Playoff Comparison: Offensive Line

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Leading up to the Eagles playoff matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday Sports Talk Philly and Eagledelphia will compare the personnel of the two teams each day until gameday is here. 

In this edition of our week-long comparison we will look at the offensive lines. 

Atlanta OL | Jake Matthews, Ben Garland, Alex Mack, Wes Schweitzer, Ryan Schraeder

The Atlanta offensive line is nothing to be scoffed at, anchored by right tackle Ryan Schraeder and center Alex Mack who are both considered to be among the best in the game at their positions. 

Mack is a popular pick when the question of best center in the NFL arises. He has substantiated that claim with five pro bowl selections and three second-team all-pro distinctions. Mack single-handedly stabilized the Atlanta offense when they signed him two seasons ago. 

Schraeder graded as a top right tackle all season long, and is the second-best player along Atlanta's line. Jake Matthews is an average starting left tackle, and Wes Schweitzer is far from elite at right guard. Ben Garland is a utility interior lineman who is relieving veteran Andy Levitre who suffered a season ending injury in week 17.

Philadelphia OL | Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Stefen Wisniewski, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson

The Eagles offensive line boasts two pro bowlers and two first-team all pros.

Right guard Brandon Brooks and right tackle Lane Johnson were both elected to this season's pro bowl while Johnson and center Jason Kelce were both named first team all-pros for the 2017 season. Essentially, the right side of the Eagles line is as good a it gets in the NFL. 

The left side consists of Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Stefen Wisiewski. Wisniewski has played some strong guard for the Eagles this season, especially evident when he is not in the game and the center of the Eagles' line becomes a revolving door for defenders. 

Vaitai is an excellent run blocker, but his pass protection leaves some to be desired. 

Edge

Both the Eagles and the Falcons have strong offensive lines, but the Eagles clearly have the advantage over the Falcons in this area. 

Jake Matthews is the only Falcons' player who is inarguably better than his Eagles' counterpart. 

Stefen Wisniewski has the advantage over backup Ben Garland. Brandon Brooks has a gigantic advantage of Wes Schweitzer, and Lane Johnson holds the edge over Ryan Schraeder, although they are the first and second-best right tackles in the NFL. 

Jason Kelce and Alex Mack are even. Kelce earned the first team all-pro honor and Mack was right on his heels winning the second team all-pro honor. Additionally Mack is the NFC's starter at center in the pro bowl while Kelce was not selected for the league's all-star game. 

The strength of the Eagles' offensive line was outlined by Pro Football Focus. After 14 weeks the website released their top 25 offensive lineman in the NFL based on their scoring system, and three Eagles placed in the top-10. 

Lane Johnson was listed as the ninth best offensive lineman in the entire NFL, Brandon Brooks placed sixth, and Jason Kelce took the top spot in the league. 

Alex Mack was the only Falcon on the list, placing fourth. 

While the left side of the offensive lines can be called a draw, the right side of the Eagles' offensive line has been the definition of elite and gives the Eagles the edge.