NFL Defense vs Running Backs: Every Team Ranked (2026)
In the 2026 regular season, the Las Vegas Raiders allow the most rushing yards to running backs, 132.1 per game, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allow the fewest, 66.4. Every defense below is ranked for what it allows to running backs: rank 1 is the toughest and 32 the softest.
Every NFL defense vs running backs, softest first
Per game this regular season. The small number is the team's rank: 1 toughest, 32 softest.
| Team | GP | RUSH YDS | RUSH TD | CARRIES | YDS/CAR | REC YDS | REC | TGT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Raiders | 9 | 132.132 | 1.0026 | 25.330 | 5.232 | 30.615 | 3.68 | 4.01 |
| Cleveland Browns | 9 | 115.131 | 0.7819 | 23.620 | 4.931 | 18.03 | 3.68 | 4.98 |
| New Orleans Saints | 8 | 113.430 | 1.3831 | 24.426 | 4.728 | 36.624 | 4.619 | 5.517 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 9 | 112.829 | 1.0026 | 23.722 | 4.829 | 25.38 | 4.417 | 5.312 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 9 | 111.728 | 0.8923 | 23.219 | 4.830 | 40.727 | 3.46 | 5.09 |
| Carolina Panthers | 8 | 110.527 | 1.3831 | 24.023 | 4.626 | 27.610 | 4.619 | 5.922 |
| New York Jets | 9 | 110.326 | 0.7819 | 26.431 | 4.218 | 28.412 | 3.46 | 4.75 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 9 | 109.125 | 0.8923 | 23.620 | 4.627 | 30.916 | 5.127 | 7.129 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 9 | 108.924 | 0.6714 | 26.832 | 4.114 | 17.42 | 3.12 | 4.33 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 8 | 105.523 | 1.0026 | 25.129 | 4.219 | 21.55 | 3.45 | 5.414 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 8 | 103.922 | 0.6312 | 24.124 | 4.323 | 20.64 | 3.01 | 4.54 |
| Miami Dolphins | 8 | 103.621 | 0.506 | 24.527 | 4.220 | 36.423 | 4.925 | 5.820 |
| Tennessee Titans | 8 | 99.920 | 0.7516 | 24.325 | 4.116 | 35.022 | 4.113 | 5.09 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 9 | 99.619 | 0.569 | 25.128 | 4.013 | 33.719 | 3.33 | 4.87 |
| Denver Broncos | 9 | 98.218 | 0.569 | 22.315 | 4.424 | 44.230 | 5.127 | 6.928 |
| Houston Texans | 8 | 94.817 | 0.7516 | 22.817 | 4.217 | 23.37 | 4.619 | 5.922 |
| Green Bay Packers | 9 | 93.216 | 1.2230 | 22.716 | 4.115 | 34.320 | 4.618 | 5.719 |
| New York Giants | 9 | 90.715 | 0.445 | 21.311 | 4.321 | 21.76 | 3.33 | 4.01 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 8 | 88.414 | 0.7516 | 19.86 | 4.525 | 32.317 | 4.416 | 5.414 |
| New England Patriots | 9 | 83.713 | 0.6714 | 21.19 | 4.012 | 28.813 | 3.710 | 4.75 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 9 | 81.612 | 1.0026 | 22.818 | 3.66 | 17.21 | 4.012 | 5.618 |
| Washington Commanders | 9 | 79.311 | 0.8923 | 21.210 | 3.79 | 34.821 | 4.722 | 6.726 |
| Buffalo Bills | 8 | 77.610 | 0.8822 | 20.67 | 3.810 | 40.626 | 5.830 | 8.432 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 9 | 77.09 | 0.221 | 21.712 | 3.64 | 45.031 | 5.329 | 6.827 |
| Chicago Bears | 9 | 76.68 | 0.569 | 17.91 | 4.322 | 38.825 | 4.214 | 5.312 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 8 | 73.37 | 0.6312 | 21.814 | 3.42 | 42.529 | 4.823 | 5.922 |
| Detroit Lions | 8 | 72.36 | 0.506 | 18.42 | 3.911 | 28.411 | 3.911 | 5.09 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 8 | 71.55 | 0.252 | 20.88 | 3.43 | 41.928 | 6.832 | 7.831 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 | 70.04 | 0.384 | 19.65 | 3.65 | 46.932 | 5.830 | 7.430 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 9 | 69.93 | 0.7819 | 21.712 | 3.21 | 27.19 | 4.824 | 5.821 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 8 | 68.32 | 0.506 | 18.64 | 3.78 | 32.618 | 5.026 | 6.025 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 9 | 66.41 | 0.333 | 18.43 | 3.67 | 29.114 | 4.315 | 5.416 |
Softest and toughest defenses vs running backs
- Most rushing yards allowed: the Las Vegas Raiders (132.1); toughest, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (66.4).
- Most rushing touchdowns allowed: the Carolina Panthers (1.38); toughest, the Los Angeles Rams (0.22).
- Most carries allowed: the Philadelphia Eagles (26.8); toughest, the Chicago Bears (17.9).
- Most yards per carry allowed: the Las Vegas Raiders (5.2); toughest, the Seattle Seahawks (3.2).
- Most receiving yards allowed: the Pittsburgh Steelers (46.9); toughest, the Baltimore Ravens (17.2).
- Most receptions allowed: the San Francisco 49ers (6.8); toughest, the Minnesota Vikings (3.0).
- Most targets allowed: the Buffalo Bills (8.4); toughest, the Las Vegas Raiders (4.0).
Using defense vs running backs on a player prop
Start with the player: his snaps, his targets or carries, and his line. Then check his opponent here. A defense near the bottom for rushing yards allowed to running backs has given up more than most to players in his spot this season, a reason to look closer at an over; a defense near the top is the opposite.
It is one input, not a pick. A season is still a small sample in the early weeks, the quarterbacks a defense has faced shape its numbers, and injuries change both sides. The Coverage Engine and Rush IQ go deeper on how each defense plays.
How this is counted
Every regular season play is credited to the position of the player who made it and to the defense he faced, then added up and divided by that defense's games. Rates such as yards per target come from the season totals. The table is rebuilt from the play by play after the games are played.
NFL defense vs running backs: questions
- Which NFL team allows the most rushing yards to running backs?
- The Las Vegas Raiders, 132.1 per game in 2026. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allow the fewest, 66.4.
- Which NFL team allows the most rushing touchdowns to running backs?
- The Carolina Panthers, 1.38 per game in 2026. The Los Angeles Rams allow the fewest, 0.22.
- Which NFL team allows the most carries to running backs?
- The Philadelphia Eagles, 26.8 per game in 2026. The Chicago Bears allow the fewest, 17.9.
- Which NFL team allows the most receiving yards to running backs?
- The Pittsburgh Steelers, 46.9 per game in 2026. The Baltimore Ravens allow the fewest, 17.2.
- How is NFL defense vs position counted?
- From the play by play of every regular season game: each play's yards, catches and touchdowns are credited to the position of the player who made it, and added up for the defense he faced. The table divides by games played. Rank 1 is the toughest defense and 32 the softest; for interceptions, more ranks tougher.
- Is this table free?
- Yes. The table is free to read. The Prop Detailer's cheat sheets read the same defense numbers for the week's games.