Each week, Pro Football Focus ranks the offensive line units across the NFL. So where does the Indianapolis Colts offensive line group land heading into Week 11?
PFF has the Colts at No. 15 at the moment, which is down six spots from where they were this time last week. The Colts have spent pretty much the entire season within the top-10 and even time inside the top-five.
The main contributor to their tumble down these rankings this week is that PFF is projecting that rookie Matt Goncalves gets the start at left tackle with Bernhard Raimann having missed the first two days of practice with a knee injury he suffered against Buffalo.
If this holds true, Goncalves will be one of three rookies starting on the Indianapolis offensive line this week, along with Tanor Borotlini at center and undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker at right guard. Both Ryan Kelly and Will Fries are on injured reserve.
Goncalves has appeared in two games at left tackle this season and, like many rookies, is going through growing pains. In his two appearances the last two games, Goncalves has been credited with allowing six pressures and three sacks, according to PFF, along with being penalized once.
In Sunday’s game specifically, it was Goncalves who was beat by Bills’ edge rusher Greg Rousseau on the play where the ball was knocked out of Joe Flacco’s hands and resulted in a fumble recovery for Buffalo.
While Bortolini has held up quite well when called upon, PFF noted that Tucker is another unknown along the offensive line for the Colts, along with Goncalves. Out of 79 eligible guards, Tucker ranks tied for 67th in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency and 63rd in run-blocking grade, for what it’s worth.
Awaiting the Colts’ offensive line is a Jets’ defensive front that features Quinnen Williams and Will McDonald. As a collective unit, this group ranks sixth in ESPN’s run-stop rate metric and ninth in pressure rate.
