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Week 10 is in the books and the bye weeks keep on coming. Fantasy managers have been forced to not only navigate a consistent stream of bye weeks, but also significant injuries amongst different skill players.
In general, offenses continue to struggle throughout the 2022 NFL season. We did get seven 30-point performances in the NFL, but unfortunately, four of them came from just two games. Offensive play continues to suffer this year, which is making fantasy football somewhat difficult to navigate.
Finding edges across the NFL remains very important and having an understanding of which offensive lines are playing well (or poorly) can be an important advantage. Check out the offensive lines to target or avoid in Week 11 to find the latest edge.
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Champ of the Week
Detroit Lions
Death, taxes, and offensive lines taking advantage of subpar Chicago Bears box defenders.
All five of Detroit’s starting offensive linemen finished the game against Chicago with a pass-blocking grade above 72.0 and a PFF grade over 69.0. The team allowed just one sack and two total pressures as they racked up 323 yards and 31 points. It was a dominant performance for the Lions up front that helped them their fourth win of the season against a divisional foe.
Chump of the Week
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints' offensive line just couldn’t navigate an array of moving parts on the left side of the offensive line. The team came into the game missing starting center Erik McCoy and Andrus Peat and eventually lost left tackle James Hurst to a concussion. It was a bad combination against a Steelers defense that got back T.J. Watt in Week 11.
In total, the makeshift Saints offensive line surrendered only two sacks and eight total pressures. Those aren’t bad numbers, but they also don’t tell the whole story. Only right tackle Ryan Ramczyk finished with a PFF grade above 51.0 and a run blocking grade above 48.0. The Saints have plenty of problems on offense and they seem to be stemming from subpar offensive line play.
Matchups to Target in Week 11
Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears
When in doubt, target the Chicago Bears' defensive front when it comes to fantasy football. It just so happens that their matchup this week, the Atlanta Falcons, has had a surprisingly strong season.
Atlanta features an offensive line that collectively averages the fourth-highest PFF grade (66.07) and run blocking (66.75) unit in the NFL this season. The Falcons do struggle in pass blocking (22nd), but that won’t be a problem against the NFL’s worst pass rush.
Start Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier with confidence given Atlanta’s run-heavy attack. Drake London and Kyle Pitts also seem safe this week given Chicago’s explosive offense but shaky secondary.
New York Giants vs Detroit Lions
Plenty of time was spent lauding the Lions' offensive line for their performance against the Bears' defensive line. However, we also need to acknowledge the continued struggles of the Lions’ defensive front.
Detroit ranks 25th in PFF’s run defense metric and 30th in pass rush. The Lions have generated just 132 pressures and 16 sacks this season and will now go up against a Giants offensive line that has performed admirably this season. New York has been a force on the ground this season and has allowed just 16 sacks in nine games.
Daniel Jones should have plenty of time to throw this week, putting Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton in the fantasy conversation. As always, Saquon Barkley is a must-start.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 11
Houston Texans vs. Washington Commanders
Houston’s offensive line started the season hot but has regressed in recent weeks. Houston surrendered two sacks and 15 pressures against the Giants in Week 10 and now goes up against one of the most talented defensive lines in the NFL in the Washington Commanders.
Washington has generated 177 total pressures this season, including three players (Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, and Daron Payne) with at least 29 pressures. Making matters worse for Houston: the Commanders are expected to activate Chase Young to play his first game of the season after a 2021 ACL tear.
Young will likely be limited, but the Commanders have excellent depth to generate a rush. Houston’s offensive players are a tough sell this week in fantasy against a very talented defensive line.
Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers
The Cardinals are rolling out a makeshift offensive line, starting backups at left tackle, both guard positions, and center. The unit performed well against the Rams in Week 10 but may have some issues stopping the various edge rushers of the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers feature three different edge rushers with at least 22 pressures and four different edges with at least three sacks. Nick Bosa leads the way (45 pressures, nine sacks), but they are deep and aggressive in attacking opposing tackles this season.
It’ll be tough to trust any of Arizona’s skill players this week, especially with a potentially limited Kyler Murray trying to operate strictly from the pocket.
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