2016 Fantasy Football: Running Backs Matchup Chart





By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
Follow @walterfootball for updates.

Each week, I will provide our loyal readers with a matchup chart for each NFL position. To start the season, I’ll be using last year’s stats, but will combine them and wean off of them as the season gets going.

Check out the other positions: Quarterback | Wide Receiver | Tight End

My method is to rank each defense in different categories and then average those rankings into a single ranking. So below, you will see how well defenses performed against quarterbacks based on completion percentage allowed, passing yards allowed, touchdown passes allowed and so on and so forth. Remember, the numbers are how they ranked in that category. The higher the ranking the worse the defense performed.

So as you can see in the chart, Indianapolis ranks the worst against running backs and Tennessee the best through one week.



The stats here are only for the first game of the season, so are extremely skewed, but as long as we go into it with that knowledge, I feel we can look at them with clear eyes, full hearts and our losing, it won’t happen.

C.J. Anderson can’t ask for a better matchup after pummeling the Panthers last Thursday. The Colts were thrashed by the Lions running backs, who gained 229 total yards and score four touchdowns, two by ground and two by air – and ground. Anderson ran and caught two touchdowns last week, and he should be used extensively in both avenues this week. He’s my No. 1 running back this week.

Miller saw 10 more touches last week than he’s ever had in a NFL game, so I think we can feel secure in his usage, while Kansas City is coming off a win against the Chargers, but not before giving up 177 total yards and three touchdowns to Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead. I expect the Chiefs to get better, but they could be on the decline, and Miller will test that notion this week. He’s a must-start of course, but he has Top-3 upside even against Kansas City.



Rashad Jennings touched the ball 19 times against the Cowboys last week in a game that Dallas slowed down considerably. This week, there won’t be much pumping of the breaks as these two teams matchup. The Saints allowed 202 total yards and three rushing touchdowns to the Raiders last week, and I expect Jennings to get himself a touchdown this week.

Ezekiel Elliott had a rough go of it against the Giants Week 1, but he also saw many stacked boxes as the Giants weren’t worrying about Dak Prescott beating them deep after his 37th check-down. DeAngelo Williams gashed Washington last Monday, and I expect Elliott to have a bit more room as they figure out how to get Dez Bryant the ball.

DEPRunning BacksTmOppR/GRuY/GYPCRuTD/GRe/GReY/GReTD/GT/GTotYdFPPGFP/lookTDsFOAvg
RB1C.J. AndersonDENIND1624272730303127323232322928.4
RB2Devontae BookerDENIND1624272730303127323232322928.4
RB1Lamar MillerHOUKC2930242714162715263028283024.9
RB2Tyler ErvinHOUKC2930242714162715263028283024.9
RB1Rashad JenningsNYGNO193232311921115293131283124.6
RB2Shane VereenNYGNO193232311921115293131283124.6
RB1Carlos HydeSF@CAR1927292714232711282930282024.0
RB2Shaun DraughnSF@CAR1927292714232711282930282024.0
RB1Ezekiel ElliottDAL@WAS283126271914124262823263223.5
RB1Chris IvoryJAX@SD21325163232132312629132521.3
RB2T.J. YeldonJAX@SD21325163232132312629132521.3
RB1DeAngelo WilliamsPITCIN2529281242612930231412419.6
RB1Arian FosterMIA@NE72130161921120232224132718.8
RB2Damien WilliamsMIA@NE72130161921120232224132718.8
RB1Jeremy LangfordCHIPHI41931162423124182026132118.5
RB2Ka’Deem CareyCHIPHI41931162423124182026132118.5
RB1Thomas RawlsSEA@LA3223103110917162722282218.3
RB2Christine MichaelSEA@LA3223103110917162722282218.3
RB1Latavius MurrayOAKATL17149128262720182020131117.2
RB1Devonta FreemanATL@OAK111517119192729111918131516.5
RB2Tevin ColemanATL@OAK111517119192729111918131516.5
RB1Justin ForsettBAL@CLE3128201621117242417131916.4
RB2Terrance WestBAL@CLE3128201621117242417131916.4
RB1Eddie LacyGB@MIN82412428312414252526116.4
RB2James StarksGB@MIN82412428312414252526116.4
RB1LeGarrette BlountNEMIA272214119191202215611013.6
RB2James WhiteNEMIA272214119191202215611013.6
RB1Doug MartinTB@ARI19171116141711513161313913.4
RB2Charles SimsTB@ARI19171116141711513161313913.4
RB1DeMarco MurrayTEN@DET61018128251271461012313.1
RB1Matt JonesWASDAL192523110131152114811813.0
RB2Chris ThompsonWASDAL192523110131152114811813.0
RB1David JohnsonARITB1113130311292518151212.9
RB1Mark IngramNO@NYG26208162817101712131612.0
RB2C.J. SpillerNO@NYG26208162817101712131612.0
RB1Jeremy HillCIN@PIT1422168121161127132611.4
RB2Giovani BernardCIN@PIT1422168121161127132611.4
RB1Matt ForteNYJ@BUF18161212418120125411211.1
RB2Bilal PowellNYJ@BUF18161212418120125411211.1
RB1Ryan MathewsPHI@CHI3026151147111171031811.1
RB2Darren SprolesPHI@CHI3026151147111171031811.1
RB1Todd GurleyLASEA44711029115201319149.8
RB1Adrian PetersonMINGB193116101511171291369.5
RB2Jerick McKinnonMINGB193116101511171291369.5
RB1Jamaal CharlesKC@HOU81013162414591613179.1
RB2Spencer WareKC@HOU81013162414591613179.1
RB1Isaiah CrowellCLEBAL11861614511138111358.6
RB2Duke JohnsonCLEBAL11861614511138111358.6
RB1LeSean McCoyBUFNYJ2919162214262113148.5
RB2Mike GillisleeBUFNYJ2919162214262113148.5
RB1Frank GoreIND@DEN151821122118351288.2
RB1Melvin GordonSDJAX81216129119471136.5
RB2Danny WoodheadSDJAX81216129119471136.5
RB1Jonathan StewartCARSF117518617422174.8
RB1Ameer AbdullahDETTEN196211114111133.2
RB2Theo RiddickDETTEN196211114111133.2
RB3Zach ZennerDETTEN196211114111133.2


Key

R/G: Rushing attempts allowed per game to running backs
RuY/G: Rushing yards allowed per game to running backs
YPC: Yards per rushing attempt allowed to running backs
RuTD/G: Rushing touchdowns allowed per game to running backs
Re/G: Receptions allowed per game to running backs
ReY/G: Receiving yards allowed per game to running backs
ReTD/G: Receiving touchdowns allowed per game to running backs
T/G: Receiving targets allowed to running backs per game
TotYd: Total yards (rushing+receiving) allowed to running backs per game
FPPG: Fantasy points allowed per game to running backs
FP/Look: Fantasy points allowed per look (target+rush attempt)
TotTD: Total combinded receiving/rushing touchdowns
FO: Football Outsiders ranking for rush defense
Avg: Average of listed rankings


For more recommendations, check out WalterFootball.com’s Fantasy Football Rankings.











More 2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings

2016 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/7 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/15 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/15 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/13 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/27 (Chet)



2016 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 9/1 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/31 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Real Draft - 8/29 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/25 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 8/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/24 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/13 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/11 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/4 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 8/2 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/28 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 7/21 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Draft - 5/13 (Chet)



2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football PPR Rankings - 8/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)

2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
2016 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 9/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/4 (Walt)
2016 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Preseason Quarterback Targets - 9/2 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Targets - 8/31 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/31 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Auction Advice - 8/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Daily Fantasy Preseason Week 2 Streaming Options - 8/18 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends - 8/17 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Draft Queue: Quarterbacks and Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Training Camp Notes - 8/10 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers to Avoid - 8/6 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Running Backs to Avoid - 8/5 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Notes - 7/26 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Wide Receiver Targets - 7/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Late-Round Running Back Targets - 7/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football ADP Values - 7/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: C.J. Anderson Profile - 7/7 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Favorite MFL Players - 6/29 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout: Chip Kelly - 6/23 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Marvin Jones Profile - 6/22 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Devin Funchess Profile - 6/15 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football 2-QB Draft - 6/9 (Chet)
Fantasy Football Beginner's Guide - 6/7 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Drafting and ADP - 6/3 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Drafting and ADP - 6/1 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Eli Manning Profile - 5/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Jordan Matthews Profile - 5/24 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Rookie Dynasty Draft Wrap-up - 5/18 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football: 2016 NFL Draft Fallout - 5/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Quarterback Values - 4/30 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 Wide Receiver Values - 4/28 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Tight End Strength of Schedule - 4/25 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Strength of Schedule - 4/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Running Back Strength of Schedule - 4/20 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Strength of Schedule - 4/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: MFL 10 - 2/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Philip Rivers - 2/16 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football: Quarterback ADP vs. Reality - 2/12 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Marshawn Lynch Retires - 2/11 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Fallout: Calvin Johnson Retires - 2/9 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Dynasty - 1/21 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Tight Ends - 1/19 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Wide Receivers - 1/14 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Running Backs - 1/13 (Chet)
2016 Fantasy Football Forecast: Quarterbacks - 1/12 (Chet)






NFL Picks - Oct. 3


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Oct. 2


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4


NFL Power Rankings - Aug. 28