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Fantasy Football: OL/DL matchups to target and avoid in Week 13

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) calls a play during the second quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Jaguars edged the Ravens 28-27. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Jki 112722 Nfl Ravens Jags Cp 106

  • Trevor Lawrence has been on fire since Week 9: The former No.1 overall pick ranks among the best in the league from a clean pocket in recent weeks.
  • Concerning stats regarding Kenneth Walker’s potential rushing total: Going up against one of the best run-defending defensive lines in the league could severely limit the current favorite for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year.
  • A pack of Green Bay Packers worth targeting: An advantage in the trenches in both the run and pass game should allow for strong weeks from some of the Packers' top offensive players.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Whether fantasy managers are looking for some important tie-breakers in fantasy start/sit decisions, prop bets or a DFS advantage, understanding which teams have the advantage in the trenches can be a key to weekly fantasy football/betting success. These are the most crucial matchups to be aware of as fantasy managers head into Week 13.

NOTE: Click here to see this week’s entire offensive line/defensive line matchup tool.


OFFENSIVE LINE MATCHUPS TO TARGET

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ DETROIT LIONS

The Jaguars offensive line enters this week as the sixth-highest graded unit in terms of pass-blocking grade (74.7), allowing an 18.2% pressure rate (fourth-best). The Lions defensive line currently ranks 29th in pass-rush grade (59.5), generating just 13.5 sacks (tied for 28th) and a 39.9% win rate (29th).

TOP PLAYER(S) TO TARGET

QB Trevor LawrenceLawrence ranks top 10 at his position in passing grade from a clean pocket (85.7) on the year, but he has really turned that up over the past few weeks. Since Week 9, Lawrence has generated the highest passing grade (93.0) from a clean pocket, which has allowed him to hit five of his six passing touchdowns over that span. Lawrence also ranks fifth in big-time-throw rate (6.5%) and hasn’t created a single turnover-worthy play from a clean pocket over his past three games. On the year, Lawrence ranks sixth in adjusted completion percentage (81.6%) from a clean pocket (min. 100 dropbacks).

WRs Christian Kirk and Zay JonesTwo of the biggest beneficiaries of Lawrence’s elite play as of late have been Kirk and Jones. While Kirk was shut down in Week 12, he still ranks top 12 at his position in receiving grade when there is a clean pocket since Week 9 (77.2). Jones, meanwhile, ranks top 10 in targets (25), receptions (21) and receiving yards (232) under the same circumstances. Both players have at least one top-five PPR finish for their position over the past three games and should continue to be heavily involved this week against the Lions.

GREEN BAY PACKERS @ CHICAGO BEARS

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