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Factoid

Offensive lines and sacks

Sacks allowed and success are closely related

While the primary interest in the annual NFL Draft is where the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers end up, everyone should keep a close eye on where the top offensive linemen end up, as well. There's a good chance the teams with the best offensive lines will be the ones playing deep into January.

Sacks allowed isn't entirely a function of offensive line play; offensive system and quarterback are also a large part of that. But looking at the teams that made the playoffs in 2014, or didn't, it's striking how interrelated that status was with team sacks allowed.

The table below shows team sacks allowed in the 2014 season, sorted by fewest sacks to most sacks. Playoff teams are shown in bold.

SACKS ALLOWED AND PLAYOFFS, 2014 SEASON
Team Sacks Allowed
Denver Broncos 17
Baltimore Ravens 19
Cincinnati Bengals 23
Houston Texans 26
New England Patriots 26
Arizona Cardinals 28
Oakland Raiders 28
Indianapolis Colts 29
Dallas Cowboys 30
Green Bay Packers 30
New Orleans Saints 30
New York Giants 30
Atlanta Falcons 31
Cleveland Browns 31
Philadelphia Eagles 32
Pittsburgh Steelers 33
San Diego Chargers 37
Buffalo Bills 39
Chicago Bears 41
Carolina Panthers 42
Seattle Seahawks 42
Detroit Lions 45
Miami Dolphins 46
New York Jets 47
St. Louis Rams 47
Kansas City Chiefs 49
Tennessee Titans 50
Minnesota Vikings 51
San Francisco 49ers 52
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 52
Washington Redskins 58
Jacksonville Jaguars 71

--Andy Richardson

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