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Running backs vs the defense

Week 3, 2020 last season's final profiles, while this season has fewer than three games

Every week, the defenses that have been hardest and easiest on running backs this season, after adjusting for who they have played, and the players who face them this week. What a defense has allowed is history, never a forecast.

The toughest matchups for running backs

From last season's final figures, until this season has three games.

Denver Broncos atTampa Bay Buccaneers Buccaneers

Allowed 57 rushing yards a game last season.

Melvin Gordon

56% of carries over his last four, 85 scrimmage yds a game.

Indianapolis Colts atNew York Jets Jets

Allowed 66 rushing yards a game last season.

Jonathan Taylor

74% of carries over his last four, 100 scrimmage yds a game.

Belief around league circles is that Colts will keep Jonathan Taylor despite trade inquiries Stampede Blue, 4 h ago

Green Bay Packers vsNew Orleans Saints Saints

Allowed 65 rushing yards a game last season.

No running back on the Packers has a big enough share of the work to name.

The other 26 defenses on the field this week are on the full board, with the players who face each one.

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The softest matchups for running backs

From last season's final figures, until this season has three games.

Cleveland Browns atWashington Commanders Commanders

Allowed 123 rushing yards a game last season.

Nick Chubb

58% of carries over his last four, 100 scrimmage yds a game.

Jacksonville Jaguars atMiami Dolphins Dolphins

Allowed 119 rushing yards a game last season.

James Robinson

78% of carries over his last four, 105 scrimmage yds a game.

Los Angeles Chargers atCarolina Panthers Panthers

Allowed 126 rushing yards a game last season.

No running back on the Chargers has a big enough share of the work to name.

Yards and targets allowed are from each defense's final games this season. Every rank is over usual: what the defense allowed each game against that offense's own average in its other games, 1st the biggest margin, over each row's games. Shares are of the team's carries or targets over the player's last four games. Data from nflverse (CC BY 4.0). The definitions and the record are on How we count.

Data and context only, never advice. By using Black Swan Stats you agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy. Not affiliated with the NFL or any team.

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