Rookie receivers learn quickly that the NFL gets harder as the season goes on. Defensive coordinators build game plans around them, and opponents start assigning their best cornerbacks to take them away. The players who keep producing through that adjustment are the ones who turn into stars. For Denzel Boston, Sunday brings one of those tests against a cornerback who has been among the best in the league.
Bradley Locker of PFF named Boston vs. Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. among the 10 best player matchups to watch in Week 10.
“Collins vs. Ward is the meeting of two longtime great players, but Boston vs. Stingley represents the next generation of potential showstopping receiver-corner battles. Like the rest of Houston’s regressing defense, Stingley has had some trouble this season — producing a career-low 65.3 PFF receiving grade with a 92.4 passer rating allowed,” Locker wrote.
Stingley’s reputation is well earned. The former All-Pro has been one of the top defensive backs in football over the last few seasons, and he has the size and length to match up with physical receivers. He has still broken up 5 passes this season.
This year has not gone as smoothly, though. Along with the career-low grade and the 92.4 passer rating allowed, Stingley has given up 65 or more yards in 3 separate games. Locker grouped him with a Texans defense that has taken a step back, and Houston is allowing 24 points per game.
Boston is the kind of receiver who can take advantage. He leads all rookies with 507 receiving yards and has 32 catches and 3 touchdowns, averaging 15.8 yards per catch. He also leads rookies with 9 contested catches and has dropped just 1 of the 33 catchable passes thrown his way. Last week in New Orleans, he led the Browns with 6 catches for 98 yards, including a 60-yard reception.
His size is what makes this matchup so interesting. Boston is a big target who wins at the catch point, and that kind of physical receiver can give even elite cornerbacks trouble on contested throws. If Stingley plays tight coverage, Boston has shown he can still come down with the ball.
The toe injury is the only question. Boston missed practice Wednesday and Thursday after wearing a walking boot early in the week, but he returned Friday and indicated he expects to play.
His health matters for Deshaun Watson, who returns from the concussion protocol needing a reliable target on the outside. With Denzel Ward expected to see plenty of Nico Collins on the other side, the Browns’ passing game and their pass defense could both come down to these 2 battles.
NEXT: Browns’ Midseason Report Card Has Good News And A Warning
