Scouting the OL/DL Matchups: Week 6

\Week 5 is over (thankfully for that early slate), and we have no more undefeated teams. Philadelphia and Buffalo both looked uninterested at times last week, and it came back to bite both squads, who now have to answer many questions.

The first London game of the season was more exciting than expected, but another Browns rookie quarterback lost his debut. Cleveland’s defense deserves better than what the offense has been giving it. The Browns should be 3-2, but the offense has scored 16, 17, 13, 10, and 17 points. It’s another long year in Cleveland.

Looking ahead, Week 6 has five or six intriguing inter-conference matchups that will be measuring stick games for those teams. The highlight of which is Detroit visiting Kansas City on Sunday Night Football. The Lions dismantled the Joe Burrow-less Bengals last week, and the Chiefs need to bounce back after a tough loss on Monday night.

Week 6 is still relatively early in the season, but it’s about now that the good teams truly get rolling. This should be a fun week of football. Enjoy Week 6!

WEEK 6 OL/DL MATCHUPS

DAL @ CAR — PANTHERS OL vs COWBOYS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

Carolina has had a strange, up-and-down last four weeks. After a close loss to Arizona, they shut out Atlanta, got waxed by New England, then stormed back to beat Miami last week. Rico Dowdle’s 206 yards powered the win over the Dolphins, and the Panthers could do whatever they wanted on the ground. Dowdle has already declared this week a revenge game against the Cowboys, and Dallas has had a lot of trouble stopping zone runs.

Dowdle had a ton of success running behind RT Ikem Ekwonu, RG Damien Lewis, and C Cade Mays last week with both zone and man scheme plays. That trio did a great job sustaining blocks and letting Dowdle get to the second level untouched and with a head of steam. Meanwhile, Dallas was getting gashed by Breece Hall because Kenny Clark, Mazi Smith, and Osa Odighizuwa couldn’t get off blocks. The Cowboys have struggled to consistently penetrate and disrupt all season, and have allowed 265 yards against zone runs (85 more than against man). Dowdle and his offensive line should be motivated this week.

The passing game matchup favors the Cowboys’ defensive line, but it is not as exciting overall. Dallas has generated a lot of pressure with Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, and Donovan Ezeiruaku, but has only 10 sacks to show for it. I left Bryce Young for dead at 17-0 last week, but if he gets a little extra time, he can be a competent passer. Dallas will likely cause chaos for Young, but this game will hinge on Dowdle and the run game.

TLDR: Rico Dowdle has declared this a revenge game and is hot after rushing for 206 yards last week. Carolina’s rushing attack was clicking on all cylinders, and faces a weak Dallas run defense. The Cowboys should create chaos for Bryce Young, but they haven’t finished as many sacks as expected. Lean on Dowdle this week.

LAR @ BAL — RAMS OL vs RAVENS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

I’ll be relatively quick here. Baltimore’s defense has fallen off a cliff in 2025 (3rd in rush yards allowed, 2nd in pass yards allowed). Injuries have played a huge part, with major DL pieces like Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington Jr. on the shelf. However, defensive coordinator Zach Orr hasn’t had many answers through the first five weeks. The Rams are clicking offensively and should handle their business this week.

On the ground, Kyren Williams is putting together another solid season, and his man vs. zone production has been extremely balanced through five weeks. Los Angeles will be without normal RT Rob Havenstein, but that shouldn’t be a huge factor. Baltimore’s run defense has been abysmal against direct runs, which makes sense without Madubuike and Washington. Get ready for a steady dose of Williams this week.

I gave the Ravens’ pass rush the benefit of the doubt last week against a weak Houston offensive line, and the unit mustered two sacks and nine pressures. Mike Green is an intriguing young edge rusher, and Kyle Van Noy is a great veteran presence for the group, but the Rams have a capable and consistent OL. Matthew Stafford has handled a decent amount of pressure this season, but I don’t expect him to be under fire much this week.

TLDR: Baltimore’s defense has been crushed by injuries, and there haven’t been many signs of life through the first five weeks. I’m expecting Kyren Williams and Matthew Stafford to have productive days. Bet against the Ravens’ defense until they prove otherwise.

LAC @ MIA — CHARGERS OL vs DOLPHINS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

An early October trip to Miami could be the perfect cure for the Chargers' offense, which has struggled the last two weeks. Los Angeles has scored 18 and 10 points, respectively, after a 3-0 start. Meanwhile, Miami has the league’s worst run defense and a pass defense that’s not much better.

Surprisingly, the Chargers have produced one of the league’s best rushing attacks despite losing LT Rashawn Slater for the year in the preseason and being without Joe Alt for the last two weeks. Austin Deculus and Trey Pipkins have filled in for the injured starters, and they get a favorable matchup this week against Miami. The Dolphins have been terrible in both run game phases and were repeatedly gashed by Rico Dowdle last week. Omarion Hampton heading to injured reserve hurts, but Hassan Haskins should be in line for a productive day.

Both Los Angeles quarterbacks face similarly weak pass rushes this week, as Justin Herbert takes on a Miami unit that’s generated 11 sacks in five games. The Chargers’ OL has allowed a lot of pressure this season, but Herbert has been able to handle and thrive against it. Chop Robinson is on the come-up, and Matthew Judon adds another element to the Dolphins’ pass rush, but this is not an overly effective unit. I expect Herbert to get back on track this week.

TLDR: Los Angeles has absorbed a bevy of offensive injuries, but should bounce back against a weak Miami defense. Expect Hassan Haskins, or whoever carries the ball, to be productive this week, and Justin Herbert should get back in the win column against an ineffective pass rush.

DET @ KC — LIONS OL vs CHIEFS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

The marquee game of Week 6 is Sunday Night Football in Kansas City, as the Lions look to keep rolling against a Chiefs team coming off a bizarre loss in Jacksonville. Detroit’s offense could do no wrong for most of last week’s game against Cincinnati, and faces a Kansas City defense that’s been helter-skelter in 2025.

Questions about Detroit’s re-worked offensive line quickly went out the door once the Lions started rolling in Week 2. Taylor Decker is playing through a shoulder injury, but he and Penei Sewell are still one of the best tackle pairs in the league, and rookie RG Tate Ratledge fits well with the unit. The beauty of Detroit’s rushing attack is that defenses know that David Montgomery is the downhill, direct runner, and Jahmyr Gibbs is the fast, lateral ball carrier, but it’s nearly impossible to stop them both. Kansas City’s defense has been solid against man/gap runs, but putrid against lateral runs. Chris Jones can only do so much himself. Expect one, if not both of Detroit’s runners, to show out this week.

Jared Goff has been the league’s most efficient quarterback through five weeks, throwing for 13 touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 75.2% of his passes. It’s a product of Detroit’s offense staying balanced, and its offensive line keeping him upright. Sewell and Decker against Jones and George Karlaftis is a high-level trench matchup, but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s exotic blitzes seem to give every quarterback trouble. Kansas City needs this game to get back to .500, but I like Goff and Detroit’s offense to do just enough for the win this week.

TLDR: Detroit’s OL has figured things out after the offseason reshuffle, and the offense has been on fire since Week 2. The Lions’ rushing attack is two-dimensional, and Kansas City’s defense has struggled against zone runs, so expect Jahmyr Gibbs to see a lot of action. This pass rush matchup is exciting, as the Chiefs love coming up with exotic blitzes, but I think Jared Goff does just enough to win this week.

SEA @ JAX — SEAHAWKS OL vs JAGUARS DL — SPLIT MATCHUP

My final matchup is split between Seattle and Jacksonville. The Seahawks lost a heartbreaker thanks to Sam Darnold going Sam Darnold, and the Jaguars somehow pulled a win over the Chiefs out of their backsides. I initially thought this would be an easy matchup to avoid for the Seattle offense, but Jacksonville’s defensive line hasn’t been as effective as it should be.

Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet are a formidable duo that’s been more productive with zone runs. Anthony Bradford is arguably the worst starting RG in the league, but Walker, in particular, has had a lot of success running to the right this season. The Jaguars have been noticeably worse against zone plays, but their overall run defense has been stout enough. Walker should have a good fantasy day, including receptions, but don’t expect a banner day on the ground for either running back.

I have to lean towards Darnold and Seattle’s offensive line in protection. The same five guys have started each game up front for the Seahawks, and despite Bradford, have allowed just six sacks. On the other hand, Jacksonville’s pass rush should be so much more productive than it is. Tavon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, and company have produced just six sacks from 82 pressures. A lot of these pressures are generated via blitzes rather than anyone on the DL winning their 1-on-1 battle. It’s disappointing to watch since that group has so much talent.

TLDR: This should be a fun matchup between two teams fighting to establish themselves. Jacksonville has been good enough against the run to make life hard on Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, but the edge goes to Seattle in pass protection. Seattle should win if Sam Darnold doesn’t make another late-game mistake.