• Alouettes, Bombers and Tiger-Cats again form the top three: Montreal's Kristian Matte (84.5) and Nick Callender (78.1) earned 78.0-plus pass-blocking grades across 47 snaps in Week 13.
• Roughriders drop to No. 7: Saskatchewan earned a 37.0 pass-blocking grade with nine total pressures surrendered in Week 13.
• Edmonton inches closer to the top five: Now at No. 6, the Elks led the CFL with 3.6 rushing yards before contact and six explosive runs in Week 13.
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Few things are more important to a team’s success than the quality of its offensive line. Disastrous lines, or even disastrous weak-link mismatches, can determine the outcome of games, while strong units give an incredible advantage to an offense.
This CFL season, we will be keeping track of PFF’s offensive line rankings as well as highlighting the biggest weak-link player and their upcoming opponent to identify any obvious matchup advantage one way or the other.
Key:
Red text = weakest link
1. Montreal Alouettes (No Change)
LT Nick Callender
LG Pier-Olivier Lestage
C Justin Lawrence
RG Kristian Matte
RT Landon Rice
- It was a tough week for Landon Rice. He earned a 20.3 pass-blocking grade, allowing a hit and nine hurries.
- For the first time this season, Pier-Olivier Lestage earned a sub-50.0 run-blocking grade. He was defeated on 21.4% of his run-blocking snaps.
- The strength of this unit is holding the Alouettes at No. 1. Kristian Matte (84.5) and Nick Callender (78.1) earned pass-blocking grades above 78.0 over 47 snaps.
Upcoming Week: Toronto Argonauts
- Shawn Oakman led the Argonauts' pass rush last week. He earned a 68.2 pass-rush grade with a sack and two hurries.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (No Change)
LT Stanley Bryant
LG Geoff Gray
C Chris Kolankowski
RG Patrick Neufeld
RT Jermarcus Hardrick
- The Blue Bombers' offensive line continues to dominate in the run game. They lead the CFL with 2.2 yards before contact on the season.
- This past week, the Bombers' offensive line allowed just a 21.4% pressure rate.
Upcoming Week: Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Micah Johnson had a stellar Week 13. He earned a 90.9 pass-rush grade with a sack and two total pressures.
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (No Change)
LT Joel Figueroa
LG Brandon Revenberg
C David Beard
RG Coulter Woodmansey
RT Brandon Kemp
- The Tiger-Cats' offensive line was a top performer this past week. As a unit, they ranked first in pass-blocking grade (69.3) and second in run-blocking grade (69.6) this week.
- Left tackle Joel Figueroa returned to action for the first time since Week 2 and had a marvelous game. He earned an 88.0 pass-blocking grade and a 70.0 run-blocking grade.
Upcoming Week: Ottawa Redblacks
- Ottawa ranks first in the league in run-defense grade (80.0), but they also rank last in pass-rush grade (69.1).
4. Toronto Argonauts (No Change)
LT Isiah Cage
LG Ryan Hunter
C Darius Ciraco
RG Peter Nicastro
RT Dejon Allen
- Peter Nicastro was a top performer this week. His 77.4 run-blocking grade ranked third among guards, and his 77.7 pass-blocking grade placed fourth.
- This unit had an excellent showing, allowing a pressure rate of only 15.4% on 26 pass plays in Week 13.
Upcoming Week: Montreal Alouettes
- Almondo Sewell is a key piece of the Alouettes' pass-rush. He earned a 90.4 pass-rush grade with six hurries and a pressure rate of 40.0% last week.
5. British Columbia Lions (No Change)
LT Jarell Broxton
LG Andrew Peirson
C Michaek Couture
RG Sukh Chungh
RT Kent Perkins
- The Lions' offensive line was a force in the run game in Week 13. They paved the way for the running backs, who averaged 2.4 yards before contact.
- Four out of the five starters earned solid pass-blocking grades last week. Andrew Peirson (75.2), Kent Perkins (75.2), Jarell Broxton (73.2) and Sukh Chungh (70.0) all graded out above 70.0.
Upcoming Week: BYE
6. Edmonton Elks (Up 1)
LT Martez Ivey
LG Josiah St. John
C Mark Korte
RG Tomas Jack-Kurdyla
RT Brett Boyko
- The Elks continue to climb the rankings. They led the CFL with 3.6 rushing yards before contact and six explosive runs in Week 13.
- Edmonton did struggle in pass protection again, earning a 51.1 unit grade and allowing a pressure rate above 30.0%.
Upcoming Week: Calgary Stampeders
- The Stamps' run defense struggled last week, allowing 5.9 yards per rush and earning a 59.4 run-defense grade.
7. Saskatchewan Roughriders (Down 1)
LT Eric Lofton
LG Evan Johnson
C Peter Godber
RG Logan Bandy
RT Logan Ferland
- The Roughriders dropped down the rankings after a rough performance. They earned a 37.0 pass-blocking grade with nine total pressures surrendered in Week 13.
- They struggled in the run game, as well, affording their running backs only 0.4 yards before contact.
Upcoming Week: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Winnipeg fielded the top run defense last week. The unit earned a 69.7 run-defense grade and gave up only 3.3 yards per carry.
8. Calgary Stampeders (No Change)
LT Brandon Weldon
LG Zack Williams
C Sean McEwen
RG Ryan Sceviour
RT D.J. Cooker
- Brandon Weldon struggled in his first CFL action. He earned a 0.9 pass-blocking grade, giving up two sacks, a hit and two hurries.
- Zack Williams was elite in the run game last week. He earned a 90.7 run-blocking grade, tied for the best single-game performance this season.
Upcoming Week: Edmonton Elks
- The Elks ranked last in run defense for Week 13. They earned a 40.7 run-defense grade and allowed 6.9 yards per rush.
9. Ottawa Redblacks (No Change)
LT Dino Boyd
LG Drew Desjarlais
C Cyrille Hogan-Saindon
RG Jacob Ruby
RT Dontae Bull
- Hopefully, the bye will help Ottawa bounce back after a rough two weeks.
- Dontae Bull has struggled in his rookie CFL season. He sports a poor 9.1 pass-blocking grade and a 62.4 run-blocking grade.
Upcoming Week: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- The Tiger-Cats rank near the bottom in both pass-rush grade (75.2) and run-defense grade (68.6).
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