- Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots: Carolina fields one of the league’s worst run defenses, while New England fields one of the league’s worst pass defenses.
- Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys: Green Bay’s tight end-coverage unit could prove pivotal.
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Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
The report below identifies fantasy-friendly and unfriendly NFL defenses.
Highlighted statistical variables include success rate allowed, expected points added (EPA) allowed per play, explosive plays allowed, offensive plays allowed per game, offensive pass play rate faced, quarterback pressure rate and blitz rate.
Success rate allowed and EPA per play allowed
Success rate allowed and EPA allowed per play among NFL teams:
The Minnesota Vikings employed a 66.7% neutral game pass-play rate in Week 3, tying for sixth among NFL offenses, with quarterback Carson Wentz and running back Jordan Mason operating as starters. They rank top eight in both success rate (41.7%) and EPA per play (0.041). Among 36 NFL quarterbacks with at least 25 dropbacks, Wentz’s 63.9 PFF passing grade ranks 22nd. Among 32 NFL running backs with at least 25 rushing attempts, Mason’s 82.2 PFF rushing grade ranks third.
Among NFL offenses, the Pittsburgh Steelers boast above-average marks in both EPA per play and shifts and motion percentage. Among defenses, Pittsburgh ranks and/or ties for bottom-four in success rate allowed, explosive pass play allowed and explosive run plays allowed. The Vikings’ defense, conversely, ranks top two in blitz rate, quarterback pressure rate and EPA allowed per play, though it ties for the fifth-most explosive run plays allowed.
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