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Running backs vs the defense

Week 5, 2021 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.

New York Jets vsAtlanta Falcons Falcons

Allowed 71 rushing yards a game last season.

Tevin Coleman

43% of carries over his last four, 26 scrimmage yds a game.

Michael Carter

36% of carries over his last four, 43 scrimmage yds a game.

Miami Dolphins vsTampa Bay Buccaneers Buccaneers

Allowed 61 rushing yards a game last season.

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

Baltimore Ravens atIndianapolis Colts Colts

Allowed 73 rushing yards a game last season.

No running back on the Ravens 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.

New England Patriots vsHouston Texans Texans

Allowed 147 rushing yards a game last season.

Damien Harris

44% of carries over his last four, 55 scrimmage yds a game.

Rhamondre Stevenson

40% of carries over his last four, 11 scrimmage yds a game.

Rhamondre Stevenson is exactly who the Patriots offense needs right now Pats Pulpit, 5 d ago

Tennessee Titans vsJacksonville Jaguars Jaguars

Allowed 127 rushing yards a game last season.

Derrick Henry

87% of carries over his last four, 159 scrimmage yds a game.

Ravens reportedly tell Derrick Henry they have "no intention" of trading him ProFootballTalk (RSS), 1 d ago

New York Giants vsDallas Cowboys Cowboys

Allowed 127 rushing yards a game last season.

No running back on the Giants 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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