• The Jaguars climb due to Arik Armstead: The former 49 put up an 89.9 recreation grade — his highest as a Jaguar and his finest since Week 3 of 2023.
• A slide for the Saints: The unit graded because the second-worst of the week whereas grading worst in run protection.
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Estimated studying time: quarter-hour
The line of defense is the guts of any profitable protection, tasked with each disrupting the opposing quarterback with a move rush and shutting down speeding assaults on the line of scrimmage.
Elite defensive traces can change the course of a recreation by making use of strain, forcing hurried throws and creating turnovers whereas additionally stifling run performs to manage the tempo.
This season, we’ll monitor NFL line of defense play all season lengthy. Unlike our offensive line rankings, which in some circumstances think about previous-season rankings, these rankings can be primarily based purely on 2024 play.
While the Detroit Lions keep their spot at quantity two, indicators level to them struggling with out the star energy of Aidan Hutchinson. With Week 7 of the 2024 NFL common season within the books, listed here are the weekly rankings heading into Week 8.
Key:
Best Player = highest graded for the season
Red textual content = participant with grades beneath 60 (alternative degree)
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (no change)
Top 5 in snap counts:
Highsmith returned from damage and picked up proper the place he left off with an 84.3 general recreation grade.
Best Player: T.J. Watt
After placing up an all-time nice recreation defending the run in Week 6, the Jets weren’t about to let that occur once more. New York double- and triple-teamed Watt all evening, resulting in a modest 69.0 general recreation grade.
2. Detroit Lions (no change)
Top 5 in snap counts:
Without Hutchinson for the primary time this season, the Lions’ line of defense appeared bizarre because it graded because the fifth-worst of the week. The unit recorded the bottom grade it’s earned in a recreation all season.
Top Player: Alim McNeill
McNeil has been on a tear speeding the passer the previous three video games, as he has 16 pressures, a 13.1% pass-rush win price and a 74.4 pass-rushing grade.
