Fantasy · Week 5
Defense vs position
Which defenses give up the most fantasy points to each position, and who gets to face them this week. Green means a good matchup for the offense.
Best RB matchups this week
The most generous defenses to RBs, and the top-projected RBs facing them.
- New York Jets+27%
Allows 24.8 points a game to RBs (27% more than average). Plays CLE at home.
Beneficiaries: Quinshon Judkins (11.6)
- Miami Dolphins+22%
Allows 23.7 points a game to RBs (22% more than average). Plays CIN at home.
Beneficiaries: Chase Brown (14.1)
- Cincinnati Bengals+19%
Allows 23.2 points a game to RBs (19% more than average). Plays MIA on the road.
Beneficiaries: Ollie Gordon II (5.3), Jaylen Wright (4.2)
- Buffalo Bills+17%
Allows 22.8 points a game to RBs (17% more than average). Plays LA on the road.
Beneficiaries: Kyren Williams (16.6), Blake Corum (5.8)
- Dallas Cowboys+16%
Allows 22.6 points a game to RBs (16% more than average). Plays TB at home.
Beneficiaries: Bucky Irving (11.0), Kenny Gainwell (6.4)
- New York Giants+15%
Allows 22.5 points a game to RBs (15% more than average). Plays WAS on the road.
Beneficiaries: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.8), Kaytron Allen (4.0)
Toughest RB matchups this week
The stingiest defenses to RBs. Expect these players to have a harder day than usual.
- Seattle Seahawks-22%
Allows 15.2 points a game to RBs (22% fewer than average). Plays SF at home.
Tough spot for: Christian McCaffrey (16.6)
- Jacksonville Jaguars-20%
Allows 15.5 points a game to RBs (20% fewer than average). Plays PHI at home.
Tough spot for: Saquon Barkley (9.1)
- Houston Texans-19%
Allows 15.8 points a game to RBs (19% fewer than average). Plays TEN on the road.
Tough spot for: Tony Pollard (7.1)
- Minnesota Vikings-18%
Allows 16.0 points a game to RBs (18% fewer than average). Plays NO on the road.
Tough spot for: Alvin Kamara (6.2)
- Los Angeles Rams-13%
Allows 16.9 points a game to RBs (13% fewer than average). Plays BUF at home.
Tough spot for: James Cook (15.3)
- Atlanta Falcons-13%
Allows 17.1 points a game to RBs (13% fewer than average). Plays BAL at home.
Tough spot for: Derrick Henry (18.2)
Every defense, every position
Fantasy points allowed per game against the league average, sorted by RB. Tap a position tab above to re-sort. Hover a cell for the points per game.
| Defense | QB | RB | WR | TE | This week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYJ | +12% | +27% | -4% | -2% | vs CLE |
| MIA | +12% | +22% | -10% | +22% | vs CIN |
| CAR | -8% | +21% | -19% | +6% | Bye |
| CIN | +9% | +19% | -13% | +53% | @ MIA |
| BUF | -10% | +17% | -4% | -37% | @ LA |
| DAL | +41% | +16% | +20% | +2% | vs TB |
| NYG | +8% | +15% | +11% | -15% | @ WAS |
| GB | -7% | +12% | +5% | -13% | vs CHI |
| ARI | +11% | +11% | +6% | +31% | vs DET |
| NO | -9% | +6% | -9% | +8% | vs MIN |
| SF | -1% | +5% | -1% | 0% | @ SEA |
| WAS | +31% | +3% | +23% | +38% | vs NYG |
| IND | +10% | +3% | +15% | +18% | @ PIT |
| BAL | +5% | +1% | +15% | -17% | @ ATL |
| PHI | -2% | 0% | -7% | -45% | @ JAX |
| TEN | +1% | 0% | +12% | -9% | vs HOU |
| LV | -3% | -2% | -3% | -1% | @ NE |
| CHI | +8% | -3% | +10% | -15% | @ GB |
| PIT | 0% | -4% | +6% | +9% | vs IND |
| TB | +10% | -6% | -3% | +20% | @ DAL |
| DEN | -11% | -6% | -15% | +3% | @ LAC |
| CLE | -9% | -7% | 0% | +2% | @ NYJ |
| DET | +29% | -10% | +20% | +47% | @ ARI |
| LAC | -15% | -12% | -8% | -19% | vs DEN |
| KC | -19% | -12% | -19% | -14% | Bye |
| NE | -15% | -13% | -3% | -15% | vs LV |
| ATL | +2% | -13% | +13% | -9% | vs BAL |
| LA | -7% | -13% | +2% | -14% | vs BUF |
| MIN | -29% | -18% | -14% | -23% | @ NO |
| HOU | -11% | -19% | -4% | -9% | @ TEN |
| JAX | -12% | -20% | -2% | -4% | vs PHI |
| SEA | -18% | -22% | -20% | +1% | vs SF |
How this is built
For each defense we add up the fantasy points opposing quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and tight ends scored against it, per game, and compare that with the league average for the position. Last season's full record is the starting point (20 games of evidence behind each number now), and this season's games count more as they pile up, so a defense that changed a lot moves quickly.
The same numbers feed our projections: a generous defense lifts a player's projection, a stingy one lowers it, but only modestly, because a matchup matters far less than a player's role. Points allowed also reflect who the defense has faced and how often it trailed, so treat extreme numbers with care.
Player stats from nflverse (CC-BY 4.0). Estimates, not guarantees.