RADIO
Three weeks of the NFL season are done and scoring remains down across the league. Defenses are sitting in two-high coverage shells, forcing offenses to lean on the run game to try and open up the pass.
Week 3 was the worst week of the season in terms of significant offensive line injuries. The Chargers lost another key lineman with Rashawn Slater suffering a season-ending bicep injury. The 49ers also lost their left tackle (Trent Williams) to a high-ankle sprain. These could be detrimental to both teams considering the young and inexperienced linemen on those units.
Now that three weeks are in the books, we can start to truly evaluate the different units across the league to try and make the proper decisions regarding our lineup choices. Check out Week 4’s matchups to target or fade before the regular season.
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Champ of the Week
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive front without T.J. Watt on Thursday Night Football, leaving them with the top offensive line grade in Week 3. All five of the Browns' starting offensive linemen finished the week with an overall PFF grade above 63.0 and paved the way for Nick Chubb to have another big day on the ground.
Cleveland collectively finished the game allowing just two sacks, three hurries, and five pressures against Pittsburgh. The loss of Watt on the edge is significant, but the Steelers still have plenty of talent up front with Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Alex Highsmith, and Malik Reed.
The Browns' offensive line is finding its footing through three weeks and appears ready to pave the way for a strong running game until Deshaun Watson can return from his suspension.
Chump of the Week
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were down a ton of starters on defense against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, but the offensive line was arguably the bigger letdown. Buffalo had to use eight different offensive linemen against Miami due to injuries and heat illness, leading to a rough day for Josh Allen in the pocket.
Buffalo’s offensive line combinations wound up allowing two sacks, five quarterback hits, 18 hurries, and 25 (!!!) total pressures against a Miami defensive line that has struggled early in the season. The constant rotation of pieces didn’t help, but Miami seemed to have Buffalo’s number throughout the game.
The good news for Bills fans? The only offensive lineman who is at risk of missing any time as of now is right guard Ryan Bates (concussion). The bad news? The offensive line struggled on the interior for the second week in a row and needs to firm up for Buffalo to make good on their Super Bowl aspirations.
Week 4 Matchups to Target
Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals
The Panthers' offensive line held their own against the Saints' defensive line in Week 3, leading to their first victory of the season. This was a questionable unit coming into the season with a young left tackle, free agent guard, and moving pieces up front. Through three games, the unit has been up to the task.
The Panthers' offense has struggled to move the ball, but everything indicates that has more to do with Baker Mayfield’s struggles than the play of the linemen. Carolina has allowed just four sacks and 26 pressures through three weeks. They’ll now get a chance to face off against a bad Cardinals defense.
Arizona has generated just two sacks and 19 pressures across their defensive line through three games of the season. There should be plenty of opportunities for Baker Mayfield to get the ball to D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson if he’s able to remember how to throw the forward pass again.
Chicago Bears at New York Giants
The Chicago Bears passing attack is abysmal at the moment, but their offensive line has looked very good to start the 2022 season. The Bears currently rank as PFF’s second-ranked run blocking unit in the NFL, behind only the Kansas City Chiefs. Both David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert have had big games on the ground in three weeks.
It’s also worth noting that the Bears have allowed just four sacks this season, but that doesn’t seem very fair considering they haven’t attempted more than 17 passes in a game yet this season. The Bears are poised to continue their run-heavy ways against a Giants defensive line that has struggled collectively this season.
New York ranks in the bottom-10 of run defense and pass rush to start the season (although the return of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari should help). Khalil Herbert is a must-start if David Montgomery misses time. Maybe we see 20 pass attempts from the Bears in Week 4 (probably not though).
Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons
The Browns show up in this article again thanks to a prime matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. The Falcons have a slew of athletic pass rushers that will be matching up against the strength of the Browns' offensive line. Atlanta has been able to hang in all three games this season, but find themselves 1-2 heading into Week 3.
Atlanta has done well against opposing running backs this season, but they’ve yet to face off against an offensive line that comes close to the punishing blocking style in Cleveland. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt remain excellent starting options with Amari Cooper and David Njoku featuring as the pass catchers to start with confidence in this game.
Week 4 Matchups to Avoid
Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals
The Dolphins' offense has been clicking to start the season, but they had some serious problems across the offensive line exposed against a stellar Bills defensive line. On paper, Miami’s offensive line did well by allowing just one sack and five pressures, but Tua Tagovailoa was constantly under duress and nearly knocked out of the game with a concussion.
The Dolphins' offensive line has allowed 18 hurries and 23 pressures through three games primarily through the left guard (Liam Eichenberg) and right tackle (Greg Little). They’ll have another difficult test on a short week against a strong Bengals defensive line.
The Bengals are coming off a stellar game against the Jets' offensive line. Cincinnati generated four sacks, seven hurries, and 16 pressures in that game. You shouldn’t bench Miami’s explosive receivers (Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle), but be wary of playing Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, and even Tua Tagovailoa.
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
The Chargers suffered one of the most devastating losses of the early season in Week 3, losing left tackle Rashawn Slater with a torn bicep. Add that to the injury to Corey Linsley and the Chargers' strong offensive line has gotten questionable in a hurry. The unit struggled in Week 3 against the Jaguars' athletic pass-rushing unit.
Jacksonville finished Week 3 with one sack, 19 hurries, and 25 pressures in total against the Chargers' offensive line. That same offensive line may be missing two of their better players in Week 4.
Houston lacks the pure talent of Jacksonville’s defensive line, but they have a bunch of players who give constant effort. Houston’s defensive linemen have generated 26 pressures and nine sacks through three games. It could be another long day for Austin Ekeler and an ailing Justin Herbert in Week 4.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos
The Las Vegas Raiders offensive line continues to scuffle to start the season, which has contributed to an 0-3 start for a team with playoff aspirations. There have been a few bright spots outside of left tackle Kolton Miller across the unit.
Las Vegas' offensive line has allowed four sacks, 14 hurries, and 28 pressures in their first three games. That isn’t great news with a game against the Denver Broncos on the horizon.
Denver aggressively attacked a strong 49ers offensive line (they were helped by a Trent Williams ankle injury) and consistently kept the team pinned deep in their territory. Three different pass rushers (Randy Gregory, Bradley Chubb, and Dre’Mont Jones) have generated at least eight pressures and 2.0 sacks through three weeks.
Derek Carr will have to get the ball out in a hurry again this week. You can’t justify benching key players like Davante Adams and Darren Waller, but Josh Jacobs and the other ancillary weapons are worth sitting if you have other comparable players on the bench.
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