RADIO
Week 3 was a bloodbath for offensive lines across the NFL. 13 teams lost at least one starter in the trenches in Week 3. Several starters will be out for the rest of the season. That’s bad news for a position group struggling to start the season.
Despite the injuries, we did see a slight uptick in offensive line performance in Week 3. 12 teams finished the week with an average PFF grade above 65.0. We also got some awesome performances from the highly touted 2024 draft class.
Identifying strong (or weak) matchups in the trenches is an underutilized ability to unlock the ultimate upside in fantasy football. Check out the matchups to target and avoid in Week 4 of the NFL season below.
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Champ of the Week
Detroit Lions
It isn’t surprising that Detroit’s stellar offensive line was able to dominate an undermanned Cardinals defensive line.
Detroit’s collective starters finished with an average PFF pass-blocking grade of 73.5, a run-blocking grade of 75.7, and an overall PFF grade of 75.6. The group combined to allow just two sacks and three pressures in the win.
David Montgomery going O-Line surfin'#DETvsAZ | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/cuyXM0C8s5
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 22, 2024
The right side of the offensive line (Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, and Penei Sewell) was especially dominant, finishing with at least an 81.0 PFF grade. Detroit’s running backs finished with six runs of 10+ yards in the game.
It wasn’t all good news for the Lions now that we have learned that center Frank Ragnow will miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury. However, that did little to stop them from being the top unit in Week 3.
Chump of the Week
Cleveland Browns
Things have gotten ugly quickly for one of the team’s most talented offensive lines. Cleveland was excited to get Jedrick Wills Jr. back in Week 3, but the joy was short-lived after he was limited to 40 of 67 snaps with a knee injury.
But things got worse from there. Wills’ injury forced the team to move its left guard (Joel Bitonio) to left tackle and its center (Ethan Pocic) to left guard. The team then lost starting right guard (Wyatt Teller) for the foreseeable future with a knee injury.
That, combined with the continued struggles of Dawand Jones (48.7 PFF grade), led to a mess up front. The normally stout Browns offensive line allowed four sacks, 14 hurries, and 21 pressures up front.
There's no doubt in my mind that Dawand Jones is close to if not already at the 400-pound mark right now.
He can barely move. #Browns #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/u9PcMKrFNm
— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) September 23, 2024
Time will tell if Wills misses any additional time this season, but this unit has been far from great and could potentially be without three starters next week.
Matchups to Target
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Eagles lost two starters on the offensive line in Week 3 (Mekhi Becton and Lane Johnson) but were still dominant up front in a win against the resurgent Saints.
Backup right guard Tyler Steen was downright dominant, finishing with an 88.1 PFF protection grade, 72.3 run blocking grade, and 79.6 PFF grade on 57 snaps. Backup right tackle Fred Johnson was strong as a run blocker (83.2 PFF grade), but struggled in protection (five pressures on 33 protection snaps).
Tyler Steen played 57 snaps in relief yesterday and he gave up 0 sacks, 0 hurries, 0 QB hits, and 0 pressures on the QB.
Turned 24 a few months ago, and was given the 3rd best pass blocking grade for offensive linemen in week 3. To have this luxury with your 6th/7th offensive… pic.twitter.com/OmqPmEcR9Y
— Philly Nation (@Philly__Nation) September 23, 2024
Time will tell if either of their starters will be healthy enough to play in Week 4, but the team may choose to rest them in an advantageous matchup against the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay was without Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea on the interior, and their presence was sorely missed. The team generated just 10 pressures against an average Broncos offensive line. The Broncos also averaged 4.9 yards per carry.
Time will tell how many of the Eagles offensive starters will be available in Week 4. But this unit should have no problem controlling the game on the ground against an ailing Buccaneers defensive line.
Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati’s offensive line was solid in the team’s loss to the Commanders. All five of the team’s starting offensive linemen finished with a PFF grade above 60.0 and combined to allow just one sack and 10 pressures.
Unfortunately, the team suffered a significant loss at right tackle with Trent Brown suffering a season-ending torn patellar tendon. That leaves the mega-talented and ultra-raw rookie (Amarius Mims) set to take over.
Amarius Mims has the patience of a 10 year vet in pass protection. He gets to his spot and doesn't get antsy. Just calmly waits for the pass rusher to throw out a move and then clamps down. pic.twitter.com/qvyOhEr6bj
— mike (@bengals_sans) September 24, 2024
Mims will hopefully stay healthy despite injury concerns of his own but should get a good acclimation game against the Panthers in Week 4.
Carolina’s defensive line was just fine against an inconsistent Raiders offensive line, generating 23 pressures and three sacks in a crucial win. Jadeveon Clowney generated seven of his 10 pressures and logged his only sack of the year in the win.
Make no mistake, the Panthers defensive line is void of talent with Derrick Brown out of the equation. The Bengals should have no problem giving Joe Burrow time to operate in the pocket and opening rush lanes for Zack Moss and Chase Brown up front.
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston’s offensive line has not lived up to its talent through three weeks, but this unit is being presented with an excellent “get right game” against the Jaguars in Week 4.
Just two of Houston’s offensive linemen (center Juice Scruggs and right tackle Tytus Howard) have a PFF grade above 62.0. The group has allowed 23 pressures and nine sacks on the year.
Jonathan Greenard revenge game did not disappoint. Absolutely love this guy https://t.co/xOqiElyaml pic.twitter.com/CbcoZ2IFv5
— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) September 24, 2024
This group should have few issues with a Jaguars defensive line that has struggled with consistency to start the season. Josh Hines-Allen is the only player on the line with a PFF grade above 58.0. He’s the only player on the team with more than eight pressures.
Jacksonville has been one of the bigger disappointments in 2024 and this game should continue that trend. This matchup could very well be the turning point for the Texans offensive line getting back on track.
Matchups to Avoid
Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders
The Browns’ patchwork offensive line will get a big test in Week 4 against a Raiders defensive line with star power.
Both Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins have a pass rush grade above 61.0, a run defense grade above 70.0, and a PFF grade above 69.0. Crosby has generated 11 pressures and three sacks on his own this season. Wilkins has four pressures and a sack on the interior as well.
Christian Wilkins shows great lateral movement as he controls his gap. Causes Joe Alt to run into his RB. Destroys the run play all on his own! #StopTheRun #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/n7ASkTiIDz
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 8, 2024
The group outside these players is far less reliable, but that may not matter much with Cleveland’s offensive line trying to piece together a starting unit.
Deshaun Watson has struggled to get the offense on track amid pressures and an inconsistent run game. The Raiders could feast on an injury-ravaged group in Week 4.
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions
Seattle’s offensive line is a solid unit that is still trying to find its stride. It has a star at left tackle (Charles Cross, 88.7 PFF grade) surrounded by a cast of good veterans.
The team is undoubtedly missing Abraham Lucas and George Fant at right tackle, but Stone Forsythe (64.7 PFF grade) has performed admirably on 188 snaps this season. This group will be put to the test by a greatly improved Lions defensive line.
Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson has the fourth most sacks (6.5) and is tied for the third most QB Hits (11) of any player through the first three games in the last 25 seasons (2000-2024). pic.twitter.com/rgMF8OMSZo
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) September 24, 2024
Aidan Hutchinson (25 pressures and seven sacks) has been a force of nature this season. The team is also getting excellent production from interior defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (12 pressures and two sacks).
Not only does Detroit have star power, but it has an excellent amount of talented depth. Eight different players have at least 48 snaps played this year. All of them have at least one pressure. Seattle’s offense has looked good under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, but his offensive line will be tested in Week 4.
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
Chicago’s defensive line doesn’t have much name recognition, but the group has shown the ability to get after the passer across the line.
Six different players have at least four pressures this season. Four players have at least seven. Chicago has struggled to turn pressures (46) into sacks (seven), but it is still speeding up quarterbacks consistently.
The Rams, on the other hand, are operating with an offensive line that is held together by duct tape after three weeks. The team is missing two key starters (Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson) and is getting underwhelming performances from everybody not named Rob Havenstein.
The 49ers highest-graded defensive players against the Rams, per PFF:
1. Maliek Collins: 76.9
2. Ji'Ayir Brown: 71.6
3. Fred Warner: 71.0
4. Nick Bosa: 69.6
5. Javon Hargrave: 69.1
6. Talanoa Hufanga: 68.6pic.twitter.com/AAZ7jpDGyn— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 23, 2024
Los Angeles is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry this season. Just one lineman (Havenstein) has a PFF grade above 62.0. The team has allowed just nine sacks but has given up 49 pressures in three games.
The strength of Chicago’s team right now is its suffocating defense. Don’t be surprised if Matthew Stafford struggles to operate the offense behind a bad offensive line while missing his top two offensive weapons (Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua) in the passing game.
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