RADIO
Offenses continued to struggle across the NFL in Week 2. While some of that can be tied to the increased use of two-high coverages from defenses, there has certainly been a wide range of subpar offensive line play this year.
Just 12 of 32 teams had their collective offensive lines average a PFF grade of 65.0 or higher in Week 2. Teams are struggling to keep the quarterback clean in the pocket, but there have been plenty of good performances on the ground.
With time, offensive line play historically stabilizes as long as teams can have consistency across the group. Hopefully, that will be the case in 2024. Check out the offensive line matchups to target and avoid in Week 3 below.
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Champ of the Week
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have invested heavily in the offensive line and that investment is paying immediate dividends.
All five of Los Angeles’ starting offensive linemen finished with a PFF pass-blocking grade above 77.0 in Week 2’s matchup against Carolina. Four of five starters had a run-blocking grade above 74.0 and a PFF grade above 79.0.
Collectively, the Chargers allowed just one sack and three pressures against Carolina. While the Panthers defensive line is awful, the Chargers were able to easily impose their will for a second straight week in the run game.
JK Dobbins forcing 0.32 missed tackles per rush, via PFF. Already has seven runs of 10+ yards on 27 carries.
Gus Edwards has forced stone 0 missed tackles this season. Has one run of 10+ yards on 29 carries. pic.twitter.com/a671tjXLvC
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) September 16, 2024
If the team can get more consistency from center Bradley Bozeman (54.7 PFF grade this season), it will be one of the most formidable groups in the NFL.
Chump of the Week
Denver Broncos
Week 2 was brutal for the Broncos. On the surface, the team held up well in protection (10 pressures and two sacks), but the unit graded out terribly. Denver’s offensive line averaged a 55.0 pass-blocking grade, a 51.9 run-blocking grade, and a 51.8 PFF grade against Pittsburgh.
Cam Heyward is playing like he has a bookmark folder full of tweets from people who questioned his extension.
Was incredible in Week 1. Week 2 was just as good. pic.twitter.com/3yCiKgFvFm
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) September 17, 2024
The team also could be without right tackle Mike McGlinchey after he suffered a knee injury late in the game. There isn’t much experienced depth in this unit, which could be catastrophic with a rookie quarterback struggling to throw down the field.
Denver was hoping that this group could replicate (or improve upon) a relatively solid 2023 season. While Pittsburgh is one of the worst matchups for offensive lines, 2024 has not been good for this group.
Matchups to Target
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Carolina Panthers
The Raiders offensive line has struggled to maintain their strong 2023 performance. Kolton Miller is working his way through his shoulder surgery recovery, giving up more sacks in two games (five) than he has in any season since 2019.
Another angle of the stab/chop strip sack by Odafe Oweh (@DafeOweh). Stabs with the inside hand & chops the outside hand down to shorten the edge!#passrush #ravensflock pic.twitter.com/tZecApiiCr
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 17, 2024
The rest of the unit is just fine. Only two players (Miller and right guard Dylan Parham) have a PFF grade over 57.0. The unit has collectively given up nine sacks and 22 pressures. Thankfully, Week 3 is an excellent opportunity to have a get-right game.
Carolina’s defense has almost zero threats up front with Derrick Brown out of the lineup. The team has generated just 11 pressures and three sacks in two weeks. Its “most effective” defensive lineman is Jayden Peevy, a 2022 UDFA who has played just 39 snaps this year.
The Raiders are still working through acclimating new personnel but should have no problem imposing their will in this game.
Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons
It isn’t shocking to hear that the Chiefs have a powerful offensive line. Kansas City’s starting offensive linemen are averaging the fourth-best PFF grade in the NFL (70.3) and fifth-best run-blocking grade (70.2) this year.
The team has achieved that despite the struggles of rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia. The 2024 second-round pick was benched in his second game and has a 42.8 PFF grade on 108 snaps. He’s given up the only two sacks this year and leads the team in pressures allowed (five).
Kansas City should have few problems asserting its will against Atlanta’s defensive line in Week 3.
- Isiah Pacheco OUT 6+ Weeks
KC will likely run a rotation at RB between Steele, Perine and Hunt.
Steele should be the lead rusher.
ATL, LAC, NO and BYE is a tough streaming schedule.
But a KC starting RB is always worth the pick up.
— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) September 17, 2024
Grady Jarrett (eight pressures and two sacks) and Matthew Judon (four pressures and two sacks) still have plenty of juice upfront, but this is a defense that relies on its secondary to hold coverage to generate pressure.
Only Judon, Jarrett, and situational pass-rusher Arnold Ebiketie have a PFF grade above 56.0. Only one player (defensive tackle Zach Harrison) has a run defense grade above 65.0. The Falcons are allowing 4.1 yards per carry this season and have given up the sixth-most rushing yards per game this season (161.5).
There is uncertainty in how the backfield will shake out in Kansas City with Isiah Pacheco suffering an injury, but grabbing any piece of the backfield (Carson Steele or Samaje Perine) is worthy of a gamble this week.
Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans
The Packers have a good offensive line but lack top-end talent. Still, this group has been performing well to start the season.
Zach Tom (75.9 PFF grade) has continued to assert himself as a top right tackle in the NFL. He’s allowed zero pressures through two games with running backs averaging 4.9 yards per attempt behind him. Four of the team’s five offensive linemen have a PFF grade above 62.0. The group has collectively allowed one sack and 11 pressures in two games.
The Titans have a solid group of defensive linemen but haven’t made a major impact in the box score. The group has generated 19 pressures and four sacks this season (led by Harold Landry III’s six and three, respectively).
Tennessee has an exploitable group, especially in the run game. Only Landry (67.8) and Jeffery Simmons (70.0) have a run defense grade above 60.3. That plays right into the Packers' run-heavy offensive approach with Malik Willis under center.
Matchups to Avoid
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
No need to overcomplicate this one.
The Rams are getting Alaric Jackson back from suspension (and got Rob Havenstein back last week), but have now lost Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson. The only player on the unit that has played in two games is right guard Kevin Dotson.
The Rams are fresh off a performance that saw them allow four sacks and 12 pressures to the Cardinals in Week 2. This is a Cardinals defense that had just 33 sacks and 102 pressures in 17 games last season.
Expect the Los Angeles offense to struggle, especially missing its top two receivers. The 49ers defense should have zero issues in the trenches.
New York Giants at Cleveland Browns
The Giants offensive line has been better to start the year, but still has its issues. New York has given up just two sacks and 19 pressures through two weeks. However, only one player (Andrew Thomas) has a PFF grade above 67.0.
Conversely, the Browns feature several pieces on their defensive line that can generate pressure at will. The team has 24 pressures and seven sacks in two weeks, led by Myles Garrett (six pressures and two sacks) and Za’Darius Smith (three pressures and one sack).
The pliability & power from Myles Garrett to dip under the left tackle’s hands, and then rip through & flatten while he’s being leaned on by a 335 lbs man
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) September 17, 2024
The Giants were able to have a relatively successful day on offense against the Commanders in Week 2 but should struggle in a more difficult matchup in Week 3. Be wary of starting anybody outside Malik Nabers in this matchup.
Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers don’t have a ton of talent on their defensive line and are navigating injuries, but the Broncos also don’t have many impact blockers in the trenches.
Denver’s offense has allowed a whopping 29 pressures through two games, led by the guard pairing of Ben Powers (six pressures) and Quinn Meinerz (five pressures).
The EDGE duo in Pittsburgh work dip and rip moves at an extremely high level
Alex Highsmith on Boles here #Steelers pic.twitter.com/QZYAXhH6d0
— Rob Gregson (@NFL_Rob) September 15, 2024
The collective Broncos offense has had its struggles this year, mostly led by the subpar play of their offensive line. It will be nearly impossible to trust any of their offensive pieces, even in what should be a good matchup.
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