Scouting the OL/DL Matchups: Week 10

The 2025 NFL season is officially halfway over, and the playoff picture looks quite different than what many expected on the AFC side. None of Buffalo, Kansas City, or Baltimore leads their divisions, and only Buffalo is in a playoff spot heading into Week 10. Indianapolis, New England, and Denver each look strong, but will they hold on with half a season to go?

The NFC playoff spots are filled with the usual suspects, and the rich get richer, as Philadelphia was active defensively at the trade deadline. The outlier in the NFC is Seattle. I’ll break down the offensive line later, but this team has been exceptional through the first half of the season, and Sam Darnold has proved his one-year resurgence in Minnesota wasn’t a fluke. Again, there’s a lot of football left to be played (and two games against the Rams), but the Seahawks are in the thick of things in what many thought would be a rebuilding year.

Week 9 delivered in terms of excitement and purely wild football (Chicago-Cincinnati). Will Week 10 follow up? This is a pivotal week in the NFC West, and New England's visit to Tampa Bay presents a tough test for both teams.

Kansas City, Cincinnati, Dallas, and Tennessee are on byes this week, so plan accordingly.

Enjoy Week 10!

WEEK 10 OL/DL MATCHUPS

LV @ DEN — BRONCOS OL vs RAIDERS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

We start with Thursday Night Football and an AFC West matchup where both teams are going in opposite directions. Denver won a rock fight in Houston to stay atop the division, and Las Vegas lost a heartbreaker at the end of overtime. Pete Carroll’s arrival hasn’t gotten off to a good start, but can the Raiders’ defensive front cause problems for the Broncos?

Denver has a two-headed monster developing with J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey, rushing behind arguably the best offensive line in the NFL. Dobbins has the lion’s share of the carries (and is fourth in rushing yards), but Harvey is more than capable in both phases. Starting LG Ben Powers has been out since Week 5 after tearing his biceps, but Alex Palczewski hasn’t missed a beat. This is a confident group who loves to pound the rock with downhill, direct runs, and the Raiders’ front has been leaky in recent weeks. Las Vegas has been sneaky tough on the ground through eight games, but has allowed 150+ rushing yards in each of the last two games. Denver will stay committed to the run and control the game this week.

Maxx Crosby is the Raiders pass rush, leading the team with 5.0 sacks. He’s a certified game wrecker, and has 15.5 career sacks against Denver, but the Broncos are protecting at such a high level this year. Crosby against Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey is a premier matchup, but Las Vegas doesn’t have enough horses (pun intended). Bo Nix will have plenty of time this week.

TLDR: Denver’s offense is fueled by its offensive line, and the Broncos should kick off Week 10 with a win over the reeling Raiders. Denver has been pounding opponents with man-scheme runs, and Las Vegas has floundered on the ground in recent weeks. Maxx Crosby against the Broncos’ tackles should be a fun matchup, but Bo Nix will likely have as much time as he needs. Denver gets to 8-2.

ARZ @ SEA — SEAHAWKS OL vs CARDINALS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

I feel like Shaq talking about Seattle’s offensive line, as I clearly got it wrong ranking this group No. 30 heading into the season. This unit (and overall team) is performing way over expectations in Sam Darnold’s first year with the club, and they have an intriguing divisional matchup against the Cardinals, who showed that they aren’t dead yet on MNF.

Seattle’s OL has been elite in protection, allowing the league’s fewest pressures and lowest pressure rate over expected through nine weeks. Rookie LG Grey Zabel has been great in year one (the dude is super stout), and Seattle’s tackle pair of Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross have been stellar. The Seahawks’ passing attack has been cooking with well-designed, in-rhythm throws, and this unit has made that possible by forming a wall in front of Darnold. It will be interesting to see how/if the offense changes with Rashid Shaheed in the fold. On the other side, Arizona has been below average in generating pressure. This is a veteran-heavy unit that’s struggled to win and finish on the quarterback. However, Arizona may have found something with rookie Walter Nolen III. Seattle’s OL is on too much of a heater for a weaker divisional opponent to cause serious protection issues.

Where I was right about Seattle’s OL was its run blocking. It’s been incredibly tough sledding for Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III this season, as neither has hit the 500-yard mark yet. It seems like malpractice that the Seahawks have favored zone runs so often (129:79 attempts) when the team averages over a full yard more per carry with man-scheme plays. Charbonnet and Walker aren’t getting consistent blocking on the edge from their tackles, tight ends, or receivers, but have been effective when they lower their shoulders inside. The Cardinals have been better against the run, but I think this is the week where Seattle’s ground attack wakes up.

TLDR: Seattle’s OL is considerably better than I thought it would be heading into the season, but has an interesting split between run blocking and pass protection. This unit has been stellar in protection and should continue to excel against a weak Arizona pass rush. However, the Seahawks’ run game is well below average thanks to inconsistent blocking on the edge and a heavy lean to zone runs, but I think it wakes up this week. Seattle keeps rolling.

JAX @ HOU — JAGUARS OL vs TEXANS DL — MATCHUP TO AVOID

Jacksonville at Houston is a sneaky-big game in the AFC South, as the Jaguars got back in a playoff position last week, and the Texans are fighting for their lives at 3-5. The defense has been Houston’s bright spot in 2025, allowing 20 or fewer points in seven of the team’s eight games. Meanwhile, Jacksonville righted the ship after a two-game losing streak.

The Jaguars’ offensive line has been remarkably solid in both phases through nine weeks, with Travis Etienne feasting in Jacksonville’s zone rushing attack running behind RG Patrick Mekari, RT Anton Harrison, and LT Walker Little. However, Houston’s dynamic defensive front has been lights out against lateral runs. DEs Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are showing how well-rounded they are in this phase, so it will be interesting to see if Jacksonville attacks the middle of Houston’s defense with man-scheme runs. The Texans are slightly weaker here, but Jacksonville’s rushing potency dips when they try to block downhill.

Houston is one of the league’s best overall defenses, allowing just 4.7 yards per play, with Anderson and Hunter playing a considerable part. However, Houston has only 17 sacks and has been below average at generating pressure. On the flip side, Jacksonville’s offensive line is one of the league’s best units in protection. Its sack number is inflated at 21, as nine have been attributed to Trevor Lawrence, but this unit consistently keeps its quarterback clean. This suggests that Jacksonville’s OL has the edge, but I think Houston will harass Lawrence this week. Anderson and Hunter are gifted pass rushers who can win multiple ways, and with C.J. Stroud potentially out, the Texans’ defense will have to win the game itself.

TLDR: This is a big matchup in the AFC South, but could be another low-scoring affair with C.J. Stroud potentially out. Houston’s run defense has been exceptional this season and could cause Jacksonville to pivot to more man-scheme runs. The Jaguars should have the advantage in protection, but I expect Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter to put their stamp on this one. I think Jacksonville wins, but Houston’s defense will likely annoy Lawrence and Etienne throughout the game.

NE @ TB — BUCCANEERS OL vs PATRIOTS DL — SPLIT MATCHUP

The Patriots are on the first major heater of Mike Vrabel’s tenure and held on last week against Atlanta. New England passed its first significant test by winning at Buffalo, but now travels to the NFC South-leading Buccaneers, who are coming off their bye. The winner here will cement itself as a No. 1 seed contender. Will the Patriots keep rolling?

I want to favor the Bucs’ offensive line across the board this week, but the unit still isn’t at full strength and has struggled to run the ball all season. Tampa Bay is significantly more effective with man-scheme runs running behind LT Tristan Wirfs and LG Ben Bredeson, but New England has built a wall in 2025. The Patriots allow a league-best 75.4 yards per game on the ground, and it’s a team effort with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore leading the way. I expect a tough day for Sean Tucker and Rachaad White.

New England’s pass rush should also have the advantage, but I’m giving Wirfs and Baker Mayfield the benefit of the doubt. The Patriots beat Buffalo by blitzing, and proved they can get to the QB with just four last week against Atlanta. The rush unit favors power and pocket compression, which should work against Mayfield. However, Tampa’s quarterback has sneaky-good escapability and excellent improvisational skills. New England will get after Mayfield, but his offensive line will give him enough time for the veteran to make some plays in the passing game.

TLDR: This is a massive game for both teams as they look to cement themselves as No. 1 seed contenders. I want to like Tampa Bay’s OL more, but it’s difficult to downplay how effective New England’s front has been in 2025. Tampa’s banged-up OL will have trouble running the ball, but should do just enough for Baker Mayfield to make some plays in the passing game. This will be a good one.

PHI @ GB — EAGLES OL vs PACKERS DL — SPLIT MATCHUP

Philadelphia visiting Green Bay should be one of the more highly anticipated games this season, as both squads are legit contenders in the NFC. The Eagles finally looked right offensively in Week 8 and are well rested to face a Packers team that just got shocked by the most unlikely of opponents. This trench battle will be fun!

Saquon Barkley and the Eagles got off to a slow start on the ground in 2025, then exploded for 276 yards against the Giants in Week 8. Philadelphia’s offensive line hasn’t been the dominant force it was last season, thanks to injuries. LG Landon Dickerson returned against New York, but C Cam Jurgens missed the game with a knee issue. Has this group turned the corner? The running game is a strength vs. strength matchup this week, as Green Bay’s front has been dominant on the ground. There aren’t many weak spots for the Eagles to attack, but Philadelphia has been surprisingly effective with man-scheme runs. Keep an eye out to see if they try to pound the rock rather than having Barkley go east-west. I give the edge to Philadelphia after Green Bay surrendered 163 to the Panthers.

Micah Parsons should be back with a vengeance after being held without a pressure for the first time in his career last week. Parsons and Rashan Gary are a consistent threat off the edge, giving Green Bay the advantage here. However, no one else on the roster has more than two sacks. Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata against Parsons and Gary is as good as it gets in the NFL, but if the Eagles can hold those two in check, Jalen Hurts should make things happen.

TLDR: Philadelphia at Green Bay is the marquee game of the weekend, and matches two of the league’s strongest trench units. I think the Eagles’ ground game has finally woken up, and it faces a Green Bay front that just got gashed by Carolina. Meanwhile, the Packers have the pass-rush edge with Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary, but watch out if the Eagles can keep those two in check.