PFF Analysts

Ben Linsey

NFL Analyst • View all analysts

Recent Articles

nfl-week-1-key-matchups-storylines-16-games-2021

The 2021 NFL regular season starts tonight when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Dallas Cowboys. Here are the top storylines from each of the 16 NFL Week 1 games.

By Ben Linsey Sep 9, 2021 9:44 am EDT
nfl-biggest-takeaway-2021-nfl-preseason-32-teams

While the NFL preseason often invites overreactions, there is still plenty to glean. Here is one takeaway for each NFL team ahead of the 2021 regular season.

By Ben Linsey Sep 2, 2021 5:15 am EDT
nfl-new-orleans-saints-michael-thomas-2021-nfl-season-ankle-injury-surgery

The same injury that hampered New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas last season is now set to delay his 2021 NFL season debut.

By Ben Linsey Aug 31, 2021 12:45 pm EDT New Orleans Saints
nfl-new-england-patriots-mac-jones-starter-cam-newton-release-landing-spots

In a surprise move, the New England Patriots released quarterback Cam Newton prior to Tuesday’s cut deadline, paving the way for first-round rookie Mac Jones to start Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins.

By Ben Linsey Aug 31, 2021 11:10 am EDT New England Patriots
nfl-preseason-week-3-game-recap-chicago-bears-27-tennessee-titans-24

Jesper Horsted’s three-touchdown night and a pick-six by Tre Roberson were enough for Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears to knock off the Tennessee Titans 27-24 in the teams' NFL Week 3 preseason finale.

By Ben Linsey Aug 28, 2021 10:57 pm EDT
nfl-preseason-week-3-game-recap-carolina-panthers-34-pittsburgh-steelers-9

Quarterback Sam Darnold saw his first extensive action of the 2021 NFL preseason and delivered for the Carolina Panthers in their 34-9 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

By Ben Linsey Aug 27, 2021 11:03 pm EDT Carolina Panthers Pittsburgh Steelers
Fantasy
Premium Content
nfl-jakobi-meyers-new-england-patriots-top-receiver-2021

Despite the New England Patriots' flurry of offseason activity, there is a strong chance that third-year wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is the team's top wide receiver heading into the 2021 NFL season.

By Ben Linsey Aug 26, 2021 7:15 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-2021-nfl-season-division-rankings

Using PFF’s season simulations and power rankings to rank each NFL division and preview which division titles will be the toughest to come by during the 2021 NFL season.

By Ben Linsey Aug 25, 2021 7:00 am EDT
nfl-preseason-week-2-game-recap-miami-dolphins-37-atlanta-falcons-17

Second-year Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looked comfortable in his preseason Week 2 action against the Atlanta Falcons, and Myles Gaskin was the clear lead back for Miami.

By Ben Linsey Aug 21, 2021 10:18 pm EDT Miami Dolphins Atlanta Falcons
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-greg-rousseau-boogie-basham-crowded-edge-defender-rotation-buffalo-bills-2021

The Bills' defense is already set, but with the additions of first-round pick Greg Rousseau and second-round Boogie Basham, Buffalo just got even better.

By Ben Linsey Aug 20, 2021 8:00 am EDT
nfl-preseason-week-2-game-recap-new-england-patriots-35-philadelphia-eagles-0

Cam Newton and Mac Jones led a New England offense that moved the ball at will in a 35-0 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, who will likely be in trouble if Jalen Hurts misses any time during the regular season.

By Ben Linsey Aug 19, 2021 11:51 pm EDT New England Patriots Philadelphia Eagles
nfl-philadelphia-eagles-tackle-andre-dillard-receiving-trade-interest

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Andre Dillard is generating interest on the trade market after all but losing the starting left tackle competition to Jordan Mailata.

By Ben Linsey Aug 19, 2021 4:57 pm EDT Philadelphia Eagles
nfl-8-under-the-radar-players-who-cant-afford-to-miss-time-2021

Every NFL team has a star player they can't live without, but these less-heralded players are also vital — Chicago's Jaylon Johnson and New Orleans' Adam Trautman among them.

By Ben Linsey Aug 18, 2021 6:45 am EDT
nfl-evaluating-qb-competitions-week-1-2021-nfl-preseason-patriots-bears-broncos-saints-49ers

From Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones in New England to Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Trey Lance in San Francisco, here is a look at how each quarterback battle played out in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL preseason.

By Ben Linsey Aug 17, 2021 10:00 am EDT
nfl-which-rookie-wide-receiver-means-the-most-to-their-offense-2021

Examining the most important rookie wide receivers to their respective offenses in the 2021 NFL season, and you may be surprised where the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase ends up.

By Ben Linsey Aug 16, 2021 8:15 am EDT
nfl-preseason-week-1-game-recap-baltimore-ravens-17-new-orleans-saints-14

The Baltimore Ravens started their preseason with a 17-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

By Ben Linsey Aug 14, 2021 10:33 pm EDT Baltimore Ravens New Orleans Saints
nfl-preseason-week-1-game-recap-tennessee-titans-23-atlanta-falcons-3

Many of the potential storylines in the Tennessee Titans’ 23-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons didn’t materialize. Instead, it was the young defenders on both sides who stole the show.

By Ben Linsey Aug 13, 2021 10:37 pm EDT Tennessee Titans Atlanta Falcons
nfl-key-first-year-starters-32-teams-2021-nfl-season

Examining the most important first-year starters for all 32 NFL teams heading into the 2021 NFL season.

By Ben Linsey Aug 13, 2021 6:30 am EDT
nfl-2021-nfl-training-camp-late-round-rookie-risers

New York Jets running back Michael Carter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jaelon Darden and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Zech McPhearson are among the late-round rookies who are on the rise following reports out of 2021 NFL training camp.

By Ben Linsey Aug 9, 2021 6:15 am EDT
NFL
Premium Content
nfl-2021-hall-of-fame-game-usage-report-snap-counts-advanced-stats-pittsburgh-steelers-dallas-cowboys

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive line looked dominant as ever en route to the team's 16-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys to open the 2021 NFL preseason.

By Ben Linsey Aug 6, 2021 12:11 pm EDT
Bio

Ben onboarded to PFF full-time in May 2019. He works as an NFL Analyst and as part of the team that produces prep work for NBC's Sunday Night Football. Ben also contributes articles to the content team. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

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