Scouting the OL/DL Matchups: Week 4

What’s crackin’, folks! Welcome to Week 4 and the final week before byes begin. Last week, we saw some 0-2 teams fight back for their first wins (Carolina, Chicago, Kansas City, Cleveland), but Week 4 is when real contenders firmly establish themselves.

Early-season blips like what happened to the Packers aren’t totally unexpected as teams figure out who they are in the first three weeks. Cleveland’s defense has been exceptional so far, but Green Bay’s offense was atrocious, highlighted by an awful INT from Jordan Love that opened the door for the Browns. Love hasn’t been bad overall, but his protection has.

Love was sacked five times last week after going down just twice in the first two games. Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s front are arguably the best pass rush in the league, but Green Bay’s Week 3 performance showed how a struggling offensive line can derail one of the NFL’s best teams.

This week begins in the NFC West (the league’s best division?), and ends with another Monday night doubleheader. The European schedule also kicks off this week, so remember to get your rosters set early on Sunday.

Enjoy Week 4!

WEEK 4 OL/DL MATCHUPS

CLE @ DET — LIONS OL vs BROWNS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

Detroit is coming off an epic Monday night win in Baltimore, and Cleveland shocked the NFL by knocking off Green Bay after a late comeback. I love this matchup on paper as the Browns walk into Detroit, allowing the fewest rushing yards through three games (172), and the Lions’ running backs just gashed Baltimore for 218 on the ground. I went against Cleveland two weeks ago, and it backfired, but I can’t see Detroit taking its foot off the gas at home.

The Lions’ OL proved that it’s still one of the league’s best last week, as the unit wore down Baltimore’s front with two 96+ yard drives and a late 31-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery to ice it. That play was set up by Amon-Ra St. Brown, repeatedly motioning and inserting himself as a blocker. It was a well-thought-out play at the right time in the game, and it should give Lions fans faith in John Morton. Penei Sewell gets much of the credit for this group, but the young guard pair of Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany came to play against the Ravens. Direct runs were Detroit’s bread and butter in Baltimore, and I expect that to continue against Cleveland. This unit has also responded in protection after a rough Week 1, where it allowed four sacks. Jared Goff has been clean the last two weeks, but the unit faces its toughest test in Garrett and rookie DT Mason Graham. The Lions should control the game so Garrett can’t pin his ears back, but Sewell and Taylor Decker will have their work cut out this week.

The Browns have been stellar against both man and zone runs this season, and just shut down two impressive rushing offenses in Baltimore and Green Bay. At this point, Cleveland’s offense is holding the team back, as Garrett is making an early case for his second career DPOY award. This unit thrives on penetration in both phases. Garrett is who he is, and veteran Maliek Collins and the youth movement of Isaiah McGuire and Graham have brought chaos to opposing offenses. This group is a fun unit to watch, but the rest of the Browns aren’t. I think Detroit wins comfortably at home.

TLDR: Both teams are coming off big Week 3 wins, but only one was convincing. Detroit’s OL re-established itself as one of the league’s best in both phases against Baltimore, which should continue this week. Garrett and the DL lead Cleveland’s defense, but they don’t have enough horses to stop the Detroit freight train.

CIN @ DEN — BRONCOS OL vs BENGALS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

What was a fun Monday night matchup coming into the season has lost much of its luster after Joe Burrow’s injury two weeks ago. However, I like leaning on Denver’s offensive line this week. The Bengals have entered the first gauntlet stretch of their season, with games against Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh the next four weeks. That 2-0 start will quickly fade away as the Broncos should be angry after a pair of close losses.

I’ve been high on Denver’s OL since the start of training camp, and despite the 1-2 record, the unit has been excellent so far. J.K. Dobbins has gotten off to a hot start running behind this unit (Garett Bolles and Ben Powers in particular), and should have a big game against a Bengals front that’s been gashed by zone runs. Denver has also been lights out in protection, and they get a favorable home matchup this week. Trey Hendrickson can wreck the game, but he’s Cincinnati's only weapon up front. Bo Nix hasn’t broken out yet, but I feel comfortable that Dobbins and the ground game will have another solid day.

Let’s face it, the air is already out of the Bengals’ 2025 season, and while the defense is improved, it’s not good enough to overcome the loss of Burrow. Hendrickson has two of the team’s six sacks, but the rest of the pass rush doesn’t have much bite. What’s more disappointing is how bad the Bengals have been against zone runs. B.J. Hill, Kris Jenkins, and T.J. Slaton haven’t been disruptive in the middle, and Cincinnati’s linebackers have struggled to flow to the ball. This could change later in the season, but I don’t expect a noticeable difference against Denver.

TLDR: Denver should be angry after two close road losses, and the Bengals have no juice after losing Burrow and getting blasted by Minnesota. I’m unsure if Nix will finally break out this week, but I expect Dobbins and the Denver ground game to stay hot.

MIN @ PIT (IRELAND) — STEELERS OL vs VIKINGS DL — MATCHUP TO AVOID

This season’s first European game features a pair of 2-1 teams that haven’t exactly looked like contenders. Minnesota rolled through Cincinnati thanks to a tremendous defensive effort, and Pittsburgh beat the Patriots despite five New England turnovers. This quarterback matchup isn’t the flashiest with Carson Wentz and an elderly Aaron Rodgers, but both teams need a win to stay in first place.

Last season, the Vikings' defense thrived on sacks and forcing turnovers. That has continued early in 2025, and DC Brian Flores is making another case to earn a head coaching job. Minnesota hasn’t been as stout as expected against the run, but the DL loves getting into the backfield, and Pittsburgh’s rushing attack has been abysmal. The Steelers’ young tackles (Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu) haven’t handled strong edge defenders well, and the Vikings are loaded with those guys. I expect Minnesota’s defense to muck things up and correct its run game issues this week.

I also like the Vikings’ pass rush against a weak OL and a slow quarterback. Minnesota has nine sacks through three games and is led by veterans Javon Hargrave and Andrew Van Ginkel. I thought Van Ginkel was one of the most underrated players in the league last year, and he’s picked up where he left off. Pittsburgh’s tackles have struggled in protection, with Fautanu having trouble against speed and Jones showing limited anchor against power rushes. It will be tough for Flores to confuse Rodgers, but I expect a bevy of exotic blitzes to screw with the protection. Minnesota’s DL should control the line of scrimmage in both phases this week.

TLDR: Minnesota and Pittsburgh kick off the European portion of the NFL schedule, and the Vikings’ DL should control the game. I love Minnesota’s ability to penetrate against the run, but the Steelers could have success if their OTs can be productive. Rodgers will likely make a few big throws, but Minnesota’s pass rush should harass him throughout the game. I don’t expect much from Pittsburgh’s skill players this week.

GB @ DAL — COWBOYS OL vs PACKERS DL — MATCHUP TO AVOID

In my opinion, avoiding this matchup isn’t rocket science, as Green Bay’s front has been elite in both phases. However, Dallas’ run game has shown significant improvement to start the season. Losing CeeDee Lamb will put added stress on Dak Prescott and Dallas’ protection, but Green Bay’s DL should control this one.

It’s a shame for the Packers’ defense that they lost last week. This unit has allowed 13, 18, and 13 points in its first three games, yet Green Bay is tied for first place in the NFC North at 2-1. Rashan Gary has been stellar in both phases (No. 1 with 4.5 sacks), and Micah Parsons continues to work into his new role. Karl Brooks and Lukas Van Ness have also been solid contributors to a unit that has allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in the league. Green Bay has been more susceptible to man runs, which is what Dallas does best, but the Packers’ DL should be fired up with its newest member facing his former team.

As for Dallas, the Cowboys made a clear effort to get better on the ground this offseason, signing Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Those additions have paid off so far, running behind an improved offensive line. I wasn’t expecting much from this unit, ranking them No. 20 heading into the season, but they’ve been surprisingly good with downhill runs. This group is loaded with Tylers, and rookie RG Tyler Booker and LT Tyler Guyton are playing better than expected in the run game. Where Dallas has struggled is in protection, and that doesn’t bode well against Green Bay. Prescott has seen the fourth-most pressures in the league so far, and that will be turned up this week. Dallas’ OL could be a solid unit later this season, but Parsons and Green Bay will take them to the woodshed in Week 4.

TLDR: Dallas has made considerable strides in the run game, but still struggles to protect Dak Prescott, who will be under fire without his best offensive weapon, CeeDee Lamb. Green Bay’s defensive front is elite in both phases. This is the ultimate revenge game for Micah Parsons, and I expect his new teammates to follow suit in Dallas.

PHI @ TB — BUCCANEERS OL vs EAGLES DL — MATCHUP TO WATCH

I wish this game were later in the season when Tampa Bay was healthier up front, but this is still a matchup to watch since Baker Mayfield has pulled three straight wins out of his backside. Given all of Tampa's injuries up front, I’m leaning toward the Eagles here, but Philadelphia’s DL hasn’t been overly dominant through three games.

Tampa Bay is down Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke, while Tristan Wirfs hasn’t played yet this season (he could make his debut this week). Losing three starters would cripple many offensive lines, but I didn’t think they had this much depth. OL coach Kevin Carberry and this group have totaled the 7th-most rush yards through three games, and have been incredibly balanced with man and zone run production. However, the protection hasn’t been great with the backups. Mayfield has been sacked six times but has faced 43 pressures. This is where Philadelphia should have an edge, but I like Tampa Bay’s ground game this week.

The Eagles’ DL is living off its reputation. They’ve been terrible against both run phases and haven’t been overly productive sacking the quarterback. Jalen Carter and company have generated pressure, but only three sacks through three games. I’d like to think that Jordan Davis will come to play and stack on his exceptional performance last week, but I don’t see the unit fully snapping out of its funk on the road.

TLDR: Tampa Bay’s makeshift OL has been great on the ground, but has been up and down in protection. Philadelphia’s DL comes up with big plays in big moments, but hasn’t recaptured its overall dominance. Given Tampa Bay’s injuries, the Eagles have the edge in the trenches, but I still like the Buccaneers’ rushing attack this week.