Offensive line play can often be overlooked when evaluating NFL offenses, but this season, we’ve seen prime examples of just how much a bad line can impact even a reasonably good offense. Most attention is paid to the skill-position players during the offseason, but the offensive line is often the deciding factor in a team’s success or failure.
Evaluating an offensive line is tough because it’s a cohesive group of five players that needs to be anchored with quality options and then surrounded by solid options. Unlike other positions, one star player cannot make all the difference, and equally, one bad player doesn’t immediately sink a unit.
The best offensive lines in the NFL are often above average across all five positions and boast the depth to deal with inevitable injuries in the trenches.
Our new offensive line metric (OL+) combines pressure and sack rate stats with time-to-throw data to build a profile of an offensive line’s performance in various situations. We then sprinkle in ESPN’s pass block (PBWR) and run block win rate (RBWR) stats to give a comprehensive overview of these units’ performance.
In judging all 32 units, we’ll look at their season-long performance, the data over the last four weeks, and the general trends from these respective units week by week. However, we are well aware that football is not played on a spreadsheet, so we’ve also watched these units throughout the season to observe their performances.
We also know that OL play is arguably more subjective than any other position on the football field. Therefore, we appreciate that how we rank these teams may not be how others rank them.
We never shy away from comments about our rankings, but please keep them respectful. Remember that we don’t hate your team; we’re just calling it as we see it and the numbers tell it.
1) Denver Broncos
Grade: 99.2 (A+)
The Denver Broncos’ offensive line has been excellent in 2024. They rank third in the league in sack rate (4.2%) and sixth in pressure rate (29.1%) despite having a quarterback who consistently holds onto the ball.
That is reflected in Denver’s unit leading the league in PBWR, having both tackles inside the top 10 at the position and all three interior players inside the top four.
The Broncos’ unit is also second in the NFL in RBWR, with Ben Powers in the top 10 individually in terms of interior offensive linemen. However, they only rank 10th in RB yards before contact per rush (RBYBC/rush: 0.98). Jaleel McLaughlin showed a little bit more pop against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the Broncos benefitted from facing a poor Cincinnati Bengals defense.
The Broncos had been trending down recently, but a sixth-placed ranking in Week 16, followed by a top-eight finish in Week 17, has arrested that decline. Before that, Denver’s last individual game grade of a B- or above had been three games ago.
2) Baltimore Ravens
Grade: 95.0 (A)
The Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line dominated the Houston Texans in Week 17, finishing with the 14th-best individual game score of the season. It was their third time ranking first in the league in a given week this season but the first since Week 3. That Week 17 performance has elevated them to the point that they rank fourth in the last four weeks and has seen them move to second in the standings.
Baltimore is a top-five team in sack rate (5.1%), which is both helped and hindered by the quarterback, who holds the ball a long time but is elusive enough to get out of trouble.
The Ravens allow a high-pressure rate when not facing the blitz (35.2%), but no team has a longer time to throw in non-blitz situations (3.46). Even when facing the blitz, his time to throw is still 2.84 (fourth-highest in the NFL), a good indicator of how comfortable Lamar Jackson feels in his line and his own abilities.
ESPN’s metrics have the Ravens’ line as a top-three unit in PBWR and RBWR. Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum both rank high individually at their positions, while Roger Rosengarten ranks well in run blocking.
3) Buffalo Bills
Grade: 93.2 (A)
The Buffalo Bills offensive line’s upward trend stalled a little in Week 17, with a 30th-place ranking and a D-grade. The line had been excellent in each of the four contests before that, posting three games with a B or B+ grade and one with an A grade. Because of that, they still rank sixth despite the down week against the New York Jets in Week 17.
Buffalo has two games graded as an A or better this season, compared to just two games graded below a C-. That remarkable consistency has seen them sit inside the top two in the league as we enter the final weeks of the season.
The Bills’ offensive line has been superb when facing the blitz, allowing just a 29.7% pressure rate (second). They are certainly helped by having a mobile quarterback who can move around the field and escape from free rushers but is also good at getting rid of the ball quickly.
Intriguingly, the Bills actually allow a higher pressure rate when not blitzed (33.3%), which says a lot about the way this offense operates.
The run game numbers are a bit mixed. The Bills are inside the top five in terms of RBYBC/rush (1.05), but they’re just 14th in RBWR. However, their RBWR number is over 70%, so it’s far from being a disaster for this offense.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: 92.4 (A-)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive line has undeniably been one of the most improved units in the NFL this season. That improvement continues, as they rank third over the past four weeks, with a B+ and a B- in that time.
Tampa Bay’s pressure rate (24.2%) is the lowest in the league, with impressive numbers whether facing the blitz or not. Its RBYBC/rush of 1.01 is inside the top 10.
Baker Mayfield is noted as being a quick quarterback to release the ball, which certainly helps. This offense is also predicated on getting the ball out quickly, but that doesn’t take away from what the Buccaneers’ line is doing.
They are seventh in both ESPN’s PBWR and RBWR, which are impressive numbers given this unit’s struggles at times last season.
5) Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: 87.5 (B+)
The Eagles’ OL has been all over the map in recent weeks. Despite getting a D+ in Weeks 15 and 16, an exceptional performance against the Carolina Panthers and a good one against the Dallas Cowboys gives Philadelphia the 15th-best number in the last four weeks.
When you look at the Eagles’ pressure numbers, it’s hard to imagine them as a top-10 offense. Their 40.5% pressure rate is the worst in the NFL, but they’re asked to do much more than other units.
Their quarterbacks hold the ball for an average of 3.23 seconds, which is the highest in the league this season.
That is where our combined stats and ESPN’s PBWR come in. By combining time to throw with pressure and sack rate numbers, we get a better view of the overall picture, and PBWR gives us another angle of that.
The Eagles rank fourth in PBWR this year. They’re relatively good as an overall pass-blocking unit, but the numbers don’t look pretty in isolation.
You cannot fault the run blocking, as Philadelphia’s OL clears the way for an average of 1.03 RBYBC/rush (fifth in the NFL). They also do an excellent job executing the Tush Push, which no other offensive team has mastered like this front has managed to.
6) Kansas City Chiefs
Grade: 86.7 (B)
The Kansas City Chiefs at six on this list doesn’t jive with what you’ve seen on the field in recent weeks. The offensive line has struggled mightily (especially on the left side) and currently ranks 25th over the last four weeks.
Yet, this group started the season strong and has been anchored by arguably the best central trio of any team in the NFL. However, they have now asked Joe Thuney to play left tackle, which has been an intriguing development to watch and one he has handled nicely.
Thuney leads the interior pass blockers in win rate, Creed Humphrey in sixth is so good you would think there were two of him at times, and Trey Smith is just outside the top 20.
However, Smith is inside the top 10 interior OL in terms of RBWR. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor has also been doing his part, ranking 17th in PBWR.
The run game has been strong this season. The Chiefs rank seventh in RBYBC/rush (1.02) and ninth in RBWR. That’s a great indication of just how good the interior and the right side of the line, especially, have been this year.
It will be intriguing to see if Thuney playing at left tackle has an impact on the interior group and if he can continue playing at a high level in that role that is traditionally much harder.
7) Washington Commanders
Grade: 86.4 (B)
Another team trending down over the last four weeks is the Washington Commanders, who rank 31st in that stretch despite a B-performance last time out against the Atlanta Falcons.
Washington’s worst performance of the season in Week 15 held them back from closing out the New Orleans Saints, nearly costing them the game. They then struggled again in Week 16 but somehow managed to come back and beat the Philadelphia Eagles.
On the season as a whole, the Commanders’ offensive line does a good job in pass protection, given just how long Jayden Daniels holds the ball. Whether it’s in the face of the blitz or not, Daniels is in the top 10 for both, in terms of time to throw (or be sacked).
Therefore, The pressure numbers do not look elite (34.6%), but in the context of the time they are blocking, they’re respectable. That is reflected in a top-eight ranking in PBWR entering Week 18.
In the run game, the Commanders’ RBs are only averaging 0.89 YBC/rush, but ESPN ranks Washington’s line as the best in terms of RBWR.
8) Detroit Lions
Grade: 85.9 (B)
The Detroit Lions offensive line has many impressive elements, and it certainly looks like a truly dominant unit at times on film. Yet, the metrics suggest that this isn’t the top-five unit that many consider it to be. Although, at eighth, it is not far off the top five, and another performance like their elite outing against the Chicago Bears in Week 16 could put them inside the top five entering the playoffs.
The Lions rank 12th and 16th in PBWR and RBWR, respectively, and are 10th in pressure rate (32.3%) and second in RBYBC/rush (1.08). However, they could be tested this week, having graded as a C- in their last meeting with the Minnesota Vikings back in Week 7.
The worry for the Lions will be that their struggles have come against other playoff teams. They graded as a C against the Buccaneers, a C- against the Vikings, a C+ and a D+ against the Green Bay Packers, a C against the Houston Texans, and a D- against the Buffalo Bills. When the competition ramps up, this line has tended to struggle, which could be an issue in the coming weeks.
9) Arizona Cardinals
Grade: 85.0 (B)
The Arizona Cardinals’ strong performances in the last month have seen them climb inside the top 10 in our NFL OL rankings. They sit first over the past four weeks, with back-to-back games that have graded as an A- or better and a game that graded as a B in Week 17. It is crazy to think that despite the play of this line, the Cardinals are 1-3 in that stretch.
Even though they have a quarterback who loves to hold the ball against the blitz, the Cardinals’ pressure rate (39.8%, 13th) and sack rate (9.2%, 20th) stats are very respectable.
When facing just four or fewer rushers, Arizona’s line is excellent, ranking sixth in pressure rate (26.0%) and third in sack rate (4.2%). Additionally, they’ve done well in opening up holes for the backs, ranking eighth in RBYBC/rush (1.01), while also sitting 11th in RBWR.
10) Minnesota Vikings
Grade: 82.4 (B-)
The Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line is a tough one to judge. They had posted some strong numbers before an injury to Christian Darrisaw. They’ve bounced around in recent weeks, with Cam Robinson still trying to settle into the role after being traded to Minnesota.
The upshot is that they ranked 14th over the last four weeks and have gotten back into the top 10 after back-to-back C+ performances in the last two weeks
The Vikings’ numbers against the blitz look a little worrisome (55.0% pressure rate), but Sam Darnold is holding the ball for nearly three seconds (second-highest in the NFL).
Minnesota’s OL is better relative to the league when not facing the blitz, ranking just inside the top 20 in pressure rate (33.3%) — but again, with a quarterback who holds the ball almost as long as anyone.
In the run game, the Vikings rank 11th in RBYBC/rush (0.96) and 13th in RBWR. These are not exceptional numbers, but they’re more than good enough to complement what the rest of the team is doing.
11) Los Angeles Rams
Grade: 82.2 (B-)
It’s been a topsy-turvy year for the entire Los Angeles Rams offense when it comes to injuries, and the offensive line has felt it as well. Now seemingly back toward full strength and looking healthier, the Rams’ offensive line is trending in the right direction, having ranked second over the past four weeks.
They did struggle somewhat against the Rams, with a C grade and sitting 19th, which is their lowest since Week 7 in terms of QB+ and the lowest since Week 2 in terms of weekly rankings.
Matthew Stafford is in the quickest four when it comes to time to throw (2.66), which helps their pass blocking. But even in that context, they’re a solid unit, with a pressure rate of 31.2% (eighth) and a sack rate of 5.1% (fifth).
The Rams’ OL also ranks third in the league in RBYBC/rush (1.07) and 10th in RBWR, both of which are highly respectable numbers.
12) Green Bay Packers
Grade: 80.5 (B-)
The play of the Green Bay Packers offensive line has been fairly inconsistent since its bye week, and it ranks ninth in the league over the past four weeks. The overall numbers do not appear to be anything to worry about, and a strong showing up front against the Lions in Week 14 will have boosted their confidence.
Green Bay’s OL has been very impressive in the face of the blitz, ranking ninth in pressure rate (37.4%), which is much better than their 16th-placed ranking when not facing the blitz (32.7%). The Packers’ run blocking will be somewhat concerning to them, as they rank 19th in RBYBC/rush (0.86) and 24th in RBWR. However, their run game has generally performed well, hiding some of those concerns when you watch them play.
13) Atlanta Falcons
Grade: 79.7 (C+)
Despite the changes in their passing offense in recent weeks, the Atlanta Falcons offensive line has been doing a more than respectable job over that period, ranking seventh. Their overall numbers are pretty good on the surface (5.6% sack rate, eighth) but are certainly helped by the fact this offense is getting the ball out quickly (2.60-second time to throw) regardless of who has been at quarterback.
The Falcons’ run-blocking stats have quite a wide contrast. They rank first in the league in RBYBC/rush (1.08) but 20th in RBWR. Overall, that comes out to a solid number inside the top half when we look at this unit’s run-blocking performance. However, those yards-before-contact numbers are certainly boosted by having an elusive runner like Bijan Robinson, who can avoid contact altogether rather than just breaking tackles.
14) Dallas Cowboys
Grade: 79.1 (C+)
The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line has been somewhat forgotten at times with all the other chaos going on. However, they’ve largely been pretty good, even weathering the loss of Zack Martin in the last month without really missing a stride. Over the last four weeks, they are eighth but have had back-to-back D+ performances against the Buccaneers and Eagles in the last two weeks.
Dallas ranks fifth in the NFL in pressure rate (27.8%) but is a unit helped by a quick-release passing game. That may have been introduced out of necessity, with PBWR ranking them 22nd, suggesting that the Cowboys’ offensive line can struggle to sustain blocks for a long period of time.
The Cowboys’ run game has struggled this season, and with mixed outputs so far, the OL metrics may indicate why. They rank 17th in RBYBC/rush (0.87) and fifth in RBWR. Those numbers would place a significant portion of the blame for the failing run game on the lack of explosiveness from their two backs and a struggle to avoid contact rather than trying to break it.
15) Chicago Bears
Grade: 78.6 (C+)
The Bears’ offensive line was inconsistent in the first three weeks before stabilizing either side of its bye. Several fingers have been pointed at this unit for Caleb Williams’ struggles, but the rookie QB is holding onto the ball the fourth-most (3.08) and has to take the blame for his fair share of this offense’s 11.1% sack rate, which ranks last in the NFL.
Most of the metrics suggest that the pass blocking isn’t that bad. Chicago’s 35.5% pressure rate ranks 18th despite Williams holding onto the ball for so long. They also rank 18th in PBWR, which is more than respectable.
Similarly, the run-blocking numbers are fairly solid (0.94 RBYBC/rush, 13th), so it’s unfair to lay the complete failure of this season on the offensive line.
Intriguingly, this unit has posted four games with a grade of B- or above, and three of its four wins have come in those games. All three of those wins came before their bye week, and they have only posted one game above a C+ since the Week 7 bye.
16) San Francisco 49ers
Grade: 78.0 (C+)
It has certainly been a tough few weeks for the San Francisco 49ers in all aspects, and having Trent Williams struggling with an injury has definitely not helped. They’ve posted four D+ or below performances in the last six weeks, having not been below a C- at any time before that.
Unlike the Chiefs, the 49ers don’t have the interior depth to stay at a good level when they are struggling at left tackle. Their pass-protection numbers look bad on the surface, with a 38.2% pressure rate, but their quarterbacks hold the ball for over three seconds on average, which is the fifth-highest rate in the league.
The only real positive in San Francisco’s numbers has been run blocking, ranking sixth in RBYBC/rush (1.03). Yet, they rank 25th in ESPN’s RBWR metric, which suggests their yards before contact numbers are more about the backs’ style than the line’s performance.
17) Indianapolis Colts
Grade: 77.9 (C+)
The Indianapolis Colts’ OL is no longer the elite unit it once was. It still has some good players, but it lacks the elite level across the board. Anthony Richardson is not as difficult to block for as some other quarterbacks (ranks around league average in time to throw), and he is incredibly tough to bring to the ground, which means their sack rate always looks better than it perhaps should.
The blitz is a real concern for Indianapolis’ offense, allowing a 51.9% pressure rate (31st). Some of that is that Richardson tends to hold the ball longer relative to the rest of the league when facing the blitz than when facing three or four pass rushers. However, he’s also a big reason that the 51.9% pressure rate has only turned into a 4.8% sack rate (fifth).
When opponents don’t blitz, this line is slightly above average, with a 28.6% pressure rate (eighth). The Colts rank 22nd in terms of RBYBC/rush (0.83) but are fourth in terms of RBWR. That probably tells a story about Jonathan Taylor’s style as a running back who seems to welcome contact with his ability to break through tackles.
18) Los Angeles Chargers
Grade: 74.2 (C)
These middle-of-the-pack teams are difficult to discuss because they are, for the most part, pretty average.
The Los Angeles Chargers offensive line has dealt with some injuries, but they have a solid tackle base in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. They had a good performance in Week 17, ranking sixth, which has stopped a decline that had not seen them graded above a C since Week 10. In fact, they have just three games with a grade above a C+ all season.
The Chargers’ sack rate of 8.3% ranks 23rd, while their pressure rate allowed (34.4%) ranks 13th. Justin Herbert is in the upper third of quarterbacks for holding the ball, but Los Angeles will need to figure things out more on that front before the playoffs.
This season, the Chargers have had seven games graded as a D+ or below. It’s impressive that this team is this competitive despite its offensive line. Unfortunately, this line will likely hold L.A. back against the very best teams in the playoffs.
19) Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: 72.8 (C-)
I’ve been quite impressed with the way that the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line has adapted this year. Losing your left tackle to a mid-season trade and then having regular quarterback changes can be tough.
Nevertheless, Jacksonville’s pass-blocking numbers have been fairly good. The Jaguars rank fourth in pressure rate allowed (27.3%) but have been helped by the tendency toward a quick-release passing game (2.67-second time to throw).
Jacksonville’s pressure and sack rate numbers look strong, but the quick-release offense mitigates the impact of that in these rankings. Their 20th-ranked PBWR tells you a lot about how this line performs when asked to block for any significant length of time.
The run game is certainly an issue, with just 0.78 RBYBC/rush and a 23rd-placed ranking in RBWR. Those are not completely terrible numbers, but the run blocking is definitely the lesser part of this offensive line’s skill set.
20) Cleveland Browns
Grade: 70.8 (C-)
The Cleveland Browns’ OL has dealt with a lot of change behind them this season, and that doesn’t help a line with its consistency across the season. The biggest concern for this unit is a 36.3% pressure rate (20th) and a 9.3% sack rate (29th). That comes despite the team ranking in the middle of the pack in time to throw (2.86-second time to throw).
A big part of that is Cleveland’s struggles when opponents don’t blitz. The Browns rank 23rd in pressure rate in that scenario (35.1%) and 26th in sack rate (8.1%). They are also vulnerable to sacks against the blitz, ranking last (13.1%), but that has been less about giving up regular pressure and more about individual plays.
Intriguingly, the Browns are 11th in ESPN PBWR, which seems very high, given their pressure and time-to-throw statistics. The run-blocking statistics have been diverging in recent weeks, with the Browns ranking 18th in RBWR and 25th in RBYPC/rush (0.77).
21) Las Vegas Raiders
Grade: 69.6 (D+)
The numbers speak for themselves with the Las Vegas Raiders. Their pressure rate of 36.1% ranks 19th and is not even mitigated by a high time to throw. They have particularly struggled against the blitz, with a 47.8% pressure rate (28th), yet they have been a more solid group when just having to handle four or fewer pass rushers (31.5%, 13th).
The run game has been a disaster, ranking 22nd in RBWR and 20th in RBYBC/rush (0.85). The running backs the offensive line has had to work with haven’t helped the situation. Still, outside of a couple of games, the line has struggled to open up holes.
The Raiders have looked a bit better in spells over the past six weeks, with strong performances against the Broncos, Chiefs, and Saints. Over the last month, they have been 11th in the league in terms of offensive line metrics.
22) Carolina Panthers
Grade: 68.8 (D+)
It’s been a transitional year for the Panthers’ offense, but the offensive line has not been one of the bigger problems for them in the grand scheme of their roster.
A 22nd-placed ranking is not that impressive (and ESPN’s PBWR has them ranked 30th), but it is all relative to poor performance elsewhere on the team. When you look at the situational stats and the pressure stats, this unit has been fine but a below-average group. They’re 21st in pressure rate (35.1%) and have perfectly adequate pressure stats, whether facing the blitz (41.8%, 19th) or facing just four rushers (34.7%, 21st).
The run game numbers are also solid, with a 12th-placed ranking in RBWR and 0.86 RBYBC/rush (18th).
The Panthers are coming off their worst performance of the year in Week 17 against the Buccaneers. They graded it as an F, having only been below a D+ once before that.
23) Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: 68.7 (D+)
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ alarm bells are ringing. They rank 24th over the last four weeks, with a mix of performances ranging from an F to a B- in that time.
Pittsburgh’s pressure rate on the season is 39.2% (29th in the NFL). They’ve struggled regardless of whether they are facing the blitz (10.2% sack rate, 25th) or just four defenders or less (38.3% pressure rate, 31st; 8.3% sack rate, 29th).
The run game has also been an issue. The Steelers are averaging just 0.70 RBYPC/rush (28th), which has made it hard to achieve any consistency on the ground.
When you look at how this line is performing, Pittsburgh’s 10-6 record seems even more impressive than it does without zeroing in on the OL play.
24) New Orleans Saints
Grade: 67.1 (D+)
Injuries have absolutely decimated the Saints’ offensive line at times this year, and it has shown up in certain games. Every time you look up, it feels like New Orleans is changing something on the line, which can be hard to adapt and adjust to.
The Saints have ranked last over the past four weeks, largely due to a tough road outing against the New York Giants, but then with less than convincing performances in the three weeks since then.
Given the circumstances of their season, the Saints’ stats are fairly solid. It’s hard to be much more effusive in praising them than that, but credit is due for not completely crumbling.
New Orleans ranks 23rd in pressure rate (37.3%) and 21st in RBYBC/rush (0.84). They’re 29th in PBWR, but again, with all they have dealt with injury-wise, it is a surprise they are not worse and a credit to this group trying to hold it together.
25) Miami Dolphins
Grade: 63.9 (D)
The Miami Dolphins’ offensive line hasn’t had a great year, and things have fallen off the rails in recent weeks. It’s been a really weird stretch for the Dolphins in recent weeks. They had an F grade in Week 13 and followed that up with a D+ in Week 14. Miami then put together an A- performance in Week 16 before dropping back to an F in Week 17. Perhaps appropriately for that rollercoaster, they are 16th over the last four weeks.
A pressure rate allowed of just 26.5% (second) seems good for the Dolphins, but given that they are the quickest team to release the ball, that negates many of the positive aspects of those pressure rate stats. Run blocking has been a problem, ranking 26th in both RBYBC/rush (0.77) and RBWR.
26) New York Jets
Grade: 62.0 (D-)
The New York Jets have also shown some improvements in the last four weeks, ranking 10th in that time. That improvement actually dates back over the last couple of months. The start of the season was fairly abject, and while they’ve been recovering from it ever since, that poor start shows in their numbers.
The Jets’ pressure rate is exceptional (26.9%), but they are helped by Aaron Rodgers’ propensity to get the ball out of his hands quickly. When asked to block for longer, they’ve struggled, as demonstrated by a PBWR that ranks 24th.
New York is another unit that has struggled with the run game. The RBs average just 0.79 YBC/rush (23rd), with an RBWR that is actually worse (29th).
27) New York Giants
Grade: 61.9 (D-)
The Giants seem to have as many of these disastrous seasons as any other team in the NFL. Their offensive line has been a big part of the problem this year, and it’s now been an issue for a few seasons.
New York’s pressure rate against the blitz is 27th (45.9%), and the pressure rate against four rushers or less ranks 29th (36.2%). That is despite not having a particularly high time to throw numbers in either situation.
The run game hasn’t been too bad (0.88 RBYBC/rush), but the Giants have found themselves in such huge holes that they’ve had to throw a lot to try and keep up, mitigating their run game success.
28) Tennessee Titans
Grade: 58.7 (F)
Some of the early-season tape for this Tennessee Titans’ offensive line was really poor. Things have gotten somewhat better as the season wore on, but this is still far from a league-average unit. That is concerning, given the level of resources that have been plowed into Tennessee’s offensive line.
Peter Skoronski has been a silver lining, but the overall run blocking has been fairly bad. The team averages just 0.66 RBYBC/rush (29th) and sits 21st in RBWR.
On the pass-blocking front, Tennessee is 22nd in pressure allowed (37.1%) despite getting the ball out quickly and has suffered when trying to block against the blitz (44.4% pressure rate, 24th).
29) Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: 57.9 (F)
Joe Burrow hasn’t had much support this year, whether from his defense or his offensive line. It seems crazy to think that this line looks terrible and yet Burrow might actually have been mitigating this group’s damage by getting the ball out early when he could (2.72-second time to throw).
The Cincinnati Bengals’ 31st-placed PBWR ranking matches their 31st-placed RBWR ranking. Most of their other metrics don’t shape up too badly, but they’ve been vulnerable to the blitz.
Despite Burrow ranking ninth in time to throw against the blitz, Cincinnati is 15th in pressure rate (40.6%) and 24th in sack rate (10.1%).
30) Seattle Seahawks
Grade: 52.9 (F)
The Seattle Seahawks’ offensive line has been fourth from last in the last four weeks, and it’s been evident on film.
On the season, Seattle’s unit is allowing a 39.9% pressure rate (31st) and an 8.4% sack rate (24th). They’ve struggled whether opponents have blitzed or not, and their numbers all around leave much to be desired following plenty of investment in the line in recent years.
The run blocking hasn’t been better; in fact, it’s arguably been worse.
They rank last in RBYBC/rush (0.56) and 28th in RBWR. Based on these numbers, it’s not a huge surprise that we saw them struggle to sustain a playoff push consistently week over week and were ultimately eliminated in Week 17.
31) Houston Texans
Grade: 52.4 (F)
It hasn’t been a great season for the Houston Texans’ offense, and the OL’s play is a big part of the reason. There haven’t been any truly disastrous games, but they’ve had six games graded as a D+ or worse and 10 games with a C- or worse. It’s hard to perform well consistently on offense with that level of line play. They have played better since the bye, ranking 17th over the last four weeks.
C.J. Stroud’s propensity to hold the ball for a long time hasn’t helped, but an 11.3% sack rate in the face of the blitz (28th) is not simply down to him not getting the ball out fast enough. Houston also allows a 35.6% pressure rate (28th) against four or fewer pass rushers.
This line has also struggled with the run game. They rank 31st in RBYBC/rush (0.61) and 30th in RBWR. That makes some of Joe Mixon’s performances this season even more impressive than they first looked.
32) New England Patriots
Grade: 46.6 (F)
The New England Patriots offensive line always looked like it could be an issue in 2024. It lacks enough solid veteran players or high-upside young players to be a solid unit that can help elevate a team that is arguably the weakest in the league at WR and RB.
The line was likely a big part of the reason the Patriots chose to go with Jacoby Brissett to open the season. Yet, Drake Maye has come in and made light of the line at times with his elusive work within the pocket and getting out into the open field.
New England ranks last in PBWR and RBWR. They are 30th in pressure rate (39.7%) and sack rate (9.3%), despite being just 13th in time to throw (2.89-second time to throw).
The Patriots’ OL has struggled regardless of the number of pass rushers being sent their way and hasn’t been much better at opening holes in the run game (0.64 RBYBC/rush).
