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UPGRADES

Pittsburgh up 10

After missing the first two games, starting right guard David Decastro practiced in full on Wednesday. Decastro's knee had been an issue since an incident that occurred in practice at the end of August. Fourth-round rookie Kevin Dotson out of Louisiana got his first career start last week against Denver and the line as a whole held up well. Still, it's fair to expect the line to be even better with the five-time Pro Bowler in Decastro suiting up for this weekend's home contest against Houston. In the most recent rankings, this is an elite top-5 line.

Cleveland up 3

Right tackle Jack Conklin was unable to start last Thursday against Cincinnati. Chris Hubbard was decent in his place. With ten days rest, Conklin's ankle has healed and he has been practicing. Based on his media comments, it is fair to expect him to suit up this week against Washington. Hubbard is fine but there's a definite step down from Conklin. In related news, right guard Wyatt Teller has had a strong start to the year, and this line has shown acumen opening holes in the run game. Overall, this line grades among the top third of the league.

San Francisco up 6

Center Ben Garland returned to the lineup Week 2 in New York. Garland was effective sealing off blocks at the second level, and he played his part in the productive rushing day for Raheem Mostert. The tackles of Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey grade among the best in the league, and the interior of Laken Tomlinson, Garland, and Daniel Brunskill are gaining trust together. This is a solid group, with upside for the top-ten if Garland and Brunskill continue to improve.

DOWNGRADES

Las Vegas down 8

Few lines have played better than the early season than this Raiders' group. Still, injuries are starting to mount. Left guard Richie Incognito was forced from last week's win against New Orleans with an Achilles' tendon injury. Incognito was placed on injured reserve this week, although the coaches made comments that indicated Incognito's situation was more of the three-week variety, rather than a season-ender. With right tackle Trent Brown dealing with issues in both legs, replacing Incognito becomes cloudy. Usually Denzelle Good would replace Incognito and if Sam Young returns to action this weekend at New England, this lineup could still occur. But Good has been needed at right tackle, leaving John Simpson to fill in at guard. With Kolton Miller, Gabe Jackson, and Rodney Hudson all still healthy, this is still a very good group. But assuming he plays, John Simpson (a fourth-round rookie from Clemson) will have a tall challenge against a very stout New England defense.

LA Rams down 1

Left guard Joe Noteboom was forced from the Philadelphia game last week, and David Edwards played well in his place. Noteboom was placed on the injured reserve list and will have to remain off the roster for at least three weeks. Edwards is a second-year player who started ten games at right guard last season. Edwards is arguably as much a starter as Noteboom, so this is only a small drop for one of the league's better line.

Atlanta down 6

Right tackle Kaleb McGary was forced from the Dallas game last week with a knee sprain, and Matt Gono replaced him during the contest. Neither McGary nor left tackle Jake Matthews were practicing this Wednesday, and all signs seem to point to Matthews getting his knee ready before McGary gets his ready. This ranking assumes Matthews plays, and Matt Gono gets his first career start. This would be a mid-tier unit this week against Chicago. However, those with exposure to this offense should watch the gameday inactive list. If John Wetzel has to start as well, their grade would drop to the bottom of the rankings.

Jacksonville down 11

Center Brandon Linder injured his knee against Tennessee last week and has already been ruled out of Thursday Night Football against Miami. Tyler Shatley replaced Linder during the game and is expected to make his 16th career start this week. While there is a significant drop off between Linder and his backup, Shatley has spent his entire seven-year career in Jacksonville. This line has been among the league's success stories this season and had carried a top-10 grade going into Week 2. This week, they are downgraded, but still a solid option without their starting center.

Minnesota down 6

Right guard Pat Elflein was placed on the injured reserve list prior to Week Two against Indianapolis with a torn ligament in his thumb. Dru Samia got his first career start, and he (and left guard Dakota Dozier) had an extremely rough day against DeForest Buckner and the Colts' defensive front seven. Preseason, this line looked like they could be underrated. Three weeks into the season, their guard play grades among the worst in football.

Arizona down 2

This is an example of a "good downgrade" - Last week second-year center Lamont Gaillard received his first career start against Washington. Gaillard was in for Mason Cole, who was ruled out before the game with a hamstring injury. These late-swaps usually do not go well, but Gaillard was excellent and played so well, beat writers are saying Cole will not get his job back when he is healthy. Nominally, this line grades in the low-tier, but good things are happening. Watch for them to rise to the middle of the rankings and beyond as the season progresses and players like Gaillard gain experience with veterans like Justin Pugh and JR Sweezy.

Washington down 6

Right guard Brandon Scherff was placed on the injured reserve with a knee injury. While this phrase seems all too familiar to fans of the Football Team, Scherff's injury (MCL sprain) is not likely to end his season. Wes Schweitzer replaced Scherff against Arizona, and the free agent from Atlanta will get starts in the meantime.

OTHER NEWS

BUF - The Bills' coaches rotated players against Miami, giving Quenton Spain a break, moving Cody Ford from right to left guard, and letting Brian Winters have the final 33% of snaps at right guard.

CIN - With Xavier Su'a-Filo on IR, Fred Johnson got the start over Billy Price at right guard. Price has been nursing an ankle injury, and it is not clear if Johnson will get another start this week at Philadelphia.

DAL - Left tackle Tyron Smith missed last week's game against Atlanta with a neck injury, giving Brandon Knight the start. The downgrade hammer was all set to fall before owner Jerry Jones addressed the media, hinting that the team was keeping Smith fresh for this week's contest at Seattle.

DET - Left guard Joe Dahl was placed on the injured reserve with a groin injury. Oday Aboushi will see starts while Dahl rehabs. This is not a measurable downgrade, but the situation bears watching.

GB - Billy Turner was held back last week, and the coaches described his status as emergency against Detroit. Lucas Patrick received 100% of snaps at right guard and it's not clear if Patrick (or Lane Turner) will get their jobs back in the near future.

HOU - Left guard Max Scharping had several ugly breakdowns in pass protection last week against Baltimore, and the coaching staff benched him for a couple of series for Senio Kelemete. This is a troubling situation brewing but no immediate change to the ranks.

LAC - Right tackle Bryan Bulaga only played 10% of offensive snaps last week against Kansas City. Trey Pipkins finished out the contest. Coaches expect Bulaga to play this week but this is far from certain.

NEP - Center David Andrews was listed on the injury report as missing practice with a hand injury. In typical Patriots fashion, no further information was available. In other news, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is splitting series with rookie Michael Onwenu

NO - Rookie Cesar Ruiz saw his first game action last week against Las Vegas after Andrus Peat was briefly forced from the contest. The veteran Nick Easton has been getting starts, but look for Ruiz's timeshare to increase in upcoming weeks.

NYJ - Center Connor McGovern was forced from last week's ugly loss against San Francisco with a hamstring injury. McGovern is pushing hard to play but is only a coinflip to play at Indianapolis. In related news, right tackle George Fant is in the league's concussion protocol.

SEA - Left tackle Duane Brown missed five snaps on Sunday Night Football last week, and was replaced by Jamarco Jones. Brown has not practiced this week with knee and foot issues but is expected to play against Dallas.

FULL RANKINGS