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+24%
Allows 26.7 points a game to RBs (24% more than average). Plays CLE at home.
Beneficiaries: Quinshon Judkins (13.0)
- Miami Dolphins+20%
Allows 26.1 points a game to RBs (20% more than average). Plays CIN at home.
Beneficiaries: Chase Brown (16.1), Samaje Perine (4.2)
- Cincinnati Bengals+19%
Allows 25.7 points a game to RBs (19% more than average). Plays MIA on the road.
Beneficiaries: Ollie Gordon II (5.8), Jaylen Wright (4.4)
- Buffalo Bills+15%
Allows 24.9 points a game to RBs (15% more than average). Plays LA on the road.
Beneficiaries: Kyren Williams (18.0), Blake Corum (6.2)
- Dallas Cowboys+15%
Allows 24.9 points a game to RBs (15% more than average). Plays TB at home.
Beneficiaries: Bucky Irving (12.5), Kenny Gainwell (7.8)
- New York Giants+14%
Allows 24.7 points a game to RBs (14% more than average). Plays WAS on the road.
Beneficiaries: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (9.2), Kaytron Allen (4.4)
Toughest RB matchups this week
The stingiest defenses to RBs. Expect these players to have a harder day than usual.
- Houston Texans-18%
Allows 17.8 points a game to RBs (18% fewer than average). Plays TEN on the road.
Tough spot for: Tony Pollard (8.0), Tyjae Spears (2.7)
- Minnesota Vikings-18%
Allows 17.7 points a game to RBs (18% fewer than average). Plays NO on the road.
Tough spot for: Alvin Kamara (7.4), Kendre Miller (4.1)
- Jacksonville Jaguars-17%
Allows 17.9 points a game to RBs (17% fewer than average). Plays PHI at home.
Tough spot for: Saquon Barkley (10.1)
- Seattle Seahawks-17%
Allows 17.9 points a game to RBs (17% fewer than average). Plays SF at home.
Tough spot for: Christian McCaffrey (19.3)
- Atlanta Falcons-12%
Allows 19.1 points a game to RBs (12% fewer than average). Plays BAL at home.
Tough spot for: Derrick Henry (18.9)
- Los Angeles Chargers-12%
Allows 19.1 points a game to RBs (12% fewer than average). Plays DEN at home.
Tough spot for: RJ Harvey (8.2), J.K. Dobbins (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYJ | +12% | +24% | -4% | -2% | vs CLE |
| MIA | +12% | +20% | -9% | +21% | vs CIN |
| CAR | -8% | +20% | -18% | +3% | Bye |
| CIN | +9% | +19% | -14% | +49% | @ MIA |
| BUF | -10% | +15% | -4% | -37% | @ LA |
| DAL | +41% | +15% | +18% | +2% | vs TB |
| NYG | +8% | +14% | +10% | -13% | @ WAS |
| GB | -8% | +11% | +4% | -11% | vs CHI |
| ARI | +11% | +9% | +5% | +28% | vs DET |
| SF | -1% | +8% | 0% | +3% | @ SEA |
| NO | -9% | +4% | -10% | +10% | vs MIN |
| BAL | +5% | +4% | +16% | -16% | @ ATL |
| IND | +10% | +2% | +15% | +18% | @ PIT |
| WAS | +31% | +1% | +22% | +30% | vs NYG |
| LV | -3% | -1% | -2% | -2% | @ NE |
| PHI | -2% | -2% | -6% | -41% | @ JAX |
| PIT | 0% | -2% | +6% | +7% | vs IND |
| TEN | +1% | -2% | +12% | -8% | vs HOU |
| TB | +10% | -3% | -3% | +18% | @ DAL |
| CHI | +7% | -4% | +8% | -12% | @ GB |
| CLE | -9% | -7% | -3% | +2% | @ NYJ |
| DEN | -11% | -7% | -13% | +5% | @ LAC |
| DET | +29% | -10% | +18% | +42% | @ ARI |
| LA | -7% | -10% | +1% | -13% | vs BUF |
| NE | -15% | -11% | -3% | -12% | vs LV |
| KC | -19% | -11% | -16% | -12% | Bye |
| LAC | -15% | -12% | -7% | -18% | vs DEN |
| ATL | +2% | -12% | +12% | -10% | vs BAL |
| SEA | -18% | -17% | -18% | +3% | vs SF |
| JAX | -12% | -17% | 0% | -4% | vs PHI |
| MIN | -29% | -18% | -13% | -23% | @ NO |
| HOU | -11% | -18% | -4% | -7% | @ TEN |
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.