How are these matchup ratings calculated?

Each defense is ranked by the PPR fantasy points it has allowed to a position per game this 2026 season to date. Rank 1 is the softest matchup (allows the most), so a rank-1 defense is the one to target and a bottom-ranked defense is the one to fade.

What is a good matchup to target?

Green rows are the softest matchups: those defenses are giving up the most fantasy points to that position, which is where streamers and boom plays pay off. Red rows are the toughest defenses to attack.

Why are early-season samples small?

Ratings use only games played so far this season, so through the first few weeks the sample is small and can swing week to week. The week count is shown above; weight it accordingly and lean on talent and volume early on.

NFL Defense vs Position

Which defenses to target and which to fade, by position, based on the PPR fantasy points each has allowed this season. Through 8 weeks of the 2026 season. These tables are sorted by points allowed, so the defense at number 1 is the weakest against that position and the one to attack. That is the opposite of a normal power ranking. Green means target, red means fade.

Softest	Defense	Pts/Gm allowed	Matchup	Games
1	DET	24.2	TARGET	7
2	WSH	20.0	TARGET	7
3	LV	19.8	TARGET	8
4	MIA	19.7

Defense vs Running Backs (vs RB)

Softest	Defense	Pts/Gm allowed	Matchup	Games
1	NO	27.6	TARGET	7
2	CAR	27.0	TARGET	7
3	ATL	25.2	TARGET	8
4	GB	23.2	TARGET	8
5	TEN	23.2	TARGET	8
6	HOU	22.7	TARGET	7
7	LAC	22.2	TARGET	7
8	BUF	21.9	TARGET	7
9	DEN	21.1		8
10	ARI	20.4		8
11	MIA	20.4		7
12	PIT	20.3		8
13	NYJ	20.1		8
14	LV	19.8		8
15	KC	19.4		7
16	BAL	18.9		9
17	DAL	18.6		8
18	IND	18.6		8
19	WSH	18.5		7
20	MIN	18.4		7
21	JAX	18.1		8
22	DET	17.4		7
23	SF	16.8		7
24	CIN	16.5		7
25	LAR	16.4	FADE	8
26	PHI	16.4	FADE	8
27	TB	15.6	FADE	8
28	NE	15.5	FADE	8
29	NYG	15.3	FADE	7
30	SEA	14.8	FADE	8
31	CHI	13.6	FADE	8
32	CLE	13.3	FADE	8

Defense vs Wide Receivers (vs WR)

Softest	Defense	Pts/Gm allowed	Matchup	Games
1	DET	56.6	TARGET	7
2	BUF	49.5	TARGET	7
3	LV	48.4	TARGET	8
4	TEN	46.9	TARGET	8
5	DAL	44.5	TARGET	8
6	WSH	44.4	TARGET	7
7	CIN	44.2	TARGET	7
8	HOU	44.0	TARGET	7
9	CLE	42.5		8
10	BAL	42.3		9
11	NO	42.1		7
12	CHI	41.5		8
13	JAX	41.3		8
14	PHI	40.9		8
15	ARI	40.7		8
16	CAR	40.5		7
17	GB	40.0		8
18	DEN	39.8		8
19	MIA	39.6		7
20	TB	39.5		8
21	PIT	39.4		8
22	NYJ	39.2		8
23	NE	39.0		8
24	NYG	37.8		7
25	SF	37.4	FADE	7
26	LAR	36.5	FADE	8
27	IND	35.4	FADE	8
28	KC	35.0	FADE	7
29	ATL	34.9	FADE	8
30	LAC	33.4	FADE	7
31	MIN	31.5	FADE	7
32	SEA	24.6	FADE	8

Defense vs Tight Ends (vs TE)

Softest	Defense	Pts/Gm allowed	Matchup	Games
1	WSH	9.3	TARGET	7
2	DET	8.9	TARGET	7
3	ATL	7.8	TARGET	8
4	MIA	7.6	TARGET	7
5	ARI	6.8	TARGET	8
6	SEA	6.8	TARGET	8
7	BUF	6.3	TARGET	7
8	DEN	6.2	TARGET	8
9	LV	6.2		8
10	IND	6.1		8
11	LAC	6.0		7
12	NE	5.7		8
13	KC	5.5		7
14	DAL	5.4		8
15	BAL	5.3		9
16	CIN	4.9		7
17	HOU	4.7		7
18	NO	4.4		7
19	CHI	4.1		8
20	NYG	4.1		7
21	CAR	3.9		7
22	NYJ	3.9		8
23	PHI	3.6		8
24	TB	3.6		8
25	GB	3.5	FADE	8
26	MIN	3.5	FADE	7
27	TEN	3.4	FADE	8
28	CLE	3.3	FADE	8
29	LAR	3.1	FADE	8
30	PIT	2.1	FADE	8
31	JAX	1.9	FADE	8
32	SF	1.5	FADE	7

NFL Defense vs Position

Defense vs Quarterbacks (vs QB)

Defense vs Running Backs (vs RB)

Defense vs Wide Receivers (vs WR)

Defense vs Tight Ends (vs TE)

Matchup ratings FAQ