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FFL: Week 11 | NFL: Week 11

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 Starts/Sits: Week 11

Player Notes
Mike Gesicki Nov 18 12:40am ET
Mike Gesicki

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki was unable to catch either of his two targets during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Gesicki has been streaky this season. Sometimes, he occupies a significant target share and delivers low-end TE1 value. Other times, he takes a backseat in the passing attack and is avoidable in all leagues. This week was classified as the latter; Gesicki was held without a catch for the first time since Week 6, snapping an impressive three-game stretch over which he had caught 16 passes for 203 yards and a pair of scores. The 29-year-old will likely rank as a fringe top-24 fantasy tight end when the Bengals return to action on the other side of their Week 12 bye.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Nov 18 12:40am ET
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had another highly productive day in the 38-6 blowout win over the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 11 on Sunday, setting team-highs in receptions (seven), targets (eight) and receiving yards (78). With Denver's offense improving greatly under the leadership of rookie quarterback Bo Nix after a slow start in 2024, Sutton has slowly risen up the receiver ranks in fantasy. The 29-year-old didn't have a single target in Week 7 against the Saints, but since then, he has 28 receptions for 370 yards and one touchdown on 38 targets. Sutton has only caught three TD passes in 11 games after going for a career-high 10 TDs in 2023, but because of the heavy volume as Nix's favorite aerial weapon, he is ascending to weekly WR2 territory. He'll have a great chance to continue his run in Week 12 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Evan McPherson Nov 18 12:40am ET
Evan McPherson

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson went 3-for-3 on extra points but just 2-for-4 on field goals during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Both of his misses occurred in the fourth quarter and would have given Cincinnati an important lead. Instead, he missed the uprights wide left both times, preserving a tie that would eventually be broken by the Chargers in the final minute. McPherson's made field goals came from 26 and 27 yards out while he missed from 48 and 51 yards. The 25-year-old has ranked outside the top 15 fantasy kickers for most of this season and should continue to be avoided in most leagues when the Bengals return from their Week 12 bye.

From RotoBaller

Ricky Pearsall Nov 18 12:40am ET
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall couldn't get anything going in a Week 11 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The first-rounder was targeted twice but failed to bring in either pass. It's a bummer for anyone hoping Pearsall could build on his 15.3 half-PPR performance in Week 10, but shouldn't be a surprise. San Francisco's offense was never expected to support three receivers and Jauan Jennings strengthened his claim to the No. 2 -- or even No. 1 -- spot with a second-consecutive 11-target game. Pearsall is a decent stash in case Jennings runs into more injury trouble, but can't be trusted with a fantasy starting slot save for deep-league managers fishing for a touchdown. Pearsall will look to get back onto the stat sheet in Week 12 when he finds himself at Lambeau Field for a showdown with the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Lil'Jordan Humphrey Nov 18 12:40am ET
Lil'Jordan Humphrey

Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey joined the party in the Week 11 win over the visiting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, catching all four of his targets on the day for a season-high 52 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the year in the 38-6 laugher. It was a nice bounce-back performance after Humphrey had only two catches for 23 yards in the Week 10 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Humphrey brings impressive after-the-catch abilities, so it was no surprise his touchdown catch came on a 41-yard reception to put the Falcons away late. He has seen additional opportunities in an improving Broncos passing attack since Josh Reynolds (finger) went on Injured Reserve, but Reynolds could be returning soon. At best, Humphrey will be a dart-throw WR5/flex in Week 12 when the team travels to take on the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders.

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Kirk Cousins Nov 18 12:30am ET
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was ineffective in a blowout road loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, completing 18 of 27 passes for 173 yards and no touchdowns while throwing one interception in the 38-6 loss. That's now two consecutive games without a touchdown pass for the 36-year-old. He's had three good games this season in which he's logged an 11:1 TD:INT, however, in the other eight games, the veteran has logged a 6:8 TD:INT. Week 12 brings a home matchup against a Chargers defense that had been tough against the pass prior to Sunday night, but Joe Burrow shredded them for 356 yards passing and three TDs without throwing an interception. Regardless, Cousins looks like a mid-range QB2 even with six teams on bye next week.

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Tee Higgins Nov 18 12:30am ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins caught nine of his 13 targets for 148 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. This was easily Higgins' best game of the year, bringing his season totals to 38 catches, 489 yards, and four touchdowns through six contests. Although the 25-year-old doesn't generate as much buzz as teammate Ja'Marr Chase, he's still a very intriguing fantasy option who has repeatedly shown that he can co-exist alongside Chase in Cincinnati's offense. Higgins will rank among the top 24 fantasy receivers when the Bengals return to action in Week 13.

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Javonte Williams Nov 18 12:30am ET
Javonte Williams

After seeing only one carry in the Week 10 loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams took over the backfield in the 38-6 blowout victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in Week 11. Williams finished with a team-high nine carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, adding four catches on five targets for 28 yards. Fantasy managers may have prematurely dropped Williams after his dud last week, but we can't completely blame you after the Broncos continually said rookie Audric Estime was in line for more work. We cannot write Williams off just yet in 2024, but Estime will continue to be involved in Denver's backfield after seeing nine touches for 25 scrimmage yards. The 24-year-old has 80-plus scrimmage yards in five of his last eight games and will be back on the RB3/flex radar in a plus Week 12 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Nov 18 12:30am ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase caught seven of his 13 targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Although Chase wasn't able to replicate his absurd 264-yard, three-touchdown showing from Week 10, the Bengals' No. 1 wide receiver still delivered major contributions, finding the end zone twice and helping to mount a potential Cincinnati comeback that ultimately fell just short. Chase is the overall WR1 in fantasy football so far, tallying 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns through 11 games. He'll remain in the must-start tier when the Bengals return to action following their Week 12 bye.

From RotoBaller

Andrei Iosivas Nov 18 12:30am ET
Andrei Iosivas

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas caught all three of his targets for a total of 46 receiving yards during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The 25-year-old has taken a clear backseat behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this season, but that didn't stop him from delivering modest production in this week's entertaining Sunday Night Football battle between the Bengals and Chargers. Iosivas is an appealing insurance policy in case Chase or Higgins were to miss time, but for now, he shouldn't be started in fantasy leagues. The Bengals have a Week 12 bye before returning to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Nov 18 12:20am ET
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown rushed for 86 yards on 22 carries during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also caught five of his seven targets for an additional 57 receiving yards. Brown has been tasked with handling a larger workload amidst Zack Moss' season-ending neck injury, and the second-year running back hasn't missed a beat. He now has three consecutive games with at least 19 fantasy points (PPR) and should be deployed as a low-end fantasy RB1 when he's back in action on the other side of the Bengals' Week 12 bye.

From RotoBaller

Bo Nix Nov 18 12:20am ET
Bo Nix

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix had the best game of his young career and delivered for fantasy managers in the 38-6 blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in Week 11, going 28-for-33 for a season-best 307 passing yards and a season-best four touchdown passes. Nix was sacked only once for a loss of 12 yards and ran the ball twice for five yards. The first-rounder out of Oregon showed further development and took advantage of a soft secondary to put up one of the best fantasy performances by a QB in Week 11. He continued to spread the ball around nicely, with his TD passes coming to three different receivers and a tight end. The 24-year-old has tied the franchise record for TD passes for a rookie (14) and is quickly ascending as a fantasy asset, even in single-QB leagues. Nix will have more QB1 upside in Week 12 versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Joe Burrow Nov 18 12:20am ET
Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow completed 28 of his 50 pass attempts for 356 yards, three touchdowns, and zero turnovers during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Bengals may be 4-7 and third place in the AFC North, but Burrow has been nothing short of impressive this year, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,028 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He has surpassed 33 fantasy points in each of his last three games and should be treated as a high-end QB1 option when the Bengals return to action on the other side of their Week 12 bye.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Nov 18 12:10am ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings continued his ascent as a fantasy asset in a Week 11 20-17 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The former seventh-round pick out of Tennessee caught 10 of 11 targets for 91 yards, including a three-yard touchdown reception to give the 49ers a short-lived lead in the fourth quarter. All four receiving numbers were team highs. Jennings isn't just filling up the stat sheet with empty yards either. He's flashing skill and grit in big spots, which all but solidifies his go-to role in the offense for the rest of the year. With two consecutive 11-target games in the books, it's going to be very hard for fantasy managers to leave Jennings out of lineups in Week 12 when the 49ers travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Nov 17 11:40pm ET
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce had another one of his trademark long catches on Sunday, recording a 39-yarder, along with a 16-yard and 19-yard reception, totaling 74 yards on his three catches. A week after seeing a season-high in targets, with the return of Michael Pittman Jr., the 24-year-old had the third-most targets on the day for the Colts with four. With the performance, the former second-round pick maintained his team-lead in receiving yards with 590, 23 yards more than Josh Downs (567). Pierce figures to see similar target share and air yards next week against the Lions which will leave him in the WR4/5 range.

From RotoBaller

Deebo Samuel Nov 17 11:30pm ET
Deebo Samuel

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. laid down a fantasy dud in a 20-17 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The South Carolina native's seven targets were the second-most on the team -- wideout Jauan Jennings had 11 for the second week in a row -- but Samuel Sr. could only total four catches for 22 yards. He got just one carry which went for a one-yard loss. Samuel Sr.'s fantasy value has rested on his big-play potential more than heavy receiving volume in recent years, but his 5.6 targets per game this season is his lowest since his rookie year in 2019. His yards per reception is still a healthy 14.8 but with only two touchdowns in nine games played, Samuel Sr. hasn't lived up to his high-end WR2 ADP. He is currently the overall WR36 in half-PPR scoring. Fantasy managers will look for Samuel Sr. to get it going next Sunday when the 49ers travel to Green Bay for a Week 12 showdown with the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Nov 17 11:30pm ET
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 73 yards on 20 carries during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He also caught all four of his targets for an additional 16 receiving yards. Although the Patriots' lead back saw a heavy workload on Sunday afternoon, he demonstrated relatively low efficiency and failed to find the end zone. Fantasy managers will hope that he can bounce back and snap his two-week scoreless streak next Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller

Kayshon Boutte Nov 17 11:10pm ET
Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte caught four of his six targets for 33 yards during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Boutte was heavily involved in the Patriots' offensive game plan once again, playing 96 percent of snaps while running routes on 59 percent of the team's plays from scrimmage. The 22-year-old has played more than 80 percent of snaps in each of his last six games. Meanwhile, he has totaled six targets in each of his last four contests. Fantasy managers would like to see a slightly higher catch rate from the LSU product, but he's strung together enough solid production that he can be rostered in leagues with 14 teams or more.

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Jonathan Taylor Nov 17 11:10pm ET
Jonathan Taylor

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was bottled up by the Jets defense on Sunday, allowing the 25-year-old to gain just 57 yards on 24 carries, good for only 2.4 yards per carry. He added one catch for three yards as well, but was unable to find paydirt on the ground or through the air. Nevertheless, the Colts were able to pull out the 28-27 victory in the Meadowlands anyway. The Jets hadn't been as strong against the run in recent weeks but reasserted itself on Sunday, with the exception of allowing quarterback Anthony Richardson to score twice on the ground. Taylor will have another tall task on tap in Week 12 against the Lions, a top-five defense against the run, but the former second-round draft pick likely still slots in as an RB1 again.

From RotoBaller

Demario Douglas Nov 17 11:00pm ET
Demario Douglas

New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas converted seven targets into five catches for 59 yards during Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Outside of a few dud games this season, Douglas has been quite productive, totaling 44 catches, 415 yards, and one touchdown. The second-year receiver has played especially well with Drake Maye under center, repeatedly operating as one of his primary targets while handing a snap share above 50 percent. Douglas remains a low-end WR3/FLEX option with additional value in PPR formats.

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