RADIO
The NFL season is flying by and we have officially hit the point where bye weeks are impacting fantasy lineups. Four teams (Cleveland, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and the LA Chargers) will have the week off in Week 5, leaving fantasy managers scrambling to identify players to help their team. Finding edges in unconventional places is as important as ever when it comes to winning a fantasy championship.
There were some brutal injuries along the offensive line in Week 4 after a relatively quiet Week 3. The Miami Dolphins lost Terron Armstead again after his first game of the season. The Eagles' depth was tested with the foot injury of Cam Jurgens at right guard. Two different teams (Cleveland and the Giants) lost their starting centers during the game. An already depleted Seattle offensive line had to navigate injuries to both guards on Monday night.
This article will focus on the best and worst matchups to target in fantasy for Week 5 of the NFL season. Check it out below to identify the teams to target or avoid for your lineups in Week 5.
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Champ of the Week
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL during the 2022 season. They got off to a slow start to begin the year as they broke in a new left guard but came alive in Week 4’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Atlanta finished with the highest average PFF grade of any offensive line unit in Week 4 (72.4). The Falcons weren’t stellar in pass protection (the unit combined to surrender two sacks and eight pressures), but seemed to regain their form as a force in the run game. Four of five linemen had PFF run blocking grades above 60.0, led by center Drew Dalman (90.2) and right guard Chris Lindstrom (84.5).
There is still plenty of room for growth for this unit, especially as rookie guard Matthew Bergeron continues to acclimate to the NFL game as a guard. However, Week 4 could be the beginning of big things for a unit that was held in high regard coming into the season.
Chump of the Week
New England Patriots
It seems unlikely, but the Patriots graded out as the worst offensive line in the NFL in Week 4 despite the Giants giving up 11 sacks on Monday night. The Patriots were missing starting guard Cole Strange and tackle Riley Reiff, which was a recipe for disaster against the Cowboys' formidable defensive line.
Only left tackle Trent Brown finished with a pass-blocking grade above 50.0 and an overall grade above 54.0. Things were especially bad for backup right tackle Vederian Lowe, who finished with a PFF grade of 34.3 thanks to nine pressures allowed in the game.
The Patriots offense has looked better compared to last year, but this was an abysmal game from a unit that was grossly overmatched against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Week 5 Matchups to Target
Atlanta Falcons vs. Houston Texans
The Falcons offensive line is starting to gel (see above) and now they get one of the best matchups you can ask for in Houston’s defensive line. Atlanta currently ranks as PFF’s top run-blocking offensive line based on average grades (69.3) and third in overall grades (67.5). They have struggled with pass blocking (42 pressures surrendered), but that may be a moot point in Week 4.
Houston ranks 29th in PFF pressure grade and 32nd in run defense so far in 2023. Through four games, the Texans have just three players with double-digit pressures (led by rookie Will Anderson Jr.) and have just four players with at least one sack. None of their starting defensive linemen have a run defense grade above 70.0.
Rookie running back Bijan Robinson should have the potential to have a big game in Week 5 in a great matchup. Fantasy managers shooting for upside may also want to consider Tyler Allgeier, especially if Atlanta can keep C.J. Stroud in check in the passing attack to keep this game close.
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
Buffalo has gotten some solid play from their offensive line to start the 2023 school year thanks to strong efforts from left tackle Dion Dawkins (79.5 PFF grade) and center Mitch Morse (64.0 PFF grade). The Bills collective unit has given up 38 pressures on the season, but only two of those have turned into a sack.
The Bills should continue their hot start in Week 5 as they head to London to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. Only Josh Allen has double-digit pressures (15) this season off the edge. Allen (6.0) and second-year edge rusher Travon Walker (2.0) are the only players with multiple sacks on the season as well. According to PFF, Jacksonville features the third worst pass-rushing unit (61.2) and 12th worst run defense (54.4) in the NFL this season.
All of the Bills' major offensive pieces are in play for fantasy this weekend in a great matchup.
Week 5 Matchups to Avoid
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
There was plenty of hope that the Steelers' offensive line would solidify after the team invested free agent money and draft capital in upgrades this offseason. Unfortunately, that has yet to work out for the Steelers through the first four weeks.
Pittsburgh enters Week 5 with PFF’s 31st-rated average overall grade thanks to an abysmal 48.1 average pass-blocking grade. Veteran left tackle Dan Moore Jr. has already surrendered 20 pressures on the season. Only left guard Isaac Seumalo has a PFF pass-blocking grade above 55.0. Rookie first-round pick Broderick Jones has played just 55 snaps on the season.
Things are bad for the Steelers and could get worse in a hurry against the Baltimore Ravens. Five different Ravens have at least two sacks through four games, led by safety Kyle Hamilton. The Ravens also have 10 different players with run defense grades above 67.0.
It could be a long day for Mitchell Trubisky and all of Pittsburgh’s skill position players in Week 5.
Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions
The Panthers were hoping that first-overall pick Bryce Young could flourish behind a young offensive line that showed a lot of promise in 2022. Unfortunately, that offensive line has regressed in 2023 and has forced the offense to struggle to move the ball.
Second-year tackle Ikem Ekwonu hasn’t developed as a pass blocker (nine pressures and two sacks) after an inconsistent rookie season. Additionally, rookie left guard Chandler Zavala has been forced to start thanks to an injury to Austin Corbett and has been brutal in his first four games. The N.C. State product has given up 28 pressures and has a PFF pass-blocking grade of 7.2 on 288 snaps this season.
The Panthers will have their hands full against a resurgent Lions defense in Week 5. Three different defensive linemen for Detroit have at least 12 pressures to start the season, led by an impressive 27 pressures by Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions are also getting to the quarterback, collecting 13 sacks through four games.
Don’t expect an offensive turnaround from Bryce Young and the Panthers offense against an imposing Detroit defensive line.
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