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The Five Best Offensive Lines- (opinions based entirely on this article, with my opinions and musings attached)



1- New Orleans Saints

The only team to finish in the top ten, according to football outsiders in both the run and passing departments. Granted some of the effectiveness is due to Sean Payton's creative play calling, this line has played together for a while and feature the best guard in the sport, Jahri Evans.


2- New England Patriots


Now you know why both Drew Brees and Tom Brady have all that time to smack there pretty boy faces all over our TV. Playing behind the top two lines in football makes there life a Bree's (da dun, cchhhh) The patriots line has been together throughout the decade, and they represnt the proverbial five finger fist, as they are the best in football at working together as a unit. 


3- Baltimore Ravens


They have a strong line and a young quarterback. The Ravens run game has always been strong, and young stud Michael Oher, who Mike Singeltary badly wanted over Michael Crabtree, has a chance to be the best LT in the sport. 


4- Atlanta Falcons


A mini version of the Patriots, this unit as a whole is better than their individual parts. Obviously they turned Michael Turner into a fantasy stud and they do a good job of protecting Matt Ryan too. Now you see why both Ryan and Flacco had good rookie season? Im telling you, we need to put more stock into our offensive line. 


5- Miami Dolphins


The best unit in the league at run blocking. Built around stud Jake Long, the Dolphins have spent high draft picks on the line and it has paid off. Pass protection needs to improve, but the learning curve is expected to lower with the addition of Brandon Marshall and the improvement of Chad Henne

The 5 Worst Offensive Lines


32- Oakland Raiders


They are terrible, and they didn't do anyting in the offseason to upgrade. Maybe Jamarcus wasnt quite SO terrible after all? Hard to tell. But clearly the team needs to stop burning picks on skill players and put a huge emphasis on the offensive line, or somebody is gonna get hurt out there. 


31- Kansas City Chiefs


No wonder Larry Johnson got the hell out of there. They have got nothing. Interesting that Matt Cassel moved from the 2nd best to the 2 worst line in the league last offseason. He might be regretting that decision when he is posted up in a retirment 50 years from now, sucking down pain killers with Brett Farve. (random note, i was suprised to see the Vikings line ranked 11th in the yahoo article, i was under the impression they were one of the top units. Value alert?)


30- Buffallo Bills

Are you starting to see a correlation between offensive lines and those picking at the bottom or top of the draft board? Offensive lines matter!



29- Washington Redskins

Ouch, this could suck for Donovan Mcnabb. Although, they did pick up Oklahoma stud Trent Williams at left tackle, and Mike Shannahan did wonders for the offensive line in Denver.



28- St Louis Rams


If top pick from two years ago Jason Smith is ready to go the line could be alright. Otherwise the team might want to consider placing Eric Crouch in the backfield instead of Sam Bradford.



* you can check out this article for the remainder of the rankings

Top Five Defensive Lines-

(Again based entirely on Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports analysis, who brings up a good point that many teams have gone to the 3-4, making it hard to truely evaluate the "best" defensive line. I will take this into consideration, and possibly extend my theory to cover the offensive line and the defensive front seven.)



1- Minesota Vikings


Yea, this one is a no brainer. Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams and Jared Allens Mullet form front line full of pro bowlers. And yes, if there was a pro bowl for mullets, Jared's would be the starter.




2- Baltimore Ravens

Trevor Price has been good forever and Holti Ngata, as proven in Madden 11, is unstopable. Add to them Kelly Greg and the "Big Boy from Bama," Terrence Cody and the line is downright scary. If i was taking into consideration the entire front seven i would most likely place Baltimore in the top spot, over Minessota, due to the presence of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.



3- New York Giants

Quite possibly the best at getting to the quarterback, the Giants have already have two studs, Justin Tuck (who eats his subway!) and Osi Omenuria and possibly aquired a third, with top pick Jason Pierre-Paul. (Better known as JPP.)



4- Indianapolis Colts

The best DE duo in football, Da-White "Guy" Freeney and Robert Mathis. The results of the Super Bowl could have changed if Freeney had been able to play at full strength,  but nonetheless they will return this year to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. (Random note about the Colts: How come we never here about their ability to draft studs. We hear a lot about the Patriots and Steelers sucess, but the Colts have been incredible. Obviously Petyon and Freeney were no brainers as top ten picks, but check this out: Robert Mathis 38th overall, Bob Sanders 44th overall, Dwight Clark 24th overall, Pierre Garcon 205 overall. Thats impressive. The Colts never miss on top picks, and they find gems in the late rounds better than anybody.)



5- Dallas Cowboys


Nose tackle Jay Raliff is the best in the sport and D-ends Marcus Spears (LSU!) and Igor Oslansky provide adeqaute attacks in the passing game. Similiar to the Ravens, the Cowboys would move up a few spots if we were considerin the entire front seven as Demarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer are beasts at linebacker


The 5 worst defensive lines


32- Carolina Panthers


I was a little shocked to see this, as the panthers had one of the best lines just a few years ago. But things have chaged and Julius Peppers has moved on to Chicago and Kris Jenkins can not stay healthy. (Does anyone else still think of Wesley Walls making retarted catches against the 49ers every time someone mentions the Panthers? Damn that guy killed us in the 90's)


31- Seattle Seahhawks


They've got nobody. No wonder Alex Smith is so comfortable playing against Seattle


30- Tennesse Titans


Similiar to the Panthers, they were great a few years ago but their two studs, Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden-Bosch left for greener pastures. Both the Titans and Panthers will be great teams to pick against this year as the public may not have caught on to the decline of these lines.


29- Cleveland Browns


God, i cant believe the Cleveland Browns stil exist. So boring!


28- San Diego Chargers


Another team that is generally percived as a having a strong defensive line. But the players that made them great just a few years ago are gone and the one remaining is injured, Luis Castillo. Currently they have a bunch of no names. Betting against the Chargers could provide some good value over the course of the season. 


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That covers it. Hopefully this post opened your eyes to the influence of the NFL front lines. Good teams have them, bad teams dont. Happy betting!


p.s- I will be placing the rankings of the 49ers, who were not in the top our bottom five in either categories in the quick rant section.