RADIO
Offensive scoring is down across the league and offensive lines continue to struggle across the board. Just seven teams finished with an average PFF grade above 65.0 across their entire offensive line in Week 6.
Unfortunately, injuries continue to stack up along the offensive lines as well. Arizona lost starting left guard Justin Pugh to an ACL tear against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. Additionally, the Rams' struggling offensive line will now be without their starting left tackle, Joseph Noteboom, after he tore his Achilles against the Panthers.
Bye weeks continue to roll on, and this week includes several heavy hitters for fantasy teams. Fantasy managers will be without players from the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Minnesota Vikings this week. Finding an edge will be crucial for teams trying to make a push for the fantasy playoffs. Use the offensive line analysis here to figure out the pieces to target and avoid this week in your matchups.
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Champ of the Week
Washington Commanders
The Commanders finished as the worst-graded offensive line in Week 5. It’s amazing what a game against Chicago’s defensive front can do for you. Washington completed the transition from worst to first in offensive line play by finishing with an average PFF grade of 71.6 across their five offensive linemen.
The accomplishment is even more impressive given the fact that injuries forced the Commanders to start their backup center (Tyler Larsen), right guard (Saahdiq Charles), and right tackle (Cornelius Lucas) against the Bears.
The personnel didn’t matter much as the Commanders' offensive line combined to give up just one sack and four pressures against Chicago. Hopefully, Washington can get some of their starters back to get the offense into the scoring column more consistently.
Chump of the Week
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers were able to pull off a three-point win in overtime against the Broncos on Monday night football, but their offensive line continues to struggle without Rashawn Slater and Corey Linsley.
Justin Herbert was under pressure for the entire night thanks to massive struggles from the right side of the offensive line. The combination of right guard Zion Johnson and right tackle Trey Pipkins combined to allow two sacks, five quarterback hits, and nine total pressures on the night. Collectively, the Chargers finished the game with an average PFF grade of 49.9.
The one bright spot? Rookie left tackle Jamaree Salyer continues to play well this season. He finished the game against Denver allowing just one pressure and finishing with a 79.0 pass-blocking grade and 62.4 run-blocking grade.
Matchups to Target in Week 7
New England Patriots vs Chicago Bears
We are at a point where it’s safe to just start any offensive players that are lucky enough to face off against the Bears defense. According to PFF, the Bears rank last in the NFL in terms of pass-rushing grade and 30th as a run defense.
The Bears have just two players with over 10 total pressures this season and have generated just 13 sacks in six games. The Bears' defense has been making mediocre offensive lines look amazing for six weeks of the season.
Meanwhile, the Patriots offensive line has been on a roll in recent weeks (minus Isaiah Wynn), which has helped rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe find open playmakers down to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive without Mac Jones.
More importantly, the interior of the offensive line has gelled. The combination of Cole Strange, David Andrews, and Michael Onwenu each finished with pass-blocking grades above 74.0 and overall PFF grades above 65.0.
The only sore spot along the offensive line is the continued struggles of right tackle Isaiah Wynn. The veteran right tackle finished Week 6’s game against Cleveland with a 5.0 pass-blocking grade and four pressures surrendered. He was benched in that game and could lose snaps to Marcus Cannon going forward.
Ultimately, it won’t matter much against the Bears. Feel confident starting Rhamondre Stevenson and Jakobi Meyers in Week 7 regardless of the quarterback. Hunter Henry, Tyquan Thornton, and DeVante Parker all have appeal as well if you’re in a bye-week pinch.
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals
The New Orleans Saints offensive line struggled against the stout Bengals defensive line in Week 6, finishing with an average PFF grade of 58.3. The Saints allowed two sacks and nine pressures (a majority of which came from the right side) and also lost left guard Andrus Peat to a concussion.
Assuming Peat can clear protocols, the Saints will be staring at a much friendlier matchup on a short week against the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has just three players (Zach Allen, Markus Golden, and J.J. Watt) with double-digit pressures on the season. Watt also leads the team in sacks with three.
Only one starting defensive lineman for the Cardinals (Zach Allen) has a pass-rushing grade over 68.0, according to PFF. Allen is also the only lineman with a run defense grade above 70.0.
This should be a great matchup for the Saints, even with their starting quarterback in flux. Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave are must-start options this week.
Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions
The Cowboys offensive line had some struggles on Sunday night pass blocking against the Eagles' deep and athletic stable of pass rushers, finishing with a 56.4 PFF pass blocking grade and 13 total pressures surrendered. Despite that, the unit put together a solid game against one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.
Fortunately for Dallas, they will have a much easier job getting movement up front in Week 7 when the Detroit Lions come to town. Detroit has just 80 pressures and seven sacks through five games this season. According to PFF, the Lions rank 28th in run defense and 27th in pass rushing defense.
Rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is the only player on the defensive line with more than one sack (three) or double-digit pressures (15). That should be music to Dak Prescott’s ears if he can return as anticipated this week. Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Ezekiel Elliott must be in starting lineups.
Fantasy managers with Michael Gallup and Tony Pollard should feel comfortable firing them up as well as they navigate bye weeks.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 7
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
The Colts deployed another offensive line configuration in Week 6’s game against the Jaguars and were able to have one of their better performances of the season. The Colts offensive line allowed just nine pressures against an athletic Jaguars front four.
Most impressive was the performance of veteran left tackle Dennis Kelly. Kelly rotated in with rookie Bernhard Raimann early and played well enough to never leave the game. He finished with the highest PFF offense grade (70.2) and allowed just one pressure on the day.
The Colts will have another challenge this week in the form of an aggressive Titans defensive line featuring Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry. Simmons and Autry have combined to generate 38 pressures and eight sacks alone this season.
The last time these two teams faced off in Week 4, the Colts finished with a 48.5 average grade across the offensive line thanks to three sacks and 11 pressures surrendered. Be cautious starting your Colts (outside of Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr.) this week.
New York Jets at Denver Broncos
The Jets' offensive line had an excellent game against the Packers defense, giving up zero sacks and just five pressures on the day. The Jets have transformed into an absolute force by turning into a run-heavy offense that relies on their defense to get stops. Breece Hall has been the biggest beneficiary of this shift in ideology.
The left side of the Jets' offensive line continues to shine, but the makeshift right side of the line continued to struggle. Typical right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has been forced to play right tackle thanks to injuries and struggled in Week 6 (47.7 PFF grade). Backup right guard Nate Herbig, unfortunately, didn’t fair much better (52.6).
The Jets have been on a roll, but they will face a very difficult matchup against the Denver Broncos' stout defensive front in Week 7. The Broncos feature five different players that have generated at least 13 pressures so far this season. Bradley Chubb, Baron Browning, and Dre’Mont Jones have also combined for 12 sacks.
That’s not great news for Zach Wilson or his receiving weapons. Breece Hall is getting enough volume to force his way into fantasy lineups, but be wary of relying on anybody else to get loose in this reduced passing offense.
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