Analysis
10/8/20
2 min read
Offensive Line Continuity Critical to Success in the NFL
How important is offensive line continuity in the NFL? Consider these facts about the six teams that have allowed the fewest pressures through four weeks of the 2020 season:
- Their combined record is 17-7
- Four of the six teams had at least four starting returners (Colts returned all five)
- Carolina was the only team that turned over three or more players (though two new 2020 starters appeared in games for the Panthers last season)
- They have combined to allow 30 sacks
- Combined Pressure % is 15.5%
- Total combined pressures allowed: 126
And here's what we know about the six teams that have allowed the most pressures:
- Their combined record is 5-17-1
- Three of the six teams turned over at least three offensive linemen
- Houston is the only team in this group that returned all five offensive linemen
- They have combined to allow 78 sacks
- Combined Pressure % is 25.98%
- Total combined pressures allowed: 277
- Three of the six teams have had QBs go down with injuries as a result of pressure
Here's a breakdown of the six teams that have allowed the fewest pressures:
Green Bay Packers
Returning OL starters: 4
Record: 4-0
Pressures Allowed: 18
Pressure %: 16.3%
Sacks: 3
Cleveland Browns
Returning OL starters: 3
Record: 3-1
Pressures Allowed: 21
Pressure %: 16.8%
Sacks: 6
Indianapolis Colts
Returning OL starters: 5
Record: 3-1
Pressures Allowed: 22
Pressure %: 15.2%
Sacks: 3
2020 2019
Carolina Panthers
Returning OL starters: 2
Record: 2-2
Pressures Allowed: 22
Pressure %: 14.0%
Sacks: 8
New Orleans Saints
Returning OL starters: 4
Record: 2-2
Pressures Allowed: 22
Pressure %: 16.3%
Sacks: 5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Returning OL starters: 4
Record: 3-1
Pressures Allowed: 24
Pressure %: 14.8%
Sacks: 5
And here's a breakdown of the six teams that have allowed the most pressures:
New York Jets
Returning OL starters: 1
Record: 0-4
Pressures Allowed: 41
Pressure %: 25.3%
Sacks: 12
Dallas Cowboys
Returning OL starters: 3
Record: 1-3
Pressures Allowed: 48
Pressure %: 21.6%
Sacks: 9
Cincinnati Bengals
Returning OL starters: 3
Record: 1-2-1
Pressures Allowed: 42
Pressure %: 20.8%
Sacks: 15
Denver Broncos
Returning OL starters: 2
Record: 1-3
Pressures Allowed: 48
Pressure %: 28.2%
Sacks: 13
Houston Texans
Returning OL starters: 5
Record: 0-4
Pressures Allowed: 49
Pressure %: 31.0%
Sacks: 16
San Francisco 49ers
Returning OL starters: 2
Record: 2-2
Pressures Allowed: 50
Pressure %: 29.0%
Sacks: 13
