RADIO
Week 15 signals both the end of bye weeks, and for many, the start of the fantasy playoffs. Fantasy managers who were able to secure a spot for the playoffs should be gearing up to pull out all of the stops in their quest for a championship.
Week 14 was a rough one for offensive line play across the league. Just six units compiled an average PFF grade above 66.0. Teams like the Cowboys (Terence Steele) and Eagles (Lane Johnson) were forced to navigate injuries. The Eagles got good news on that front, but Dallas has lost their right tackle for the remainder of the season.
The time to make a championship push is now. Check out the article below to see the matchups to target or avoid as you make that first push for fantasy glory during the 2022 season.
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Champ of the Week
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles dominated the Giants in Week 14 and it started up front. All five of Philadelphia’s starting offensive linemen finished their game against the Giants with a PFF grade above 65.0. Four of five linemen had run blocking grades above 69.0 in the win as well.
The Giants' defensive line had been finding their groove in recent weeks, utilizing disruptive plays from Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, Azeez Ojulari, and Leonard Williams. Williams was forced to miss this game, putting more pressure on the young defensive linemen, who in turn responded with just seven pressures against Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles are in the conversation for the best team in the NFL as the playoffs roll around, and their offensive line is arguably playing at its highest level. That was on full display last week.
Chump of the Week
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals secured an important win against a divisional rival that they have historically struggled with, but their offensive line got worked over pretty well by a Cleveland defense that has struggled to produce all season.
Only one Bengals offensive lineman (center Ted Karras) finished the week with a pass-blocking grade above 45.0 and an overall PFF grade above 55.0. The right side of the line especially struggled in pass protection, with right guard Alex Cappa (17.9 pass-blocking grade) and right tackle La’el Collins (14.5) surrendering a combined six pressures.
The Bengals' offense was still able to effectively move the ball, but they will need to clean up their play if the team hopes to reach the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season.
Matchups to Target in Week 15
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
Fantasy managers are likely starting their Eagles players regardless of matchups at this point in the season, but it still needs to be said how much of an advantage they will have in this week’s matchup against the Chicago Bears.
The Eagles are currently the top-rated offensive line if you take into consideration their collective PFF pass blocking, run blocking, and overall grades. Meanwhile, Chicago is a team that has PFF’s lowest-rated run defense (32.0) and pass rush unit (54.3) in the NFL. The Bears have just 123 pressures and 18 sacks in 13 games this year.
Look for Philadelphia to roll on offense against a defense lacking playmakers this week.
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
I can’t recommend playing a Ravens pass catcher outside of Mark Andrews this week considering Lamar Jackson is out and Tyler Huntley could easily miss this week’s game. The good news for Baltimore is that Cleveland is the ideal team to utilize a run-heavy game script for if it is needed.
Cleveland is PFF’s 29th-ranked run defense in the NFL this season. Since their bye in Week 9, the Browns have allowed at least 82 rushing yards in every game. Their opponents are averaging 4.8 yards per carry against them this season. Baltimore should be able to impose their will in the run game and give whoever their starting quarterback is a chance to make plays off the play-action.
Expect J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to get a steady workload in an advantageous matchup this week.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
Minnesota’s offensive line has played well without Christian Darrisaw, but the team should expect him to return to the starting lineup in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. While Indianapolis features a good run defense (ninth-best according to PFF), they have been a mess generating a pass rush.
The Colts are currently rated as PFF’s 30th pass rush, generating just 174 pressures and 35 sacks in 13 games. Minnesota has a glaring weak spot that can be exploited on their offensive line (right guard Ed Ingram), but getting Darrisaw back (team-leading 83.2 pass-blocking grade) will be a huge help.
Expect Minnesota to scheme up extra help for Ingram with Darrisaw back on an island. If that happens, the Vikings could have a big day on offense after dropping Week 14’s game to the Lions.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 15
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
Buffalo’s offensive line has continued to struggle throughout the year, but a lot of that is masked by the playmaking ability of Josh Allen as a runner and a passer. Six of Buffalo’s offensive linemen have allowed double-digit pressures on the year, including four players with at least 22 pressures.
That isn’t good news with a matchup against the Miami Dolphins on the horizon. Miami utilizes a three-man edge rushing rotation between Jaelen Phillips (55 pressures, eight sacks), Melvin Ingram III (32 pressures, six sacks), and Bradley Chubb (44 pressures, nine sacks). What makes them truly difficult to stop is the high-level play from interior linemen Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler.
Expect Buffalo’s offense to struggle a bit this week against Miami’s stellar defensive front. Fantasy managers will want to start Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs but should be cautious about trusting anybody else this week.
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a great matchup on the offensive side of the ball against Indianapolis, but it’s also worth mentioning that the Colts' offensive line has a terrible matchup against the Vikings' defensive front.
The Vikings feature five different defensive linemen with at least 20 pressures on the season, led by Za’Darius Smith’s 70. While they don’t have an exceptional number of sacks as a team (35), it still shows that they are getting into the face of the quarterback and hurrying throws. They are equally strong as run defenders, ranking second in PFF’s run defense grade (85.8) this season.
The Colts' offensive line has struggled this season and has a statue at quarterback, which has the making of a disaster for their offense. Don’t be surprised if Jonathan Taylor struggles to get going in this one.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans
The Chargers have suffered an array of injuries to their offensive line this season but have been able to navigate them thanks to the continued brilliance of Justin Herbert in the pocket.
This week, they’ll be tasked with facing an exceptionally difficult challenge in the form of the Tennessee Titans. The Titans come into this week’s matchup as PFF’s eighth-ranked run defense (73.6) and seventh-ranked pass rush (73.8). The Titans feature eight different players with at least 18 pressures, led by Denico Autry (44) and Jeffery Simmons (43). They also have four different players who have at least 5.0 sacks this season (Simmons and Autry each have 7.0).
Justin Herbert does have his full complement of receiving weapons at his disposal, but he will have to get the ball out quickly this week as his makeshift offensive line deals with a strong defensive line. The Chargers' offense could struggle to gain traction in what could be their toughest matchup of the year.
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