2026
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Running backs vs the defense

Week 7, 2026 2026 through week 6

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

Backs with a real workload have gained 84% of their recent average against defenses like that since 2016, and beaten it in 33% of games. Against the middle of the league, 42% have.

Seattle Seahawks atKansas City Chiefs Chiefs

Holds them to 22 fewer rushing yards a game than the offenses it has faced usually gain.

Emanuel Wilson

64% of carries over his last four, 65 scrimmage yds a game.

San Francisco 49ers vsAtlanta Falcons Falcons

Holds them to 22 fewer rushing yards a game than the offenses it has faced usually gain.

Christian McCaffrey

45% of carries over his last four, 97 scrimmage yds a game.

Christian McCaffrey returned to practice as limited participant ProFootballTalk (RSS), 2 d ago

Indianapolis Colts vsMinnesota Vikings Vikings

Holds them to 18 fewer rushing yards a game than the offenses it has faced usually gain.

Jonathan Taylor

55% of carries over his last four, 101 scrimmage yds a game.

Belief around league circles is that Colts will keep Jonathan Taylor despite trade inquiries Stampede Blue, 3 h ago

The other 22 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

Backs with a real workload have gained 106% of their recent average against defenses like that since 2016, and beaten it in 50% of games. Against the middle of the league, 42% have.

Houston Texans atNew York Giants Giants

Allows 32 more rushing yards a game than the offenses it has faced usually gain.

Woody Marks

57% of carries over his last four, 52 scrimmage yds a game.

Woody Marks Named Houston Texans 2026 Salute To Service Award Nominee Houston Texans official site, 3 d ago

Miami Dolphins vsNew York Jets Jets

Allows 21 more rushing yards a game than the offenses it has faced usually gain.

Ollie Gordon II

62% of carries over his last four, 63 scrimmage yds a game.

After taunting foul, Malik Willis told Ollie Gordon he was "dead-ass wrong" ProFootballTalk (RSS), 6 d ago

Cleveland Browns vsTennessee Titans Titans

Allows 19 more rushing yards a game than the offenses it has faced usually gain.

Quinshon Judkins

66% of carries over his last four, 68 scrimmage yds a game.

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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