Week 14 Report Card for All 32 NFL Offensive Lines

The NFL is a game of brute force and violent encounters, and no group of players embodies these characteristics more than offensive linemen.

Success and failure on offense usually depends on whether or not a team's offensive line can dictate the action and impose its will.

My grades will take into account not only how the teams performed on the stat sheet, but also how they performed compared to the strength of their opponents.

Let's take a look at how the offensive lines performed in Week 14 for all 32 NFL teams.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals hosted the San Francisco 49ers, who present a tough challenge for any offensive line. The 49ers front seven is one of the most dominant groups in the NFL.

That being said, the Cardinals' offensive line performed more than adequately against the 49ers' vaunted group. 

Though the Cardinals weren't able to do much work in the running game (55 net yards), the offensive line did manage to do a fair job of protecting their quarterback, allowing only two sacks.

Kevin Kolb was knocked out of the game with a head injury, but that happened after a play and was more of a freak accident than anything else, as Kolb's head was knocked by Ahmad Brooks' knee.

Grade: C

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons went on the road to face the Carolina Panthers. This is a game the Falcons win on paper 95 percent of the time. 

Before the game, Carolina's defense ranked 23rd in sacks (23) and had given up over 132 yards a game on the ground, giving them a 27th-ranked defense in that category.

The Panthers defense gave the Falcons offensive line all it could handle in a losing effort. 

Michael Turner was held to 76 yards on 21 carries and didn't score a touchdown, and Matt Ryan was sacked three times in the Falcons' 31-23 win.

Grade: C-

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens entered the game against the Indianapolis Colts on a three-game winning streak. The Colts' defensive line ranks among the worst in the NFL. Not a good combination.

The Ravens were able to operate their offense efficiently against the Colts. Ray Rice rushed for over 100 yards and scored one touchdown, and the offensive line allowed only two sacks (both by Dwight Freeney).

Not bad, but remember their opponent, the Colts, have been terrible all year.

Grade: B+

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills traveled to the West Coast to face off against the San Diego Chargers. Both teams have been supreme disappointments this year.

The Chargers' front seven hasn't been the same this year as it was last year, and before the game their defense was giving up almost 132 yards a game. This unit also was among the worst in the NFL in getting sacks.

The Bills couldn't get the running game going against the Chargers, though they were moderately successful when they made an attempt. The team only rushed for a total of 96 yards, with 26 of those coming from Fitzpatrick's scrambles.

The Bills offensive line only allowed one sack, but the unit was unimpressive in a losing effort on the road.

Grade: B-

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers hosted their division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 14. This game was a good test for the young team, as the Falcons are a more developed team and featured the third-ranked rushing defense going into the contest (90 yards per game).

It's hard to find fault with the Panthers offensive line in their Week 14 loss to the Falcons.

The Panthers rushed for 157 yards, 18 yards over their season average. The offensive line also only allowed two sacks in a losing effort. Overall, they performed at a very high level.

Grade: B+

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears played the molten-hot Denver Broncos. The Bears were considered by many to be out of the playoff discussion despite their favorable record of 7-5.

Von Miller was back for the Broncos defense, which has been dominating opponents during the team's winning streak.

The Bears offensive line played well enough to win, but the team was "Tebowed" and lost in overtime. 

While they did allow four sacks, the offensive line was able to pave the way for backup running back Marion Barber to have a big game, rushing for 108 yards and one touchdown.

Grade: B-

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals hosted the Houston Texans, who came into the game on a six-game winning streak. The Texans' hallmark through their winning streak had been their dominating defense, which was driven by a second-ranked pass-rushing squad (35 sacks).

Even though the Bengals lost at home, the offensive line played well and only surrendered one sack against the aforementioned second-ranked Texans.

Additionally, the Bengals were able to rush for 101 yards against a defense that averages just over 91 rushing yards a game.

Grade: A-

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns had the tough task of facing the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. The Steelers defense is perennially one of the best in the NFL, and this year's team is no different.

The Browns were unable to overcome the Steelers' dominating front seven. Their offensive line couldn't keep the Steelers from harassing Colt McCoy, who was sacked three times.

The Browns' rushing game was also affected, and the team could only rush for a combined 98 yards on 33 carries (3.3 yards per rush).

All in all, it was a rough night for the Browns offensive line. 

Grade: C-

Dallas Cowboys

In the biggest game on the schedule in Week 14, the Dallas Cowboys hosted the New York Giants to see which team could claim first rights to the NFC East divisional crown.

The Giants defense had been in a slump since the team's encounter with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10. Before that game, the Giants were leading the NFL with 30 sacks. Since then, the team has only managed three sacks.

The Cowboys offensive line played well in the running game, and the team ran for a total of 139 yards. The line had more trouble with the Giants' pass rush, and Tony Romo was sacked three times.

Grade: B

Denver Broncos

The Broncos hosted Chicago and faced a wounded Bears team that needed a win even more than they did to keep alive in the race to the finish line for the 2011 NFL playoffs.

It's always a different kind of game when the Broncos are playing, and Chicago was thought to be one of the teams that might be able to hold Tim Tebow and the Broncos' running game in check.

The Bears were able to do just that, holding the Broncos to 124 yards rushing (34 yards below season average), and the offensive line allowed five sacks. 

Tim Tebow led his league-leading fifth comeback win of the season and the Broncos won in overtime, but the offensive line had little to do with this one.

Grade: C-

Detroit Lions

In a potential trap game, the Detroit Lions hosted Minnesota to face off against the Vikings, their divisional rivals and a team in disrepair.

One thing the Vikings still manage to do well, though, is get to the quarterback. Jared Allen was second in the NFL with 14 sacks coming into the game.

Allen's run at the record books continued as he collected another three sacks, bringing his season total up to 17. The Lions offensive line gave up a total of five sacks in the game.

The running game was atrocious, and the team only managed to muster up a total of 72 yards on the ground.

Grade: D

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers played host to a banged-up Oakland Raiders team that hasn't been able to stop anyone lately and had given up over 20 points in each of its last three games.

Week 14 was no exception. The Packers ran the ball for 136 yards in their 46-16 blowout.

The offensive line did struggle to contain Oakland's pass rush, however, and the Raiders got to Aaron Rodgers four times.

This is a trend that could bite the team's Super Bowl aspirations in the behind.

Grade: B-

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans traveled to Cincinnati to face the scrappy Bengals. The Bengals defense had been one of the best units in the NFL this year, both against the run and the pass.

This game was a hard-fought battle that was ultimately won by the Texans in the last minute.

The Texans offensive line had its fair share of struggles against the Bengals defense, surrendering five sacks. The team was able to run for 144 total yards, but 36 of those came by way of T.J. Yates running for it.

Overall, it was a subpar game for the Texans' offensive line.

Grade: C-

Indianapolis Colts

The winless Indianapolis Colts traveled to face the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are one of the most feared defenses in the NFL, and they had been brutalizing their opponents, collecting 12 sacks in their last two games.

So it's no surprise that the Colts offensive line was abused by Terrell Suggs and the Ravens front seven.

Suggs came away with three sacks and three forced fumbles, and the Ravens stuffed the Colts' running game, only allowing 50 yards.

Grade: D

Jacksonville Jaguars

In one of the most meaningless games of the week, the Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams have been underwhelming this season, and the Buccaneers defense had been getting owned all year long.

The young Buccaneers defense showed some grit in the game, but overall the Jaguars offense was able to say on the field, sustain some drives and get Maurice Jones-Drew into the end zone. MJD carried the ball 27 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns.

The offensive line also did a great job protecting their rookie quarterback, holding the Buccaneers to only one sack.

Grade: B+

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs faced the tough task of trying to play spoiler to the New York Jets' playoff hopes on the road in New York. 

The Jets defense had been uncharacteristically allowing a ton of rushing yards this year, while also struggling to sack the quarterback. Coming into the game, the Jets held the 21st-ranked defense in that category with only 24 sacks on the year.

Apparently the Chiefs were just what the doctor ordered to cure the ails of the Jets defense. 

The offensive line of the Chiefs was abused all day, and Tyler Palko was running for his life the entire game. In the end, the Jets came away with five sacks and held the Chiefs' running game to only 65 yards.

Grade: D-

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins came into Week 14 on a hot streak, having won three out of their last four contests. They hosted the Philadelphia Eagles, who played with their starting quarterback Michael Vick for the first time in a few weeks.

The Eagles defense, despite all their high-priced acquisitions, had been atrocious this season.

The Dolphins offensive line laid an egg in this contest, allowing an incredible nine sacks. Sure, they popped Reggie Bush for some big runs, but they were otherwise terrible.

Grade: F

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings traveled to Detroit to face their hated divisional rival, the Lions. The Lions came into the game with their season on the line and a desperate need to win in order to stay alive for the final two playoff spots.

The Lions defense had been very bad, though, coming into the game, and they were missing Ndamukong Suh (suspension) and Nick Fairley (injury). 

The Vikings lost this one, though it was hardly due to a poor performance from the offensive line. The team was able to rush for 269 total yards. Sure, Joe Webb had 109 of those, but that's still 160 by the rest of the runners. 

One thing the offensive line struggled with was suppressing the Lions' pass rush. They gave up four sacks in the game.

Grade: B

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots traveled to Washington to face the Redskins. The Redskins defense, which started out the year as one of the best units in the NFL, had been struggling to contain good offenses during the second half of the season.

The trend continued as the Patriots offensive line had a good performance. The line did a fantastic job protecting Tom Brady, who was sacked only one time. 

The Patriots only came away with 79 total yards rushing (for a 4.0-yard average), but as usual they passed most of the time.

Grade: A-

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints were on the road in Week 14 to face the Tennessee Titans. The Titans were desperate for a win, as they entered the game two games back in their division and tied with four other teams for two playoff spots with a 7-5 record.

The Titans defense entered the game ranked in the lower half of the NFL in most categories. 

The Saints offensive line played fairly well in this game, blocking for 114 yards and only allowing two sacks. 

Grade: B

New York Giants

The New York Giants offensive line had its work cut out for it, as the team played in Dallas against the Cowboys and their second-ranked sack attack, led by outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

The Giants offensive line was superb. It paved the way for Brandon Jacobs to run for over 100 yards and more impressively kept the Cowboys defense from sacking Eli Manning a single time.

Grade: A+

New York Jets

The New York Jets hosted the Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 14 matchup that the Jets needed to win. At 7-5, the Jets were one of five teams vying for the last two playoff spots in the AFC.

The Chiefs posed a stiff challenge for the Jets offensive line, as the team had held its last two opponents to a combined score of 16 points. 

You might say the Jets responded well to this challenge. 

Although the offensive line did surrender three sacks, I give it a ton of credit for the way it paved the way for the Jets' running backs. The team ran for 159 yards and allowed the team to dominate the time of possession battle.

Grade: B+

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders took their banged-up team into Green Bay to face the undefeated Packers at home.

This matchup was one of the more intriguing ones of Week 14, because the Raiders came into the week with the fourth-ranked rushing attack in the NFL while the Packers brought a defense that is ranked second to last in total yards.

The Raiders struggled in this game, but the offensive line performed admirably in a hostile environment. The team rushed for 117 yards (below their average by 21 yards) but only surrendered one sack to a dangerous Packers front seven.

Grade: B-

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles finally had their star quarterback Michael Vick available to play against the Miami Dolphins. 

This wasn't exactly the kind of matchup that favored the Eagles, though. The Dolphins had been the hottest defense behind the San Francisco 49ers for the past four to five weeks prior to this contest.

The offensive line really struggled to do anything in the game, and the Eagles only totaled 51 yards on the ground for a pathetic 1.6 yards per rush.

In addition, the Eagles offensive line surrendered four sacks in the team's win.

Grade: D-

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers faced one of their divisional rivals, the Cleveland Browns, on Thursday Night Football. The game was closer than I anticipated, and the Browns defense gave the Steelers offensive line all it could handle.

Ben Roethlisberger was sacked twice and hit multiple other times, and the Browns almost knocked the star quarterback out for the year when he got his ankle trapped and twisted. 

The Steelers were able to rack up close to 150 yards on the ground and ultimately came away with the win. Still, this wasn't a great performance by their offensive line, and it continues to be a problem for the team.

Grade: B-

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers hosted the Buffalo Bills and their pathetic defense in Week 14. 

Coming into the contest, the Bills were ranked dead last in sacks, having only gotten to opposing quarterbacks 17 times on the season.

The Chargers' patchwork offensive line performed well in the team's 37-10 blowout at home, allowing only two sacks and giving Ryan Mathews plenty of space to operate. The Chargers ended up gaining a total of 150 yards on the ground, and Mike Tolbert ran one in for a touchdown.

Grade: B+

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers went on the road to face the Arizona Cardinals, a team that they dismantled a few weeks ago. Still, this game shouldn't be taken lightly, especially considering that the Cardinals have been playing great defense lately, as their win against the Dallas Cowboys highlighted.

The 49ers offensive line was completely dominated on the road, and they failed to protect Alex Smith, giving up five sacks and allowing the Cardinals to penetrate their ranks many more times than that. The performance was similar to the one that doomed the team to lose in Baltimore a couple weeks ago.

Frank Gore was able to hit some good runs and one touchdown run, but the 49ers only gained 90 yards on the ground.

Grade: F

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks host the St. Louis Rams on Monday Night Football.

I expect the Seahawks to continue to dominate on the ground against a Rams defense that ranks dead last against the run, giving up close to 160 yards a game.

Their offensive line performed well against Chris Long and the Rams' pass rush, only surrendering two sacks while blocking for 145 yards of rushing offense.

Grade: B

St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams face the unenviable task of going into Seattle to face the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.

The Rams offensive line has been simply atrocious this year and are ranked last against the pass rush, giving up 43 sacks on the year.

Despite losing badly to the Seahawks, the Rams' offensive line performed fairly well in adverse circumstances, allowing three sacks but helping the runners collect 114 yards on the ground.

Grade: C

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled down the road to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the stinker of the week.

The Jaguars defense posed quite the stern test for the Buccaneers offensive line. The Jags defense was ranked in the top 10 in most major categories prior to this Week 14 matchup.

The offensive line of the Buccaneers didn't suck, but then again, it wasn't great either. 

The Buccaneers rushed for 110 yards, but the offensive line allowed three sacks in a losing effort.

Grade: C+

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans brought their slim playoff hopes into this Week 14 matchup when the team hosted the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints defense had been the soft spot for the team and ranked in the bottom half of most categories prior to the game.

The Titans couldn't capitalize, and the offensive line couldn't open up any holes for Chris Johnson. The team rushed for a lowly total of 59 yards against a Saints team that was giving up an average of over 110 yards a game.

The offensive line also gave up two sacks, and both Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker were banged up pretty good.

Grade: D-

Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins hosted the mighty New England Patriots in this Week 14 matchup. 

The Patriots defense has been abused through the air most of the year but had managed to stay tough against the run before this game, ranking 10th in that category (102 yards per game).

The Redskins offensive line played extremely well against the Patriots in a loss. The Redskins rushed for a total of 170 yards as the offensive line only surrendered two sacks.

Grade: B+