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UPGRADES

LA Chargers up 12 slots

As recently as two weeks ago, Trey Pipkins and Trent Scott were the starting tackles for the Chargers. With Russell Okung and Sam Tevi firmly in the lineup, Pipkins was inactive prior to the offense's 45 point explosion against Jacksonville. Much has been made of the loss of center Mike Pouncey, but Scott Quessenberry is having a bit of a breakout performance (just in time for free agency). This line has been better both in protecting quarterback Phillip Rivers and in finding holes in the run game. While many other teams are getting dinged by injuries, this line has gotten healthier. They won't have as easy matchups as last week (hosting Minnesota this weekend, for example) but they grade among the mid-tier in the latest rankings.

NY Jets up 6 slots

The zone-running scheme favored by Adam Gase found success against Miami last week with Bilal Powell and Ty Montgomery combining for over 100 yards rushing. Replacement right guard Tom Compton will start his 5th game this Thursday, and this qualifies as full cohesion in the model. Left guard Alex Lewis should be excited to face his former team, a fierce Baltimore defensive front seven. While the road matchup is tough, and they are in need of talent infusion at several spots, the offensive line has done a better job over the last month. This is still a below-average group but they have slightly improved in the latest grades.

New England up 2 slots

Center Ted Karras missed last week's home loss to Kansas City and his replacement James Ferentz was beat up the middle on several occasions. Karras returned to practice in a limited fashion and is officially listed as questionable. This is a low-tier line either way but should Karras return to the lineup, the New England offense will likely perform at a higher level. The difference between these backups seems slight, but it is significant: Karras is at least a replacement-level starter, while Ferentz might not deserve a roster spot. This upgrade assumes Karras will find a way to be ready for this week's contest at Cincinnati.

DOWNGRADES

Philadelphia down 6 slots

Right tackle Lane Johnson's ankle was injured during the second quarter of the Monday Night Football against New York and he could not return to the game. The injury occurred when Johnson's lower body was "rolled-up" by a quarterback hit coming from the opposite side. Halapoulivaati Vaitai (or as coaches call him "Big V") took 72% of offensive snaps during the overtime win and is expected to get the start not only this week against Washington, but most likely next week against Dallas as well. Those with exposure to the Eagles' offense should also monitor right guard Brandon Brooks' status, as the last time Johnson missed a game, Brooks' anxiety got worse, forcing him to also leave the contest. Johnson has historically had a calming presence on Brooks' mental health issues. This is still a top-tier line based on the left side, but the right side has become an adventure.

Oakland down 13 slots

Right tackle Trent Brown was inactive for last week's home loss against Tennessee with a pectoral injury. All signs to Brown to be inactive again, leaving second-year player Brandon Parker out of North Carolina A&T to get his 14th career start this weekend against Jacksonville. While Parker is a decent prospect, the pass protection simply wasn't as good without Brown in the lineup. Center Rodney Hudson (ankle) and Gabe Jackson (ankle) were both limited in practice this week but are expected to play. The Raiders' offensive line, usually a top group, falls to the mid-tier without their starting right tackle.

San Francisco down 11 slots

Center Weston Richburg was forced from the win at New Orleans with a season-ending knee injury when his legs became tangled with another defender. Veteran backup Ben Garland replaced Richburg during the game and will make his 8th career start this weekend against his former team Atlanta. Garland is an interesting player, "a young 31" if there is such a thing. Garland had service commitments out of Air Force Academy and has only started games since the age of 29. While the 49ers' offense was able to finish the job at New Orleans last week (Garland was on the field for the final 13 points scored), teams will game-plan against this player and Atlanta certainly will know his weaknesses.

Baltimore down 7 slots

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley played 100% of snaps last week against Buffalo but after the game, he was placed in the league's concussion protocol. With the Ravens hosting New York on a short week, Stanley has been labeled doubtful and is highly unlikely to play on Thursday night. James Hurst, the swing tackle, will get the start in Stanley's place. Hurst is usually a guard or occasional right tackle, who isn't ideal at left tackle. While it's not clear New York has the edge rush to exploit this matchup, look for the Ravens' to leave blockers in to deal with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' blitz packages. With the difference between Matt Skura and Patrick Mekari at the center spot also becoming apparent in the last two weeks, the Ravens' offensive line falls in the latest rankings.

Cleveland down 8 slots

Right tackle Kendall Lamm started last week for Chris Hubbard (Knee). Hubbard was limited in practice and is not included in this week's model. With Hubbard, Cleveland would be a mid-tier line. C J.C. Tretter is also listed on the report but should play at Arizona.

Houston down 6 Slots

The right side in Houston is in flux. Already down Tytus Howard (IR), veteran Chris Clark left the game at halftime against Denver with a hip injury. Roderick Johnson played the final 33% of snaps in the blowout loss. Right guard Zach Fulton also left the game at the same point, giving way to Greg Mancz. However, Fulton was not hurt, his benching was due to coaching decision, and it's not clear who exactly will get the start this week against a fierce Tennessee defensive front seven. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil continues to commit costly penalties, and this Texans' offensive line grades firmly in the low-tier of the latest rankings.

OTHER NEWS

• ARI - RG Justin Pugh (back), LG J.R. Sweezy (illness), C/G Mason Cole (back) all on the injury report as limited and should be monitored prior to hosting Cleveland.
• ATL - Good news: rookie Chris Lindstrom was active last week and started at right guard for the win over Carolina. Bad news: LG James Carpenter remains in the concussion protocol and Wes Schweitzer will continue to start.
• BUF - RT Ty Nsekhe is still out with an ankle injury but Cody Ford is doing a good job in his replacement.
• CAR - LT Greg Little remains out with an ankle injury. Dennis Daley is a natural guard and playing him at left tackle has become a liability in pass protection.
• CHI - RT Bobby Massie still doubtful and did not practice this week.
• DEN - RT JaWuan James returned to the lineup (Wilkinson to the bench). This would be an upgrade except for RG Ron Leary still out with a concussion.
• DET - RT Rick Wagner left the game in the 3rd quarter with a knee injury (Tyrell Crosby). Wagner will likely not play this week at Tampa Bay. Guard Joe Dahl could also miss the game with back and knee injuries but Dahl has been in a rotation with Kenny Wiggins of late.
• GB - RG Billy Turner is limited in practice with a knee injury. Turner missed 2 snaps last week but is included in the latest rankings.
• JAC - C Brandon Linder played 100% of snaps last week but has sat of practice this week with a knee injury. 0
• KC - LG Andrew Wylie is questionable with a shoulder injury. LT Eric Fisher briefly left the game last week with a groin injury but returned to the game and practiced in full. Both players are expected to play at home against Denver.
• MIA - Another lineup shuffle as undrafted rookie Keaton Rutherford started for Michael Deiter. Deiter (3rd round pick) appears to have been demoted.
• NYG - RG Kevin Zeitler is doubtful with ankle and wrist injuries. Nick Gates played 6 snaps in the 4th quarter and would get the start against Miami. It speaks to how many other teams are getting injured that this loss was not a downgrade.
• TB - LT Donovan Smith left last week's game briefly but is likely to play. RG Alex Cappa has recovered from his arm injury and will send Earl Watford back to the bench.
• WAS - This line is limping to the finish line. LT Donald Penn is listed with both knee and back injuries. RT is Morgan Moses, who is limited with a toe injury. Both are expected to play against Philadelphia.
  
  

FULL RANKINGS

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