Scouting the OL/DL Matchups: Week 9

Byemaggedon has come and gone. Did you survive?

It was tough sledding in Week 8 with only one game decided by less than 11 points. Luckily, there was plenty of scoring, as 11 teams scored 30 or more points. That said, it wasn’t the best week of football to watch.

Week 9 could be the bounce-back week NFL fans are looking for in terms of excitement, as Lamar Jackson is set to return, Detroit, Seattle, and the Rams are back from their byes, and we get the yearly Kansas City-Buffalo regular-season matchup. This is also the final week before the NFL trade deadline, so keep an eye on any of your players who could end up on a different team this time next week.

Kansas City's trip to Buffalo highlights this week’s slate, but keep an eye on Minnesota-Detroit, Indianapolis-Pittsburgh, and Seattle-Washington.

Enjoy Week 9!

WEEK 9 OL/DL MATCHUPS

CHI @ CIN — BEARS OL vs BENGALS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

I got burned by the Bears last week when I bet on their offensive line to figure things out against a weakened Baltimore defensive front. I can’t be dumb enough to bet on them again, right? Chicago stays in the AFC North with a visit to Cincinnati, and faces the Bengals’ defense coming off an all-time atrocious performance.

D’Andre Swift was held in check last week, totaling just 45 yards on 11 carries before the game script got away from Chicago. If they play it right, Swift should get a healthy dose of zone carries running against one of the league’s worst run defenses. The Bengals have gotten gashed against zone runs all season, and potentially being without Trey Hendrickson won’t help. If the new-look Bears’ offensive line can’t make things happen on the ground against Cincinnati, then Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles might need to go back to the drawing board.

Speaking of missing Hendrickson, the Bengals looked inept rushing Justin Fields last week, totaling zero sacks against New York’s struggling OL. Chicago and new LT Theo Benedet would have been a good matchup for Hendrickson, but I have way more faith in Chicago protecting Caleb Williams against Joseph Ossai and the rest of Cincinnati’s pass rush. Williams needs to bounce back this week and should have ample time in the pocket.

TLDR: Chicago missed a golden opportunity last week, and now draws a struggling Cincinnati defense. D’Andre Swift should get a steady dose of zone carries against one of the league’s worst run defenses, and Cincinnati’s pass rush likely won’t come close to Caleb Williams if Trey Hendrickson is out. Chicago’s offense bounces back this week.

NO @ LAR — RAMS OL vs SAINTS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

The Rams return from their bye week to host a New Orleans team that may have lost any fight it had left in the tank. Surprisingly, the Saints’ defense held Tampa Bay to 212 total net yards last week, but got minimal help from its offense, and the team fell to 1-7. Is this the week where the Saints finally quit on 2025?

Los Angeles hasn’t had the strongest ground game this season, but the Rams have been incredibly efficient running laterally. Kyren Williams and Blake Corrum evenly split carries two weeks ago in London, but I’d expect Williams to get the lion’s share against New Orleans. Williams’ production is still exceptionally balanced between man and zone runs, demonstrating the offense's versatility. The Saints are stronger against man-scheme runs, so I expect Los Angeles to use its athletic offensive line to get New Orleans’ front moving side to side.

The real advantage for Los Angeles is in pass protection. Matthew Stafford continues to be a wizard in the pocket and has been one of the least-pressured quarterbacks through seven games. RT Rob Havenstein could return this week, but Warren McClendon has filled in well. I was very low on McClendon when the Rams dealt with OL injuries last season, but he’s turned things around enough to survive the last three games. Carl Granderson leads New Orleans’ middle-of-the-road pass rush with 4.5 sacks, and this unit has multiple guys that can get after Stafford, but I’m leaning towards the crafty veteran quarterback and his OL this week.

TLDR: Los Angeles returns from its bye to face a New Orleans defense that may have finally run out of fight. The Rams’ balanced rushing attack hasn’t been anything special, but I expect Kyren Williams to get a healthy dose of zone runs this week. Matthew Stafford could get RT Rob Havenstein back against the Saints, but the quarterback has done fine with Havenstein’s replacement. Stafford and the Rams keep rolling.

LAC @ TEN — CHARGERS OL vs TITANS DL — MATCHUP TO EXPLOIT

The city of Los Angeles should get a pair of wins this week, as I also love the Chargers’ trench matchup. The Bolts romped Minnesota’s vaunted defense on Thursday Night Football, and draw the hapless Tennessee Titans this week. Tennessee is likely pushing for the first overall pick again, and the Chargers should help by handing them another loss.

Thanks to multiple injuries, Kimani Vidal has quickly risen from a sixth-round pick and practice squad player to the lead running back for Los Angeles. He’s proven that he’s up for the task after putting up 117 yards and a touchdown last week. Joe Alt returned and made an instant impact for the Chargers. Los Angeles favored man-scheme runs that featured a lot of double teams and pulls, and Vidal took full advantage. I expect a similar game plan against the Titans, who are allowing 6.00 yards per carry against man runs. Get Jeffery Simmons out of Tennessee.

Tennessee could create some chaos with its pass rush, as the Chargers are still working with a banged-up unit. Don’t get me wrong, the Titans’ rush is nothing special, and I still favor Los Angeles here. But the Titans can make some noise if they can get to Justin Herbert. Do I think that will happen? No, not really with Alt back in the lineup. Herbert stays hot this week.

TLDR: The Chargers just whomped one of the league’s more respected defenses, and draw one of the worst this week with Tennessee. Look for Kimani Vidal to keep pounding the rock with man-scheme runs, and for Joe Alt to protect Justin Herbert against Tennessee’s weak pass rush.

MIN @ DET — VIKINGS OL vs LIONS DL — MATCHUP TO AVOID

How much of a mess is Minnesota’s offense right now? J.J. McCarthy will be back in the lineup after the news that Carson Wentz needs season-ending shoulder surgery. The second-year signal-caller comes back to face Detroit on the road with a beat-up offensive line. What could go wrong?

Minnesota heads into Week 9 unsure if either LT Chrisitan Darrisaw or RT Brian O’Neill will be available. That’s awful news for a team that’s struggled to run the ball when you’re facing one of the best run defenses in the NFL. The Vikings have been much more effective with man-scheme runs, but have favored zone plays through seven games. D.J. Reader and the recently returned Alim McNeill should bring the hammer down if they try to pound the rock inside. I have a tough time seeing Minnesota reaching its 93.9 rushing yard average this week.

Darrisaw and O’Neill’s potential absence will spell major trouble for McCarthy in protection. Minnesota’s OL has understandably been below average in protection this year, but the unit has dealt with one of the league’s worst quarterbacks in terms of handling pressure. Hence, the five QB sacks since Wentz took over in Week 3. We still know so little about McCarthy, and if he can handle NFL pass rushes. Facing Aidan Hutchinson with possibly one or two backup tackles is dangerous. Hutchinson is back with a vengeance with six sacks through seven games, and Al-Quadin Muhammad has added five. This is a formidable Detroit pass rush that will cause fits for McCarthy. Fade any Minnesota skill players this week.

TLDR: Minnesota’s offense is a mess, and the Lions are back at home off their bye. The Vikings could be without both starting tackles, which will cause chaos in both phases. Look for Detroit’s defensive line to control the trenches against Minnesota’s young quarterback.

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