Trenches Win Titles - Which Teams Got the Memo?

Elizabeth MacBey
Jul 30
4 min read

For all the highlight-reel catches and quarterback debates that dominate headlines, one fact about football hasn’t changed in 100 years: games are won in the trenches.

Look at the recent Super Bowl winners - Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles. Every one of them had a top-tier offensive line and a defensive front that could control the line of scrimmage. Skill players may make the splash plays, but in January, the team that wins the line-of-scrimmage battle usually controls the scoreboard.

As the NFL evolves into a hyper-pass-happy league, offensive line value has skyrocketed. Edge rushers are faster, defensive schemes are blitz-heavy, and quarterbacks are throwing more than ever. Yet, ironically, some teams still treat offensive line investments like an afterthought. Not the smart ones.

Why O-Lines Are More Valuable Than Ever

Pass Rush Dominance: The 2024 NFL season saw the highest league-wide pressure rate in the last five years (33.8%). Teams that allowed pressure on more than 35% of snaps won only 32% of games.
Quarterback Longevity: Nine starting quarterbacks missed multiple games due to injuries from hits or sacks last season.
Elite OL Correlation to Playoff Runs: Four of the top five PFF-ranked offensive lines in 2024 made the playoffs. The one that didn’t? Injuries decimated their depth (hello, Dallas).

Simply put, trench dominance translates directly to wins, health, and offensive efficiency.

The 2025 OL Arms Race: Who Got the Memo?

1. Los Angeles Chargers - Harbaugh’s Trench Revolution

Jim Harbaugh didn’t waste time bringing a Michigan mentality to the Chargers: power football starts up front.

Drafted Joe Alt (Round One) to pair with Rashawn Slater, creating arguably the best young tackle duo in football.
Built depth by signing Bradley Bozeman (C) and upgrading interior run-blocking, aligning with a run-first playbook designed to keep Herbert clean.
Stat Watch: Last season, Herbert was pressured on 37.6% of dropbacks (seventh-highest). If this line holds up, that number could drop by double digits.

Harbaugh knows if Herbert has time, he can be as lethal as Mahomes.

2. Denver Broncos - Quietly Rebuilding the Wall

The Broncos’ offensive line doesn’t get much attention, but Sean Payton knows the success of his quarterback carousel (currently Jarrett Stidham/Bo Nix) will depend on how clean the pocket is. Denver’s o-line isn’t elite yet, but it’s stable - a rare phrase for this franchise post-Super Bowl 50.

Strengths: LT Garett Bolles remains one of the more reliable left tackles in the AFC when healthy. Quinn Meinerz (RG) is emerging as a nasty, physical interior presence who can create lanes in the run game.
Upgrades: Denver added depth pieces like C Sam Mustipher and signed Luke Wattenberg to compete inside, signaling that interior consistency is a priority.

Weak Spots: RT is still a question mark. Mike McGlinchey’s 2023 season was inconsistent (allowing seven sacks), but the team is betting on his bounce-back in 2025.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - From Brady’s Wall to Baker’s Safety Net

Tampa’s o-line took a dip post-Brady, but the Buccaneers have been intentional about keeping it competitive. They’ve avoided a full rebuild and instead doubled down on youth and versatility.

Anchor Players: LT Tristan Wirfs is one of the best tackles in football—elite footwork, minimal penalties, and only three sacks allowed in 2024. His presence alone elevates the unit.
Interior Play: Robert Hainsey (C) and Cody Mauch (RG) bring toughness but still struggle against elite interior pass rushers. Expect improvements as Mauch continues to develop.

Upgrades: Tampa re-signed Luke Goedeke at RT and drafted depth behind the starters to protect Baker Mayfield. While not flashy, this line ranked top-10 in pass-block win rate (64%) last year, keeping Baker upright and allowing Mike Evans to do his thing.

4. Detroit Lions - The Gold Standard of OL Building

The Lions don’t just have a good o-line - they’ve built one of the league’s most dominant offensive units.

Anchored by Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, and Taylor Decker, this line finished 2024 ranked #1 in run-block win rate (74%).
Detroit invested heavily in the trenches before they even found their franchise QB. The result? Jared Goff is thriving, and their ground game is terrifying.
Lesson: Build your wall first. Flashy weapons are useless if the QB is on his back.

5. Philadelphia Eagles - Still a Blueprint

Even after Jason Kelce’s retirement, the Eagles remain the blueprint for building through the trenches.

Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, and Cam Jurgens keep the offensive line top-tier.
Their defensive line depth is equally intimidating, with Jalen Carter and Josh Sweat leading the next generation.

The Eagles know: control both lines, control the game.

Who Didn't Get the Memo?

Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels is electric, but with this line? He might need an escape plan.
Minnesota Vikings: No clear franchise QB + average line = offensive ceiling.
Tennessee Titans: Three years of high picks on OL have produced more questions than answers.

Why Building the Trenches Wins Titles

Look at the last few champions:

Chiefs (2023): Overhauled their o-line after the 2021 Super Bowl disaster (Mahomes under siege).
Buccaneers (2021): Built a top-five OL to protect Brady.
Eagles (2018): Won with trench dominance despite a backup QB (Nick Foles).

When playoff games tighten, controlling the line of scrimmage is everything. O-lines set the tone for time of possession, balance, and offensive efficiency. Meanwhile, elite defensive lines can wreck even great offenses (see 49ers’ 2023 playoff run).

Final Word

The NFL is built on trends, but the teams that win consistently know the real formula: Trenches > Talent.

The Chargers, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Lions are putting resources where it matters most, building teams that can play bully ball when it counts.

Everyone else? They’ll figure it out when their $200 million quarterback is spending more time in the medical tent than the pocket.