RADIO
Week 7 was loaded with bye weeks and injuries across the NFL. Fantasy teams were forced to comb through the waiver wire to find solutions to try and keep fantasy championship dreams alive.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to take notice of many bad injuries in the trenches in Week 7. The most significant offensive line injury came from Miami’s left guard Isaiah Wynn. The Cardinals also had to play most of their game without left tackle D.J. Humphries due to an ejection.
Week 8 gives us a reprieve from bye weeks and will hopefully allow offensive line units across the NFL to get healthier. Check out the offensive line matchups to target and avoid below.
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Champ of the Week
New England Patriots
For at least one week, the Patriots put together a solid offensive line configuration and dominated in the trenches. New England got left guard Cole Strange back in the starting lineup and moved right guard Michael Onwenu to right tackle to try and provide solid blocking up front against the Bills. It worked perfectly, leading to a surprising upset victory for the Patriots.
New England didn’t allow a sack in Week 7 and collectively surrendered just seven pressures. Four of their starting linemen had pass-blocking grades above 66.0, run-blocking grades above 77.0, and overall grades above 74.5. Left tackle Trent Brown (87.9 grade) and fourth-round rookie Sidy Sow (86.4) had excellent showings.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, they may be shifting the offensive line once again with Trent Brown navigating a knee injury. He was able to finish the game, but that could be due to adrenaline more than a commentary on his health.
Chump of the Week
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins' offensive line was unable to overcome an influx of injuries in Week 7 on their way to a disappointing showing against the Eagles. Miami came into the game missing two starters (left tackle Terron Armstead and center Connor McGovern) and lost starting left guard Isaiah Wynn to a quad injury just five snaps into the game. The results were brutal.
On the surface, the Dolphins held up well against one of the best defensive fronts in football. The patchwork Miami offensive line surrendered just one sack and nine pressures on the day. However, only right guard Robert Hunt finished with a pass-blocking grade above 56.0 and an overall grade above 54.0. Backup left guard Lester Cotton was especially brutal, giving up four of nine pressures and finishing with a 33.4 PFF grade.
Miami’s offense remains one of the most explosive in the NFL, but it is clear that even they can’t overcome significant losses in the trenches. They will hope all of their starters can get back to full health sooner rather than later.
Matchups to Target in Week 8
Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals
The Ravens' offensive line has gotten relatively healthy and is paving the way for Lamar Jackson under center. Baltimore’s collective starting linemen have PFF’s eighth-highest average PFF grade through seven weeks, which has allowed Lamar Jackson to flash his potential as a passer in a new offense. Now this offensive line will have a chance to take advantage of a great matchup against a bad Cardinals’ defense.
Arizona features four edge rushers with double-digit targets and three players that have four sacks. Outside of that, there is little going for this defense. Only one of their trench players (edge rusher Zaven Collins) has a run defense grade above 66.0. The Cardinals are collectively averaging just 13 pressures per game.
That just won’t get it done against a strong Ravens offensive line that should be able to provide ample time for Jackson in the pocket for a second consecutive week.
Detroit Lions vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Detroit Lions were down left guard Jonah Jackson in Week 7’s loss to the Ravens. Thankfully, they got right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai back into the starting lineup, which allowed Detroit the ability to move reserve guard Graham Glasgow to left guard. The Lions didn’t have their best showing with the new configuration, but the Ravens aren’t exactly a great matchup.
The Raiders are a defense that made Chicago’s offense look imposing with an undrafted rookie free-agent quarterback under center. Las Vegas collected just one sack and generated only 10 pressures against an inexperienced quarterback being protected by a questionable offensive line. Only one Raider (Maxx Crosby) has more than 11 pressures and more than one sack this season.
The Lions' offense should have no problems getting back on track in this matchup.
Atlanta Falcons at Tennessee Titans
The Falcons' offensive line has found their stride in the last two weeks. Atlanta manhandled the Buccaneers’ defensive line in Week 7, allowing just one sack and seven pressures in a last-second win. Only one offensive lineman (right tackle Kaleb McGary) had a PFF grade below 63.0 in the victory.
Atlanta will now turn their attention to the Titans' pass funnel offense in Week 8. The Titans are getting solid production from their down linemen (63 pressures and 10 sacks), but are getting virtually nothing from edge rushers Harold Landry III (six pressures and two sacks) and Arden Key (20 pressures and three sacks). Nobody along the Titans' defensive line has a run defense grade above 62.0.
If Atlanta’s offensive line can continue to hold up in front of Desmond Ridder, then they should have an excellent chance to put together another solid performance on the scoreboard.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 8
New York Jets at New York Giants
The Giants offensive line had a passable performance against the Washington Commanders, but it was far from good. New York allowed two sacks and seven pressures in their 14-7 victory despite being down three starters.
The Commanders' defensive line had been playing well, but they were unable to consistently get to Tyrod Taylor as he moved outside of the pocket to make big plays. However, the Giants may be unable to sustain that success if they don’t get some of their starters back against a much deeper Jets defensive front.
Five different Jets box defenders have at least 13 pressures on the season. Four different Jets defenders have at least two sacks on the season. It could be a long day for the Giants up front, making their fantasy players less than appealing without any bye week limitations.
New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts
The Saints offensive line is a mess. Second-year left tackle Trevor Penning’s consistent struggles have led to him being benched. Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk and left guard Andrus Peat missed Week 7 due to injuries, forcing the Saints to rely on depth players with mixed results. The Saints' patchwork offensive line allowed 15 pressures and finished with an average PFF grade of 55.08 against a very mediocre Jaguars defensive line.
The Colts utilize an array of edge rushers to stay fresh and attack the quarterback. Five different defensive linemen or edge rushers have at least 13 pressures on the season. Seven different Colts have multiple sacks. The loss of Grover Stewart is significant for run defense, but this is still a stout run defense that features four different linemen with run defense grades above 70.0 per PFF.
This is a rough matchup for an average Saints offensive line. Expect their offensive struggles to continue in what should be a low-scoring game.
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