Probably the most evident flaw for each NFL workforce to this point

It is robust to search out early qualms with the 4-0 Cardinals, however run protection has been an issue early this season. The workforce is permitting 5.4 yards per carry, and will afford so as to add some beef on the line of defense’s inside.

A nasty protection has solely gotten worse in 2021, because the Falcons have allowed a league-worst 32 factors per recreation, have struggled to hurry the cross, and have not but recorded an interception. The struggles have come regardless of a good schedule.

The offensive line has typically been a power for the Ravens in latest seasons, however offseason modifications and accidents have had an enormous early influence. Alejandro Villanueva has struggled at proper sort out and Ronnie Stanley has missed time to damage, leading to a poor sack file and fewer holes for the workforce’s operating backs.

Buffalo has performed nice since a stunning Week 1 loss at house to the Steelers, however the Crimson Zone offense could possibly be higher. The workforce ranks simply twenty second in Crimson Zone landing proportion (57%), one thing they hope improves as Josh Allen builds his 2021 resume.

Sam Darnold‘s play has typically been optimistic since his offseason acquisition, however he hasn’t been protected nicely.  The workforce’s offensive sack charge is within the backside half of the league, and they’re averaging 3.7 yards per keep on the bottom. The left aspect of the offensive line has significantly been an issue.

The offensive line seemed like a large number on paper getting into the yr, and it is carried out as poorly as anticipated. Rookie quarterback Justin Fields has had little probability to succeed with points everywhere in the line, permitting sacks on a league-high 14% of dropbacks.

The Bengals have been criticized for drafting Ja’Marr Chase as a substitute of offensive sort out Penei Sewell within the first spherical of the draft due to how poorly their offensive line has carried out in latest seasons. Chase has confirmed worthy of his draft spot, however the line stays a difficulty. Cincinnati has allowed a sack on greater than 9 % of dropbacks, fifth-worst within the league, and the workforce is averaging lower than 4 yards per keep on the bottom.

It is laborious to place the blame solely on Baker Mayfield, however Cleveland’s passing recreation has been inept early within the yr. The workforce’s broad receiver accidents have quite a bit to do with the struggles, as Odell Beckham missed the beginning of the yr and Jarvis Landry has been injured since then. The cross blocking has additionally been surprisingly poor, with Mayfield getting sacked on practically 10% of dropbacks.

The Cowboys already anticipated to be worse dashing the cross rusher after offseason losses, and Demarcus Lawrence‘s early-season damage has solely made issues worse. Dallas had solely sacked the opposing quarterback on 5 % of dropbacks, within the backside half of the league. Lawrence’s return from foot surgical procedure could not come quickly sufficient.

As anticipated, quarterback has remained a difficulty for the gifted Broncos squad. Teddy Bridgewater has been a marked enchancment over Drew Lock, however the Broncos has nonetheless lacked explosion offensively with solely 232 passing yards per recreation and seven.0 yards per cross try. Accidents to Jerry Jeudy and Ok.J. Hamler, together with Bridgewater’s Week 4 concussion, have solely made issues worse for the offense.

The Lions’ defensive backend has been a large number this season, permitting a league-worst 9.8 yards per cross and dropping 2020 first-round cornerback Jeff Okudah to an Achilles damage. The expertise deficiency should not come as an enormous shock after the workforce was quiet in free company in the course of the offseason.

Aaron Rodgers has completed his greatest to offset what has been mediocre play by the Packers offensive line, which has struggled whereas left sort out David Bakhtiari recovers from a torn ACL. The workforce additionally changed All-Professional middle Corey Linsley with rookie Josh Myers, which has been a piece in progress. The Packers are averaging solely 3.6 yards per carry and are within the backside half of the league in sack charge.

We give attention to quarterback right here, however practically each place group is a “flaw” in Houston. With little offseason motion, the workforce has been pummeled since Tyrod Taylor’s damage, with rookie Davis Mills trying in over his head. The workforce’s 40-0 loss at Buffalo is harking back to how the workforce has performed since dropping Taylor.

Carson Wentz hasn’t performed in addition to hoped after struggling a foot damage in coaching camp and ankle accidents early within the season. He is protected the ball however is averaging solely 6.7 yards per cross, and the Colts’ offense has been inexplosive. The Colts want Wentz to play higher quickly to have an opportunity to return to the playoffs.

The NFL has been tough for City Meyer and Trevor Lawrence early within the yr. The Jags protection has seemed significantly unhealthy, with the workforce getting gouged by the cross. Jacksonville has the second-worst sack charge within the league and has allowed over 9 yards per cross, with a complete of 5 sacks in 4 video games.

The Chiefs’ offense has seemed nice once more despite some turnovers, however the protection has been the other. The Chiefs are permitting 31 factors per recreation, and the shortage of push rush has been evident. Defensive finish Frank Clark has barely performed early within the yr because of damage, and his return would certainly assist Chris Jones and Jarran Reed set up themselves.

A collection of offseason losses and accidents have actually damage the Raiders’ offensive line this season. It has been a makeshift unit, significantly on the inside after dropping Richie Incognito, and rookie proper sort out Alex Leatherwood has additionally struggled.

New head coach Brandon Staley has clearly had a optimistic influence on the Chargers’ protection, as has the return of Derwin James from damage, however some weaknesses stay. The run protection was allowed practically six yards per carry getting into Week 4, and the problems might worsen with linebacker Kenneth Murray struggling a significant ankle damage.

The Rams run protection was uncovered in Week 4 towards the Cardinals, permitting a whopping 216 yards on the bottom. For the season, LA is permitting a poor 4.7 yards per carry, and the workforce has some clear points at linebacker.

Miami’s protection has been as vanilla because it will get early within the yr between quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jacoby Brissett. The workforce is averaging a pitiful 4.6 yards per cross regardless of a powerful receiver corps. The Dolphins are hopeful the offense will enhance after Tagovailoa returns from a rib damage, however he struggled early within the season.

The return of Danielle Hunter from damage has been a aid for Minnesota’s cross protection, however the workforce has been unable to cease the run early this season. The workforce has allowed 4.8 yards per rush, permitting opponents to shut out video games.

The Patriots clearly like what they’ve in younger Mac Jones and Damien Harris on offense, however offensive line points have damage their growth. Trent Brown’s continued damage points have been an issue, and the workforce has additionally felt the lack of guard Joe Thuney. The Pats common solely 3.5 yards per carry and rank within the backside half of the league in sack charge.

Michael Thomas’ continued absence has made Jameis Winston‘s job because the quarterback far harder, and the workforce has lacked manufacturing within the passing recreation. New Orleans is averaging solely 144 passing yards per recreation, displaying inconsistency within the post-Drew Brees period.

New York has had many points early within the yr, however their lack of cross rush has been evident. The workforce has recorded solely six sacks in 4 video games, and Leonard Williams has been very quiet early within the yr.

All the offense has been a large number for the Jets, however the offensive line has been particularly unhealthy. One other damage to younger left sort out Mekhi Becton has made issues a lot worse, because the offense has the second-worst sack charge and is averaging solely 3.6 yards per carry.

Linebacker has continued to be a difficulty for Philly, and it is evident with the workforce’s run protection. Philadelphia has been run towards greater than any protection within the league and is permitting a mediocre 4.4 yards per carry. It is a robust place to be with the gifted operating backs within the NFC East.

The Steelers entrance workplace did not do Ben Roethlisberger any favors with the offensive line, however the future Corridor of Fame quarterback has additionally misplaced one other step this yr. He is averaged a pitiful 6.1 yards per cross try and has 4 picks in 4 video games. It is trying like an extended yr in Pittsburgh.

Cornerback seemed like a difficulty for the 49ers even earlier than the workforce misplaced Jason Verrett to damage. Star energy in different place teams has helped the 49ers’ protection handle, however their lack of cornerback expertise might chew San Francisco ultimately.

The lack of Jarran Reed and struggles from newcomer Kerry Hyder have proven up on the Seahawks’ protection. The workforce is within the backside half of the league in sack charge and has had bother stopping the run, leading to a disappointing begin to the season.

The Bucs have been ravaged by accidents early within the yr, significantly at cornerback. The workforce is now relying on veterans Richard Sherman and Pierre Desir after Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Carlton Davis suffered accidents. Mac Jones’ success passing the ball in Week 4 confirmed the workforce’s evident weak point, however time ought to heal the difficulty.

The offensive line has been considered one of Tennessee’s largest strengths over the past a number of seasons, however that hasn’t been the case this yr. Left sort out Taylor Lewan has struggled in his return from damage, whereas the fitting aspect of the road has additionally had main issues. The group’s whiff on 2020 first-round decide Isaiah Wilson has proven up this season, because the workforce has allowed a sack on 10% of dropbacks.

Washington thought they fastened their quarterback points quickly after signing Ryan Fitzpatrick, however he suffered a significant hip damage in Week 1. Substitute Taylor Heinicke has completed his greatest and fared nicely towards the Giants and Falcons, however the workforce in all probability cannot depend on him to guide the workforce the place they should go.