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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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Tyler Higbee

According to Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) is still "a couple weeks away" from making a return to the field. ESPN's Sarah Barshop reported the news. The 31-year-old veteran suffered a torn ACL and MCL in last season's wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions and has been on the PUP for all of 2024 thus far. While teammate Colby Parkinson had led the TE room for most of the year, it appears that second-year tight end Davis Allen has begun to take over those honors in recent weeks -- leading his positional cohorts in snaps since Week 9. With Higbee still working his way back from injury, Allen will have a few more weeks to cement himself as the team's preferred option. Fantasy managers can continue to steer clear of the Rams' tight end room for now.

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Alec Pierce Nov 15 9:30pm ET
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce had a strong showing in Week 10, posting a 4-81-1 line on a season-high seven targets. The increased action was likely a result of fellow wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. missing the game with a back injury, and unfortunately for Pierce, Pittman is due to return in Week 11. They are different receivers, though, so Pierce still has a chance for one of his trademark big plays as he can stretch the field with his speed. In fact, the 24-year-old has the seventh-most air yards in all of football and has the highest percentage of air yards of the Colts' receiving corps at 28.4%. With his big play ability and the fact that both Pittman and Josh Downs have missed games due to injury, Pierce somewhat surprisingly is the team's leader in receiving yards and touchdowns with 516 and four respectively. Look for Pierce to again garner a handful of targets in Week 11 with a few receptions and a chance for a long score, making the former second-round draft pick a boom/bust WR4/5 this week.

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Harrison Bryant Nov 15 9:20pm ET
Harrison Bryant

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Miami Dolphins. The fifth-year veteran kicked off the week tagged with a DNP but was able to log a limited session on Thursday before being downgraded again on Friday. Bryant has dealt with a few injuries this season and will now miss his second game of 2024. With teammate Michael Mayer (personal) deemed questionable, Las Vegas is in danger of being down two tight ends for the matchup. If Mayer cannot play, rookie sensation Brock Bowers would be slated for all the work he can handle, with Justin Shorter rotating in behind him. Shorter has appeared in three games this season but has yet to command a target on nine total snaps.

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Elijah Moore Nov 15 9:10pm ET
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore comes out of his bye to take on the New Orleans Saints on the road in Week 11. Moore has been heavily targeted over his past two games, drawing 21 targets over that span. The Saints represent a decent matchup for Moore as they are allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts. Moore has gone over 44 receiving yards just once all season and has yet to cross the goal line but his recent target volume makes him worth a look as a flex option in PPR leagues this weekend.

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David Njoku Nov 15 9:10pm ET
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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku will come out of his bye to face off against the New Orleans Saints on the road in Week 11. Njoku has been on a hot streak of late, catching 20 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns over his past three contests. The Saints have been a middle-of-the-road matchup for tight ends this season as they are allowing the 18th-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Njoku has emerged as one of Jameis Winston's favorite targets since he took over as quarterback for the Browns and should be treated as a top-five fantasy tight end this weekend.

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Dustin Hopkins Nov 15 9:10pm ET
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Cedric Tillman Nov 15 9:00pm ET
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman comes out of his bye to take on the New Orleans Saints on the road in Week 11. Tillman was in the midst of a mini breakout before his bye, posting 21 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns over his past three games. The second-year wideout will look to keep it going against a Saints defense that is allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to the position this season. Tillman and Jameis Winston have shown nice chemistry together thus far, making him trustworthy as a WR2 in fantasy in Week 11.

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Mack Hollins Nov 15 9:00pm ET
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Jerry Jeudy Nov 15 9:00pm ET
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Anthony Richardson Nov 15 9:00pm ET
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Tyler Bass Nov 15 9:00pm ET
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Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass is 9-for-9 on field goals and 12-for-13 on extra points since Week 6. His resurgence came at a time when his job appeared to be in jeopardy. For fantasy football, he's scored the second-most points at the position in that timeframe. Overall, he's 30-for-33 on extra points and 18-for-21 on field goals. With his confidence back, Bass ranks as a top-12 kicker against the Chiefs. The Bills offense is missing key pieces in Keon Coleman (wrist) and Dalton Kincaid (knee) which could lead to more field goal opportunities.

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James Cook Nov 15 8:50pm ET
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Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is a fantasy football RB1 this season but will have an uphill battle to land in the top 12 in Week 11. The Kansas City Chiefs allow the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and surrender 3.17 yards per carry. Cook can make up for a lack of rushing efficiency with work in the passing game. However, he only caught one pass against the Colts last week. That was without Amari Cooper (wrist) and Keon Coleman (wrist) in the lineup. Coleman will be out again. So will tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee). Cooper is questionable. The Chiefs may focus more on containing Cook on backfield routes. Regardless, the 25-year-old will see plenty of usage and ranks as an RB2 this week.

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Khalil Shakir Nov 15 8:50pm ET
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Nick Chubb Nov 15 8:50pm ET
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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb comes out of his bye to face off against the New Orleans Saints on the road in Week 11. Chubb has struggled in his three games played this season, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry on 42 attempts. The Saints have been one of the best matchups for running backs in the league this season as they are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Chubb can be trusted as a low-end RB2 heading into Week 11 thanks to the friendly matchup.

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Dawson Knox Nov 15 8:50pm ET
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Jameis Winston Nov 15 8:40pm ET
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston comes out of his bye with a road game against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have been good against opposing quarterbacks this season as they are allowing just the 24th-most fantasy points per game to the position this season. Winston should see plenty of volume as he has made over 40 pass attempts in each of his two starts this year. The veteran is a viable fantasy option as a QB2 heading into Week 11 against New Orleans.

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Josh Allen Nov 15 8:40pm ET
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Whether on the ground or through the air, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (left hand) delivers 20+ fantasy point performances. He hasn't had a disappointing result since Week 5. Fantasy managers hope that doesn't change in Week 11 against a stout Kansas City defense. The Chiefs are better against the run than the pass, but Allen will also be without two of his primary receivers. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) and wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) will be inactive. Amari Cooper (wrist) is questionable. Allen appeared on the injury report again with a hand injury that hasn't hampered him at all. Despite all that, Allen ranks as a QB1 in what should be a highly competitive game that could determine home-field advantage in the postseason.

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Chris Boswell Nov 15 8:30pm ET
Chris Boswell

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell played a limited role in the team's victory last week and will look to make more of an impact against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. While Baltimore has been middle-of-the-road against fantasy kickers this season, Sunday's divisional showdown is tied for the highest over/under of the week. The Steelers should be able to throw and score on the Ravens, but it's hard to imagine Boswell goes another week without a field goal attempt. Boswell has been automatic all season, so he can be expected to produce for fantasy purposes if his number is called. Fantasy managers can lock Boswell in as a top-five option in this potential shootout.

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Kirk Cousins Nov 15 8:30pm ET
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (elbow, shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice after popping up on the injury report earlier in the week. Cousins is coming off of 300-yard passing game versus the Saints in Week 10, but the yardage total came without a single TD and he threw a pick. The only two games this season in which the veteran signal-caller was held without a TD pass both came against the Saints, but Week 11 brings a tough road matchup against the Broncos who have limited QBs to the 11th-fewest fantasy points this season. Denver has been more vulnerable in recent weeks, though, allowing three straight 220-plus yard passers and six touchdowns over the last three weeks, compared to just two 220-yard passers and six TDS over the first seven weeks. View the 36-year-old as a low-end QB2 this week as they could decide to ride Bijan Robinson and the run game instead in a contest that has the Falcons as two-point underdogs with just 44 expected total points.

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Pat Freiermuth Nov 15 8:20pm ET
Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth salvaged his Week 10 performance with a touchdown and will hope to earn more opportunities when facing the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The Ravens, who have been extremely vulnerable to the pass all season, give up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Although Freiermuth is averaging fewer than three targets per contest with Russell Wilson at quarterback, he should be on the fantasy radar this week given this enticing game environment with a 48.5-point over/under. It's difficult to trust Freiermuth as a fantasy TE1, but he can be considered a streaming option or high-end TE2 for Week 11.

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