Denver's offensive line vaults to No. 1 after a Week 4 performance that yielded six pressures and zero sacks on 45 pass plays, driving a 93.3 PFF pass-blocking efficiency that sits among the league’s elite. Bolles leads the unit with an 88.1 overall grade, while Powers and Meinerz anchor the interior with exceptional pass-game consistency. Week 5 projections reinforce the starting five of Bolles, Powers, Wattenberg, Meinerz, and McGlinchey as a unit that fantasy managers should watch closely.

Buffalo rises with strong run protection and a revamped forward wall. Van Demark’s 82.0 run-blocking grade tops the Bills, complemented by Edwards’ 75.3 overall grade and Dawkins’ 77.8, both ranking highly among guards and tackles. The shift comes as Cincinnati’s defense faced a tougher challenge and Philly’s line wobbled, underscoring how weekly OL play shapes fantasy output for both quarterbacks and backs in a league where clean pockets remain king.

Denver must snap its skid on Monday Night Football against Cincinnati. Luke Wattenberg needs a clean rebound at center, diagnosing stunts and protecting Bo Nix to jumpstart a zone-heavy run game. RJ Harvey should be featured more as a receiving option out of the backfield to balance the attack and spare the rookie in the ground game. Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto have to bring sustained edge pressure, exploiting Bengals tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims. A cleaner line, smarter backfield usage, and tighter rush discipline could flip the game in Denver’s favor.

Payton’s plans hinge on Wattenberg’s growth, Harvey’s versatility as a pass catcher, and Cooper/Bonitto delivering pressure on Jake Browning. If Denver can translate interior protection into a dependable short-passing rhythm and turn quick pressures into sacks, they’ll carve out a pivotal win and steady their season trajectory.