RADIO
For many, Week 17 signals the end of the fantasy season. The fantasy managers who are reading this likely have a big matchup on the horizon as they attempt to secure an elusive fantasy championship.
Week 16 was a rough one for offensive lines across the league, specifically at the right tackle position. The Bengals lost La’el Collins with an ACL tear, the Eagles lost Lane Johnson with a groin/abdominal injury, and the Seahawks lost strong rookie right tackle Abraham Lucas to a thigh injury. The Packers, Texans, and Titans also lost tackles to injury.
To win the fantasy championship, managers have to pull out the stops, including analyzing the different offensive line matchups. Check out the article below to figure out the matchups to exploit in Week 17.
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Champ of the Week
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs leave Week 16 with the best offensive line grade in the NFL after a dominating performance up front against the Seattle Seahawks. Kansas City allowed just one sack and three total pressures on the day in their 24-10 victory.
All five of Kansas City’s offensive linemen finished the game with a PFF pass-blocking grade above 69.0. Additionally, four out of five linemen ended the week with a run-blocking grade above 64.0 and all five linemen scored a PFF grade above 67.0.
The Chiefs' offensive line is finding its groove at the right time as the team gears up for yet another postseason run.
Chump of the Week
Washington Commanders
The Commanders had a daunting challenge against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. Unfortunately, the unit was not up to the task and struggled mightily throughout the game.
None of Washington’s five starting offensive linemen finished with a pass blocking, run blocking, or overall PFF grade above 65.0. Samuel Cosmi, who rotated in at right guard and right tackle, fared better, but still had his struggles with the 49ers' strong defensive line. In total, the unit allowed one sack and 20 pressures on the day.
The 49ers are one of the toughest matchups in the league for any offensive line, but they destroyed a Washington unit that came into the week with playoff aspirations.
Matchups to Target in Week 17
Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Falcons' offensive line has continued to dominate all season despite the inconsistencies in their quarterback play. According to average PFF scoring, the unit ranks first in run blocking average (68.5), first in combined PFF grades (68.9), and 13th in pass blocking (65.7).
They come into Week 17 with a fantastic matchup against an overmatched Cardinals defensive line. According to PFF, Arizona ranks as the 24th run defense and 25th pass rush in the NFL this season. Only three players (J.J. Watt, Markus Golden, and Zach Allen) have more than 18 pressures this year. Additionally, Watt and Allen are the only players with more than 5.0 sacks.
Atlanta should have the ability to open up massive rushing lanes and the ability to give Desmond Ridder time down the field.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
The Vikings' offense has been a force throughout the fantasy playoffs thanks to strong offensive line play that has allowed Kirk Cousins to thrive.
Minnesota will hope to continue their strong play (and secure a big road victory) against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. According to PFF, the Packers feature a mediocre pass rush and run defense throughout 2022. No Packer has registered over 40 pressures this season, although three different players have 38 or 39 pressures.
Preston Smith leads the team with sacks (10), but the player with the second-most sacks on the team (Rashan Gary) hasn’t played since Week 9. Kirk Cousins should have ample time in the pocket to keep the Vikings' offense humming.
San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders
San Francisco’s offensive line hasn’t missed a beat despite the injury to Deebo Samuel and while starting Mr. Irrelevant (Brock Purdy) at quarterback the last three weeks. Part of that is thanks to stellar offensive line play.
San Francisco will have a great chance to keep the offense moving against an underwhelming Las Vegas defensive line. PFF has the Raiders ranked as their 21st-ranked pass rush and 17th-ranked run defense this season. Maxx Crosby has continued his stellar play this season (71 pressures, 14 sacks), but there is little help around him.
Only two other players (Chandler Jones and Bilal Nichols) have over 20 pressures this year. Jones is the only other player on defense with more than 2.0 sacks and he is likely going to miss the remainder of the year due to injury.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 17
New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles
The Saints' offense did just enough to secure a road victory against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16. Additionally, the offensive line put up one of their best games of the season against one of the most underwhelming defensive lines in the NFL this season.
It will be hard to imagine the Saints can replicate that performance against one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. According to PFF, the Eagles are the only defense in the NFL that features both a pass rush and run defense grade in the top-three.
Four different Eagles (Haason Reddick, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, and Brandon Graham) have 40 pressures and double-digit sacks this season. Additionally, Fletcher Cox has 29 pressures and 7.0 sacks.
This is a deep defensive front that will be matching up against a Saints offensive line that has struggled all season. Expect the Saints to struggle in all offensive phases in Week 17.
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Texans shockingly beat the reeling Tennessee Titans in Week 17 by putting together one of their best pass-blocking performances of the season. Houston allowed zero sacks and just seven total pressures against the Titans. However, they struggled largely as run blockers with just one lineman (A.J. Cann) finishing with a PFF run blocking grade above 57.
Unfortunately, things don’t get much easier for the Texans with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming into town looking for a playoff berth. Jacksonville features four different pass rushers with at least 30 pressures and two other players with 25 pressures.
Jacksonville also has 35 total sacks, including three players (Dawuane Smoot, Josh Allen, and Arden Key) with 5.0 or more sacks. The team will be without Smoot after he suffered an injury at the end of their game against the Jets in Week 17, but this is still a formidable front in his absence.
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