Sorry folks, no pearls of wisdom on the week that was. I’m all business this week. Why you ask? Well, it’s probably not because I was chopped in the Razzball Guillotine league after Woody Marks put up a dreadful 2.40. Did I tell you I lost by “only” 3.30? Well, I did and it sucks. I also lost out on a nice prop bet on Monday Night, ironically, right after Travis Kelce’s last receptions sealed my fate in the G league. So, yea I’m not in a whimsical mood. I just want to put that week behind me and move one.
This week, the Zone vs. Gap data is drawing from Weeks 1 – 5. The numbers are averaged through the 5 games, so it gives us a good range of data to draw our conclusions from. Should be good. Let’s find out.
As always, you can view the Defensive Zone vs. Gap splits HERE and the RB Zone vs. Gap splits HERE. I’ll add the former table to the bottom of this article. For RB-specific numbers, go to the tool. Remember, it’s FREE!
Also, if you want a short refresher (or tutorial, if you’re new to this tool) on the table, simply go back to my previous article HERE.
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Review of Week 5 Analysis
Zone Matchups:
- San Francisco 49ers (vs. Los Angeles Rams), and
- Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
- Analysis: “The top two Zone matchups include every week starters. The 49ers (#1 ranked Zone Offense) and Christian McCaffrey (77% Zone) draw the Rams (#2 ranked Zone Defense). Coming in close behind, the Raiders (#2 ranked Zone Offense) and Ashton Jeanty (66% Zone) match up with the Colts (#23 ranked Zone Defense). I don’t need to say any more here to convince you to start both.”
- Result: McCaffrey’s Zone rushing was right on track (77%) but he only averaged 2.6 yards per carry. That’s not great. He did most of his damage in the passing game, which is to be expected. In the other game, Jeanty also hit his Zone mark (64%) and averaged 4.8 yards per carry. That’s the rushing average we’d expect with these matchups. So, one out of two here.
- Indianapolis Colts (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
- Analysis: “A Zone matchup I’m a little cautious on is the Colts (#18 ranked Zone offense) vs. the Raiders (#5 ranked Zone defense). To be clear, I’m not suggesting you sit Jonathan Taylor (51% Zone), just don’t go in expecting a huge game. To close the loop on this, the Raiders Defense is about league-average vs. Gap rushing so they’re no slouches there either.”
- Result: Taylor ran for only 66 yards, which was a 3.9 yards per carry average. He primarily ran behind Gap blocking (76%, compared to 24% Zone) so as predicted, the Raiders did a good job keeping him in check.
Gap Matchups:
- Arizona Cardinals (vs. Tennessee Titans):
- Analysis: “Arizona (#1 ranked Gap Offense) draws the best matchup of the week against the Titans (28thranked Gap Defense). Will Trey Benson (69% Gap) be healthy enough to take advantage or will it be Emari Demercado (50% Gap – in very limited action)?”
- Result: Well, at the time I wrote that, Trey Benson wasn’t on IR yet. We all know how that turned out. Instead of Demercado, it was Michael Carter who logged the largest share of carries, carting 78% Gap to take advantage of this nice matchup. He did get into the end zone, which was a fantasy boost, but averaging 2.8 yards per carry was not.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Kansas City Chiefs):
- Analysis: “I’m hesitant to rank Travis Etienne Jr. (46% Gap, 48% Zone) too high in the RB ranks. With half of his production against the #1 Gap ranked Chiefs Defense, we shouldn’t be surprised if he come back down to earth after last week’s 124 yards and TD performance.”
- Result: Pretty much on script. Travis’ rushing breakdown was 33% Gap and 58% Zone for a total of just 49 yards. Pretty disappointing ground day for his fantasy owners, especially after not getting either goal line carry (thanks Sunshine!) but I doubt anyone in the Jags locker room is complaining too much this week. It did cost me a real nice MNF parlay though…but I digress.
So, some mixed results last week but generally we saw good correlation. On to Week 6.
Week 6 Matchups
Zone Matchups
There’s a pattern with these top Zone matchups this week, see if you can spot it.
- The numeral uno Zone matchups this week is the Falcons (#2 ranked Zone Offense) versus the Bills (#23 ranked Zone Defense). On the flip side, the Gap matchup for ATL vs. BUF is ranked #30. That shouldn’t be a problem because both Bijan Robinson (70% Zone, 28% Gap) and Tyler Allgeier (67% Zone, 30% Gap) excel in the former. If you’re hurting at RB, starting Allgeier in a deep league may not be the worst play. That’s why he gets “Featured Image” treatment this week! Don’t let me down Space Vulture.
- Next on the Zone matchup, coming in at #1A for the week, is Seattle (#4 ranked Zone Offense) versus Jacksonville (#25 ranked Zone Defense). Once again, the Gap matchup is flopped, coming in at #28. Have no fear, Kenneth Walker III (54% Zone, 44 Gap) and especially Zach Charbonnet (75% Zone, 21% Gap) should feast under the proper game plan.
- Although not #1C, Detroit (#9 ranked Zone offense) versus Kansas City (#29 ranked Zone defense) looks like another Zone winner…and if you haven’t guessed yet, the Gap matchup is the opposite, coming in at #29. So, what does that mean for Lions RBs, you ask? Jahmyr Gibbs’ rushing slight favors Zone (51% Zone, 44% Gap) but David Montgomery looks like the better play (64% Zone, 34% Gap). If you’re playing DFS or making a parlay, maybe look to the latter.
Gap Matchups
- Tampa Bay (#3 ranked Gap Offense) draws the best matchup of the week against the 49ers (#30 ranked Gap Defense). The only question is, will Bucky Irving (68% Gap) return or will it be another Rachaad White (57% Gap) week?
- I really like the Los Angeles Rams (#6 ranked Gap Offense) versus the floundering Baltimore (#19 ranked Zone Defense) as well. Since the Rams perform much better on the ground behind Gap blocking, perhaps they should bump up Kyren Williams (54% Gap) usage accordingly.
- In this same game, Baltimore (#14 ranked Gap Offense) limps in versus a stout Rams squad (#5 ranked Zone Defense). If the Ravens continue to split Henry’s runs evenly (48% Gap, 52% Zone), it may be another long afternoon for his fantasy owners.
That’s All Folks
Do you take advantage of all our free tools? If you don’t, why not? All of the RazzballNFL staff is here to help so get on the ball. Be sure to read our daily articles and especially join us on gameday morning for the Razzball Sunday Start/Sit show. We had another great turnout last Sunday with excellent (i.e., tough) lineup questions to talk through. Keep bringing it!
As always, the show airs LIVE on the Razzball YouTube channel this Sunday from 11:00 am EDT (8:00 PDT) right up right up to gametime. Sky – @SkyGuasco, Matt – @Stiles08, Dave – @Crewser128, Jeff – @Jefferson__21 and I will be there to answer all your fantasy football questions. Don’t miss it.
As always, look for my articles right here each week and be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @Derek_Favret. I’m also on BlueSky as well (@dfavret.bsky.social).
Until next time, my friends.
| Download Table as CSV | |||
| Note: Filters and sorting in the table below apply to the output | |||
| # | Team | Def_Designed Rush Yds/Gm | Def Zone Yds/Gm | Def Gap Yds/Gm | Def Zone% | Def Gap% | Def Undesigned Scr Yds/Gm | Next Opponent | Off Rush Yds/Gm | Off Zone% | Off Gap% | Off Scr% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARZ | 103 | 57.8 | 37.6 | 54% | 36% | 0 | LA | 118 | 43% | 52% | 3% | |
| ATL | 107 | 30.4 | 72.5 | 38% | 57% | 0 | SEA | 117 | 58% | 37% | 1% | |
| BLT | 77 | 34.1 | 39.1 | 47% | 48% | 0 | PIT | 86 | 62% | 34% | 1% | |
| BUF | 111 | 56.0 | 45.1 | 53% | 38% | 0 | CIN | 115 | 49% | 41% | 1% | |
| CAR | 142 | 85.3 | 51.2 | 61% | 36% | 0 | BYE | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
| CHI | 101 | 58.6 | 35.3 | 63% | 31% | 0 | GB | 98 | 55% | 43% | 0% | |
| CIN | 139 | 77.3 | 45.7 | 59% | 33% | 0 | BUF | 137 | 51% | 44% | 1% | |
| CLV | 94 | 46.3 | 34.5 | 51% | 35% | 0 | TEN | 56 | 41% | 42% | 2% | |
| DAL | 81 | 25.0 | 47.3 | 36% | 50% | 0 | DET | 141 | 57% | 40% | 1% | |
| DEN | 78 | 32.5 | 37.2 | 43% | 46% | 0 | LV | 39 | 55% | 30% | 2% | |
| DET | 92 | 48.8 | 34.4 | 52% | 40% | 0 | DAL | 107 | 58% | 31% | 6% | |
| GB | 107 | 58.0 | 44.3 | 55% | 41% | 0 | CHI | 137 | 60% | 34% | 4% | |
| HST | 67 | 31.6 | 29.3 | 43% | 43% | 0 | KC | 90 | 65% | 24% | 4% | |
| IND | 87 | 50.1 | 28.0 | 54% | 32% | 0 | JAX | 101 | 50% | 38% | 3% | |
| JAX | 60 | 21.5 | 33.7 | 36% | 55% | 0 | IND | 119 | 41% | 50% | 3% | |
| KC | 70 | 36.0 | 28.8 | 54% | 38% | 0 | HST | 92 | 32% | 56% | 3% | |
| LV | 118 | 61.3 | 43.4 | 52% | 37% | 0 | DEN | 93 | 32% | 58% | 1% | |
| LA | 85 | 51.4 | 29.1 | 61% | 33% | 0 | ARZ | 72 | 26% | 68% | 3% | |
| LAC | 87 | 44.3 | 34.1 | 55% | 37% | 0 | PHI | 98 | 49% | 41% | 1% | |
| MIA | 84 | 45.7 | 31.6 | 57% | 36% | 0 | NYJ | 93 | 58% | 34% | 5% | |
| MIN | 112 | 63.1 | 41.9 | 58% | 37% | 0 | WAS | 90 | 40% | 50% | 8% | |
| NE | 75 | 45.2 | 26.6 | 57% | 38% | 0 | BYE | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
| NO | 137 | 73.2 | 54.4 | 53% | 42% | 0 | TB | 89 | 44% | 51% | 0% | |
| NYG | 159 | 68.2 | 73.5 | 45% | 46% | 0 | BYE | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
| NYJ | 110 | 59.0 | 40.9 | 51% | 41% | 0 | MIA | 137 | 49% | 44% | 2% | |
| PHI | 105 | 69.0 | 32.5 | 58% | 37% | 0 | LAC | 93 | 43% | 40% | 6% | |
| PIT | 103 | 55.3 | 40.7 | 53% | 38% | 0 | BLT | 114 | 61% | 30% | 2% | |
| SEA | 71 | 28.7 | 37.3 | 43% | 51% | 0 | ATL | 105 | 76% | 18% | 2% | |
| SF | 91 | 36.9 | 39.8 | 37% | 49% | 0 | BYE | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
| TB | 91 | 41.2 | 45.7 | 44% | 48% | 0 | NO | 53 | 67% | 24% | 6% | |
| TEN | 95 | 42.6 | 35.4 | 42% | 42% | 0 | CLV | 74 | 45% | 48% | 3% | |
| WAS | 129 | 58.0 | 60.2 | 44% | 48% | 0 | MIN | 81 | 49% | 45% | 1% | |
| NFL | 99 | 49.8 | 41.0 | 50% | 41% | 0 | NFL | 98 | 51% | 41% | 3% |
