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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 17 of the 2021 season.
For most fantasy gamers, Week 17 represents a shot at the elusive league championship. The teams that have made it this far have been able to adjust on the fly due to injuries, COVID outbreaks, and constantly updating information to have a chance to earn bragging rights for a wild 2021 season. However, the work isn’t done and we need to get that last victory. Week 17 has already seen some COVID issues across the league, so finding an edge has never been more important in the most crucial matchup of the year.
20 teams played in Week 16 missing at least two of their starting offensive linemen from the start of the season. Additionally, nine other teams were missing one of their five starting linemen from the beginning of 2021. That means 90% of the NFL was down at least one of their five best linemen this week. Just 16 teams had an overall blocking average of 65, according to PFF. Thankfully, NFL offenses were able to have a better week scoring-wise, which led to a huge bounce back in fantasy scoring after Week 15’s underwhelming results.
With many fantasy championships on the line, it is important to use any edge available to try and secure a fantasy championship in a year that has been derailed by improved defensive play and numerous high-profile injuries and various COVID outbreaks. This article will break down the best and worst offensive line matchups heading into Week 17 to try and target the players that will ultimately lead to that all-important fantasy championship.
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Champ of the Week
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs came into Week 16 with an important matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that is PFF’s third-ranked pass-rushing unit (81.3 grade). When all was said and done, the Kansas City offensive line put together one of their best games of the season without their starting right tackle and walked out of the game with a convincing 36-10 victory.
The Chiefs’ offensive line finished the week with an average pass-blocking grade of 67.1, an average run-blocking grade of 75.9, and an average overall blocking grade of 76. All five offensive linemen finished the game with a run-blocking grade of 63 and an overall blocking grade of 64. Center Creed Humphrey (90.9 blocking grade) and backup right tackle Andrew Wylie (82.8 blocking grade) paced the offensive line. In total, the Chiefs allowed just one quarterback hit, four hurries, and five pressures which gave Patrick Mahomes the time he needed to throw for 258 yards and three touchdowns.
Chump of the Week
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ passing attack destroyed the Baltimore Ravens; however, it wasn’t because of exceptional offensive line play. Joe Burrow and Cincinnati’s receiving weapons were able to take advantage of a decimated Ravens secondary with a quick passing attack, which took a lot of pressure off an offensive line that struggled to keep pressure off the second-year quarterback.
The Bengals’ offensive line finished Week 16 with an average pass-blocking grade of 55.6, an average run-blocking grade of 53.1, and an overall blocking grade of 55.9, according to PFF. Only left tackle Jonah Williams and center Trey Hopkins finished the game with pass blocking grades above 49. None of the Bengals' linemen finished the week with an overall blocking grade above 62. In total, Cincinnati’s line allowed two sacks, 10 hurries, and 12 pressures. Joe Burrow put together a record-setting day, but a lot of it had to do with him moving in the pocket and getting the ball to his exceptional receiving weapons.
Matchups to Target
Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo came into Week 16’s rematch against the Patriots missing their starting two guards. Then, 20 snaps into the game, they lost their backup guard (Ike Boettger) to an Achilles tendon injury which forced an entire shift among the offensive line. When all was said and done, Dion Dawkins, Daryl Williams, and Spencer Brown wound up finishing the game in a different position than they started in. All that reshuffling ended in one of the best games that Buffalo’s offensive line has played all season. The Bills' offensive line allowed just one quarterback hit, nine hurries, and 10 pressures against a Patriots defensive line that has generated consistent pressure all season.
Buffalo will hopefully get their starting guards back this week and have the ability to return to their best offensive line configuration. That doesn’t bode well for an Atlanta defense that ranks last according to PFF in pass rush (53.6) and 26th in run defense (45.2). Atlanta’s defense generated just two quarterback hits, three hurries, and five pressures against a Detroit offense starting a backup quarterback and missing most of their top weapons. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs are absolute must-starts this week. Dawson Knox is in the starting tight end conversation against a defense that has given up seven touchdown receptions to tight ends this year. An expanded role also has Devin Singletary in the RB2 or FLEX conversation. Cole Beasley, Gabriel Davis, and Isaiah McKenzie can all have WR3 or FLEX appeal depending on their COVID situations.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos
The Chargers’ offense faltered against the Houston Texans in Week 16, but their offensive line continued their stellar play this season despite having to start their backup center, Scott Quesenberry. The Chargers’ offensive line averaged a 70.4 pass-blocking grade, 64.8 run-blocking grade, and a 66.5 overall blocking grade. The Chargers allowed just two sacks, three hurries, and five pressures against Houston’s defense. Three of their linemen (Rashawn Slater, Matt Feiler, and Michael Schofield III) finished with pass blocking grades above 74.
After Week 16’s surprising upset against the Texans, the Chargers find themselves in a must-win game against the Denver Broncos in Week 17. Denver’s defensive front has gotten inconsistent pressure this season and struggled to take advantage of a great matchup against a bad Las Vegas offensive line in Week 16. The Raiders had an average pass-blocking grade of 66.7 and allowed just three sacks, two quarterback hits, four hurries, and nine pressures. Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen are lineup locks in the fantasy playoffs and Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Jared Cook, and Josh Palmer could all find their way into fantasy lineups depending on changing COVID protocols.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
The Buccaneers’ offensive line had a fantastic showing against the Carolina Panthers’ athletic pass rush in Week 16’s win. All five offensive linemen had at least a 69 pass-blocking grade and four linemen finished the week with an overall blocking grade of 67. Most impressively, Tampa Bay’s offensive line combined to allow ZERO sacks, quarterback hits, pressures, or hurries in Week 16. The Buccaneers dominated on offense, throwing for 232 yards and a touchdown while rushing 31 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns despite missing two starting wide receivers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) and their starting running back (Leonard Fournette).
Tampa Bay will once again be missing Godwin and Fournette and could be without Mike Evans too. However, the Buccaneers still have more than enough weapons on offense and will have the advantage again in the trenches. The Jets are PFF’s 16th ranked pass-rushing defense (72.4) and 32nd ranked run defense (37.4) this season. Tampa Bay’s offensive line will be able to provide Tom Brady plenty of time to operate in the pocket and should be able to open up massive rushing lanes for the backfield. Tom Brady, Antonio Brown, Ronald Jones II, and Rob Gronkowski are locked and loaded starters this week in fantasy. For players looking for FLEX upside (or are navigating COVID absences and injuries), Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Tyler Johnson, and Breshad Perriman all represent boom-or-bust FLEX plays.
Matchups to Avoid
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Injuries and a COVID outbreak gave the Packers' defense a much easier matchup against the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line. Cleveland was once again forced to move starting left guard Joel Bitonio out to left tackle, making Wyatt Teller the only healthy offensive linemen in his original position to start the season. The Packers responded to the makeshift offensive line by generating four sacks, 10 hurries, and 14 pressures against Baker Mayfield.
The Vikings' playoff hopes have started to fade thanks to questionable play by their offensive line. The Vikings' line struggled to keep Kirk Cousins clean in their toughest matchup of the season against the Los Angeles Rams. Only left tackle Christian Darrisaw finished the game with a pass-blocking grade above 65 and an overall blocking grade over 62. In total, the Vikings allowed one sack, one quarterback hit, 13 hurries, and 15 pressures. The Packers come into this week second in pass-rushing grade (81.4) and 16th in run defense grades (53), according to PFF. Justin Jefferson and starting running back Dalvin Cook could return off the COVID list with the NFL’s new protocol and are the only Vikings players you can trust this week. Kirk Cousins will be a high-risk QB2 and K.J. Osborn has FLEX appeal if Adam Thielen is unable to suit up after re-aggravating his high ankle sprain last week.
Indianapolis Colts vs Las Vegas Raiders
When healthy, the Indianapolis Colts are one of the absolute best offensive line units in the NFL. However, injuries and a COVID outbreak have created a mess in Indianapolis. The Colts had only two of their original starting offensive linemen (left tackle Eric Fisher and right tackle Braden Smith) and one of them (Fisher) had to leave the game with an injury. Indianapolis responded with one of their most underwhelming performances on the offensive line this season. The Colts' offensive line had an average pass-blocking grade of 60, an average run-blocking grade of 63.5, and an overall blocking grade of 60.6. The Colts secured a victory but had an underwhelming output on offense.
The Colts find their way on this part of the list thanks to potentially missing their entire offensive line in Week 17. The updated COVID protocols can change that, but at the moment, Indianapolis will be missing all five linemen, starting quarterback Carson Wentz, and potentially their backup guard Chris Reed, who missed part of the game against Arizona with a back injury. Jonathan Taylor is an unquestioned start this week but be cautious trusting any other Colts offensive player until we get more clarity on their offense heading into this week.
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
A lot of blame for Arizona’s recent offensive struggles has been tied into the loss of DeAndre Hopkins in the passing game. However, a closer inspection shows that the offensive line has also been playing their worst football in recent weeks. Since Week 12’s bye, Arizona has just one week with an average blocking grade above 60. The Cardinals continued to struggle against the Colts, allowing 10 hurries and 10 pressures. Just two linemen finished the week with a pass-blocking grade above 61. Only center Max Garcia had an overall blocking grade above a 63.
The Cardinals’ offensive line will have their work cut out for them against a resurgent Dallas pass rush in a must-win game. The Dallas defensive line went toe-to-toe with Washington’s stellar offensive line and generated one sack, one quarterback hit, five hurries, and seven pressures. Most of that production came before Dallas rested a lot of their starters in a blowout win. Kyler Murray’s rushing upside gives him a solid floor each week, even with his struggles in the passing game recently. If James Conner is out again this week, Chase Edmonds is highly appealing as an RB2 or FLEX play in PPR leagues.
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