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FFL: Offseason | NFL: Divisional

RB Strength of Schedule

Tue May 28 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Robinson setup for big season


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the running back position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to running backs last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the running backs with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the running backs that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  RB SOS  
1. Green Bay Packers 356.01
2. Houston Texans 361.46
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 361.46
4. Las Vegas Raiders 361.48
5. Seattle Seahawks 362.28
6. Buffalo Bills 363.19
7. Arizona Cardinals 363.76
8. Dallas Cowboys 363.9
9. Jacksonville Jaguars 364.51
10. Washington Commanders 364.86
11. Chicago Bears 364.89
12. Indianapolis Colts 365.41
13. San Francisco 49ers 365.86
14. New Orleans Saints 366.49
15. New York Jets 368.23
16. Detroit Lions 368.49
17. Philadelphia Eagles 369.05
18. Minnesota Vikings 369.06
19. Carolina Panthers 369.88
20. Cleveland Browns 370.34
21. Kansas City Chiefs 371.71
22. New York Giants 372.21
23. Los Angeles Chargers 373.19
24. Denver Broncos 373.32
25. Cincinnati Bengals 373.66
26. Los Angeles Rams 374.09
27. Baltimore Ravens 374.16
28. New England Patriots 375.60
29. Atlanta Falcons 376.19
30. Miami Dolphins 377.49
31. Tennessee Titans 378.2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers 378.72


The two teams with the easiest fantasy schedules for running backs are the Steelers and Titans, which is interesting because both teams could platoon running backs. The Steelers split the work between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. And the Titans are likely to use both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. All four backs could be setup for solid seasons with favorable schedules. It is always scary to take a back that might split work but seeing these positive schedules could make pulling the trigger on them a little easier come draft day. All four could be top flex plays for fantasy teams.

The Dolphins had huge success running the ball last year and could have similar solid production this season with the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs. Devon Achane is really looking good in year two. He is expected to get more work and likely lead the backfield in touches. Raheem Mostert had a career season last year and a great schedule but he carries a little more risk. He is 32 years old and now has rookie Jaylen Wright pushing him for playing time. Just something to keep in mind come draft day.

The Falcons are another team with a top-five favorable running back schedule, making Bijan Robinson a very intriguing pick this year. Robinson had a bit of a disappointing rookie season, but a new coaching staff and really favorable schedule make Robinson a huge breakout candidate. He is moving up draft rankings in a hurry and is capable of finishing first overall in fantasy running back scoring because of his skill set.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a possible rebound candidate. He was slowed by injury last year but is back healthy and with the fifth easiest schedule for running backs. Stevenson has shown in the past he can be a big-time fantasy back. Things are looking up for him this year, making him a good buy-low candidate.

The Packers had the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks but get the toughest for running backs. This isn’t great news for new back Josh Jacobs. It is hard to bet against the productive back, though. You just might want to temper expectations for him this coming year. Jacobs could have a few down weeks, especially for his standards.

The Texans signed Joe Mixon to shore up their running back spot, but he carries some concerns. He wasn’t highly productive the last few seasons besides all his scores and now gets the second toughest schedule for running backs. Plus, the Texans are likely to be a pass heavy team, which could limit his workload a little. Mixon could end up being a boom or bust player.

Tampa also has a unfavorable fantasy schedule for running backs. Rachaad White had a big season last year but padded his numbers because of all his work in the passing game. That might be a similar scenario for him, having a tough time to run with this schedule. The positive for White is he is very good in the passing game. You have to worry about his rushing totals, though.

The Raiders haven’t really settled on a starting running back, but Zamir White is likely to get first shot at the job. That is great news for his fantasy value but the not so great news is his tough fantasy schedule. This could limit the ceiling of White a little. He has risk to begin with because it isn’t 100 percent certain he wins the job. This makes him a bit of a scary pick for fantasy teams.

Kenneth Walker didn’t have quite the breakout second season many hoped but was fairly productive with his work. And the good news is Zach Charbonnet didn’t really put a big dent in his workload. The Seahawks seem happy with Walker as the lead back. The unfortunate news for Walker is he has the fifth toughest fantasy running back schedule. Walker might fail to reach his lofty expectations once again in year three.

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy running backs. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the running backs with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.

  RB PLAYOFF SOS  
1. San Francisco 49ers 291.43
2. Washington Commanders 325.2
3. Houston Texans 327.8
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 332.03
5. New York Jets 337.57
6. Cleveland Browns 340.8
7. Las Vegas Raiders 341.1
8. Miami Dolphins 348.27
9. Chicago Bears 350.37
10. Buffalo Bills 350.53
11. Arizona Cardinals 352.8
12. Dallas Cowboys 358.87
13. Detroit Lions 359.7
14. New York Giants 365.67
15. Kansas City Chiefs 366.53
16. Green Bay Packers 368.97
17. Seattle Seahawks 370.23
18. Carolina Panthers 377.15
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 378.37
20. Los Angeles Chargers 380.73
21. Jacksonville Jaguars 381
22. Baltimore Ravens 381.43
23. Cincinnati Bengals 383.50
24. Philadelphia Eagles 391.07
25. New England Patriots 397.95
26. Indianapolis Colts 398.40
27. Denver Broncos 399.53
28. Tennessee Titans 401.63
29. Los Angeles Rams 403.92
30. New Orleans Saints 406.33
31. Minnesota Vikings 407.87
32. Atlanta Falcons 422.4

 

There are two teams with a top-five favorable schedule for fantasy running backs for both the regular season and playoffs. Those teams are the Falcons and Titans. Atlanta actually has the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. Robinson was looking good even before hearing this news but looks even better now. He is making a strong case to be the second running back off the board come draft day.

And Pollard and Spears are intriguing running back options with schedules that could produce big for both during the regular season and playoffs. You just have to worry about one back emerging to grab most of the work. If that happens, one of these backs could end up being a bust.

Minnesota has the second easiest playoff schedule for running backs. Aaron Jones has some injury concerns after the last few seasons, but he could be setup for a big workload with an unsettled quarterback situation in Minnesota. Jones has some good upside with his new team, especially during the playoffs.

One other team to mention for the playoff is New Orleans. Alvin Kamara isn’t getting any younger but remains the lead back and still productive. He still seems to have something left in the tank and could be a big fantasy factor for at least one more season, especially when it matters most in the playoffs. He could be a difference maker, having the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs.

Houston is the lone team in both the top five for the toughest regular season and playoff fantasy running back schedules. This is an obvious concern for Mixon. He is looking more and more like a player you might to avoid come draft day. He might have some big games along the way in this great offense, but you have to wonder about his consistency and playoff performance.

So the top rated fantasy back, Christian McCaffrey, also has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. You aren’t fading McCaffrey because of this. He is one of those rare backs that it doesn’t really matter who he plays. McCaffrey will produce. We still think he is the clear No. 1 fantasy back. He can still get it done in the playoffs.

Washington has Brian Robinson and Austin Ekekler likely splitting the work at running back, which hurts both their fantasy values. They also get the second most difficult playoff schedule for running backs. We wouldn’t reach too early for either back because of this.

The Steelers have the easiest fantasy running back schedule during the playoffs but fourth toughest for the playoffs. This is a tough one. Both backs have potential for good things, showing they can co-exist last year and produce well for fantasy teams. You just have to wonder if fading in the playoffs will make all that good work during the regular season all for nothing.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Bender's DFS Pickem Plays: Divisional Round

Player Notes
Patrick Mahomes Jan 19 4:00am ET
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 16 of 25 pass attempts (64%) for 177 yards and a touchdown in the 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in their Divisional Round matchup. Mahomes displayed his game-managing abilities as Kansas City ran only 50 plays in this contest compared to 65 for Houston. The veteran quarterback was not particularly impressive in this game but did manage to scramble away from a sack to deliver a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce in the fourth quarter. Mahomes and company will now play in their seventh-straight AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills. The 29-year-old will face off against either Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen to determine who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs have displayed their willingness to grind out low-scoring games, but a shootout is not out of the question, given the level of competition.

From RotoBaller

Travis Kelce Jan 19 4:00am ET
Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. The 35-year-old broke his tie with Hall-of-Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice for the most playoff games with at least 100 receiving yards. All but 60 of Patrick Mahomes' 177 passing yards went in the direction of Kelce in today's contest. The veteran tight end also received Mahomes' lone passing touchdown in the game. Kelce will now play in the AFC Championship game for the seventh straight season. Kansas City will face either the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills in next week's matchup. Whoever the opponent is, look for Mahomes and Kelce to connect early and often.

From RotoBaller

Kareem Hunt Jan 19 4:00am ET
Kareem Hunt

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt handled eight carries for 44 yards and a touchdown in the 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. The veteran running back also caught one pass for two yards in this contest. Hunt led the backfield with more touches and total yards than Isiah Pacheco. The 29-year-old also averaged 5.5 yards per carry compared to 3.6 for Pacheco. Despite the latter starting the game, Hunt showed that he is the better back right now. Hunt will have the week to prepare for the team's AFC Championship matchup against the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills. The Ravens appear to be the tougher run defense of the two, but Hunt should be heavily involved regardless of the matchup.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Jan 19 4:00am ET
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught five passes for 45 yards in the 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. Worthy finished the game second on the team in receiving stats behind Travis Kelce but was the only wide receiver to catch a pass for Kansas City. Worthy has blossomed into Mahomes' top option in the receiving corps despite being a rookie. Worthy even had a highlight over-the-shoulder catch in the first quarter. The 21-year-old will have a week to prepare for the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills. Regardless of the matchup, Andy Reid and the Chiefs will find creative ways to get the ball into Worthy's hands.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Jan 19 4:00am ET
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco handled five carries for 18 yards in the 23-14 win over the Houston Texans on Saturday. Despite being the starting running back, Pacheco lost work and ceded a touchdown to Kareem Hunt later in the game. Pacheco was stuffed on his first carry and dropped his only target of the game on the team's first drive. Despite having nearly three weeks to rest and prepare for this contest, Pacheco has not regained his pre-injury form. The explosive second-year back was held to just 3.6 yards per carry in this contest. Given how Hunt has performed, Pacheco will likely remain the backup for the AFC Championship game next week. The Chiefs will take on the winner of the Divisional Round matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. Regardless of their opponent, Pacheco's value will remain low as the RB2 on the team.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams Jan 19 12:30am ET
Jameson Williams

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams caught just one of his four targets for 19 receiving yards during Saturday's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. However, he salvaged his fantasy performance with a 61-yard rushing touchdown on a trick play. Unfortunately, not all of Williams' trickery resulted in successful plays. He also attempted a pass in the contest and was ultimately intercepted. All in all, the speedy receiver's fantasy value was salvaged by the trick-play touchdown, which is a reflection of the explosiveness he showed during the season. He has a high ceiling and low floor in fantasy football, making him an appealing WR3/FLEX option with weekly WR1 upside. He actually came close to notching a second big touchdown on Saturday, but he wasn't quite able to haul in an overthrown pass from Jared Goff. Williams should remain the Lions' No. 2 receiver alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Amon-Ra St. Brown Jan 19 12:30am ET
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught eight of his 10 targets for 137 yards during Saturday's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. The 25-year-old put together an impressive showing, but it wasn't enough to fend off a relentless Washington team. St. Brown and his Lions will fall short of a Super Bowl for the second consecutive season, and preparation for the 2025 season will commence immediately. Those preparations could look a little different, though, if offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepts a head coaching job elsewhere. A new offensive scheme could throw a learning curve at St. Brown, but he'll likely be able to adapt and remain a mid-to-high WR1 for fantasy purposes. Fantasy managers should anticipate St. Brown being selected in the first round of fantasy drafts next summer.

From RotoBaller

Sam LaPorta Jan 19 12:30am ET
Sam LaPorta

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta caught six of his seven targets for 51 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. His touchdown came at the end of an impressive offensive play in which Jared Goff scrambled, threw while being tackled, and connected with LaPorta, who used his left hand to haul in the football and secure the catch. It was a valiant effort to give the Lions their only receiving touchdown of the game, but it wasn't enough. Detroit fell to Washington by two scores, ending their season shy of a Super Bowl berth once again. With that said, this Lions team continues to show plenty of promise ahead of the 2025 campaign. LaPorta himself was riding a hot stretch when the season ended, catching 38 passes for 392 yards and five touchdowns over his last seven contests. He should continue to rank as a mid-range TE1 ahead of next summer's fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

David Montgomery Jan 19 12:20am ET
David Montgomery

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery rushed seven times for 28 yards during Saturday's playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. He also threw a pass for 20 yards. Montgomery returned from a multi-week absence caused by a knee injury. As expected, he took a backseat to Jahmyr Gibbs, who had twice as many carries and also saw a whopping 11 targets. Montgomery's ability to convert in short-yardage situations makes him a special running back, but there's no denying that he lacks the shiftiness, receiving skills, and big-play upside of Gibbs. Nevertheless, the two continue to form the best running back duo in the NFL. Heading into 2025, Montgomery will have standalone value as a high-end RB3, and he'll also be a premier handcuff option in case Gibbs gets hurt.

From RotoBaller

Jahmyr Gibbs Jan 19 12:20am ET
Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs rushed 14 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's loss to the Washington Commanders. He also caught six of his 11 targets for an additional 70 yards through the air. Although the Lions' season ended in an upset loss, Gibbs played phenomenal football, demonstrating elite efficiency on the ground and an exceptional target share through the air. He has firmly established himself as the centerpiece of Detroit's offense despite competing for touches with players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and David Montgomery. In case there was still any debate, Gibbs is clearly a top running back option in redraft and dynasty leagues for fantasy football. He should be one of the first few players off the board in 2025 drafts, and he could join elite company atop the scoring leaderboard next year. His rushing efficiency, pass-catching skills, and nose for the end zone are unmatched, and his role in a highly productive offense is just the icing on the cake.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Jan 19 12:10am ET
Terry McLaurin

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin caught four of his six targets for 87 yards and a score during their upset victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. McLaurin's best play of the evening came on a screen pass, which he took for a 58-yard score. Later in the fourth quarter, McLaurin would catch a crucial fourth down reception to keep a Washington drive alive. The 29-year-old has now found the back of the end zone in each of his previous three games. Last weekend, during their wild-card victory, McLaurin caught seven of his ten targets for 89 yards and a score. The former Ohio State Buckeye carries elite WR1 upside throughout the remainder of the postseason.

From RotoBaller

Jared Goff Jan 19 12:10am ET
Jared Goff

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 23 of his 40 pass attempts for 313 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions during Saturday's loss to the Washington Commanders. He also rushed for seven yards, took two sacks, and lost a fumble. It was an eventful day for Goff, whose first and only playoff game of the year ultimately resulted in an upset loss. He delivered four turnovers in the defeat, and he also missed a drive while being evaluated for concussion. Immediately upon being cleared to play, Goff didn't quite look like himself. Even when he started to find his groove again, he wasn't able to lead the Lions over the Commanders. He finished as the overall QB6 in fantasy football during the regular season, but his lone playoff appearance was one to forget. The veteran signal-caller could face some adversity this offseason if the Lions lose offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and have to implement a new offensive scheme. Still, he should rank as a low-end QB1 in 2025, largely thanks to his bevy of weapons.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Jan 19 12:10am ET
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and a score during their victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Ertz left the game briefly in the first half while being evaluated for a concussion. However, shortly after returning, Ertz would find the back of the end zone on a five-yard strike from Jayden Daniels. This was a nice bounce back showing for the veteran tight end as he caught just two passes for 23 yards during their wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During the final seven weeks of the regular season, Ertz tallied an impressive six touchdowns. Despite his low-yardage outputs, the 34-year-old remains a solid TE1, given his usage in the red zone.

From RotoBaller

Jeremy McNichols Jan 19 12:00am ET
Jeremy McNichols

Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols punched in a goal line score during their upset victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. McNichols ran the ball only four times but was able to seal the victory with a late one-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with just eight yards on the ground and was not targeted in the passing attack. While McNichols had a similar role to what he did during the wild-card game, it is promising to see him occasionally receive opportunities in scoring positions. Given his depth role in the Washington offense, he remains a high-risk play in DFS formats during the Championship round.

From RotoBaller

Dyami Brown Jan 19 12:00am ET
Dyami Brown

Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown caught six of his eight targets for 98 yards during their upset victory over the top-seeded Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Brown's targets, receptions, and yards all led the team. Brown's longest reception of the day went for 42 yards. The 25-year-old has now seen at least four targets in each of his previous three games and tallied at least 89 in each of his past two. Last weekend, during their wild-card victory, Brown tied Terry McLaurin for the most receiving yards on the team (89) and found the back of the end zone. During the regular season, Brown averaged a mere 19.3 yards per game. Given his current role in the Washington offense, Brown carries WR2 upside heading into the NFC Championship Game.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Jan 18 11:50pm ET
Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. found the back of the end zone twice during their upset victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Robinson punched in two scores at the goal line, one in the second quarter and the other in the fourth. Robinson finished the evening with 77 yards on 15 attempts. His 15 attempts were the second-most on the team, only behind Jayden Daniels. He was not targeted in the passing game. After averaging an underwhelming 35.0 rushing yards per game over his previous five games, the Alabama product found his footing at the perfect time. During the first ten games of his season, he averaged a strong 64.0 rushing yards per game. Robinson carries RB2 upside heading into the NFC Championship.

From RotoBaller

Austin Ekeler Jan 18 11:50pm ET
Austin Ekeler

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler tallied 47 yards on six attempts during their victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Ekeler added 41 yards on four receptions in the receiving game. Ekeler flashed his breakaway speed all evening as his longest run went for 35 yards, and his reception went for 24 yards. Even though Ekeler was not as involved in the rushing attack, given the high-scoring affair, Ekeler was able to make a significant impact in the receiving game. Ekeler also saw four targets during their wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suggesting he has a prominent role in the team's passing attack. Ekeler carries RB2 upside heading into the NFC Championship match.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Jan 18 11:40pm ET
Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels went 22-for-31 with 299 passing yards and two scores in their upset victory over the top-seeded Detroit Lions. Daniels added 51 yards on 16 rushing attempts. Daniels found his top wideout, Terry McLaurin, on a 58-yard TD strike in the second quarter. He would then find his tight end, Zach Ertz, on a five-yard TD pass later in the quarter. The rookie targeted his No.2 wideout Dyami Brown the most often but spread the ball around as four pass-catchers caught at least four passes. The former No.2 overall pick continues to produce at an elite level, no matter the size of the stage. He remains a high-end QB1 heading into the NFC Championship Game, where he will face either the Philadelphia Eagles or Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

Ifeatu Melifonwu Jan 18 10:40pm ET
Ifeatu Melifonwu

According to the team, Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (hamstring) is questionable to return to Saturday's playoff game against the Washington Commanders. Melifonwu sustained this injury during the third quarter of the game. Before exiting, he tallied two tackles. Morice Norris should see an uptick in snaps as a result.

From RotoBaller

Olamide Zaccheaus Jan 18 10:30pm ET
Olamide Zaccheaus

According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (groin) has returned to Saturday's playoff game against the Detroit Lions. Zaccheaus exited the contest during the second quarter. Before leaving, he was targeted two times but was unable to catch any of them. He should continue to operate as the No.3 wide receiver in the Washington passing attack.

From RotoBaller