RADIO
Week 11 has come and gone and the divide is starting to grow between the best and worst offensive lines in the NFL. Week 12 will be another week where we have a full slate of games, so expect that divide to expand even further.
Last week was a relatively quiet week on the injury front, with only Jets left tackle Mekhi Becton suffering a significant injury. Many teams started rotating injured starters back into their lineups, but for the most part, it was a clean week in the trenches.
Finding any possible edge in a fantasy matchup is key to securing a playoff spot and ultimately a fantasy championship. Check out the offensive line matchups to target and avoid in Week 12 below.
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Champ of the Week
Philadelphia Eagles
There was plenty of commotion about how frequently the Chiefs got home against Jalen Hurts in the first half of the game on Monday night, however, most of that pressure was generated through blitzing and didn’t reflect on the play of the offensive line. Philadelphia’s line firmed up in the second half, which helped them secure a victory in a rematch of the 2022 Super Bowl.
In total, the Eagles' offensive line allowed just two sacks and five pressures against an aggressive Chiefs defense. All five of Philadelphia’s offensive linemen finished with a run-blocking grade above 68.0 and an overall grade of 69.0 according to PFF. The Eagles continue to be one of the most dominant offensive lines in the NFL and are finally healthy again, which is trouble for anybody left on their schedule.
Chump of the Week
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers' offensive line continues to struggle with cohesion midway through the 2023 season. Carolina was simply outmatched against the Cowboys and truly didn’t have any answers to stop Dallas’ defensive line headlined by Micah Parsons.
In total, Carolina’s offensive line was credited with seven sacks and 22 pressures surrendered against Dallas. Only right tackle Taylor Moton finished with a pass-blocking grade above 24.0 and an overall grade above 58.0. The right side of the line especially struggled, surrendering all seven of the team’s sacks and 15 of the team’s 22 pressures.
Bryce Young’s struggles are well documented, but until the team shows they can protect him it is hard to put these struggles completely on his shoulders.
Matchups to Target in Week 12
Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles continue to battle for the top offensive line in the NFL spot after 11 weeks of the NFL season. The Lions feature PFF’s top-ranked run-blocking unit (67.3), top-ranked average grade (68.8), and eighth-ranked pass-blocking group (67.5) despite cycling through different line combinations to start the year.
The Lions offensive line surrendered just eight pressures to the Bears in a historic come-from-behind victory in Week 12 and now face off against a Packers defense that has had some struggles to start the season. Green Bay’s defensive line is solid at generating pressure (161 pressures and 25 sacks), but the group leaves a lot to be desired in run defense.
This should be an excellent matchup for a Detroit offense that wants to grind opponents down in the run game.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Raiders continue to stack strong performances across their offensive line, which has helped the team remain competitive in many games despite the turmoil in the coaching ranks.
The Raiders feature the fourth-highest average PFF pass-blocking grade (68.4) and overall average grade (65.8) through 11 weeks, making them one of the top-ranked offensive lines in the NFL. They will have their hands full against an aggressive Kansas City defense but should be able to provide time for Aidan O’Connell in the pocket once again this week.
The Chiefs feature just two pass rushers (George Karlaftis and Chris Jones) with more than 24 pressures and six sacks this season.
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers
The Ravens came into this season with an excellent offensive line that had arguably the best depth in the NFL. So far, that depth has been tested and has passed with flying colors. Baltimore was once again without Ronnie Stanley in Week 11, but it didn’t matter as the team allowed just one sack and 11 pressures to the Bengals in a Thursday night victory.
Baltimore will have a much easier time against a Chargers defensive line that just lost experienced edge rusher Joey Bosa for the foreseeable future. Los Angeles still has a formidable duo of edge rushers in Khalil Mack (47 pressures and 12 sacks) and Tuli Tuipulotu (33 pressures and seven sacks), but little else outside those players.
The Chargers have struggled to stop the run on the interior once again in 2023, so the Ravens should be able to execute their offense with ease in Week 12.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 12
Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Cardinals' offensive line woes continued in Week 11, with the team surrendering one sack and nine pressures to an underwhelming Houston Texans defensive line. The Cardinals hold PFF’s 31st-ranked average offensive line grade (56.4) and run blocking grade (56.4) heading into Week 12.
The Rams aren’t the most formidable defensive line, but their strengths align perfectly with Arizona’s weaknesses. The combination of Aaron Donald (47 pressures and six sacks), Byron Young (33 pressures and five sacks), and Michael Hoecht (22 pressures and three sacks) do just enough to give quarterbacks fits. The Rams also feature five box defenders with run defense grades above 68.0 this season.
Kyler Murray has shown enough mobility to escape the pocket now that he is back from his torn ACL, which will help to neutralize some of the Rams' ability to generate pressure. Still, this could get ugly for Arizona in Week 12.
New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins
The Jets suffered another massive injury to their offensive line when Mekhi Becton was knocked out of the team’s game against the Bills after just eight snaps. The ankle injury is expected to sideline him for a while, leaving the Jets without their top two offensive linemen (Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker) heading into Week 12.
That could mean a very long day for Tim Boyle under center. The Dolphins' edge rushing trio of Bradley Chubb (39 pressures and eight sacks), Jaelen Phillips (24 pressures and six sacks), and Andrew Van Ginkel (22 pressures and four sacks) should be able to pressure off the edges, allowing Christian Wilkins (36 pressures and five sacks) the ability to disrupt up the middle.
Fantasy managers likely weren’t going into Week 12 expected much from the Boyle-led Jets offense, but things may be especially brutal against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers at Tennessee Titans
The Panthers' offensive line likely won’t be having a get-right game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12. The Titans not only have Jeffery Simmons (37 pressures and five sacks) disrupting from the interior but also utilize Denico Autry (26 pressures and six sacks) and Arden Key (24 pressures and three sacks) complementing him along the line.
The Titans' defense hasn’t been as strong as many expected coming into this season, but the Panthers offer an excellent opportunity for a get-right game for any defensive line given how they are currently playing.
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