Fantasy Football: Week 3 OL/DL matchups to target and avoid

• Banking on back-to-back strong games from Jared Goff: The Detroit Lions’ quarterback was a top-five fantasy asset in Week 2 and finds himself in another advantageous matchup to get back in that range for Week 3.

• A potential week to avoid Rhamondre Stevenson: The New York Jets defensive line has been among the best in the league while the New England Patriots offensive line ranks 31st in run-blocking grade.

• Dominate your fantasy league in 2023: For up-to-date fantasy draft rankings and projections, check out PFF’s fantasy rankings tool!

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Whether you’re looking for some important tie-breakers in fantasy start/sit decisions or an advantage in DFS, knowing which players have the most and least beneficial matchups each week can help.

Understanding which teams have the advantage in the trenches can be a key to weekly fantasy football results. These are some of the more crucial matchups to be aware of as fantasy managers head into Week 3.

Click here to see this week’s entire offensive line/defensive line matchup tool on PFF.com.

Offensive line matchups to target

Detroit Lions versus Atlanta Falcons

• The Lions offensive line has earned the third-highest pass-blocking grade (81.4) so far this season.
• The Lions offensive line has allowed a 20.5% pressure rate, ranking seventh-best this season.
• The Falcons defensive line ranks 23rd in pass-rush grade (61.8) so far this season.

Key player(s) to target

QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

• Goff is coming off a QB5 performance in Week 2 and draws another positive matchup in Week 3 to deliver another strong fantasy game.
• Goff has earned the sixth-best PFF passing grade (84.8) from a clean pocket so far this season.
• He has also generated the second-highest yards per pass attempt (8.8) from a clean pocket.
• Goff has also earned the second-best adjusted completion percentage from a clean pocket.
• Goff currently has +100 odds on the over for his passing total (271.5) on DraftKings.

Atlanta Falcons @ Detroit Lions

• The Falcons offensive line has earned the league’s highest run-blocking grade (82.5) so far this season.
• The Falcons have generated 114 rushing yards before contact so far this season, which is tied for the third-most in the league.
• The Lions defensive line ranks 29th in run defense grade (46.7) so far this season.
• The Lions defensive line is also tied for 31st in defensive run stops (five).

Key player(s) to target

RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

• Allgeier has played second fiddle to Bijan Robinson so far this season, but there is room for him to deliver a strong game in a positive matchup after finishing as the RB49 in Week 2.
• When given at least one yard before contact, Allgeier is earning 8.0 yards per carry, which is tied for the seventh-best mark in the league with his teammate Robinson.
• Allgeier has delivered four explosive runs when given at least a yard before contact which is tied for the fourth-most in the league among running backs.
• Allgeier is also tied for seventh in first down/touchdown rate (50.0%) when given at least one yard before contact this season.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Minnesota Vikings

• The Chargers offensive line ranks 11th in pass-blocking grade (73.2) so far this season.
• The Chargers offensive line has allowed a 20.9% pressure rate this season — eighth-best in the league.
• The Vikings’ defensive line has earned the lowest pass-rush grade (49.8) in the league so far this season.
• The Vikings defensive line ranks dead last in pass-rush win rate (15.9%) and 29th in pressure rate (21.7%) so far this season.

Key player(s) to target

WR Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers 

• Williams sits as just the WR34 heading into Week 3 but draws a positive matchup to deliver his best fantasy game so far.
• Williams has earned a 26.5% from a clean pocket, which ranks 17th among wide receivers who have run at least 40 routes so far this season.
• 92% of Williams’ receptions and 82% of his receiving yards have come when there is no pressure on the play this season.
• Williams’ receiving total is set at 61.5 on DraftKings right now.

Minnesota Vikings versus Los Angeles Chargers