NFL Defense vs Running Backs Rankings

Compare every NFL defense against running backs using fantasy points, rushing volume, rushing yards, targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns allowed per game.

Position

QB RB WR TE

Season Data

2026 NFL Season

Rank By

How to read the rankings: #1 allows the most production in the selected category. #32 allows the least. Higher-ranked defenses represent more favorable matchups for opposing RBs.


1	NO New Orleans Saints 6 games	30.73	24.2	116.8	1.83	4.3	4.0	30.5	0.17
2	BUF Buffalo Bills 6 games	26.93	23.0	82.8	1.00	7.8	5.5	41.5	0.50
3	GB Green Bay Packers 6 games	26.82	22.7	90.8	1.50	5.3	4.3	34.0	0.17
4	MIA Miami Dolphins 5 games	26.52	25.0	101.2	0.60	5.6	4.6	34.0	0.80
5	CAR Carolina Panthers 5 games	25.68	20.2	103.0	1.20	6.4	4.8	33.8	0.00
6	LV Las Vegas Raiders 6 games	24.40	22.7	113.7	0.83	4.5	4.2	38.7	0.00
7	IND Indianapolis Colts 6 games	23.93	21.0	95.8	0.83	5.2	3.8	45.2	0.17
8	LAC Los Angeles Chargers 6 games	23.82	24.7	104.2	1.00	5.7	3.8	25.7	0.17
9	DEN Denver Broncos 6 games	23.80	24.3	107.8	0.83	6.2	4.2	28.5	0.17
10	SF San Francisco 49ers 6 games	23.73	21.8	79.7	0.33	8.2	7.2	46.0	0.33
11	DAL Dallas Cowboys 6 games	23.52	24.5	104.3	0.83	4.7	3.7	24.2	0.33
12	ATL Atlanta Falcons 6 games	23.28	19.8	77.3	0.83	7.7	5.3	32.2	0.33
13	NYJ New York Jets 6 games	22.93	25.3	105.8	0.67	5.0	3.8	25.2	0.33
14	NYG New York Giants 6 games	22.40	22.5	107.5	0.50	4.0	3.5	21.5	0.50
15	SEA Seattle Seahawks 6 games	22.10	22.0	76.8	0.67	6.0	5.3	30.8	0.33
16	ARI Arizona Cardinals 6 games	21.22	25.2	107.0	0.67	4.5	3.0	25.2	0.17
17	PIT Pittsburgh Steelers 6 games	20.78	21.8	86.2	0.50	6.2	4.7	35.0	0.17
18	NE New England Patriots 6 games	20.65	19.8	82.2	0.67	5.7	4.5	39.3	0.00
19	PHI Philadelphia Eagles 6 games	20.47	26.0	103.5	0.67	5.3	3.8	22.8	0.00
20	TEN Tennessee Titans 6 games	20.30	25.8	98.8	0.67	4.3	3.3	30.8	0.00
21	WAS Washington Commanders 6 games	20.05	20.3	77.7	0.67	6.7	4.8	34.5	0.00
22	LA Los Angeles Rams 6 games	19.98	24.2	93.0	0.33	6.2	4.7	40.2	0.00
23	HOU Houston Texans 6 games	19.47	21.2	75.8	0.50	5.8	4.7	22.2	0.33
24	CIN Cincinnati Bengals 5 games	19.02	18.6	82.4	0.60	4.4	4.0	31.8	0.00
25	KC Kansas City Chiefs 5 games	18.74	19.4	64.6	0.60	6.2	5.0	36.8	0.00
26	DET Detroit Lions 5 games	18.66	19.8	84.4	0.80	5.2	3.8	16.2	0.00
27	BAL Baltimore Ravens 6 games	18.53	20.8	79.8	0.83	5.7	4.2	13.8	0.00
28	TB Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 games	17.42	18.3	65.0	0.33	6.5	5.3	35.8	0.00
29	CHI Chicago Bears 6 games	17.35	17.7	78.5	0.50	4.0	3.2	23.3	0.17
30	JAX Jacksonville Jaguars 6 games	17.28	17.3	51.5	0.50	6.5	5.3	38.0	0.00
31	CLE Cleveland Browns 6 games	16.48	21.5	98.7	0.17	5.2	3.8	17.8	0.00
32	MIN Minnesota Vikings 5 games	14.68	19.0	72.4	0.40	4.6	3.2	18.4	0.00

Statistics represent per-game production allowed to the selected offensive position during the 2026 NFL regular season. Fantasy points use full-PPR scoring.

NFL Defense vs Running Backs

Running back matchups depend on more than rushing yards alone. These rankings include both rushing and receiving production, helping identify defenses that allow significant backfield volume and fantasy production.

A ranking of #1 represents the most favorable matchup for running backs, while #32 represents the toughest matchup based on production allowed.

How to Use These Rankings

Use rushing attempts and yards to research ground-game matchups, then compare targets, receptions and receiving yards to see how much production a defense allows through the backfield.

Defense vs position is one research signal and should be considered alongside recent player performance, snap share, opportunities, injuries, game environment and sportsbook lines.

View all NFL defense vs position rankings →