Fantasy Football Matchups to Target, Avoid (Week 5) - Offensive Line Champs and Chumps

Injuries continue to plague offensive lines across the NFL. 17 NFL teams had at least one backup offensive lineman take snaps in Week 4. Seven teams had at least two new starters.

That led to a continuing trend of offensive lines struggling to get movement in the trenches. Only six teams finished with an average PFF grade above 67.0. 10 teams had an average grade below 60.0.

There will still be plenty of teams limping into Week 5. Identifying players to start or sit in fantasy based on the strength of their offensive line is a clear edge, especially with bye weeks upon us. Check out the matchups below to target and avoid.

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Champ of the Week

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers didn’t face the most difficult matchup in the trenches against the Patriots defensive line, but they were more than up to the occasion. Three of the team’s four offensive linemen finished with a PFF grade above 82.0 this week.

Was Jordan Mason the steal of the draft?pic.twitter.com/kpLOBdzR6h

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) September 29, 2024

In total, the 49ers allowed just five pressures against the Patriots. Four of them came from left guard Aaron Banks, who struggled in protection (13.2 pass-blocking grade) but was solid in the run game (76.4 run-blocking grade).

San Francisco’s five starters finished the game with a 69.6 pass protection grade, a 78.3 run blocking grade, and a 76.7 PFF grade. It shouldn’t be surprising that their play (and the return of several key pieces) paved the way for a big win against an overmatched Patriots squad.

Chump of the Week

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland entered the week without three starters on its offensive line (left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., right guard Wyatt Teller, and right tackle Jack Conklin). It lost another starter (center Ethan Pocic) just 21 snaps into the game.

The lack of talent on the offensive line wasn’t enough to take advantage of Maxx Crosby missing the game with an injury.

Christian Wilkins (94) pic.twitter.com/TahVeLxthb

— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 30, 2024

The Browns finished the game with an average 50.8 PFF grade across their five offensive linemen who finished the game. The group allowed two sacks and 13 pressures against an undermanned Raiders defensive line in a disappointing loss.

None of Cleveland’s offensive linemen finished with a pass-blocking or run-blocking grade above 66.0. The group also had just one player (left guard Joel Bitonio) finish with a PFF grade of 60.0 or higher.

It was a bad week in the trenches for Cleveland. What should be the strength of this team has quickly turned into a weakness thanks to attrition.

Matchups to Target

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Colts enter Week 5 as one of two teams to rank in the top five of average PFF run-blocking grade, pass-blocking grade, and overall grade (the other is the Lions). Collectively, Indianapolis has allowed just five sacks and 25 pressures on the season.

That is even more impressive considering it played Week 4 without starting center Ryan Kelly against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jonathan Taylor's longest run of the game (21 yards).

Great awareness by Quenton Nelson coming off the double team to block Patrick Queen and Bernhard Raimann to seal the outside leverage to open a lane for JT.

Also, another play of Tanor Bortolini firing off the ball. pic.twitter.com/sglC8XsCXu

— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) October 1, 2024

The Colts have some inherent issues on offense heading into Week 5. We don’t know if Anthony Richardson or Jonathan Taylor will be healthy enough to play. Thankfully, they will have a distinct advantage in the trenches, even if Kelly misses a second week.

Jacksonville’s defensive line has not done a good job of stopping anybody this season. Jacksonville is a respectable 14th in PFF’s run defense grade (61.6), but it ranks 23rd in pass rush (62.9).

Edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen has been great to start the season (15 pressures and one sack) but may miss the game while in concussion protocol. Travon Walker (12 pressures and one sack) and Roy Robertson-Harris (10 pressures and one sack) are solid players but could struggle without Hines-Allen drawing the attention of the offensive line.

Indianapolis has one of the most formidable offensive lines in the NFL and should have no problem controlling the game against Jacksonville in Week 5. Start your Colts (even without Taylor and Richardson) without reservation.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals

The 49ers offensive line against the Cardinals defensive line has the makings of an unstoppable force taking on an extremely movable object.

San Francisco’s starting offensive linemen rank second in average run-blocking grade (70.1) and fourth in overall PFF grade (69.1) to start the season. Conversely, the Cardinals are 15th in run defense grade (59.9) and 30th in pass-rush grade (54.4).

Arizona has generated nine sacks and 43 pressures to the season, but it has lucked into some good matchups against a depleted Rams offensive line and Washington’s average group to start the year.

The 49ers offensive line features three linemen (Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, and rookie Dominick Puni) who rank in the top 50 of PFF grades this season. Don’t expect much resistance from the Cardinals defense in Week 5.

Matchups to Avoid

New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs

New Orleans’ offensive line has benefited from a lot of motion and extra blockers to start the season. The Falcons defensive line was challenging for a Saints offensive line missing two starters (Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz) in Week 4. Things can get much worse in Week 5 against the Chiefs.

CHRIS JONES GETS HOME 😤 pic.twitter.com/BYpLQgUme0

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 29, 2024

McCoy will certainly miss Week 5’s matchup and Ruiz will likely come down to a game-time decision. That leaves New Orleans vulnerable in the area where Chris Jones (19 pressures and four sacks) thrives.

Aside from that, the Saints' young tackle duo will certainly be tested. Both Trevor Penning (53.1 PFF grade) and Taliese Fuaga (71.6 PFF grade) have looked good this season. Still, both will be challenged on the edge by George Karlaftis (15 pressures and one sack) and the rotational edge group of Mike Danna and Felix Anudike-Uzomah (10 pressures and two sacks combined).

New Orleans’ offense has come back down to Earth after a scorching start to the season. The offensive line will certainly be tested in Week 5 against a strong Kansas City defense.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

On the surface, Cincinnati’s offensive line has performed at a high level to start the season despite its 1-3 record. The group has allowed just six sacks and 39 pressures. One sack and five pressures can be attributed to injured tackle Trent Brown.

However, the Bengals offensive line also hasn’t been consistently tested. Three of their four matchups (New England, Washington, and Carolina) didn’t have much pass-rushing talent. Two of those teams (Washington and Carolina) are bottom-10 in yards per carry allowed.

Cincinnati’s one true test on the offensive line came in Week 2 against the Chiefs. In that game, Cincinnati allowed 14 of its 39 pressures and two of its six sacks. Only one player (Alex Cappa) had a PFF grade above 62.0.

Baltimore is more than equipped to attack this group from every position. It has two stellar edge-rushers in Kyle Van Noy (14 pressures and six sacks) and Odafe Oweh (12 pressures and four sacks). It has strong interior linemen in Nnamdi Madubuike (10 pressures and one sack), Travis Jones (eight pressures), and Michael Pierce (if healthy).

Travis Jones dominating.#Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/2uwHW3OFmc

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) October 1, 2024

This game will be a great test of Cincinnati’s offensive line, especially rookie right tackle Amarius Mims. It is hard to bench any of its top players for fantasy, but it is fair to expect decreased production.

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