Offensive Line/Defensive Line Rankings & Matchups (2023)

We love to talk about skilled players in fantasy football, and rightfully so, but games are won in the trenches. Offensive line and defensive line units dictate the outcome of every game, despite failing to make consistent highlight reel plays for the average NFL fan to consume. Fantasy football relies on quarterbacks to have enough protection in the pocket to execute throws and go through their reads, while defensive lines can wreck havoc on an opposing backfield. Plus, if your league uses D/ST, rostering a quality defense is key to collecting wins.

During this series, we’ll break down offensive and defensive line rankings and matchups each week, highlighting some of the most notable games, while ranking the current top five offensive and defensive lines based on what we’ve seen thus far. Right now, we’re still early in the season, but there are already some prominent units to discuss, along with key matchups to highlight, to give you the edge needed to make the right lineup decisions entering Week 2.

Let’s dive into these rankings and matchups for offensive and defensive lines ahead of the upcoming Week 2 NFL slate!

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Offensive Line Rankings & Matchups

1. Philadelphia Eagles

2. Detroit Lions

3. Cleveland Browns

4. Baltimore Ravens

5. Atlants Falcons

Key Week 2 Matchups

Falcons vs. Packers
The Falcons are arguably the most run-centric offense in the league in 2023 and they’ve paid their offensive line a handsome fee to establish the run, which lets them stay aggressive at the line of scrimmage. The Packers have quietly added pieces to their defensive line, like Devonte Wyatt (DE – Packers), which will give the Falcons’ offensive line fits. It’s certainly an intriguing matchup with the addition of first-round rookie, Lukas Van Ness (DE – Packers), we could see a low-scoring grind of a game in Atlanta.

Seahawks vs. Lions
Detroit is another team that deploys a run-centric scheme behind an offensive line they’ve deftly built over the last few seasons. Seattle’s defense was embarrassed by the Rams at home in Week 1, but despite the Rams scoring three rushing touchdowns, most of the yardage came through the air. The Seahawks ranked 30th in run defense last season, so in a road matchup where they need to improve quickly to avoid an 0-2 start to the season, we could see players like Dre’Mont Jones (DT – Seahawks) and Jarran Reed (NT – Seahawks) disrupt the Lions’ game plan. Or, Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Lions) and David Montgomery (RB – Lions) will have their way and produce massive fantasy outputs. Either way, this is shaping up to be a fun matchup in the trenches at Ford Field.

Ravens vs. Bengals
The AFC North is among the most physical divisions in the league and the first matchup between the Ravens and Bengals should tell us a lot at the line of scrimmage. The Bengals didn’t record a lot of sacks in 2022 but they generated a ton of pressure, plus their defensive line is fully healthy, compared to the Ravens’ offensive line, which has injuries to left tackle Ronnie Stanley (LT – Ravens) and center Tyler Linderbaum (C – Ravens). Houston’s defensive line challenged the Ravens’ offensive line in Week 1, while the Bengals’ defensive line was stuck trying to defend the run, unsuccessfully, against a top-five offensive line in Week 1. Expect the Ravens to dial up more running plays to take advantage of a defensive line that performs better against the pass than the run.

Defensive Line Rankings & Matchups

1. San Francisco 49ers

2. Philadelphia Eagles

3. Dallas Cowboys

4. Washington Commanders

5. New England Patriots

Key Week 2 Matchups

Cowboys vs. Jets
As if things weren’t bad enough for the Jets following the loss of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers (QB – Jets), they now have to put Zach Wilson (QB – Jets) in as QB1 against what appears to be a top-three defensive line. The Cowboys, led by edge rusher Micah Parsons (DE/LB – Cowboys), dominated a Giants offensive line that garnered praise last season, so with the Jets’ offensive line issues being the topic of discussion all offseason, this will be a massive test on the road. The addition of Johnathan Hankins (NT – Cowboys) at nose tackle has Dan Quinn’s defense humming, while veteran DeMarcus Lawrence (DE – Cowboys) continues to dominate opposite of Parsons.

49ers vs. Rams
Nick Bosa (DE – 49ers) didn’t do much against the Steelers but he got plenty of help from Javon Hargrave (DT – 49ers), whom the 49ers traded for this offseason, plus veteran Arik Armstead (DT – 49ers), who is a one-man wrecking ball within the interior of the offensive line. The Rams’ offensive line was among the worst in the league last year, but it held up well against the Seahawks in Week 1, using a second-round draft pick on rookie guard Steve Avila (LG – Rams), so this is definitely a matchup to watch as these two NFC West rivals clash in Week 2.

Patriots vs. Dolphins
The New England defensive line gave the Eagles offensive line, which is currently the best unit in the league, fits for big stretches in Week 1. Rookie edge rusher Keion White (DE – Patriots), taken in the second round, was a big piece of this, while Christian Barmore (DT – Patriots), Davon Godchaux (NT – Patriots), and Deatrich Wise Jr. (DE – Patriots) form an underrated nucleus of talent under the defensive-minded Bill Belichick. Miami’s offensive line is already banged up at left tackle with Terron Armstead (LT – Dolphins), so they could face a difficult task against a loaded Patriots defensive front during a divisional road game in primetime on Sunday Night Football.