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Dan Fornek evaluates the best and worst offensive lines in the NFL to provide insight to fantasy football managers ahead of Week 14 of the 2021 season.
Week 13 is officially in the books and the fantasy playoffs are on the horizon. Late bye weeks and injuries have ravaged fantasy football teams looking to make that all-important push for a playoff berth. Fantasy managers have been scrambling to find depth this season and looking for an edge to maintain their teams throughout the season. However, a little-discussed edge comes from understanding offensive line play. Unfortunately, like many skill players, offensive lines have struggled with injuries and inconsistencies this season.
In terms of injuries, Week 13 will go down as one of the healthiest weeks for offensive lines. Only four teams suffered injuries across their offensive lines during games, although the Jaguars and Seahawks both lost two linemen to injuries. Offensive line depth has also never been more important. 23 of 28 teams that played in Week 13 were missing at least one offensive lineman from their opening day starters. Unsurprisingly, the teams with the fewest injuries (Dallas, New England, Tampa Bay) are having the most success moving the ball.
Week 14 will once again be riddled with bye weeks that impact fantasy lineups. The Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots will all be on bye this week, which removes three of the better offensive lines (and the Dolphins) from player pools this week. With the fantasy playoffs coming up, it is as important as ever to target offenses that can have success to make that final push for seeding or a playoff appearance. The point of this article is to help break down offensive line matchups that can lead to the fantasy points you need to get that all-important late-season win.
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Champ of the Week
Detroit Lions
The Lions were able to secure their first victory of the season thanks to a stellar performance by their offensive line. According to PFF, all five of Detroit’s offensive linemen had a pass-blocking grade above 61 and an overall blocking grade above 63. Additionally, four linemen finished with a run-blocking grade above 61. Detroit allowed just two sacks, one quarterback hit, five hurries, and eight pressures against the Minnesota Vikings. The return of starting right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai was able to shore up the interior of the offensive line, leading to a solid pocket for Jared Goff.
When all was said and done, the Lions threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns while adding 27 carries for 100 yards on the ground. Things haven’t been great for Detroit’s offense this season, but their offensive line has gotten a chance to play together and developed into a solid unit in recent weeks. As of now, all five of Detroit’s offensive linemen (plus injured starting center Frank Ragnow) are under contract until 2024, which allows Detroit to add perimeter weapons and defensive help this offseason. Look for the Lions to continue to assert themselves as a top offensive line for the rest of 2021 and beyond.
Chump of the Week
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville’s offensive line had a rough day against a Rams defensive front that is starting to get acclimated to midseason acquisition Von Miller. Jacksonville’s five offensive linemen averaged a 49.6 pass-blocking grade, a 44.2 run-blocking grade, and a 47 overall blocking grade, according to PFF. The Jaguars also suffered injuries to center Brandon Linder and right guard Ben Bartch over the course of the game. Only Cam Robinson (54.1) and backup center Tyler Shatley (77.2) finished the game with an overall blocking grade above 50.
Jacksonville’s offense has been putrid this year thanks to a lack of receiving threats and a struggling run game, but a lot of these issues can be traced back to subpar offensive line play. Through 13 weeks, Jacksonville has the 30th run-blocking offensive line average (58.1) and 23rd overall blocking average (60.8), according to PFF. Jacksonville has plenty of holes to fill across their roster, but a complete offensive line overhaul may be in their future.
Matchups to Target
Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens
The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Cleveland’s offense. In Week 12, Cleveland produced just 262 yards of offense and just 10 points against Baltimore despite getting four interceptions from Lamar Jackson. Even worse, starting right tackle Jack Conklin was lost for the season with a knee injury in the loss. Backup tackle Blake Hance was forced into action in that game and struggled mightily (25 pass-blocking grade, 45 overall blocking grade).
While it may seem counterintuitive to play the Browns' offensive line against a team that shut them down two weeks ago, there are reasons to be optimistic for a bounce-back performance against the Ravens. Cleveland will have 14 days to rest and get healthy while getting Blake Hance ready to start for the remainder of the season at right tackle. Baltimore is coming off a one-point loss against the Steelers in a game where they failed to generate significant pressure against a far worse offensive line. The Ravens finished Week 13 with just six pressures, one sack, two quarterback hits, and three hurries. In addition, they lost their best cornerback (Marlon Humphrey) to a pectoral injury, which puts even more stress on the defensive line to generate pressure. Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and Jarvis Landry are must start this week against an injury-depleted Ravens defense. Austin Hooper has an interesting upside against a Ravens defense that allows the fourth-most fantasy points in the league to tight ends this season (10.4).
Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
Like Cleveland, the bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Green Bay Packers. The Packers secured a commanding victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, but their offensive line struggled to acclimate to life without Elgton Jenkins at left tackle. Green Bay finished the game with a pass-blocking grade and overall blocking grade under 50 thanks to 16 hurries and 19 pressures surrendered.
Thankfully for the Packers, Chicago’s defense is reeling thanks to a rash of injuries to their defensive line and pass rushers. Chicago didn’t generate a single sack or quarterback hit against the Cardinals in Week 13. In total, the Bears were able to get just five pressures and five hurries against Arizona’s offense. The Cardinals were able to use the lack of pass rush to their advantage, totaling 123 passing yards and two touchdowns. They added 35 carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while scoring 33 points. The Bears will be without Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks yet again, which should equal a big day for Green Bay on Sunday night. Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, and Davante Adams are lineup locks heading into Week 14’s game. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard are upside FLEX plays against a reeling Bears defense.
Los Angeles Chargers vs New York Giants
The Chargers' offensive line continues to be one of the top units in the NFL this season. All five of Los Angeles’ offensive linemen finished Week 13’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a run-blocking grade above 61 and an overall blocking grade of 62, according to PFF. Three of their starting linemen (left tackle Rashawn Slater, center Corey Linsley, and right guard Michael Schofield III) had a pass-blocking grade above 67. In total, the Chargers' offensive line held the Bengals to three sacks, three quarterback hits, three pressures, and nine hurries in a convincing 41-22 victory. A stellar blocking effort allowed Justin Herbert to have a great day passing (317 yards and three touchdowns) and Austin Ekeler to continue his great season out of the backfield (104 all-purpose yards and a touchdown).
Now, the Chargers will have a chance to continue their hot streak against a Giants defense coming off a solid Week 13 effort. On the surface, New York’s defensive front played well in a 20-9 loss against the Dolphins. The Giants finished the week with one sack, six hurries, and seven pressures. However, Miami has one of the worst offensive lines in the league (28th in pass blocking grades, 31st in run blocking grades, 31st in overall blocking grades), according to PFF. Meanwhile, the Giants are 28th in pass rushing and run defense this season. Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams are all excellent starts this week considering the mismatch in the trenches Los Angeles should have.
Matchups to Avoid
Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buffalo’s offense struggled to move the ball on Monday night thanks to awful weather conditions. However, their offensive line continued to be an underlying issue as it has for most of the season. On the season, the Bills are PFF’s 25th ranked run blocking offense (59.7 average) and 20th ranked overall blocking offense (61.5) on the year. That doesn’t bode well against a Buccaneers front-7 that is starting to find their stride. Since Week 10, Tampa Bay has generated nine sacks, five quarterback hits, 28 hurries, and 42 pressures against the Giants, Colts, and Falcons. Tampa Bay has six defensive linemen with at least 20 pressures and 15 hurries this season. Additionally, five players have at least three sacks and five quarterback hits on the year.
The Bills' offense has struggled to recapture the consistent success they had in the 2020 season. While they are still moving the ball through the air, Josh Allen has had to get the ball out faster thanks to pressure up front and a generally nonexistent run game. Allen and Stefon Diggs are the only true locks in Buffalo’s offense during Week 14. Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders are upside FLEX plays thanks to a questionable Buccaneers secondary. Tight end Dawson Knox and the running back trio of Devin Singletary, Matt Breida, and Zack Moss are all risky plays in a bad matchup this week.
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
The Raiders' interior offensive line had a rough day against the Washington Football Team in Week 13. Only center Andre James finished the game with a pass-blocking grade above a 46. In total, the interior offensive line allowed one sack, one quarterback hit, five hurries, and seven pressures. The combination of James, left guard John Simpson, and right guard Alex Leatherwood also failed to record a run-blocking grade above 65 and an overall blocking grade above 60.
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, things won’t get any easier in Week 14 against a resurgent Kansas City defense. Kansas City’s defense has been stellar since acquiring Melvin Ingram before Week 10. In those three games, Kansas City has allowed just 32 total points, including two games with less than 10 points allowed. The acquisition of Ingram (and the return of Frank Clark from injury) has allowed Kansas City to move Chris Jones back to the interior offensive line to wreak havoc. Kansas City’s defensive line had a stellar day in Week 13, generating 18 pressures, two sacks, six quarterback hits, and 10 hurries against a healthy Broncos offensive line. Josh Jacobs can be safely started this week purely due to volume and an expanded pass-catching role thanks to Kenyan Drake’s injury. If Darren Waller is healthy, then he’s a locked-in tight end starter (Foster Moreau also has an interesting upside if Waller can’t play again this week). Derek Carr is a risky QB2 this week, especially with Kansas City’s renewed pass-rushing ability against a porous Las Vegas offensive line.
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Atlanta’s offensive line has continued to struggle as pass blockers this season. Through 13 weeks, Atlanta is graded as PFF’s 25th pass-blocking offensive line (57.8 grade). On the season, Atlanta has allowed 150 pressures, 19 sacks, 44 quarterback hits, and 87 hurries this season. The lack of protection has caused the Atlanta passing game to suffer. The Falcons have won just one of their last four games and haven’t scored over 20 points since Week 10.
Carolina is coming off a necessary bye week after suffering an embarrassing loss to Miami in Week 12. While the Panthers’ offense has struggled this season, the pass rush has been a revelation thanks to young, athletic defensive linemen. The combination of Brian Burns, Haason Reddick, Derrick Brown, and Morgan Fox has been a nightmare for offensive lines this season. That group has generated 103 pressures, 27 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and 58 hurries in 12 games. In their Week 8 matchup, Atlanta finished with an average pass-blocking grade of 51 and an average overall blocking grade of 56. Cordarrelle Patterson is the only Falcon that can truly be started with confidence this week. Kyle Pitts and Russell Gage see enough target volume in the passing game to warrant a starting spot (Pitts at tight end and Gage as a FLEX). Matt Ryan is a risky play, especially if Atlanta once again struggles to keep him clean in the pocket.
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