RADIO
Football fans were not only blessed with the customary three games on Thanksgiving Thursday but also got a one-week reprieve from bye weeks. Unfortunately, there are still eight teams left who haven't had a bye, including two this week (Arizona and Carolina).
Unfortunately, a full slate of games opened us up to the likelihood of more injuries. That was especially true along the offensive line. Several teams lost starters, including the Buffalo Bills (Dion Dawkins), Los Angeles Chargers (Corey Linsley), and Miami Dolphins (Terron Armstead). All three of those teams are in the playoff picture and can’t afford to be missing some of their most important linemen.
The focus now moves to Week 13. Which teams have an advantage in the trenches? What teams should we avoid? Find the answers below.
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Champ of the Week
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were dominant across the offensive line in their Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Philadelphia was a force in the run game, finishing the game with 49 carries for 363 yards (7.4 per attempt) and three touchdowns.
The Eagles didn’t have a single offensive lineman grade below 70.0 as a pass blocker, run blocker, or overall performance, according to PFF. The unit collectively allowed just two sacks and seven total pressures against Green Bay.
The Eagles' offensive line continues to pave the way for the offense, leaving few questions as to how they’ve achieved the best record in the NFL through 12 weeks.
Chump of the Week
Houston Texans
The Miami Dolphins are finally figuring out a way to utilize their array of weapons on the edge to create nightmares for opposing quarterbacks. Unfortunately, the Texans were on the receiving end of the Dolphins’ buzzsaw in Week 12.
The combination of Jaelen Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and Melvin Ingram III generated 13 pressures and two sacks alone off the edge. In total, the Texans allowed 15 total pressures on the game and had just one lineman (right guard A.J. Cann) finish with a PFF grade above 60.0.
Matchups to Target in Week 13
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Someday, we may not actively target the Bears’ defense for fantasy. But until that day arrives, you can keep playing their opponents with reckless abandon.
Chicago generated just two pressures as a team against Mike White and the Jets' offense in Week 13. They allowed a rookie UDFA (Zonovan Knight) to rack up 103 all-purpose yards and gave up 305 passing yards in a 31-10 blowout.
All fantasy-relevant Packers are playable in Week 13, including both running backs (Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon), the leading receivers (Allen Lazard and Christian Watson), and whichever quarterback gets the start.
Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
Cleveland’s offensive line has taken a minor step back with Hjalte Froholdt at center after Ethan Pocic’s injury, but the other four linemen surrounding Froholdt are playing at such a high level that it just doesn’t matter that much.
The Browns had some struggles against the Buccaneers during their overtime win (two sacks and 11 pressures), but now move on to a matchup against a toothless Texans front-seven.
Cleveland will be fired up in Deshaun Watson’s first game, but the real damage should be done in the run game. Houston is ranked 30th in run defense, according to PFF, playing right into the strength of the Browns' offense.
It may be risky starting Deshaun Watson after he’s spent the last two seasons accruing rust, but Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt should maintain a large role in the offense in one of their best matchups of the season.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 13
Tennessee Titans vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The loss of Taylor Lewan has quietly impacted the Titans across their offensive line. Derrick Henry continues to produce out of the backfield, but much of that can be attributed to his otherworldly volume. Tennessee’s offensive line hasn’t had a collective PFF grade above 60.0 since Week 8.
They’ll have a particularly hard challenge against the Eagles' deep, versatile defensive line in Week 13. The Eagles boast five different players with at least 24 pressures on the season, led by Javon Hargrave (39). Additionally, five linemen have at least 5.0 sacks on the season.
You can’t avoid starting Derrick Henry in fantasy, but it’s reasonable to temper expectations heading into a difficult matchup in a game the Titans will likely be forced into a negative game script.
Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys
The Colts' offensive line graded out well as a collective unit, according to PFF in Week 12 (67.7 overall grade), but it was far from pretty. Indianapolis surrendered five sacks and 14 pressures in a loss to the Steelers.
The Colts will now go from the challenge of slowing down T.J. Watt to trying to figure out how to stop a bevy of pass rushers like Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler Jr. Dallas features seven different defensive linemen with double-digit pressures this season.
Similar to Tennessee, fantasy managers should lock Jonathan Taylor into their lineups without worry. However, players like Matt Ryan and Michael Pittman Jr. could struggle to have a big day against a consistent pass rush.
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