We watched several key offensive line versus defensive line matchups play out as predicted during a fully loaded Week 8 NFL slate. The Buccaneers turned to Rachaad White (RB – Buccaneers) early and often as a pass-catcher and ball carrier, taking advantage of the injuries on Buffalo’s defense to stay competitive late in the game, resulting in one of White’s better fantasy football outings this season.
The Falcons defensive line was unable to pressure rookie Will Levis (QB – Titans) in his debut, as he threw four touchdowns, three of which went over 33 yards downfield, plus Tyjae Spears (RB – Titans) cooked them in a game that quickly got out of hand for the Falcons’ run-centric offense, which is not built to mount comebacks. George Pickens (WR – Steelers) still caught a touchdown against the Jaguars with Mitchell Trubisky (QB – Steelers) under center, but the Steelers’ inability to establish the run proved detrimental against the Jaguars’ stingy run defense. The New York Jets’ defense bullied the Giants all game long, resulting in key injuries to Tyrod Taylor (QB – Giants) and Darren Waller (TE – Giants), grinding out an ugly 13-10 win in overtime.
Jared Goff (QB – Lions) and Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Lions) took full advantage of their plus-matchup against a bad Raiders run defense in Week 8. Sam LaPorta (TE – Lions), Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – Lions), and Gibbs all had huge outings in fantasy, despite Maxx Crosby’s (DE – Raiders) best efforts. Philadelphia’s defense bled points and yards to Sam Howell (QB – Commanders) and the Commanders through the passing attack, but it shut down their rushing attack, relegating Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – Commanders) and Antonio Gibson (RB – Commanders) into RB3 territory.
NFL fantasy analyst Matt MacKay is here to give us his latest offensive and defensive line unit rankings, which includes analyzing a few key matchups in Week 9 to allow fantasy managers to maximize the number of points in their lineups during a Week 9 slate where Byes make their return.
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Offensive Line Rankings & Matchups
1. Detroit Lions
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Key Week 9 Matchups
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans
The return of Cameron Heyward (DT – Steelers) alongside T.J. Watt (DE – Steelers) will be huge for Pittsburgh’s outlook against the Titans on Thursday Night Football. Levis just dominated the Falcons, who have a good defensive line, while he draws another plus-matchup against the Steelers’ pass defense, which has allowed 6.5 net yards per pass attempt, ranked fifth-highest in the league. Quietly, the Steelers rank seventh-highest in pressure rate (25.1%) this season and the Titans’ offensive line has surrendered 25 sacks, which registers at an 11.4 percent sack rate. Levis will make his first road start in a tough environment in prime time against a Steelers team desperate to get back into the win column, so temper expectations for DeAndre Hopkins (WR – Titans), Levis, while Derrick Henry (RB – Titans) could get a bump against Pittsburgh’s run defense, giving up the sixth-most rushing yards per attempt (4.5) this season.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons
The loss of Kirk Cousins (QB – Vikings) will loom large for whoever winds up under center for the Vikings in Week 9. They travel to Atlanta, where the Falcons play much better than on the road. Minnesota has a pair of outstanding and underrated offensive tackles in Christian Darrisaw (OT – Vikings) and Brian O’Neill (OT – Vikings) though, plus the recent addition of Dalton Risner (G – Vikings) in the interior. This unit should be able to neutralize the Falcons’ pass rush, especially with Calais Campbell (DT – Falcons) currently dealing with an undisclosed injury suffered in Week 8. Atlanta is top-ten in fewest yards allowed per pass attempt and rush attempt, so it’ll be intriguing to watch how Minnesota navigates their defensive line without Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson (WR – Vikings) available.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys
We all know how talented the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line has been for the past few seasons. This year is no exception. The Brotherly Shove is a hyper-efficient short-yardage play that keeps opponents on the field, while the Eagles manage to burn clock and rack up first downs. Lane Johnson (OT – Eagles), Jason Kelce (C – Eagles), and Jordan Mailata (OT – Eagles) are some of the standouts along the offensive line, which will have its hands full countering Micah Parsons (DE – Cowboys), DeMarcus Lawrence (DE – Cowboys), and Jonathan Hankins (NT – Cowboys) in Week 9. Both defenses in this game give up explosive plays in the passing attack, so creating pressure will be key for the Cowboys against Jalen Hurts (QB – Eagles), who has steadily improved as a pocket passer with A.J. Brown (WR – Eagles) as his preferred downfield target.
Defensive Line Rankings & Matchups
1. New York Jets
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Cleveland Browns
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Key Week 9 Matchups
New York Jets vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The New York Jets’ defensive line is arguably the strength of the team through the first eight weeks of the 2023 season. Quinnen Williams (DT – Jets) leads the way in a deep defensive line that ranks first in pressure rate (29.9%) and first in hurry percentage (14.4%) this year. Justin Herbert (QB – Chargers) has been protected pretty well behind Rashawn Slater (OT – Chargers) and the Chargers’ offensive line, as Los Angeles has allowed only a 5.6 percent sack rate, seventh-fewest in the league. Herbert does not perform well under pressure, so expect the Jets to dial up continuous blitz packages to keep the Chargers’ offense in neutral to keep the game within reach.
New England Patriots vs. Washington Commanders
The New England Patriots defense has had some bad games, but its’ defensive line has generated the second highest hurry rate (11.1%) this season. The Patriots will host the Washington Commanders in Week 9, which is an offensive line unit that has surrendered 41 sacks, tied for highest in the league alongside the New York Giants. Sam Howell performed well in Week 8 against the Eagles, showcasing a strong arm and elusiveness in the pocket, but he’ll get another tough defensive line matchup with the likes of rookie edge rusher Keion White (DE – Patriots) and Davon Godchaux (NT – Patriots) bringing continuous pressure and forcing him into bad decisions. Washington’s skilled players could wind up being a hard fade in Week 9.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins
An overseas matchup between the Chiefs and Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany should give us a lot of film to dissect between all four offensive and defensive line units in this game. For now, we’ll focus on the Chiefs defensive line, which ranks eighth or better in hurry rate, pressure rate, and quarterback knockdown percentage. Miami’s offense, conversely, has played well within head coach Mike McDaniel’s West Coast offense, allowing Tua Tagovailoa (QB – Dolphins) to get the ball out quickly on designed reads, which is a big reason why Miami has only surrendered 12 total sacks this season. Its offensive line remains banged up with Connor Williams (OT – Dolphins) dealing with a groin injury, while Chris Jones (DT – Chiefs), George Karlaftis (DE – Chiefs), and Derrick Nnadi (DT – Chiefs) form one of the league’s most elite defensive line units in 2023.
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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.
