Tales of the Tape: Breaking down key Week 6 matchups

The game of football is all about matchups. Each week, we will use the Xs and Os to highlight some critical showdowns on the upcoming schedule.

Cincinnati's issues were many in second-level coverage during the 43-17 loss. On the Gronkowski touchdown, for example, two linebackers cheated toward Shane Vereen out of the backfield; Gronkowski was allowed a free release into the middle of the field, resulting in an easy pitch-and-catch.

Pass. Catch. Touchdown.

​How the Bengals choose to defend Olsen will dictate a lot of what Newton can attempt in the passing game. Without Burfict's presence, the Panthers' tight end could be in line for a Gronkowski-style showing.

The 2014 version of Devin Hester will not look like the model Bears fans came to know over his final years in Chicago. He is an important, versatile piece of Atlanta's passing offense.

The full play:

As the Raiders defense illustrates, when one defender misreads this type of play, it has a knack for snowballing into larger problems. Green Bay's mission is to prevent those breakdowns.