IDP Defensive Line and QB Matchup Ratings for Week 3

Browns and Commanders among IDP DL Best Matchups. Justin Herbert and Kirk Cousins set for big fantasy production in MIN vs LAC game.

This week, I am incorporating a measure of the opposing quarterback’s sack tendency into my defensive line matchup rankings.

DL Matchup Rankings

One effect is to boost the matchups of defenses that face sack-prone quarterbacks with poor pocket presences. The Titans defensive line is at a disadvantage player vs. player against the Browns offensive line. The Browns rank No. 11 in pass blocking in PFF’s grading, despite two tough matchups, including the Steelers, and they rank higher in preseason talent evals. But Deshaun Watson has taken nine sacks (a sack rate of 11.5%) after taking a 10.5% sack rate in his first season as a Brown. The Titans defensive linemen are good starts in this favorable matchup.

I present the top-line statistics for the top-five matchups. The Browns defensive line also has a tremendous matchup against the Titans. Ryan Tannehill has been sacked eight times this season and has an even higher sack percentage (12.1%) than Deshaun Watson. Will this be the week Za’Darius Smith has a game?

Quarterback Matchup Rankings: Top Five

The full defensive line and quarterback matchup rankings for all 32 teams are presented below to Premium Subscribers. I know if you are someone who doesn’t like paying for fantasy data. That’s a perfectly rational POV. Take advantage of the top-five rankings I post above and see an example of the matchup rankings I posted last week for free.

But I decide to provide my Premium Subscribers exclusive access to some content as a benefit and reward for their support. If you want to support my work and gain access to all data every week, you can subscribe below and/or take advantage of a free trial to see what you’re getting.

See also in this week’s article:

• The Week 3 Power Rankings

• The Full QB Matchup Rankings