We get a slight reprieve from bye weeks in Week 7 with only two teams getting the week off (Dallas and Chicago). However, there are still fantasy matchups to be played and edges to be found with a nearly full slate of games.
Offensive play is starting to stabilize after a slow start to the year. Some of that can be attributed to offensive lines beginning to find their footing and gel with new personnel. However, there are still plenty of teams that can continue to grow and improve in the trenches.
Check out the Week 7 offensive line matchups to target and avoid below as you get ready to set your lineups for the coming week in fantasy football.
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Champ of the Week
Atlanta Falcons
Don’t be surprised if the team facing Carolina earns the “Champ of the Week” title going forward. In Week 6, it was the Atlanta Falcons offense dominating in the trenches.
Bijan Robinson has 2 TDs and 16.8 fantasy points and it’s not even halftime 😳pic.twitter.com/dEgiIJAJam
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 13, 2024
Atlanta’s offensive line was able to roll without center Drew Dalman once again. The team’s five starters finished the game with an average PFF pass-blocking grade of 73.6, an average run-blocking grade of 78.4, and an average overall grade of 80.5.
The Falcons didn’t allow a sack and finished the game surrendering just six pressures. Kirk Cousins completed 68.2% of his passes in a clean pocket for 9.1 yards per attempt.
The combination of Tyler Allgeier (18 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown) and Bijan Robinson (15 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns) averaged 5.2 yards per carry.
Atlanta will enter most weeks with an advantage in the trenches due to its talented offensive line. This week was just unfair for Carolina (as most will be without Derrick Brown to draw double teams).
Chump of the Week
Cleveland Browns
The good news for Cleveland was it finally had a game this season with both tackles (Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin) in the lineup. That was about the only positive on the day.
Cleveland entered the game without center Ethan Pocic and right guard Wyatt Teller. Backup center Nick Harris got hurt after just three snaps, forcing the team to shift its right guard (Michael Dunn) to center. Philadelphia’s defensive line was able to feast on the interior.
When the dust settled, Cleveland had allowed three sacks and 16 pressures against the Eagles in Week 6. All three sacks and 11 of 16 pressures came from the interior combination of Joel Bitonio, Michael Dunn, and Zak Zinter.
Sheesh Jalen Carter knocks the C and LG back and then gets the sack pic.twitter.com/BP2pglf0tJ
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) October 13, 2024
In fairness to them, nobody on this offensive line played well. Cleveland’s average run blocking, pass blocking, and overall PFF grades were all below 54.0.
The Browns offense is a mess. It is easy to blame Deshaun Watson (because he is bad), but the offensive line, which should be a strength for this team, has not done its job, either.
Matchups to Target
Carolina Panthers at Washington Commanders
Truly, this is a game that has sneaky shootout potential due to the subpar play of both teams' defensive lines. I’ve written plenty about how bad the Panthers defense is in the trenches, so instead we will focus on how good of a matchup Carolina’s offensive line has in this game.
Let's go XL!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Zg3m3ppyZt
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 13, 2024
The Panthers offensive line was able to put together a respectable game against the Falcons in Week 6 despite missing two starters (center Austin Corbett and right tackle Taylor Moton). Corbett is done for the season, but there is a chance that Moton returns for this game.
Carolina’s offensive line has been credited with just five sacks and 37 pressures so far this season. Three of its five starters have a run-blocking grade above 65.0 as well.
Washington enters this game without arguably its best defensive player (Jonathan Allen). He was the only defensive lineman with a run defense grade above 44.0 (49.0).
Carolina should be able to control the ball in the trenches. It may not be enough to overcome its bad defense, but this game should be chock-full of fantasy goodness on both sides.
Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals
The Chargers offensive line returned to full strength after the bye week. The time off allowed the group to get healthy and re-establish itself as one of the dominant units in the NFL this season.
Oh my lord, Justin Herbert.
🔟/🔟
🎯🎯
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) October 14, 2024
Los Angeles held together well against a strong Denver defense in Week 6, allowing just 12 pressures and one sack. The team did lose another starter for part of the game (right guard Trey Pipkins III), but there is no indication that he will be out for a considerable amount of time.
Most importantly, the Chargers got a vintage performance from left tackle Rashawn Slater. The veteran finished with pass blocking, run blocking, and overall PFF grades above 77.0 in a tough matchup.
The Chargers offensive line will have a far easier opponent across from it in Week 7. The Cardinals defensive front has done a fine job generating pressures (79) but hasn’t found many ways to convert those pressures into sacks (11). Opposing offenses are also averaging 4.7 yards per carry against Arizona.
Los Angeles should have a solid day for fantasy football even with its deliberate play style.
Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans
Buffalo’s offensive line is hardly an imposing group, but that won’t matter much against a Tennessee defensive line that has struggled to gain any positive momentum this season.
The Titans defensive line has generated just 38 pressures and seven sacks to start the season. They don’t have a single player with a pass-rushing grade above 63.0 on their defensive line. They have been more formidable against the run, with three of their starters posting a PFF grade above 69.0.
The Bills' passing attack has taken a backseat to the run game to start the season (and for most of offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s tenure). Buffalo should match up well in this game and may be able to get its passing attack on track against a defense that struggles to generate consistent pressure.
Matchups to Avoid
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams
The Raiders offensive line has been a disappointment to start the 2024 season after being a strength of the team in 2023. Las Vegas enters Week 7 as PFF’s 14th-ranked pass-blocking group (66.4), 31st-ranked run-blocking unit (56.4), and 27th overall graded group (60.6).
Las Vegas will have its work cut out for it against a young Rams defensive line that was starting to find its way heading into the Week 6 bye.
The Conductor aka Kobie Turner got to work early!
Rams bring Braden Fiske on a stunt. Byron Young bull rushes Zach Tom into the pocket. Love can't escape and has to step up right into Turner. pic.twitter.com/2PyAA3LL8G
— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) October 8, 2024
All four of Los Angeles’ starting defensive linemen have generated at least 15 pressures and one sack. Additionally, the Rams defensive line features six players who have played at least 150 snaps. Five of them have a PFF run defense grade above 57.0.
The Raiders desperately need to utilize the run to set up play action for Aidan O’Connell, given his lack of mobility outside of the pocket. The Rams pose a difficult matchup in that regard.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
The Bengals offensive line has performed admirably this season thanks to an influx of established veterans helping bring along raw rookie right tackle Amarius Mims.
However, the Bengals' one area of weakness has been their ability to protect the passer. The Bengals have allowed 56 pressures and 10 sacks this season.
The Bengals will have their hands full this week against a Browns defense that forces opposing offensive lines to pick and choose their double teams.
You can't leave Myles Garrett unblocked unless you are reading him, and if you were reading him here you might need glasses pic.twitter.com/vBTcsr4UUm
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) October 15, 2024
Cleveland’s defense has generated 102 pressures and 16 sacks to start the 2024 season, led by veteran defensive end Myles Garrett (26 pressures and four sacks). Four different players have multiple sacks for Cleveland and nine different players have at least one sack.
Start your studs regardless of matchup, but don’t be surprised if Cincinnati’s offense struggles to put up big fantasy production in Week 7.
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