It’s finally time for the second season in the NFL, and we have one of the better playoff fields in recent memory. Each squad has at least 10 wins, and it’s tough to identify any pushovers. Each team should also have its starting quarterback available, so we won’t have to sit through a Skylar Thompson or Matt Moore playoff game this year (sorry, Dolphins fans).
The trenches are scrutinized in the playoffs, as a strong or weak performance on either side of the ball can swing the game. The Giants’ D-line harassing Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII and the Chiefs shutting down a potent Eagles’ pass rush in Super Bowl LVII are recent examples of how unexpected trench play affected the biggest game of the year.
There are only 14 teams still standing, and instead of breaking down the Wild Card Weekend games, I want to examine each team’s trench units and see how they stack up.
Enjoy the playoffs!
PLAYOFF OL RANKINGS
1. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
When the Bucs clinched the NFC South in Week 18, it was an easy pick for the best offensive line in the playoffs. This unit finished #1 in overall pressure rate allowed and no-blitz pressure rate allowed, and they finished #2 against the blitz. Tampa was at or near the top in those categories all season, so expect them to stay hot in protection as long as they’re alive.
The run game has also been a strength for this unit finishing #3 in overall YPC and #1 in man YPC. Bucky Irving and Rachaad White have each had their moments behind this group, but it only comes with man/gap concept runs, as this team finished 30th in zone YPC. It’s a weird split but that hasn’t stopped this offense from being explosive.
This unit is playing well if…
Baker Mayfield stays upright. Since coming to Tampa, Mayfield has become what the Browns were hoping for, and this team will go as far as he can take them. Despite the elite pass-pro numbers, Baker has been sacked 40 times (T-7th-most), with 10 of those credited to him, so he has to work with his OL to escape pressure when it comes. They have a favorable Wild Card matchup against Washington, so the Tampa OL should get off to a good start in the playoffs.
2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Philadelphia’s OL has been road-grading recent opponents and should continue to as the playoffs begin. Saquon Barkley was one game away from breaking the NFL rushing record, doing so behind a unit that was 5th in overall YPC (4.91), 4th in zone YPC (4.78), and 2nd in man YPC (5.74). If the Eagles lose, it will be because Saquon gets shut down, but that will take a herculean effort by whatever defensive front they’re facing.
The one “weakness” of Philly’s OL, if you can call it that, is in protection. I’ve written a few times that there’s more baked into the numbers than the starting five being bad in pass-pro. Jalen Hurts holding the ball too long and Jordan Mailata missing time led to this group finishing #27 in overall pressure rate, #20 against the blitz, and #26 in no-blitz pressure rate. Don’t dive too deep into the numbers, this group is playing extremely well at the right time of the year.
This unit is playing well if…
Saquon surpasses 100 yards on the ground. Barkley has averaged an astounding 3.55 YBC/ATT this season (#1), so his OL has been doing its job and then some. This is a Super Bowl-caliber offensive line that should accept nothing less than a trip to New Orleans in February.
3. DETROIT LIONS
The Lions were my #1 ranked offensive line coming into the season and enter the postseason at #3 after a slight dip in the second half of 2024. The dip was in protection, but they were still good enough to finish 2024 #3 in overall pressure rate, #7 against the blitz, and #3 in no-blitz pressure rate.
David Montgomery's injury in Week 15 put a big question mark on Jahmyr Gibbs and whether or not this OL would continue its dominance on the ground. Gibbs was second in the league with 3.30 YBC/ATT this season and fifth in the final three weeks at 3.23. Montgomery could return in the Divisional Round, but Detroit will be fine with Gibbs as the feature back.
This unit is playing well if…
Jared Goff is kept clean. I fully believe the Detroit run game will continue to be a force in the postseason so the OL focus falls on protecting the quarterback. Goff has been exceptional this season with a 111.8 rating (2nd-best for QBs with 10+ games played), but that drops to 77.4 (11th-best) when he’s under pressure. If he stays clean this team should be playing in New Orleans.
4. BUFFALO BILLS
Buffalo’s offensive line is playing very well in both phases heading into the playoffs and has been hot ever since its Week 12 bye. The most impressive stat for this unit is being #1 in sacks allowed for 2024, with just 14. It helps to have Josh Allen as your quarterback, but he’s been brought down nine fewer times than the next QB who played in all 17 games.
The run game has seen the biggest improvement since the bye. This group finished at #11 in overall YPC, #7 in zone YPC, and #15 in man YPC for the season, but in the last six weeks, they were #6 in overall YPC, #9 in zone YPC, and #5 in man YPC. James Cook was tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with 16, and this run game is rolling heading into the postseason.
This unit is playing well if…
The run game continues to roll. Josh Allen has proved he can do it all in the postseason if the Bills need to lean on him, but an effective run game makes this offense so much more dynamic and takes some pressure off #17. Denver is a tough Wild Card matchup for the Buffalo run game, but a balanced offense will get the Bills deep into the playoffs.
5. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
I was not high on the Washington offensive line coming into the season and thought it would be tough on a rookie QB to line up behind a group of mostly journeyman vets. They’ve proved me wrong and come into the playoffs playing solid football.
The Commanders finished 8th in overall pressure rate, 9th against the blitz, and 5th in no-blitz pressure rate. They’re also 4th in overall YPC, 8th in zone YPC, and 10th in man YPC, so this unit is exceptional right now. The weakness for this group is Jayden Daniels’ tendency to play into sacks.
Washington allowed 50 sacks in the regular season (T-25th-most), 47 of which were of Daniels (6th-most), who was charged with 19 sacks we charted as his fault (T-most in NFL). The OL deserves a better sack total, but they’ll need to keep Daniels clean to move onto the Divisional Round.
This unit is playing well if…
Daniels plays from the pocket. He has one of the most exciting play styles of any quarterback, but when he plays under control, this offense is tough to stop. The numbers prove that this OL knows how to block for Daniels, but keeping him in structure will take the pressure off this group.
6. BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens have been rolling over its opponents on the ground. The Derrick Henry signing has paid off, and this unit has recovered from a shaky start to have the #1 overall YPC (5.76), the #1 zone YPC (6.03), and the #3 man YPC (5.37). Henry had the 9th-highest YPC (5.91), while Lamar Jackson had the 4th-highest (6.58). The bread and butter for this team is the running gam,e and that should continue in the playoffs.
The weakness is pass protection. Like Buffalo, the Ravens are blessed with an escape artist at quarterback who can extend plays and make defenders look bad. However, the OL has allowed the 25th-best overall pressure rate, the T-18th-best blitz pressure rate, and the 27th-best no-blitz pressure rate. Lamar handles pressure well but keeping him clean will be important for this OL.
This unit is playing well if…
Lamar can freely move around the pocket. Most defenses try to “contain rush” Jackson,, which means the defensive ends rush to quarterback depth and then stop so he can’t squirt out the side of the pocket. It’s then on the interior defenders to squeeze the pocket, and everyone converges on the quarterback. That’s easier said than done against this quarterback, and if Baltimore can open up escape routes for Lamar, he’ll continue his MVP-caliber season.
7. DENVER BRONCOS
The Broncos come into the postseason allowing the 2nd-best overall pressure rate, the 5th-best against the blitz, the 2nd-best no-blitz pressure rate, and they’ve allowed the 3rd-fewest sacks (24). This is exactly what you want for a rookie quarterback, and Bo Nix has taken advantage of his guys up front.
The weakness is the run game, where Denver averaged the 21st overall YPC, the 22nd zone YPC, and the T-18th man YPC in the regular season. I think this is largely on the underwhelming stable of backs, however. The trio of Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, and Javonte Williams should be able to produce more than what they have, but no one got more than 140 carries or averaged more than 31 yards a game.
This unit is playing well if…
Nix gets time to throw. Nix’s deep throw % was 12.5% (7th out of 22 QBs to play in 13+ games) and his air yards were 4,032 (7th-most), so his game is predicated on the deep ball. Those plays take time to develop and if his OL can hold up as it has throughout the season Denver has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs.
8. LOS ANGELES RAMS
The Rams were able to keep things together following multiple early-season injuries, and once Steve Avila returned and rookie Beaux Limmer solidified his spot as the starting center, this group finally had a stable starting five. Los Angeles finished the regular season with the 6th-best overall pressure rate, the 3rd-best against the blitz, and the 7th-best no-blitz pressure rate. The strength of this unit is protecting Matthew Stafford which showed by them allowing only 31 sacks (6th-best) all season.
The ongoing weakness for this offensive line and the offense in general is the run game. The Rams averaged the 2nd-worst overall YPC (3.92) and the 7th-worst man YPC (4.03). Kyren Williams rushed for 1,299 yards (7th-most) and 14 touchdowns (T-3rd-most), yet only averaged 4.11 a carry (34th out of 46 RBs with 100+ carries). This running game is a slog, but it will need to show up for the Rams to move on.
This unit is playing well if…
The run game takes pressure off Stafford. The Rams have shown commitment to the run despite the low YPC numbers, and that should continue against Minnesota. However, they need to be effective on the ground. If the Vikings are playing with the lead and can tee off on Stafford, it will be another short postseason trip for Los Angeles.
9. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Green Bay should be higher on this list, given the numbers they put up, but they’re one of the few teams heading into the postseason with bad vibes. The Packers have only given up 22 sacks (2nd-fewest), but have allowed the 19th-best overall pressure rate, the 16th-best blitz pressure rate, and the 20th-best no-blitz pressure rate. Jordan Love is coming off an elbow injury in Week 18 and will need to stay clean in the playoffs for Green Bay to make a run.
Green Bay's run game has been good all season, with Josh Jacobs finishing with the sixth-most rushing yards (1,329). The Packers averaged the sixth-best YPC and the third-best zone YPC in 2024, so expect them to lean on the ground game in Philadelphia.
This unit is playing well if…
Love gets through the entire game — Love is coming off a Week 18 injury and has dealt with an MCL sprain and groin pull earlier this season. This unit needs to give its guy a break and keep the pressure off.
10. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater both missed time early in the season but returned to make this a top-10 unit in protection. The weakness of this group is run blocking. The Chargers averaged the T-24th-best overall YPC, the 25th-best zone YPC, and the 16th-best man YPC. Running back injuries were a big story of the Chargers’ season, but getting JK Dobbins back for the playoffs is big.
What’s bad is that Slater was a late scratch for Week 18 with a knee injury that required an MRI trip earlier this week. Jim Harbaugh doesn’t want to hear that heading into his first playoff game since returning to the NFL.
This unit is playing well if…
Justin Herbert is upright. For how big and mobile he is, Herbert was sacked 41 times in the regular season (7th-most), and that trend can’t continue. When he has time, Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but Houston’s pass rush is a tough test for a group that could be down one of its stalwarts.
11. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs possibly answered their offensive line problems when they signed DJ Humphries off the street right before Thanksgiving. He went down with a hamstring injury in his first game with Kansas City but was able to return for the season finale, and could be the stabilizing piece for a unit that’s been uncharacteristically inconsistent all season.
Kansas City finished the regular season with the 14th-best overall pressure rate, the 12th-best against the blitz, and the 19th-best no-blitz pressure rate. Those aren’t awful numbers; however, Patrick Mahomes was sacked 36 times (11th-most), eight more than in any other season in his career.
The run game is another issue, as it’s been flat-out awful all year. Losing Isiah Pacheco early was big, as the Chiefs have managed just the 29th-best overall YPC, the 24th-best zone YPC, and the worst man YPC.
This unit is playing well if…
Mahomes stays clean. This guy doesn’t need much time to make things happen, and when the Kansas City OL has been challenged in the playoffs, they typically rise to the occasion (Super Bowl LVII).
12. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers have been awful in protection — 30th in overall pressure rate, 21st against the blitz, and 32nd in no-blitz pressure rate. They’ve had a tough assignment blocking for Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, but they allowed 49 sacks (T-23rd).
The run game has also been below-average averaging the T-24th overall YPC, the 15th-best zone YPC, and the 29th-best man YPC. Pittsburgh has limped into the postseason after being in the #1-seed discussion six weeks ago. I don’t think their next trip to Baltimore will be fun.
This unit is playing well if…
Najee Harris and/or Jaylen Warren have big games. It doesn’t matter who does it, but this run game needs to show up for the Steelers to have a chance. I don’t need one of them to rush for 150 yards, but Pittsburgh needs to control the game, and an effective running game is the key to that. It’s on the OL to make that happen.
13. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
It’s shocking Minnesota went into Week 18 with a chance at the top seed, given how firmly below-average their offensive line has been since losing star LT Christian Darrisaw. Sam Darnold’s renaissance season happened while he got sacked 48 times (T-4th-most), and his OL finished 26th in overall pressure rate, 30th against the blitz, and 25th in no-blitz pressure rate.
I’ve been a Darnold believer in 2024, but will he be able to handle both playoff pressure and the Rams’ pass rush on Monday night?
This unit is playing well if…
Aaron Jones beats his YPC average for the season. He finished with the 19th-best overall YPC (4.46) for running backs with 100+ carries, and he’ll need to meet or surpass that for Minnesota to make noise this postseason. There needs to be something to take the heat off Darnold, and an effective run game would help. This team has the offensive weapons and defensive unit to make a run in the playoffs, but the OL needs to pull its weight for that to happen.
14. HOUSTON TEXANS
Without a doubt, Houston has the worst offensive line in the playoffs. The Texans have been terrible in protection all season, finishing the year at #29 in overall pressure rate, #25 against the blitz, and #30 in no-blitz pressure rate. CJ Stroud has taken 52 sacks (2nd-most), and I don’t see him having time to light up the Chargers as he did the Browns in last year’s Wild Card round.
This unit is playing well if…
Joe Mixon has a good day on the ground. Their run game numbers have been solidly above-average all season, finishing 14th or better in zone, man, and overall YPC, with Mixon having the 11th-best man YPC (5.05) for running backs with 100+ carries. Mixon getting hot on the ground will take some pressure off this unit in protection and could propel Houston beyond the opening game of the playoffs.
PLAYOFF DL RANKINGS
1. DENVER BRONCOS
Denver’s defensive front is the most under-recognized group in the NFL, and I’m pretty sure they want it that way. Nik Bonitto has the 3rd-most sacks in the league (13.5), a pick-six, and two forced fumbles, but got no love in the DPOY conversation. As a unit, Denver led the league in sacks (63) with only the 20th overall pressure rate, the 28th blitz pressure rate, and the 15th no-blitz pressure rate. Jonathan Cooper added 10.5 himself so this is a potent pass rush coming into Orchard Park this weekend.
The Broncos' run defense has been the most consistent aspect of this unit, allowing the second-best overall YPC (3.87), the second-best zone YPC (3.58), and the fifth-best man YPC (4.11). Vance Joseph is deservedly getting head coach chatter as he’s taken this group to the next level in 2024.
This unit is playing well if…
The pass rush continues to be dominant. Denver’s first playoff game in eight years brings its toughest test yet regarding pass protection, as Buffalo has allowed the fewest sacks in 2024 (14). The Broncos collected seven sacks against Tampa Bay’s outstanding offensive line in Week 3 but only managed one sack against Lamar in Week 10. Which Denver pass rush will show up?
2. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Brian Flores is getting a lot of head coach chatter as the coaching carousel gets started, and his defensive line is one of the main reasons why. This has been one of the more fun groups to watch this season, with a very stout run defense and three guys with 7.0 or more sacks. Against the run, Minnesota has allowed the 4th-best overall YPC and the 2nd-best man YPC. They’ve had trouble against zone runs, and that’s been the strength of the Los Angeles rushing attack, so that will be an area to watch on Monday night.
This pass rush has been dynamite all season with 49 sacks (T-4th-most), the 7th-best overall pressure rate, and the 9th-best no-blitz pressure rate. Jonathan Greenard (12.0), Andrew Van Ginkel (11.5), and Pat Jones (7.0) are a dangerous group that will affect the game no matter who they’re playing.
This unit is playing well if…
The run defense does its job. This will be important as Minnesota will be on the road in the postseason. Shutting down the run and allowing the sack leaders to get after the quarterback is how you win on the road in the playoffs.
3. HOUSTON TEXANS
This is the group that will carry Houston throughout its postseason run. The Texans’ D-line has been good in both phases all season and must be exceptional for Houston to make it beyond Wild Card Weekend. Danielle Hunter (12.0, T-5th-most) and Will Anderson (11.0, T-10th-most) lead the way in sacks for a unit that’s totaled 49 (T-4th-most). This group also generates a lot of pressure with the 5th-best overall pressure rate, the 2nd-best when blitzing, and the T-5th-best no-blitz pressure rate. They’re relentless in getting after the QB.
Houston’s run defense has been consistently good all season, allowing the 11th-best overall YPC, the 3rd-best zone YPC, and the 14th-best man YPC. It’s a difficult unit to crack, but can they hold opposing offenses down enough to have a chance this postseason?
This unit is playing well if…
Hunter and Anderson each have over 1.0 sacks. They’ll need their best players to step up and the Chargers potentially missing Rashawn Slater would be a big advantage for Houston.
4. BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens’ secondary has had issues all season, and Lamar playing MVP-caliber ball has been the focus of the media, but this defensive front is one of the fiercest in football.
Baltimore’s run defense has been outstanding all season allowing the #1 overall YPC (3.55), the T-4th-best zone YPC (3.61), and the 3rd-best man YPC (3.51). It’s extremely hard to run on this team, especially at Nnamdi Madubuike. The Raven pass rush has also been formidable posting the 2nd-most sacks (54) despite just the T-22nd overall pressure rate, the 22nd blitz rate, and the 20th no-blitz rate. Kyle Van Noy has turned back to clock to collect 12.5 sacks (4th-most), and this unit causes a lot of trouble for quarterbacks.
This unit is playing well if…
Van Noy affects the quarterback. This means the run defense has done its job to make the offense one-dimensional and the pass rush can pin its ears back.
5. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Bucs defensive line is an unsung group that put together an impressive season in both phases. They collected 46 sacks (T-6th-most) while generating the 6th-best overall pressure rate, the 12th-best when blitzing, and the T-5th-best no-blitz pressure rate. T
his is a committee pass rush that gets to the quarterback despite Calijah Kancey leading the team with just 7.5 sacks. Tampa’s run defense has also been solidly good allowing the 10th-best overall YPC, the 11th-best zone YPC, and the 15th-best man YPC. They get an intriguing matchup against an impressive Washington OL so this trench battle should be fun.
This unit is playing well if…
Vita Vea controls the interior. Washington has run the ball well in 2024 and will probably look to establish the ground game to take some pressure off its rookie quarterback. If Vea and the Tampa D-line can make the Commanders one-dimensional, I like the Bucs’ ability to get after Jayden Daniels.
6. GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Packers are another unheralded defensive line that has been exceptional this season while using the by-committee strategy. Rashan Gary leads the way with 7.5 of the teams 45 total sacks (T-8th-most), and no one else has more than 5.0. For a while this unit was producing sacks but not a ton of pressure other than when they blitzed, but they turned it up late to finish with the 13th-best overall pressure rate, the 4th-best blitz pressure rate, and the 16th-best no-blitz pressure rate. This has become an effective pass rush despite not having a marquee name.
Green Bay’s run defense has been solid all season allowing the 3rd-best overall YPC, the 6th-best zone YPC, and the 12th-best man YPC. They’ll have to show up for their rematch against Philadelphia, where they “contained” Saquon Barkley to 109 yards on 24 carries in Brazil.
This unit is playing well if…
The run defense forces opponents to be one-dimensional. That will be hard to do against Philadelphia, but if Jalen Hurts is forced to win the game then I like Green Bay’s chances to move onto the Divisional Round.
7. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The last 10 years have been the same story for the Steelers — finish at or above .500 and miss the playoffs or have an exceptional defense that drags a mediocre offense into the playoffs only to be one-and-done. This is shaping up as another one of those years.
TJ Watt put together another strong season — though not his best, and something is missing from this unit as they’ve generated the T-15th-best overall pressure rate, the 25th-best blitz pressure rate, and the 13th-best no-blitz pressure rate. Those are very un-Steeler-like numbers for a group that’s been the backbone of this team. Pittsburgh’s run defense has been solid allowing the 5th-best overall YPC and the #1 man YPC. They’ve struggled against zone runs, however, so look for Baltimore to exploit that area.
This unit is playing well if…
TJ Watt gets help from someone else. Alex Highsmith is still an exceptional running mate for Watt, but he missed time this season, and the defense clearly dipped in performance. If Highsmith or anyone else up front steps up, then the Steelers have a chance in Baltimore.
8. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Playoff time means Chris Jones becomes even more of a game wrecker than he already is, but other than Jones and George Karlaftis, there hasn’t been much to speak of in terms of pass rush from this unit. They’re 21st in overall pressure rate, 10th when they blitz, and 29th in no-blitz pressure rate. They’ve collected 39 sacks (T-18th), but the pass rush hasn’t been the strength of this group.
Kansas City has been a top-10, at times top-five, run defense, finishing the regular season allowing the 7th-best overall YPC (4.14), the T-4th-best zone YPC (3.61), and the 6th-best man YPC (4.22). This has been where this group has shined in 2024, so expect more of the same once they get back on the field in the Divisional Round.
This unit is playing well if…
Jones wrecks the game. That’s not a difficult ask for a guy who’s been the stalwart of the Kansas City defense throughout the dynasty, and whomever the Chiefs play first will have their hands full with #95.
9. BUFFALO BILLS
The Bills have been the epitome of “bend-don’t-break” in 2024, particularly in the run game. They’ve allowed the 19th-best overall YPC, the 9th-best zone YPC, and the 6th-worst man YPC. so there’s a clear weakness against downhill runs.
The pass rush has been better generating the 11th-best overall pressure rate, the 9th-best blitz pressure rate, and the 8th-best no-blitz pressure rate, yet they only have 39 sacks (T-18th). This defense has lived off timely turnovers and big plays but the front will need to step up to finally reach the Super Bowl
This unit is playing well if…
Greg Rousseau affects the game early and often. Rousseau is Buffalo's best defensive lineman and leads the team with 8.0 sacks. He’s also been a solid run defender and loves to bat balls down at the line of scrimmage. When he’s good, Buffalo's defense can control the game, so Bills fans should be hoping for a big game from #50.
10. LOS ANGELES RAMS
It’s disappointing putting the Rams this low since I’m high on Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, and the rest of the youth up front, but the numbers aren’t there for this unit. The story of the Los Angeles pass rush is “get there but don’t finish,” as the Rams generated the 14th-best overall pressure rate, the 6th-best when blitzing, and the 23rd-best no-blitz pressure rate, yet only have 38 total sacks (T-21st). They get a favorable Wild Card matchup against Minnesota but will need to bring down Sam Darnold often to move on.
The run defense has been a separate issue that the Rams haven’t been able to fix. They're 26th in overall YPC, 24th in zone YPC, and 9th (somehow) in man YPC. They’re probably happy Detroit won in Week 18 — otherwise, they would have seen a steady dose of Jahmyr Gibbs. Expect the Vikings to get Aaron Jones the rock early.
This unit is playing well if…
The young guys are flying around early. Verse, Fiske, and Kobie Turner must consistently create havoc for Sam Darnold. This is a favorable matchup for the Rams, but they must prove they can perform on the biggest stage.
11. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
One of the most disappointing units in 2024 is the Philadelphia defensive line. The Eagles have a recent history of drafting players from Georgia and being bullies up front. They’ve done neither in 2024 and will need to start 2025 off with a solid performance in the Wild Card Round.
Philly totaled 41 sacks (T-13th-most) but just the T-22nd-best overall pressure rate, the T-27th-best blitz pressure rate, and the 17th-best no-blitz pressure rate. Losing Brandon Graham is big for the postseason, but his unit still has enough quality players to cause trouble for opposing quarterbacks. The run defense was better, averaging the 9th-best overall YPC, and the 4th-best man YPC. They get a tough test right out of the gate with Josh Jacobs, but the run game isn’t the area of concern for the Eagles.
This unit is playing well if…
They sack Jordan Love four or more times. That means they’ve contained Jacobs and the Packers need to throw the ball often. Josh Sweat leads the team with 8.0 sacks but they’ll need someone else to step up to make a deep run.
12. DETROIT LIONS
It’s amazing how well this unit has performed given all the injuries, but Detroit is not one of the better defensive lines remaining. In both phases, they’ve been below average in 2024 with the pass rush struggling the most. I don’t want to come down too hard on this group after losing Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport early, and then Alim McNeill late, but the pressure has not been there.
They’re #18 in overall pressure rate, #17 in blitz pressure rate, and #22 in no-blitz pressure rate. The run defense is slightly better thanks to DJ Reader, but only against zone runs, where they allowed the 7th-lowest zone YPC (3.86).
This unit is playing well if…
Za’Darius Smith is active early. He’s become the new face of the Detroit defensive line and will need to show up for the Lions to make it to the Super Bowl. This team is driven by the offense, but they’ll need at least two or three defensive stops each game to make a run.
13. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Chargers D-line is filled with vets looking to make one more run at a Super Bowl, but they haven’t been the most consistent group in 2024. They’ve managed 46 sacks (T-6th-most) but have the 6th-worst overall pressure rate, the 9th-worst blitz pressure rate, and the 8th-worst no-blitz pressure rate. They finish, but they don’t get to the QB all that often.
The run defense hasn’t been great either with the Chargers allowing the 6th-worst overall YPC, the 10th-worst zone YPC, and the 12th-worst man YPC. I have to imagine the vets with playoff experience will show up, but the numbers don’t look good for Los Angeles.
This unit is playing well if…
Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa wreck the game. That’s a lot to ask two guys to have big games, but the Chargers get the best matchup of the Wild Card Round against Houston’s weak OL. This is where the experience comes into play for the Chargers, and these two will need to carry this defense through the playoffs.
14. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The Commanders have struggled in both phases all season, and I don’t see that changing against Tampa Bay. The Commanders totaled 43 sacks (T-11th-most) but had the 4th-worst overall pressure rate, the 6th-worst blitz pressure rate, and the 3rd-worst no-blitz pressure rate. Their run defense wasn’t much better allowing the 5th-worst YPC and the worst man/gap YPC, so the Bucs should be able to do whatever they want offensively.
This unit is playing well if…
They keep Tampa Bay’s run game in check. That doesn’t mean they have to shut down Irving and White, but they have to make Tampa as one-dimensional as possible to then tee off on Baker Mayfield.
