NFL Offensive Line/Defensive Line Rankings & Matchups: Week 4 (Fantasy Football)

While NFL highlights tend to be focused on skilled players, most games are won and lost in the trenches. Offensive line and defensive line units are integral to the way each game is played, either setting quarterbacks and running backs up with enough time to make a play, or disrupting the backfield to keep an offense behind schedule.

There are only a handful of elite players on either side of the line of scrimmage when it comes to the quality of offensive and defensive line play. The collective unit, however, can win one-on-one matchups, often making the difference in how a game is decided. It’s the continuous strategy coaches around the league lose sleep over. How do we mitigate pressure on offense, versus how do we create relentless pressure on defense?

Fantasy football leagues primarily reward skilled player performances, but understanding which offensive and defensive lines to target or avoid in certain matchups adds an extra set of data points to help fantasy football managers make the best start/sit decisions when it comes to setting lineups. NFL fantasy analyst Matt MacKay is back to share his latest top-five offensive and defensive line rankings, including analysis on several key matchups, ahead of another jam-packed Week 4 slate.

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Offensive Line Rankings & Matchups

1. Philadelphia Eagles

2. Cleveland Browns

3. Kansas City Chiefs

4. Detroit Lions

5. Green Bay Packers

Key Week 3 Matchups

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
We don’t have to wait long for this first matchup between two NFC North opponents. Green Bay’s offensive line, led by David Bakhtiari (LT – Packers), has allowed the fifth-lowest sack percentage in the league through three weeks. Now, Aidan Hutchinson (DE – Lions) and the rest of the Lions’ defense will provide a great test for the Packers to continue pass blocking and run blocking with efficiency, as the Lions have allowed the fifth-fewest yards per play this season.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers
Two 0-3 teams square off in Charlotte on Sunday, as the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line, who are ranked 14th in sack percentage allowed, go up against an underrated Carolina Panthers defensive line. The Panthers are ranked fourth in defensive sack percentage and 11th in interception percentage, so going up against Kirk Cousins (QB – Vikings), who lacks mobility to evade pressure in the pocket, could give Carolina a chance to pull off the outright win as home underdogs in Week 4.

Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland has one of the highest paid offensive line units in the league and they’ll earn every cent of it if they can neutralize the Baltimore Ravens’ stout defensive line. Baltimore is ranked second in yards per play allowed, while the Browns’ offensive line is surrendering quite a few sacks, ranking 27th in sack percentage. Expect more designed run plays to keep Cleveland aggressive up front in an effort to avoid taking sacks and TFLs.

Defensive Line Rankings & Matchups

1. San Francisco 49ers

2. Buffalo Bills

3. Philadelphia Eagles

4. Dallas Cowboys

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Week 3 Matchups

Indianapolis Colts vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Colts and Rams are two of the most surprising teams in terms of exceeding expectations set in the preseason. Indianapolis has one of the more talented defensive line units in the league right now, led by DeForest Buckner (DT – Colts), ranking fifth in sack percentage and eighth in rushing yards per attempt. Meanwhile, the Rams’ offensive line is ranked top-12 in sack percentage allowed, showing notable improvement from a year ago. A pass-centric Rams offense could play into the Colts’ weakness as a pass defense, but getting pressure on Matthew Stafford (QB – Rams), who lacks mobility, will be the Colts’ defensive game plan in Week 4.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans
T.J. Watt (DE/LB – Steelers) and Alex Highsmith (DE/LB – Steelers) are a dynamic linebacker duo that allow the Steelers to win close, low-scoring games. Pittsburgh ranks third in defensive sack percentage, facing a Houston offensive line that is riddled with injuries. C.J. Stroud (QB – Texans) will need to be elusive and get the ball out extremely quick to counter the relentless pressure he’ll face in the pocket on Sunday afternoon, especially due to their one-dimensional offense lacking a strong rushing attack to keep the Steelers’ defensive front-seven disciplined at the line of scrimmage.

Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
One of the most highly anticipated matchups in Week 4 features the Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins. Miami’s offensive line is outmatched by Buffalo’s defensive line personnel, but the Dolphins’ unique offensive scheme allows Tua Tagovailoa (QB – Dolphins) to get the ball out quickly into open space. The Bills are the top-ranked team in defensive sack percentage, while also ranking second in total points allowed. The Dolphins’ offensive line is ranked second in fewest sacks allowed, so this is a fantastic matchup that deserves our full attention when Miami has the ball, fresh off of a 70-point outing over Denver.