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UPGRADES

Atlanta up 18

The season didn't go as planned for this Falcons' offensive line, but they are improving down to the stretch. Last week, swing tackle Matt Gono relieved James Carpenter (groin) at left guard and third-round rookie center Matt Hennessy was solid in replacement for Alex Mack (concussion). This week, both Carpenter and Mack have been spotted at practice, and the vets could return this week against Tampa Bay. Gono for Carpenter may be a wash but Mack's return would be a huge boost. This Atlanta team doesn't have playoff motivation, but they have been playing spoiler for weeks. They rise to eighth in the last rankings of the regular season.

Cleveland up 3

After missing several weeks, impact right guard Wyatt Teller (ankle) returned to practice. He and left tackle Jedrick Wills (who had been on and off the COVID list) have returned to practice and appear to be on track to start against a Pittsburgh team who already knows their playoff fate and will likely be resting starters. Teller has been rehabbing a high ankle sprain over several weeks and his status appears more predictable than Wills, who was a late scratch with illness symptoms Week 16 despite passing his Covid test. Assuming both are ready to go, the Browns' offensive line would carry a top-three grade this week.

Buffalo up 7

One of the disadvantages of printing on a Thursday, right tackle Daryl Williams (groin) returned to health and practiced in full on Saturday prior to the team's Week 16 romp over New England. Williams played 100% of snaps after being forced from the game a week prior. Ty Nsekhe, one of the league's better swing tackles, did eventually get into the Patriots game, but when it was in blowout territory and the coaches wanted to rest their vets. Williams is an athletic mauler in the prime of his career, and the Bills franchise has done an outstanding job finding players like him off of other team's scrap piles. If the Bills beat the Dolphins this weekend, they would lock up the 2 seed. Their offensive line ranks 10th in the latest rankings.

Seattle up 9

Right tackle Brandon Shell has been battling an ankle injury for the last month. He has been spotted at practice prior to the team's key divisional matchup against San Francisco. If Seattle wins this contest, and other games fall correctly, they could lock up the top seed in the NFC. When Shell returns to the lineup, look for the entire offense to improve. Cedric Ogbuehi has been decent in relief but there is a huge drop-off between the starter and his backup in this case. The Seahawks' offensive line ranks 13th in this week's grades.

Miami up 4

Left guard Ereck Flowers (ankle) returned to the lineup Week 16 and played 100% of snaps in the team's last-second win over Las Vegas. With arguably their best lineman back, the Dolphins are able to trot out their Best-5 lineup of Austin Jackson - Flowers - Ted Karras - Jesse Davis and Robert Hunt. This line has a ton of untapped talent and will be on next year's underrated list, to be sure. But in the near-term, look for the 20th-ranked Dolphins' line to attempt to spoil against a stout Buffalo Bills' defensive front this weekend.

NY Jets up 3

Right guard Greg Van Roten (foot) has returned to the team after a month on the injured reserve list. Van Roten is a small upgrade over Josh Andrews, who was starting in his place and has been placed on injured reserve with a torn groin. In related news, left guard Alex Lewis was activated off the team's Non-Football Injury list and has also returned to practice. The team never revealed what personal issues caused Lewis to lose his job to Pat Elflein, and there's no clear sense whether he will get it back this weekend against New England. Van Roten is included in the model, Lewis is not. The Jets offensive line ranks 24th in this week's rankings.

DOWNGRADES

Indianapolis down 4

Left tackle Anthony Castonzo was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury. The team is not sure if Castonzo will be available for the playoffs. In his place look for swing tackle Chaz Green to again step in at left tackle. Green is decent but there is an obvious drop-off between the two. There is also a rumor All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson could slide outside for Week 17, where the team needs to beat Jacksonville to make the playoffs. The team signed Jared Veldheer to the taxi squad, possibly signaling that backup Will Holden's ankle injury is significant. Right tackle Braden Smith missed time with covid but was activated prior to last week's close loss at Pittsburgh. A whole bunch of tackle news but assuming Green at left tackle and Smith at right, the Colts remain a top-five line.

Las Vegas down 6

Right guard Denzelle Good was carted from last week's loss against Miami with an ankle injury. In his place, John Simpson, the rookie fourth-round draft pick from Clemson, saw action. Simpson could get his 2nd career start this weekend against Denver, in a game with no playoff motivation for either team. In related news, look for right tackle to be manned by either Sam Young or Brandon Parker for Trent Brown, who has been ruled out of the finale against Denver with a knee injury. This line is coasting down the stretch and has fallen to 9th in the latest rankings.

Baltimore down 2

Center Patrick Mekari was forced from the dominant win over the Giants with a back injury after only 23 snaps. Matt Skura, a former starter in his own right, replaced Mekari in the contest and should get the start this week against a vulnerable Cincinnati defensive front seven. The Ravens need to win to make the playoffs, so it should be all systems go at the other four positions for this line, ranked 11th in the latest rankings.

LA Chargers down 5

Right tackle Bryan Bulaga was forced from last week's win over Denver with a foot injury after 13 snaps. It's another disappointing chapter in the Bryan Bulaga injury story, the team obviously hopes he can stay in better health next year. His replacement, Storm Norton, is a former XFL player with rare size/speed measurements. This line is still solid without Bulaga, and have faith in Norton to make his 4th career start this weekend against a Kansas City team that will be resting its starters prior to the playoffs.

Philadelphia down 3

Left tackle Jordan Mailata was forced from the Cowboys contest with a concussion. Mailata has not cleared the league's concussion protocols as of mid-week, and usually, players in that position do not pass prior to Sunday. In his place, former Army Black Knight Brett Toth could get his first career start on Sunday Night Football against Washington Football Team and their beastly defensive line. The Eagles coaching staff are out of tackle options as this team ranks 21st in this weeks' rankings.

San Francisco down 11

Left tackle Trent Williams played 100% of snaps last week but the team has ruled him out of Week 17's game against Seattle with a sprained elbow. Justin Skule, who split reps at right guard last week, will likely replace Williams at tackle, leaving Colton McKivitz to man right guard alone. This Niners' offensive line loses a lot without Williams, and they rank 22nd in the current rankings. Skule and the others will look to play spoiler against a motivated Seattle team this week, who need to win for playoff seeding.

New England down 4

Center David Andrews (calf) and right guard Shaq Mason (foot) were forced from last week's loss against Buffalo and neither has been practicing this week. The team went with James Ferentz at center and Jermaine Elumunor at right guard. They also signed center Marcus Martin, which would seem to indicate a shutting down of at least Andrews for the season. This Patriots' offensive line has been snake-bit by injury all year and clock in at 25th in the latest ranks.

Kansas City down 3

With the 1 seed locked up, look for the Kansas City coaching staff to give right tackle Mike Remmers (back) and other veterans to get a rest this week against LA Chargers. It's not exactly clear who the chiefs will play but look for young players like undrafted tackle Yasir Durant out of Missouri to get their feet wet.

Houston down 17

Left tackle Laremy Tunsil (foot) and left guard Brent Qvale (concussion) were forced from the game during the first half of last week's loss against Cincinnati. Charlie Heck (rookie from North Carolina) made his third career appearance for Tunsil and Max Scharping gained his old job back, at least for now. This Texans' team has nothing to play for other than pride this week against Tennessee, who will be out to make the playoffs. This line ranks at 29th in the final rankings of the regular season.

OTHER NEWS

CAR - LT Trent Scott was placed on IR (Michael Schofield replaces). Russell Okung was already ruled out of Week 17 with his lingering calf injury (and pending free agency).

DET - Center Joe Dahl was forced from last week's rout against Tampa Bay with a back injury. Evan Brown replaced him during the game and, with Frank Ragnow limited with a throat injury, the team might go with Brown again, rather than risk Ragnow's long-term health.

GBP - Right tackle Rick Wagner was carted from the game with a knee injury and did not practice this week. Billy Turner, who had been starting at right guard, slid over to right tackle, and Lucas Patrick played guard. This Packers' line just has a ton of depth.

FULL RANKINGS