Fantasy · Week 3
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.
- Carolina Panthers+22%
Allows 26.6 points a game to RBs (22% more than average). Plays CLE on the road.
Beneficiaries: Quinshon Judkins (10.6)
- Miami Dolphins+21%
Allows 26.2 points a game to RBs (21% more than average). Plays KC at home.
Beneficiaries: Kenneth Walker III (23.5), Emmett Johnson (5.9), Ben VanSumeren (4.0)
- Cincinnati Bengals+21%
Allows 26.2 points a game to RBs (21% more than average). Plays PIT on the road.
Beneficiaries: Jaylen Warren (13.2)
- New York Giants+18%
Allows 25.7 points a game to RBs (18% more than average). Plays TEN at home.
Beneficiaries: Tony Pollard (9.0), Tyjae Spears (4.0)
- Buffalo Bills+16%
Allows 25.2 points a game to RBs (16% more than average). Plays LAC at home.
Beneficiaries: Omarion Hampton (13.2)
- New York Jets+14%
Allows 24.8 points a game to RBs (14% more than average). Plays DET on the road.
Beneficiaries: Jahmyr Gibbs (26.9)
Toughest RB matchups this week
The stingiest defenses to RBs. Expect these players to have a harder day than usual.
- Seattle Seahawks-17%
Allows 18.0 points a game to RBs (17% fewer than average). Plays WAS on the road.
Tough spot for: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.8)
- Los Angeles Chargers-17%
Allows 18.1 points a game to RBs (17% fewer than average). Plays BUF on the road.
Tough spot for: James Cook (15.7)
- Jacksonville Jaguars-16%
Allows 18.2 points a game to RBs (16% fewer than average). Plays NE at home.
Tough spot for: Rhamondre Stevenson (9.3), TreVeyon Henderson (8.5)
- New England Patriots-16%
Allows 18.3 points a game to RBs (16% fewer than average). Plays JAX on the road.
Tough spot for: Bhayshul Tuten (8.5), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (4.2)
- Houston Texans-15%
Allows 18.5 points a game to RBs (15% fewer than average). Plays IND on the road.
Tough spot for: Jonathan Taylor (20.5)
- Minnesota Vikings-15%
Allows 18.4 points a game to RBs (15% fewer than average). Plays TB on the road.
Tough spot for: Bucky Irving (12.4), Kenny Gainwell (7.5)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAR | -11% | +22% | -12% | -3% | @ CLE |
| MIA | +14% | +21% | -7% | +19% | vs KC |
| CIN | +7% | +21% | -18% | +54% | @ PIT |
| NYG | +14% | +18% | +11% | -8% | vs TEN |
| BUF | -8% | +16% | -4% | -30% | vs LAC |
| NYJ | +13% | +14% | -4% | +1% | @ DET |
| DAL | +44% | +14% | +21% | 0% | vs BAL |
| ARI | +4% | +8% | +5% | +23% | @ SF |
| SF | -6% | +6% | -1% | -2% | vs ARI |
| IND | +15% | +5% | +21% | +21% | vs HOU |
| BAL | +5% | +4% | +13% | -17% | @ DAL |
| NO | -13% | +3% | -6% | -8% | vs LV |
| WAS | +28% | +3% | +16% | +30% | vs SEA |
| PHI | -6% | 0% | -12% | -42% | @ CHI |
| CHI | +13% | 0% | +12% | -5% | vs PHI |
| GB | -6% | 0% | +4% | -8% | vs ATL |
| LV | -7% | -1% | 0% | -23% | @ NO |
| TB | +15% | -1% | -2% | +29% | vs MIN |
| TEN | +8% | -1% | +19% | 0% | @ NYG |
| PIT | 0% | -4% | +1% | +9% | vs CIN |
| CLE | -12% | -4% | -5% | -11% | vs CAR |
| ATL | +1% | -7% | +7% | -7% | @ GB |
| DET | +28% | -8% | +20% | +27% | vs NYJ |
| DEN | -14% | -10% | -16% | -3% | vs LA |
| KC | -16% | -11% | -16% | -9% | @ MIA |
| LA | -11% | -11% | +2% | -9% | @ DEN |
| MIN | -28% | -15% | -13% | -21% | @ TB |
| HOU | -6% | -15% | -5% | -9% | @ IND |
| NE | -18% | -16% | -6% | -7% | @ JAX |
| JAX | -6% | -16% | 0% | +6% | vs NE |
| LAC | -17% | -17% | -3% | -12% | @ BUF |
| SEA | -22% | -17% | -23% | +12% | @ WAS |
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 (19 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.