Estimated Reading Time: 20minutes
Few things are more important to an NFL team’s success than the quality of its offensive line. Disastrous lines, or even singular weak-link mismatches, can determine the outcomes of games, while strong units provide an incredible advantage.
We will monitor NFL offensive line play all season and highlight each team's biggest weak-link players. With Week 17 of the 2025 NFL regular season in the books, here are the weekly rankings and each unit's best player.
Key:
Red text = weakest links
1. Denver Broncos (No change)
Projected Week 17 starters:
LT Garett Bolles
LG Alex Palczewski
C Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz
RT Mike McGlinchey
Denver’s offensive line allowed eight pressures — including one sack and two quarterback hits — across 44 pass plays against the Chiefs, leading to an 89.8 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating (10th best in Week 17).
The Broncos kept rotating Alex Palczewski and Ben Powers at left guard, with Palczewski playing in the first and third quarters while Powers was on the field in the second and fourth quarters. However, the former struggled in pass protection, surrendering three pressures — including two quarterback hits — on just 18 pass plays.
Best player: Garett Bolles
Bolles' 90.7 PFF pass-blocking grade this season leads all offensive tackles.
PFF Widget — Denver Broncos OL LT #72 Bolles ⧉ 89.9 5th / 86 T LG #63 Palczewski ⧉ 53.8 61st / 80 G C #54 Forsyth ⧉ 80.4 — RG #77 Meinerz ⧉ 91.1 1st / 80 G RT #69 McGlinchey ⧉ 77.4 18th / 86 T Swipe →2. Chicago Bears (No change)
Projected Week 17 starters:
LT Ozzy Trapilo
LG Joe Thuney
C Drew Dalman
RG Jonah Jackson
RT Darnell Wright
The Bears' offensive line limited damage despite the team's loss to the 49ers. Across 45 dropbacks, Chicago gave up nine pressures, with no sacks or quarterback hits. The unit finished the week with a 90.0 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, tying for the eighth-best mark in the NFL.
Right tackle Darnell Wright dominated in the defeat, pacing all offensive linemen in Week 17 with a 90.7 PFF overall grade. His 92.7 PFF run-blocking grade ranked third among all players.
Best player: Joe Thuney
Thuney’s 87.6 PFF pass-blocking grade this season leads all guards.