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11 weeks have come and gone in the NFL season, which means the fantasy playoffs are just around the corner. Whether you are at the top of the standings or fighting for a playoff spot, Week 12 will feature a unique challenge.
Six teams are on bye in Week 12, forcing fantasy managers to get creative to fill holes in their starting lineups. It certainly doesn’t help that numerous teams we have come to rely on this season will not be playing in Week 12.
Understanding the different edges in the NFL has never been more important. Check out the offensive line matchups to target and avoid in Week 12 below.
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Champ of the Week
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles got Jordan Mailata back from injury in Week 11 and immediately returned to establishing themselves as a dominant force in the trenches.
Saquon Barkley reached a top speed of 20.78 mph on his 23-yard TD run, his fifth run of the season over 20 mph, most in the NFL.
Barkley also leads the NFL in explosive runs (10+ yards) in the second half of games this season (16).
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/Iz0FGWDiYE
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 15, 2024
Philadelphia’s offensive line had few problems with the Washington Commanders defensive line last week. The unit combined for an average 77.9 pass-blocking grade, an 81.3 run-blocking grade, and an 83.5 PFF grade. The group allowed just three pressures on the game (all by center Cam Jurgens).
Only one player posted a PFF pass-blocking grade below 75.0 (Jurgens). Additionally, one player had a run-blocking grade below 82.0 or a PFF grade below 85.0 (right guard Mekhi Becton).
The Eagles offense dominated on the ground, racking up 40 carries for 228 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. More importantly, the team secured a key win to maintain control of the NFC East ahead of the playoffs.
Chump of the Week
Washington Commanders
As impressive as Philadelphia’s performance on the offensive line was, it was arguably its defensive line that had the biggest impact on the game. The Eagles defense has been one of the best groups in the NFL over the last few weeks. Week 11’s game against Washington solidified that ranking.
Jordan Davis doesn't show up much on stat sheets. But Here he takes on a double team, Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith shut down the frontside of the run, and Brian Robinson is forced to cut back right into Josh Sweat and Milton Williams. Great team run defense. pic.twitter.com/njKlO39tg8
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) November 19, 2024
The Eagles generated two sacks and 14 pressures against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in Week 11. Only one of Washington’s offensive linemen had a pass-blocking grade above 60.0 (center Tyler Biadasz). Collectively, Washington’s starters averaged a 45.0 pass-blocking grade and a 51.9 PFF grade in the loss.
Washington has been one of the most surprising teams this season relative to expectations. However, Week 11 showed that it has a lot to figure out in the trenches if it wants to make a playoff run in 2024.
Matchups to Target in Week 12
Kansas City Chiefs at Carolina Panthers
The Chiefs offensive line has continued to find stability since Wanya Morris entered the starting lineup.
Kansas City allowed just one sack and eight pressures against the Bills in its first loss of the season. The Chiefs' starting five offensive linemen finished with an average pass-blocking grade of 67.0, a run-blocking grade of 71.1, and an overall PFF grade of 69.1.
Andy Reid running this Texas play from last week for the first play of the game with…Xavier Worthy pic.twitter.com/T9suNFBwT1
— MA𝕏 𓅓 (@maxinluvv) November 17, 2024
On the season, the Chiefs offensive line has the third-highest PFF grade (68.1) and pass-blocking grade (69.3), as well as the seventh-highest run-blocking grade (66.1). They are one of two teams (Indianapolis) to rank top-10 in all three categories.
The Chiefs will have a clear advantage in the trenches against a Panthers defensive line lacking talent and production. Just three of Carolina’s box defenders have more than 10 pressures (and none more than 20). Additionally, Carolina has generated just 13 sacks this season.
Things aren’t much better against the run. Carolina features just one defensive lineman/edge defender with a run defense grade above 61.0 (Jadeveon Clowney). Carolina has allowed a league-worst 160.1 rushing yards per game this season. That is nearly 10 yards worse than the next closest team.
Isiah Pacheco couldn’t be returning in a better matchup. Additionally, Patrick Mahomes should have plenty of time to get all of his pass-game weapons involved thanks to a minimal pass rush.
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
The 49ers offensive line has given up pressures this season (94) but done a good job of buying Brock Purdy enough time to avoid sacks (four allowed). The real strength of this unit lies in its ability to run-block (67.7 average run-blocking grade).
Fell for the Brock Purdy pump fake, literally. pic.twitter.com/xdqLjC7I7Y
— Screen JunkieXL (@nineralex) November 17, 2024
Its strengths match up well with the areas where the Packers defense has struggled in 2024. Green Bay can generate pressures from multiple places across the defensive line (seven players with 10 or more pressures), but its defensive line has struggled to convert those pressures into sacks. Just 19 of its 29 sacks have come from a defensive lineman this season.
The 49ers should find little resistance in establishing the run in this matchup. Over the last three weeks, the Packers have allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game to opposing running backs (131.3 yards per game). That includes 179 rushing yards against the Bears in Week 11.
Christian McCaffrey should be able to get back on track this week, but Purdy also has an intriguing upside in this matchup, given how frequently he’s moving the ball on the ground. The veteran quarterback has at least four rushing attempts in his last eight games. He’s gone over 20 rushing yards five times during that stretch.
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders
Bo Nix has been fantastic in his rookie season, providing a dual-threat upside while helping guide the Broncos to a potential playoff berth in the AFC. However, his offensive line isn’t getting credit for just how stellar it has been in 2024.
Bo Nix drops a crazy dime like this nearly every week.
The Broncos have themselves a STUD in their rookie QB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gIhAlffAGN
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) November 19, 2024
Denver’s offensive linemen have allowed just 64 pressures and eight sacks in 2024, despite having eight different players log at least 150 snaps. Denver currently holds the best average pass-blocking grade in the NFL (71.2) and seventh-best PFF grade (66.2).
It will face off against one of the most underwhelming defensive units of the 2024 season in Week 12 when it visits the Las Vegas Raiders.
Las Vegas has just five players with more than 10 pressures this season. It has only generated 23 sacks as a team. Maxx Crosby accounts for 37 pressures and seven sacks on his own. Vegas has been middle of the pack against the run (125.1 yards per game allowed), but that isn’t Denver’s plan.
Expect Nix to stay hot in this matchup, thanks to ample time to attack the defense. Pass-catchers like Courtland Sutton and Devaughn Vele have interesting upside as well, given their roles in the offense during Denver’s hot streak.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 12
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
Things continue to get worse for the Titans offensive line. Minnesota generated 20 pressures and converted five sacks against it in Week 11. Tennessee also struggled to get the run game going, generating just 33 rushing yards on 19 carries in the loss.
When you play the Vikings, your pass protection has to be sound and prepared for all-out pressure looks.
The Titans ... did not get that memo here. pic.twitter.com/uBXVA8mu2e
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 19, 2024
The Titans have given up 138 pressures and 25 sacks in 10 games this year. Will Levis has been pressured on 34.5% of his dropbacks this season, the fifth-worst mark of any quarterback in 2024. That is bad news with the Houston Texans on tap in Week 12.
Houston has three different players who have at least 27 pressures this season (Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., and Tim Settle). It has seven players with at least 10 pressures. The Texans have 34 sacks on their 202 collective pressures on the season.
Expect the Titans offense to struggle once again in 2024 in a matchup that attacks its weaknesses upfront.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
The Raiders will face a struggle in the trenches on both sides of the ball in Week 12.
Las Vegas has six different offensive linemen who have allowed at least 10 pressures this year, headlined by rookie right tackle DJ Glaze (24) and left tackle Kolton Miller (19). The team has also given up 22 sacks collectively this season.
This is the game Chop Robinson had against the Raiders. He played a disruptive role, forcing Gardner Minshew to get the ball out in a Tua-like average of 2.4 seconds. Minshew struggled with accuracy while moving his feet to try and counter the disruption. pic.twitter.com/ea6dlwMqun
— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) November 19, 2024
Meanwhile, the strength of the Broncos defense lies in its ability to put consistent pressure on the quarterback. Zach Allen (52 pressures and seven sacks) is quietly having an excellent season on the interior offensive line. Previously unproven edge-rushers like Jonathon Cooper (36 pressures and seven sacks) and Nik Bonitto (34 pressures and nine sacks) have been awesome in larger roles.
Las Vegas won’t be able to rely on the run game to offset Denver’s ability to attack the quarterback, either. The Raiders are generating just 1.5 yards before contact on rushing attempts this season, the third-worst mark in the NFL.
This game could get lopsided in a hurry, thanks to a well-rounded Denver defense that will make life difficult on Gardner Minshew II under center.
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders
The Cowboys offensive line has struggled to integrate its two rookies this season. However, Week 11’s matchup against the Texans undoubtedly made things worse.
The Euro step spin is some devil magic type stuff Danielle Hunter has been on lately my goodness. Terence had no shot. Hunter is a pass rush demon pic.twitter.com/EV4CUJ5GIu
— Skywalker Steele (@SkywalkerSteele) November 19, 2024
Dallas’s offensive line suffered injuries at three different positions against Houston in Week 11. The team could be missing left tackle Tyler Guyton, left guard Tyler Smith, and right guard Zack Martin when it faces off against the Commanders in Week 12. At best, all three players will give it a go and be limited due to injuries.
Washington’s defensive line doesn’t feature many studs across the defensive line, but it can utilize the blitz to force quarterbacks into pressured decisions. Eight different Washington defenders have at least 10 pressures. Seven players have at least two sacks.
The Commanders enter Week 12 sixth in terms of blitz rate (34.6%) and third in sack rate (8.3%) in 2024. It could be a long day for Cooper Rush in the pocket, especially with a makeshift offensive line in front of him.
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