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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 9 of the 2021 season.
With the conclusion of Week 8, we are about halfway through the fantasy season. From an offensive line perspective, last week featured some of the best and worst performances we have seen in terms of offensive line play. Six teams finished Week 8 with an average overall blocking grade above a 70 according to PFF. Both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers were able to put together overall grades above a 75 as a unit. However, there were also some truly abysmal performances as well. Six teams failed to reach a 60 overall average blocking grade across the offensive line in Week 8, highlighted by the Houston Texans, who failed to average a 50 overall blocking grade against the Los Angeles Rams.
There were several significant injuries across offensive line units in Week 8 as well. The Cowboys lost left tackle Tyron Smith to an ankle injury that could result in some missed games. Additionally, the Browns lost their right tackle Jack Conklin to a significant elbow injury. Both offensive lines have been playing extremely well this season, so these losses could have significant impacts if they go on for an extended period of time.
Now that we are halfway through the NFL season, this article will start to become more focused on information to help fantasy players make waiver moves and ultimately set their lineups. While there will still be a champ and chump of the week, the remainder of the article will be looking at possible matchups to target as fantasy teams are making a push for the playoffs and a potential championship. NFL teams are starting to separate into contenders and pretenders at this point in the season, meaning there is plenty of valuable information that can be used to make fantasy moves down the stretch.
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Champ of the Week
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City’s offense continued to struggle, but it wasn’t because of the offensive line. The Chiefs ended Week 8 with an average overall blocking grade of 82.2, the best in the NFL this season. All five of Kansas City’s offensive linemen finished with a pass-blocking grade above 73 and an overall grade above 76 against the New York Giants according to PFF. Additionally, four of their offensive linemen had a run-blocking grade of at least 76. Rookies Creed Humphrey (center) and Trey Smith (right guard) were especially impressive. Humphrey finished Week 9 as PFF’s highest-graded offensive lineman, finishing with a 94.8 run-blocking grade and a 94.2 overall blocking grade. Smith was an absolute force in the run game, including this devastating block on a run play.
Kansas City will need Patrick Mahomes to return to form in order to make a playoff push, but if the offensive line can keep coming together like this, then the Chiefs will be a force to be reckoned with the rest of the season.
Chump of the Week
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans’ offensive line was absolutely overmatched against the Rams' front four in Week 8. Houston allowed three sacks, 13 hurries, and 16 pressures in a game that looked closer than it was thanks to a few garbage time scores. The positives for Houston: Geron Christian Sr. had a solid day as a pass blocker (80.7) and overall (68.7) according to PFF. They also got a chance to play the Rams without newly-acquired edge rusher Von Miller. Outside of that, there were few silver linings for the Texans' offensive line unit. Outside of Christian, no offensive linemen surpassed a 52 pass-blocking grade or a 47 overall blocking grade. No Texans’ linemen scored above a 60 in PFF’s pass-blocking grades. Right guard Max Scharping had an extremely rough day, posting a 20.4 pass-blocking grade and a 38.6 overall blocking grade according to PFF. Getting matched up against Aaron Donald certainly didn’t help matters.
Houston is missing several significant pieces across the offensive line, including left tackle Laremy Tunsil and starting center Justin Britt. Even with that, it was an extremely poor showing for a team that needs all the help they can get to keep up with opposing offenses week in and week out.
Matchups to Target
Dallas Cowboys vs Denver Broncos
The Dallas Cowboys offense is a fantastic fantasy target most weeks, but they have a chance to explode in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had been solid generating a pass rush this season, but most of the heavy lifting had been done by recently traded edge rusher Von Miller. Miller led the Broncos in total pressures (28), sacks (4), quarterback hits (4), and hurries (19). Without him, the Broncos' edge rush becomes very mediocre until Bradley Chubb is able to return from ankle surgery. Dallas was able to use strong offensive line play against a good Minnesota pass rush to buy Cooper Rush time in the pocket and win a game without Dak Prescott. That could very well be an indicator of what's to come against a Broncos defense that lost their most impactful player on the edge.
The Cowboys’ offensive line may be without Tyron Smith in Week 9 thanks to an ankle injury. However, they can easily move La’el Collins back into his right tackle spot and flip Terence Steele (who has played well during Collins’ suspension) over to the left side. The strength of the Broncos’ defense is on the interior at the moment, which is also Dallas’ strength on offense.
Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard should have ample running room against a Broncos defense trying to find their footing without their veteran leadership. Additionally, Dak Prescott should return this game and have ample time in the pocket to find all of his receiving weapons. The Dallas offense is a green light in fantasy lineups for Week 9.
San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals
The 49ers are coming off a game where they dominated across the offensive line as both run and pass blockers in a must-win game against the Chicago Bears. The 49ers' offensive line was instrumental in the run game, opening up massive lanes for rookie Elijah Mitchell so he could make explosive plays to secure the victory.
San Francisco comes into Week 9 with a crucial matchup with potential playoff implications against the Arizona Cardinals, a division rival. On the surface, Arizona’s defense has been dominating this season and would come into this game with an advantage. However, the loss of J.J. Watt had an immediate impact against the Packers in Week 8. The Cardinals were only able to generate three quarterback hits, seven hurries, and 10 pressures against a Green Bay offensive line missing their starting left tackle and center. Watt still leads the team in total pressures (28), quarterback hits (11), and hurries (16) despite playing in one fewer game than a majority of his teammates on defense.
Additionally, the Cardinals struggled to contain the run against the Packers, which is San Francisco’s calling card. Green Bay had 34 carries for 151 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 thanks to the two-headed attack of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Outside of defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (68.2), no defensive linemen scored above a 60 run-blocking grade according to PFF. Watt’s primary role on defense was in the run game, which could mean a big day for Elijah Mitchell (assuming his rib injury subsides). Deebo Samuel is also a great play considering his role as a short to intermediate target with massive yards after the catch ability.
Los Angeles Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles
The Chargers may have lost to the New England Patriots in Week 8, but their offensive line had a solid day against a complex defensive front. Only one offensive lineman surrendered a sack to the Patriots and as a team, the Chargers allowed 11 hurries and 13 pressures. The Chargers’ linemen also had some big plays in the run game, allowing Austin Ekeler to rack up 124 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia has an excellent rotation of defensive linemen that are all excellent pass rushers. Eight defensive linemen for the Eagles have at least a 60 pass-rushing grade according to PFF. However, as good as the Eagles are rushing the passer, they are equally bad against the run. Just three of the Eagles' defensive linemen have a run-blocking grade above a 60. On the season, Philadelphia has allowed running backs to carry the ball 201 times for 871 yards and eight touchdowns and 61 receptions on 70 targets for 435 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles are allowing 22.8 fantasy points per game to the running back position, the fourth most in the NFL this season.
Austin Ekeler is an absolute must-start this week in any and all formats. Now that the obvious is out of the way, a stout pass rush typically dictates that the quarterback has to get the ball out fast to avoid taking hits and sacks in the pocket. Keenan Allen and Jared Cook could have a big day running routes in the middle of the field. Mike Williams is in a high-volume spot, but runs deeper routes and will likely draw the attention of Darius Slay, making him a weaker play overall this week.
Matchups to Avoid
Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers
Justin Fields is coming off his best game as a Chicago Bear, but there is serious cause for concern heading into Week 9. Chicago’s offensive line has struggled against teams with strong edge-rushing all season. The left and right tackles have combined to allow seven sacks, four quarterback hits, 16 hurries, and 27 pressures on the season. Additionally, center Sam Mustipher has had a rough sophomore season, grading out with a 58 pass-blocking grade and 53 overall grade through eight weeks. That is bad news for the Chicago offense. Pittsburgh has a combination of T.J. Watt (23 pressures, eight sacks, six hits, nine hurries) and Alex Highsmith (10 pressures, two sacks, three hits, five hurries) coming off the edges this week. Additionally, Cameron Heyward (26 pressures, three sacks, two hits, 21 hurries) will be attacking up the middle. It will likely be another long day for Fields on Monday night, making him an easy fantasy fade despite four teams on bye in Week 9. Khalil Herbert still has interesting upside this week given his role and success the past few weeks.
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots
The Panthers' offense has struggled the last few weeks and unfortunately, Week 9’s matchup against the Patriots won’t provide an opportunity to get their issues fixed. The Patriots utilize a rotation of defensive linemen and edge rushers to generate pressure and force quick passes. On the season, New England has 127 pressures, 20 sacks, 24 quarterback hits, and 83 hurries. The combination of Matthew Judon’s power rushing and Josh Uche’s speed accounts for most of the problems, but Christian Barmore has also been stellar getting interior pressure in his rookie season. Carolina’s offensive line has combined to average a 56.17 pass-blocking grade according to PFF, which ranks 30 out of 32 teams in the NFL this season. Right tackle Taylor Moton and center Matt Paradis have been solid this year, but the rest of the Panthers’ linemen haven’t been able to string together consistently good games.
It’ll be hard to trust whichever quarterback gets the start for the Panthers this week, although it is nearly impossible to justify benching D.J. Moore thanks to his high-volume role in the passing game. If Christian McCaffrey is out again this week, Chuba Hubbard remains an interesting play at running back considering the Patriots have allowed 17.9 fantasy points to opposing backfields this season. If the Panthers can keep this game close, then he could be poised for a big day in Week 9.
Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams
The Titans' offensive line was going to have their hands full against the Rams in Week 9 even before Los Angeles added Von Miller during the trade deadline. With him in the fold, their jobs get even worse. Before adding Miller, the Rams relied on Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd to generate a consistent pass rush. That system has proven successful so far this year. Donald and Floyd have combined for 70 pressures, 14 sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 48 hurries on the season. Add in Von Miller (28 pressures, five sacks, four hits, and 19 hurries in seven games with Denver) and you get a defensive front where you can’t afford to double team anybody. The Titans have been solid at the tackle position despite several Taylor Lewan injuries but really struggled with interior pressure this season. Aaron Donald will likely have to be double-teamed, leaving Floyd and Miller with advantageous one-on-one matchups on the edge.
The Titans offensive players will be a tough play this week outside of A.J. Brown as Tennessee tries to figure out life without Derrick Henry for the rest of the season.
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