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Week 14 is here and many fantasy leagues are on the cusp of the playoffs. Whether you’re already in, working for a playoff spot, or out of contention, there are only a few opportunities left to play this game we love. Unfortunately, this week also happens to have six teams on bye.
It was a relatively quiet week from an injury standpoint, although plenty of teams decided to rotate their offensive linemen. The most notable injury was Washington Commanders tackle/guard Samuel Cosmi. Teams will be heading into Week 14 relatively healthy.
The heavy volume of bye weeks makes it important to find whatever edges you can heading into the fantasy playoffs. Check out the offensive line matchups to target in Week 14 below.
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Champ of the Week
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons' offensive line continues to gel and operate at a high level during the 2022 season, this time in a Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Four of five offensive linemen finished with a PFF pass-blocking grade above 62.0. All five linemen had an overall PFF grade above 62.0 despite the loss.
The story of this game came from the right side of the offensive line. The combination of right guard Chris Lindstrom (95.8 PFF grade) and right tackle Kaleb McGary (91.5 PFF grade) stole the show, allowing just one combined pressure on the day. In total, the Falcons allowed just one sack and five pressures across the entire unit.
The game didn’t go their way in Week 13, but Atlanta continues to operate as one of the more surprising offensive line units this season.
Chump of the Week
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle secured a big win against a flailing Rams team in Week 13, but the game was much closer than anyone expected. Part of that can be attributed to the struggles up front for Seattle’s offensive line.
The Seahawks performed well as a pass-blocking unit against the Rams' defensive line (without Aaron Donald), giving up just two sacks and nine pressures on the day. However, they struggled mightily as run blockers. Only one offensive lineman (Gabe Jackson) finished with a run-blocking grade above 60.0 in the win. Jackson continues to rotate at right guard with Phil Haynes in a 50/50 split, skewing that a bit.
Seattle remains well within the playoff picture in the NFC, but they will need a stronger effort up front to make a sustainable playoff run this season.
Matchups to Target in Week 14
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
The Bengals invested considerable resources into their offensive line this offseason, and the unit is officially starting to gel. The Bengals allowed just one sack and five pressures (all by right tackle La’el Collins) in their statement win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13.
Thankfully for Cincinnati, they will ride that momentum into an advantageous matchup against the Cleveland Browns. According to PFF, the Browns have the third-worst run defense in the NFL this season and the 13th-ranked pass rush. Only Myles Garrett has logged more than 20 pressures or three sacks this season.
Look for the Bengals' offensive line to open up big running lanes for Joe Mixon (if cleared from concussion protocol) and Samaje Perine. Joe Burrow should also have plenty of time to take his shots in the passing game.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 49ers' offensive line will need to continue to play at a high level in order to make a playoff push now that both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo are done for the season. Based on how well they protected Brock Purdy in his first game action, they are up to the task.
The 49ers will need to rely on their run game and strong pass protection to keep the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant in a position to succeed and will get their first chance against an outmanned Buccaneers defense. Tampa Bay ranks 29th in pass rush and 19th in run defense this season, according to PFF.
Tampa Bay features just four players with more than 20 pressures on the season, and one of them (Shaquil Barrett) is out for the season. Another is an off-ball linebacker (Devin White). The 49ers should be able to impose their will upfront this game, which should do plenty for the confidence of their rookie seventh-round quarterback.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 14
Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys
The Houston Texans put forth a spirited effort against the Cleveland Browns in Deshaun Watson’s debut, giving up just four pressures on the game. Unfortunately, they were let down by several scores on defense and special teams, leading to another defeat.
Houston now goes from a good matchup to a terrible matchup in Week 14 against Dallas’ deep defensive line rotation. The Cowboys rank as PFF’s top pass-rushing defense on the back of their varied approach to attacking the quarterback. Five different Cowboys defenders have at least 24 pressures this year and four different players have generated at least 5.0 sacks.
Houston has talent along their offensive line, but Dallas has been stellar at getting to quarterbacks this season, making any Houston offensive player a risky play even in a week that has six teams on bye.
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
The Jets have gotten both George Fant and Max Mitchell back from the injured reserve recently and had both players rotate at right tackle in Week 13. They will need their offensive line to gel in a hurry though against a ferocious Buffalo defensive front.
10 different Bills defenders have generated at least 10 pressures this season. The loss of Von Miller has been significant for the Bills, but they are still able to get consistent pressure from younger players like Greg Rousseau (27 pressures, six sacks) and A.J. Epenesa (19 pressures, five sacks) in his stead. Add in strong interior pass rushers like DaQuan Jones (24 pressures, four sacks) and Ed Oliver (24 pressures, three sacks), and you have one of the few defensive lines that could survive without Miller’s presence.
The Jets will have their hands full against one of the top defensive lines in the NFL, which means fantasy managers should exercise caution firing up Mike White and his supporting cast in a Week 14 game with big playoff implications.
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