Go here for this week's Passing Matchups
Top 5 Rushing Matchups
Minnesota vs Chicago
The Vikings rushing attack has gotten off to a slow start this season, as they are surprisingly in the bottom third of the NFL with just 98 yards per rushing through four weeks. Not helping matters, Dalvin Cook suffered a shoulder injury in Week 3 but was able to play through the injury in Week 4 against the Saints in London. Minnesota limited some of Cook’s workload by incorporating Alexander Mattison more on third downs. Cook should be able to play through his shoulder injury but is a risk for in-game aggravation. Cook was limited in Week 2 to only six carries because of the injury but has 20, 17, and 20 in his three other games.
The Bears have not been able to stop anyone on the ground this season. On the year, Chicago has given up the most rushing yards in the league (183.3) while allowing 5.1 yards-per-carry. The Bears gave up the ninth-most rushing yards in the league in 2021 (125.1 per game) and have gotten worse under new Head Coach Matt Eberflus. Chicago faced San Francisco with both Trey Lance and Deebo Samuel gaining more 50 yards apiece in Week 1. Since then, they have also given up a combined 193 yards on 33 carries to the Packers in Week 2 along with 146 yards to Saquon Barkley in Week 4. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been one of their best early-season run defenders but has missed the past two games while Linebacker Roquan Smith has been one of the worst run-stoppers in football.
Jacksonville vs Houston
Week 4 was the first week James Robinson did not dominate the workload in the backfield, as he and Travis Etienne each had eight carries. The game was influenced by the negative game script and horrendous weather in Philadelphia, which allowed Etienne to be involved in a way the positive game scripts against the Colts (week 2) and Chargers (Week 3) did not. Jacksonville is favored and should benefit from a more Robinson-friendly game script in Week 5 against Houston.
Houston’s run defense has been horrendous to start the season. The Texans have allowd the up the second most rushing yards on the season (172) while surrendering the most missed tackles in the league (36). In 2022, there have been four 150-yard rushing performances by running backs, and the Texans have surrendered two of them, surrendering 157 to Khalil Herbert in Week 3 and 161 to Jonathan Taylor in Week 1. The Texans surrendered a season-best performance to Austin Ekeler in the form of 13 carries, 60 yards, and two touchdowns, despite a banged-up Chargers offensive line. Houston may be without one of their top run-stoppers as linebacker Blake Cashman left Week 4 with a head injury so his progression through the protocol is a monitor. Houston’s linebacker core is in troubling shape as Kevin Pierre-Lewis is on injured reserve and Kamu Grugier-Hill is performing as one of the worst run defenders in the league.
New England vs Detroit
New England’s rushing attack is an efficient albeit frustrating group given the true committee approach between Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. New England ranks 10th in rushing yards on the season (514) and ninth in carries (114). New England’s offense is in flux, as Mac Jones missed Week 4 with an ankle sprain before Brian Hoyer exited the game with a concussion. If rookie Bailey Zappe starts in Week 5, the Patriots will likely lean heavily on the running game. The committee approach is difficult to figure out as both Harris and Stevenson have at least eight carries in every game this season, and while Harris has out-carried Stevenson in three of the four games this year, it is Stevenson who is leading from a snap count perspective at 51% to Harris’ 40%. This offensive line has underperformed so far in the 2022 season compared to expectations, but expect players such as Isaiah Wynn and David Andrews to get back to the high-level play that we are accustomed to.
Detroit is the third team in the trio of run defenses seemingly incapable of stopping the run. On the year, Detroit has allowed the third most rushing yards per game on the season (165.5) and is fresh off surrendering 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Rashaad Penny on 17 carries in Week 4. If there has been a bright spot on this defense, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez has been one of their best run defenders. Outside of Rodriguez, the Lions defense is seemingly depleted of talent as the defensive line has been extremely disappointing as they are severely undersized in their Nickel formation, often forcing Julian Okwara to play a defensive tackle position at just 235 pounds. Safety Tracy Walker was placed on injured reserve with a leg injury which opened up snaps for safety Kerby Joseph who really struggled in Week 4. Cornerback Amani Oruwariye went out late in the game with a neck injury so his injury status will be a key to monitor during the week.
Continue reading this content with a PRO subscription.
"Footballguys is the best premium
fantasy football
only site on the planet."
Matthew Berry, NBC Sports EDGE
