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Thorn: Biggest OL vs. DL Mismatches, Week 2

    //    Sep 11, 2025 , , Brandon Thorn DL/OL Mismatches, In-Season Package

Thorn: Biggest OL vs DL Mismatches, Week 2
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The goal of a real-life NFL defense is to prevent the other team from scoring points. When we select a defense to roster, we’re trying to score the most fantasy points. It’s a subtle shift in thinking, but an important one.

The optimal way to select a defense in DFS is to think in terms of big events, not points allowed. Just 2.3% of games last season ended in a shutout and only 9.7% ended with one team being held to six points or fewer. In other words, targeting the “points allowed” category is a fool’s errand.

The real fantasy points come from sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns. These events are by far most likely to happen when a quarterback is under pressure. The best possible outcome on a single play for our defense is a strip sack which results in a defensive touchdown, as we get one DraftKings point for the sack, two for the fumble recovery, and six for the touchdown.

With that in mind, below you’ll find the biggest mismatches between defensive and offensive lines for Week 2. The objective is to project QB pressure through film study, injuries, scheme, coaching, and talent.

 

Week 2 Bye Week: None

 

DL Rankings – Week 2

  1. Steelers
  2. Giants
  3. Texans
  4. Broncos
  5. Vikings
  6. Rams
  7. Seahawks
  8. Packers
  9. Eagles
  10. Ravens
  11. Browns
  12. Jets
  13. Chiefs
  14. Patriots
  15. 49ers
  16. Bills – DT Ed Oliver was in a walking boot and missed practice on Thursday.
  17. Bucs
  18. Colts – DE Laiatu Latu was limited on Wednesday and missed Thursday’s practice with a hamstring injury.
  19. Raiders
  20. Lions
  21. Titans
  22. Dolphins
  23. Cardinals
  24. Cowboys
  25. Jaguars
  26. Commanders
  27. Bengals
  28. Bears
  29. Saints – DE Chase Young suffered a calf injury during practice last Wednesday, missed Week 1, and missed practice this Wednesday and Thursday.
  30. Chargers
  31. Panthers
  32. Falcons

 

OL Rankings – Week 2

  1. Eagles
  2. Bills
  3. Broncos
  4. Vikings – C Ryan Kelly missed practice on Thursday with a toe injury.
  5. Ravens
  6. Bucs – LT Tristan Wirfs is expected to make his season debut in Week 4 against the Eagles with Week 3 against the Jets being possible, although less likely.
  7. Bears
  8. Commanders – RG Sam Cosmi will begin the season on the PUP list, keeping him out for at least the first four games.
  9. Lions
  10. Chiefs
  11. Packers
  12. Colts
  13. Panthers
  14. Jets
  15. Rams – OGs Steve Avila & Kevin Dotson both exited Week 1’s game with injuries with Avila returning and Dotson remaining out. Both missed practice on Wednesday. Avila sat out Thursday while Dotson returned.
  16. Titans – RT JC Latham missed practice on Thursday due to a hip injury that took him out of Week 1’s game.
  17. Cowboys
  18. Browns
  19. Steelers
  20. 49ers
  21. Cardinals
  22. Saints – LG Trevor Penning missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. RT Taliese Fuaga missed practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday.
  23. Falcons
  24. Patriots
  25. Chargers
  26. Raiders
  27. Jaguars
  28. Seahawks
  29. Bengals
  30. Giants – LT Andrew Thomas returned to practice Thursday after missing Week 1 due to a foot injury.
  31. Dolphins – RG James Daniels is on short-term I.R. with a pec injury. RT Austin Jackson is likely out this week with a toe injury.
  32. Texans

 


Biggest Week 2 DL > OL Mismatches

  1. Steelers DL (1st) > Seahawks OL (28th)
  2. Vikings DL (5th) > Falcons OL (23rd)
  3. Bucs DL (18th) > Texans OL (32nd)
  4. Patriots DL (14th) > Dolphins OL (31st)
  5. Giants DL (2nd) > Cowboys OL (17th)
  6. Rams DL (6th) > Titans OL (16th)
  7. 49ers DL (15th) > Saints OL (22nd)

 

Biggest Week 2 OL > DL Mismatches

  1. Vikings OL (4th) > Falcons DL (32nd)

 

DL > OL

 

1. Steelers DL > Seahawks OL

Key matchups: Edge rushers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig vs. OTs Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, DT Cam Heyward vs. C Jalen Sundell

Notes: The Steelers’ DL ranks 12th in pressure percentage, first in QB knockdown percentage, and 24th in pass-rush win rate. The Seahawks’ OL ranks 25th in pressure percentage given up and 28th in pass-block win rate.

The Seahawks’ line had a bright spot with the play of their left side (Charles Cross and Grey Zabel) last week with up-and-down play elsewhere that will be even more exposed this week against the Steelers’ front on passing downs. The main mismatch is RT Abraham Lucas against T.J. Watt with center Jalen Sundell requiring help any time he’s isolated against Cam Heyward. With enough strong rushers around Watt and Heyward, this pass rush will have plenty of opportunities to make QB Sam Darnold uneasy in the pocket again this week.

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