points per game and even slowing down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots a few weeks back.

Jacksonville's D might just have the individual talent to handle Kansas City's O. The Jaguars can look to a pair of lockdown cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, athletic linebackers in Myles Jack and Telvin Smith, and veteran safeties in Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson to handle Kansas City's weapons down the field.

But while the battle between the skill players might draw the most attention, this game could actually come down to the matchup in the trenches. The Broncos were able to generate some pressure on Mahomes throughout their meeting on Monday - often because they were willing to blitz the young QB and play straight man coverage behind it:

On the play above, the Broncos use a Cover 0, also known as a "zero blitz," sending six defenders after Mahomes while playing man coverage without any safety help downfield. Denver trusts its secondary to execute that man coverage without help, and the pressure forces a quick pass from the QB, which is off the target. Of course, without that instant pressure, the defenders in coverage could be exposed.

So, if the Chiefs’ offensive line handles defensive schemes like this on Sunday, Mahomes might find time to make plays downfield. But if the Jaguars’ defensive front can generate pressure, the young QB and his weapons could be in for a tough afternoon against a talented group of defensive backs and linebackers who should be up for the task.

Redskins' defense vs. Alvin Kamara in space

The Washington Redskins are 2-1 and sit atop the NFC East, and will enter Week 5 rested after an early bye week. But to earn a win against New Orleans, Washington will need to find ways to slow down Alvin Kamara and the Saints' explosive offense.

Indeed, the Saints have scored 34.3 points per game so far, good for third in the league. The unit could even get a boost this weekend with the return of running back Mark Ingram, but his star backfield mate, Kamara, is now the focal point. We already looked at how the Saints have used Kamara on the ground in our Week 4 By Design review piece, but his versatility in the passing game is an element that makes New Orleans even more difficult to defend.

For context, Michael Thomas, the talented Saints receiver, currently leads the NFL with 42 receptions, but Kamara is third in the league with 35. Plays like this show what he can bring to the table in space, especially in favorable matchups:

As seen above, Kamara can turn a quick out route against a linebacker into a big gain.

That play came in Week 1 against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that's struggled badly season. The Redskins are a different story. Washington boasts the No. 2 defense in the league by points allowed, sitting just behind the Jaguars. Those numbers might be a bit fluky given Washington's faced Arizona, Indianapolis, and Green Bay (and the Packers game was played in wet and rainy conditions) - but if they do slow down Kamara and Co., it'll start with the defense limiting damage after the catch:

On the play above, Aaron Rodgers checks the ball down to Ty Montgomery out of the backfield. The Redskins' defenders do a great job of rallying to the ball-carrier, and while the first defender misses his tackle, the next makes sure Montgomery gets to the ground. Kamara is slippery, and he'll get his targets and catches, so it will be interesting to see if Washington's tacklers are up to the task in the open field.

Mark Schofield writes NFL feature content for theScore. After nearly a decade of practicing law in the Washington, D.C., area Mark changed careers and started writing about football. Drawing upon more than a decade of playing quarterback, including at the collegiate level, Mark focuses his work on quarterback evaluation and offensive scheme analysis. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children. Find him on Twitter @MarkSchofield.