Pay mind to O-lines
IF THERE is one thing to take away from having seen the low-scoring games of Week 1 and the Thursday night debacle between the Bengals and Texans, it is that offensive lines matter.
The fantasy football community spends so much time focusing on the offensive skill positions, the players who actually score the points, that it forgets just how important the offensive line is to a team’s success. A bad offensive line does not inspire a strong running game or offer strong pass-protection, which ultimately means it does not help put points on the board.
Thursday’s game was a prime example, as we now have seen the Bengals and Texans twice. Each time, the poor play of the offensive line has hindered the scoring. The two teams have combined for a total of 29 points through the f irst two weeks with just two touchdowns between them — the Bengals having yet to score their first.
Andy Dalton has been a disaster thus far, and Watson is learning the ropes the hard way. The sacks, the hurries and the QB hits are piling up. Interceptions are abundant and none of the receivers, A.J. Green and DeAndre Hopkins included, have posted big numbers.
Neither team’s running game has taken off either, which has made Lamar Miller, Jeremy Hill and Joe Mixon lousy fantasy plays. With no blocking or pass-protection, these offenses are dead in the water. Also keep in mind, if you own a tight end on a team with a poor offensive line, he likely will spend much more time blocking than pass-catching.
Week 2 should offer us an additional look at some of the other offensive lines worth monitoring. The rushing attack of Seattle produced just 90 yards last week, and there wasn’t even a pocket for Russell Wilson to roll out of. The Giants’ line looked atrocious in their season debut, and there should be fear if you’re relying on skill players from the Colts or Lions. You also might want to pay close attention to the Dolphins and Buccaneers, as Hurricane Irma only postponed the inevitable.
Knowledge of offensive lines will prove to be an invaluable tool for you in fantasy football. It will help in both trade evaluations and making sensible waiver claims. Everyone knows marquee names, but a true fantasy winner knows who is responsible for their success.