RADIO
Six weeks are in the books and defenses continue to dominate to start the 2022 season. Nine games went under the opening projected scoring in Week 5. So far, at least eight games have gone under the opening scoring line every week of the season.
There were once again some major injuries across offensive lines in Week 5. The Broncos lost left tackle Garrett Bolles for the season with a broken leg. Bengals left tackle Jonah Williams played through an MCL injury. Miami left tackle Terron Armstead missed most of the game with a toe injury. Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson also missed a majority of the game with a leg injury.
Injuries on the line aren’t the only issue facing fantasy managers in Week 6 with bye weeks officially arriving to mess up fantasy lineups. Fantasy gamers will be missing players from the Lions, Texans, Raiders, and Titans this week. Check out the offensive line matchups to target for Week 6 to offset those losses below.
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Champ of the Week
Cleveland Browns
The Browns' offensive line keeps chugging along. Cleveland paced the overall offensive line grades in Week 5, finishing with an average unit score of 76.7 against the Los Angeles Chargers. It also helps when you have a running back that is capable of doing this:
The Browns' interior offensive line dominated in the run game in Week 5, with all three linemen finishing with at least an 80.0 PFF run-blocking score. The team also held up well in the pass, giving up just four pressures and zero sacks against a Chargers defensive line still trying to find their way without Joey Bosa.
Through five weeks, Cleveland’s collective offensive line has the best average run blocking (69.3) and overall offensive grades (70.3) according to PFF. They also have the eighth-best collective pass-blocking grade (67.5).
Chump of the Week
Washington Commanders
The Tennessee Titans had their way with a Washington offensive line that was missing two starters in Week 5. The Commanders finished the week with an average PFF grade of 45.7, just barely edging the Colts (49.2) as the week’s worst unit. The interior offensive line had no answers this week.
Only Charles Leno Jr. finished with an overall PFF grade above 50.0 for the Commanders in Week 5. He’s also the only lineman that didn’t give up a sack, a hurry, or a pressure during the week. Washington’s other four linemen combined to give up two sacks, five hurries, and 10 pressures on the day. That’s a big problem for a quarterback who struggles with interior pressure like Carson Wentz.
Matchups to Target in Week 6
New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns
The New England Patriots came into Week 5’s matchup against the Detroit Lions knowing their offensive line would have to hold up for 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe. They delivered a “clean sheets” game, finishing Week 5 with zero sacks, hits, hurries, or pressures on the day.
The Patriots put on a clinic up front, giving Zappe time to complete 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown while paving the way for Rhamondre Stevenson on the ground as well (161 rushing yards). Yes, Detroit’s defense has struggled this year, but the Patriots still held them in check for four quarters.
New England will have another great matchup to look forward to in Week 6 against the Browns struggling defensive line. Cleveland generated just nine pressures against the Chargers' makeshift offensive line in Week 5 and continued to struggle against the run. They are currently PFF’s last-ranked run defense in the NFL (34.8 grade).
Fire up Rhamondre Stevenson without hesitation in Week 6. New England’s quarterback (be it Zappe or Mac Jones) and Jakobi Meyers should continue to provide excellent fantasy value as well.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
The Cardinals' offensive line lacks star power, but they have been a very solid unit through the first five weeks of the season. According to PFF, Arizona’s five offensive linemen have combined to average the 13th-best pass-blocking average (63.7), 18th-best run-blocking average (61.2), and 13th overall grades (62.6).
The Cardinals faced a daunting task in Week 5, taking on the Eagles' deep and aggressive defensive line. And for the most part, they were up to the challenge. The Cardinals' offensive linemen finished the day with just one sack and 16 pressures allowed against Philadelphia.
The Cardinals will have a much easier task in Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks rank bottom-10 in both run defense and pass defense according to PFF. This game is projected to shoot out, so make sure to get your Cardinals players in your lineup this week.
Washington Commanders at Chicago Bears
The Commanders’ offensive line is coming off an abysmal performance against the Titans in Week 5. Thankfully, Week 6’s Thursday night matchup against the Bears should be enough to set things right.
According to PFF, Chicago is the only team in the NFL that has a bottom-3 run defense and pass defense grade through five weeks. Chicago has generated just 58 total pressures and 10 sacks through five games this season. No Bears defensive lineman has a pass-rushing grade above 69.0 this year.
This should be a get-right game for the Commanders' offensive line on a short week of rest. Carson Wentz and his pass catchers should have the time to make plays downfield this week. Also, look for Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson to have plenty of room to run the ball as well.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 6
Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The Colts went through the offseason without making any significant upgrades along the offensive line. Through five games, we can confidently say this was a mistake.
Indianapolis shifted their entire offensive line against Denver in Week 5. Bernhard Raimann got his first start at left tackle, Danny Pinter got his first start at center, right tackle Braden Smith kicked down to right guard and left tackle Matt Pryor flipped over to right tackle. Unfortunately for the Colts, the results looked about the same.
Indianapolis surrendered five sacks and gave up 21 pressures to the Broncos in their win Thursday night. The move to right tackle did little to help Matt Pryor as he gave up three sacks and nine pressures on his own. Indianapolis’ starting offensive linemen have now given up 12 sacks and 55 pressures in just five weeks.
Week 6 won’t offer much of a break for the Colts with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming into town to finish their season series. Jacksonville dominated the Colts upfront in their Week 2 matchup, generating two sacks and nine pressures during the game. Indianapolis will have to get right up front in a hurry to avoid a repeat performance.
Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers
The Rams' offensive line is a mess and it is causing Matthew Stafford to struggle to move the ball down the field. Los Angeles has been forced to shuffle the players through their offensive line to start the season and just moved David Edwards to the injured reserve. That’s not great for a unit that looked like this against the Cowboys in Week 5.
The Rams finished with an average PFF pass-blocking grade of 37.9 in Week 5’s game thanks to two sacks and 24 pressures against Dallas’ front seven. Through five weeks, the Rams have the worst pass-blocking offensive line according to PFF thanks to a 53.1 collective pass-blocking grade.
Things won’t get much better against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina just fired their coaching staff, but they are brimming with talent across their front seven. The Panthers have generated 88 pressures through the first five weeks, led by Brian Burns (24) and Matt Ioannidis (14).
That’s bad news for a Rams offensive line that just can’t stay healthy or keep players away from Matthew Stafford.
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