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RB Strength of Schedule

Tue May 28 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Robinson setup for big season


Using our rules for our money leagues, we came up with a schedule strength ranking for the running back position. We are using our fantasy defenses report to calculate the rankings. This report can be found in all of our leagues under the "reports" heading. We took the schedule of each team and entered the average number of fantasy points allowed to running backs last season from all of their opponents to get our fantasy points allowed number. This is a good indication of the running backs with the most favorable schedules for fantasy scoring for the coming season. Defenses obviously change from year to year, but knowing the running backs that might have the easiest schedule for fantasy is always a good idea when formulating your rankings and draft strategy.

  RB SOS  
1. Green Bay Packers 356.01
2. Houston Texans 361.46
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 361.46
4. Las Vegas Raiders 361.48
5. Seattle Seahawks 362.28
6. Buffalo Bills 363.19
7. Arizona Cardinals 363.76
8. Dallas Cowboys 363.9
9. Jacksonville Jaguars 364.51
10. Washington Commanders 364.86
11. Chicago Bears 364.89
12. Indianapolis Colts 365.41
13. San Francisco 49ers 365.86
14. New Orleans Saints 366.49
15. New York Jets 368.23
16. Detroit Lions 368.49
17. Philadelphia Eagles 369.05
18. Minnesota Vikings 369.06
19. Carolina Panthers 369.88
20. Cleveland Browns 370.34
21. Kansas City Chiefs 371.71
22. New York Giants 372.21
23. Los Angeles Chargers 373.19
24. Denver Broncos 373.32
25. Cincinnati Bengals 373.66
26. Los Angeles Rams 374.09
27. Baltimore Ravens 374.16
28. New England Patriots 375.60
29. Atlanta Falcons 376.19
30. Miami Dolphins 377.49
31. Tennessee Titans 378.2
32. Pittsburgh Steelers 378.72


The two teams with the easiest fantasy schedules for running backs are the Steelers and Titans, which is interesting because both teams could platoon running backs. The Steelers split the work between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. And the Titans are likely to use both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. All four backs could be setup for solid seasons with favorable schedules. It is always scary to take a back that might split work but seeing these positive schedules could make pulling the trigger on them a little easier come draft day. All four could be top flex plays for fantasy teams.

The Dolphins had huge success running the ball last year and could have similar solid production this season with the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs. Devon Achane is really looking good in year two. He is expected to get more work and likely lead the backfield in touches. Raheem Mostert had a career season last year and a great schedule but he carries a little more risk. He is 32 years old and now has rookie Jaylen Wright pushing him for playing time. Just something to keep in mind come draft day.

The Falcons are another team with a top-five favorable running back schedule, making Bijan Robinson a very intriguing pick this year. Robinson had a bit of a disappointing rookie season, but a new coaching staff and really favorable schedule make Robinson a huge breakout candidate. He is moving up draft rankings in a hurry and is capable of finishing first overall in fantasy running back scoring because of his skill set.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a possible rebound candidate. He was slowed by injury last year but is back healthy and with the fifth easiest schedule for running backs. Stevenson has shown in the past he can be a big-time fantasy back. Things are looking up for him this year, making him a good buy-low candidate.

The Packers had the easiest fantasy schedule for quarterbacks but get the toughest for running backs. This isn’t great news for new back Josh Jacobs. It is hard to bet against the productive back, though. You just might want to temper expectations for him this coming year. Jacobs could have a few down weeks, especially for his standards.

The Texans signed Joe Mixon to shore up their running back spot, but he carries some concerns. He wasn’t highly productive the last few seasons besides all his scores and now gets the second toughest schedule for running backs. Plus, the Texans are likely to be a pass heavy team, which could limit his workload a little. Mixon could end up being a boom or bust player.

Tampa also has a unfavorable fantasy schedule for running backs. Rachaad White had a big season last year but padded his numbers because of all his work in the passing game. That might be a similar scenario for him, having a tough time to run with this schedule. The positive for White is he is very good in the passing game. You have to worry about his rushing totals, though.

The Raiders haven’t really settled on a starting running back, but Zamir White is likely to get first shot at the job. That is great news for his fantasy value but the not so great news is his tough fantasy schedule. This could limit the ceiling of White a little. He has risk to begin with because it isn’t 100 percent certain he wins the job. This makes him a bit of a scary pick for fantasy teams.

Kenneth Walker didn’t have quite the breakout second season many hoped but was fairly productive with his work. And the good news is Zach Charbonnet didn’t really put a big dent in his workload. The Seahawks seem happy with Walker as the lead back. The unfortunate news for Walker is he has the fifth toughest fantasy running back schedule. Walker might fail to reach his lofty expectations once again in year three.

We also wanted to look at playoff schedules for fantasy running backs. So we crunched the numbers of all the schedules from Week 14-17, which is the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. We know you have to get to the playoffs first, but knowing the running backs with the easiest playoff schedules doesn’t hurt by any means, especially in the big money contests.

  RB PLAYOFF SOS  
1. San Francisco 49ers 291.43
2. Washington Commanders 325.2
3. Houston Texans 327.8
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 332.03
5. New York Jets 337.57
6. Cleveland Browns 340.8
7. Las Vegas Raiders 341.1
8. Miami Dolphins 348.27
9. Chicago Bears 350.37
10. Buffalo Bills 350.53
11. Arizona Cardinals 352.8
12. Dallas Cowboys 358.87
13. Detroit Lions 359.7
14. New York Giants 365.67
15. Kansas City Chiefs 366.53
16. Green Bay Packers 368.97
17. Seattle Seahawks 370.23
18. Carolina Panthers 377.15
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 378.37
20. Los Angeles Chargers 380.73
21. Jacksonville Jaguars 381
22. Baltimore Ravens 381.43
23. Cincinnati Bengals 383.50
24. Philadelphia Eagles 391.07
25. New England Patriots 397.95
26. Indianapolis Colts 398.40
27. Denver Broncos 399.53
28. Tennessee Titans 401.63
29. Los Angeles Rams 403.92
30. New Orleans Saints 406.33
31. Minnesota Vikings 407.87
32. Atlanta Falcons 422.4

 

There are two teams with a top-five favorable schedule for fantasy running backs for both the regular season and playoffs. Those teams are the Falcons and Titans. Atlanta actually has the easiest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. Robinson was looking good even before hearing this news but looks even better now. He is making a strong case to be the second running back off the board come draft day.

And Pollard and Spears are intriguing running back options with schedules that could produce big for both during the regular season and playoffs. You just have to worry about one back emerging to grab most of the work. If that happens, one of these backs could end up being a bust.

Minnesota has the second easiest playoff schedule for running backs. Aaron Jones has some injury concerns after the last few seasons, but he could be setup for a big workload with an unsettled quarterback situation in Minnesota. Jones has some good upside with his new team, especially during the playoffs.

One other team to mention for the playoff is New Orleans. Alvin Kamara isn’t getting any younger but remains the lead back and still productive. He still seems to have something left in the tank and could be a big fantasy factor for at least one more season, especially when it matters most in the playoffs. He could be a difference maker, having the third easiest fantasy schedule for running backs.

Houston is the lone team in both the top five for the toughest regular season and playoff fantasy running back schedules. This is an obvious concern for Mixon. He is looking more and more like a player you might to avoid come draft day. He might have some big games along the way in this great offense, but you have to wonder about his consistency and playoff performance.

So the top rated fantasy back, Christian McCaffrey, also has the toughest fantasy playoff schedule for running backs. You aren’t fading McCaffrey because of this. He is one of those rare backs that it doesn’t really matter who he plays. McCaffrey will produce. We still think he is the clear No. 1 fantasy back. He can still get it done in the playoffs.

Washington has Brian Robinson and Austin Ekekler likely splitting the work at running back, which hurts both their fantasy values. They also get the second most difficult playoff schedule for running backs. We wouldn’t reach too early for either back because of this.

The Steelers have the easiest fantasy running back schedule during the playoffs but fourth toughest for the playoffs. This is a tough one. Both backs have potential for good things, showing they can co-exist last year and produce well for fantasy teams. You just have to wonder if fading in the playoffs will make all that good work during the regular season all for nothing.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 5

Player Notes
Caleb Williams Oct 7 7:00am CT
Caleb Williams

This Sunday, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams delivered his best performance of the season against the Carolina Panthers. In Week 5, Williams completed 20 of 29 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns while notably avoiding any turnovers. This marks the second time in three weeks that he has thrown for over 300 yards, and it was his third consecutive week without an interception. Williams excelled on passes of at least 15 air yards, completing all four attempts for 108 yards and both touchdowns. Additionally, he demonstrated his mobility with a one-yard touchdown run that was unfortunately called back due to a penalty. The Bears scored 36 points on Sunday, their highest total of the season, indicating that the offense is improving as Williams gains experience. Looking ahead to Week 6, Williams will face a Jaguars defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks (as of Week 5) this season, setting the stage for another potential breakout performance.

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D'Andre Swift Oct 7 7:00am CT
D'Andre Swift

On Sunday, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift delivered a standout performance against the Carolina Panthers. He recorded 21 carries for 73 yards, a touchdown, and two receptions for 47 yards. Swift's most impressive play came on a 42-yard screen pass from Caleb Williams in the second quarter, where he evaded two defenders and maneuvered across the field to set up his one-yard touchdown run. Although Swift could have added to his tally, a one-yard touchdown run was wiped out by an illegal shift penalty, leading to Roschon Johnson scoring from one yard out just two plays later. After struggling with 42 or fewer scrimmage yards in his first three games with the Bears, Swift has surged with 285 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns over the past two weeks. Following a slow start to the season, he is now hitting his stride. The Bears capitalized on the Panthers' weak defense, which struggled to contain their offense. Swift looks poised for another strong outing in Week 6 against the struggling Jaguars defense in London.

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Roschon Johnson Oct 7 7:00am CT
Roschon Johnson

Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson delivered his best performance of the season in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. He rushed ten times for 25 yards and scored two touchdowns. While his yardage may seem modest, his goal-line usage adds significant fantasy appeal. Should D'Andre Swift miss any time, Johnson's role in the offense will likely expand even further. Since Week 3, he has been the clear change-of-pace back, averaging ten touches and a touchdown per game. With bye weeks approaching, having a player like Johnsonwho regularly sees opportunities near the goal linecan be invaluable. Johnson aims to maintain his scoring momentum as he heads into a favorable Week 6 matchup against the struggling Jaguars defense in London.

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D.J. Moore Oct 7 7:00am CT
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore delivered his best performance of the season against his former team, the Carolina Panthers. He caught five passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns, igniting the Bears' scoring with a 34-yard touchdown in the first quarter and adding another 30-yard touchdown reception just before halftime. Moore set a season high in receiving yards, solidifying his status as the clear top target in a Bears receiving corps that also features Keenan Allen and rookie first-round pick Rome Odunze, who collectively managed 73 yards on 12 targets during the game. This marked Moore's first 100-yard game of the season and the sixth since he joined the Bears last year. Notably, it was only the second time he's scored multiple touchdowns in a game with the team. After a slow start to the season, which included a wait until Week 4 to find the end zone, Moore is building a strong connection with quarterback Caleb Williams. This momentum bodes well for Moore as he heads into a favorable Week 6 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Keenan Allen Oct 7 7:00am CT
Keenan Allen

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen had a subdued outing this Sunday against the struggling Carolina Panthers secondary, finishing with just three receptions for 33 yards. Despite setting a season-high in receiving yards, he has yet to deliver a standout performance since joining the Bears. His two-game absence due to a heel injury has undoubtedly impacted his rhythm, but seeing him healthy and back on the field for the last two games is encouraging. While he remains unstartable in fantasy leagues now, there's optimism that he could find his groove in the upcoming matchup against a vulnerable Jaguars defense.

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Rome Odunze Oct 7 7:00am CT
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze had a solid yet modest performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5, catching five passes for 40 yards. He tied with Keenan Allen for second on the team in targets, but DJ Moore remained the clear standout in Chicago's passing attack. Notably, this season, 112 of Odunze's 206 receiving yards came during a Week 3 breakout while Allen was sidelined with a heel injury. As the Bears head into a Week 6 matchup against Jacksonville's struggling secondary, Odunze has the potential to make an impact. However, his low floor is a concern as he competes with Moore and Allen for targets in the offense.

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Cole Kmet Oct 7 7:00am CT
Cole Kmet

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet delivered a solid performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5, recording three catches for 57 yards, including a notable 26-yard reception that showcased his big-play potential. After a slow start to the season, Kmet is starting to find his stride in the offense, averaging five catches and 63 yards over the past three weeks. While he has had one standout game this season, he should be primarily regarded as a reliable fantasy option with a solid floor. Backup Gerald Everett also saw increased involvement, catching two passes for 22 yards. Kmet will look to build on this momentum in a favorable matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6.

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Adonai Mitchell Oct 7 1:30am CT
Adonai Mitchell

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell caught four of his seven targets for 38 yards in the team's 34-37 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Adonai also threw a 24-yard completion to running back Tyler Goodson, and carried the ball once himself for four yards on the ground. Mitchell has seen a significant decrease in snaps upon Josh Downs' return from injury, but HC Shane Steichen is manufacturing ways for him to remain involved in the offense. Mitchell's snap count remains low, logging just 19 in the game. While it is encouraging to see that the Colts want him to remain a part of the offense, Mitchell's low-end opportunity share doesn't make him a reliable weekly option in fantasy right now. That could change in the event of an injury to any of the Colts starting receivers. The former Texas Longhorn is better left on the bench in Week 6 when the Colts take on the Tennessee Titans.

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Josh Downs Oct 7 1:20am CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught nine of his 12 targets for 69 yards in the team's 34-37 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Downs led the team in both receptions and targets, being a consistently reliable target for QB Joe Flacco throughout the matchup. Downs has been the No. 1 option for Flacco through the last two weeks, and it's unclear how much that production might shift should the Colts go back to Anthony Richardson (oblique) in Week 6. That being said, Downs remains a viable flex option in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans, with a slightly higher ceiling if Flacco is once again the starter.

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Michael Pittman Jr. Oct 7 1:20am CT
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught five of his eight targets for 37 yards and a touchdown in the team's 34-37 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pittman opened the scoring for Indy, catching a one-yard touchdown on the team's opening drive. Pittman remained quiet throughout the rest of the matchup, eventually seeing more usage in the second half when the Colts went down by multiple possessions. The touchdown heavily helped Pittman's fantasy production but he did otherwise have an underwhelming performance given the high-scoring affair. Given his favorable target share, the former USC wide out can still be considered a WR2/3 option in Week 6 when the Colts face the Tennessee Titans.

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Alec Pierce Oct 7 1:10am CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce caught all three of his targets for 134 yards and a touchdown in the team's 34-37 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pierce was quiet through the first three quarters of the game, not getting his first reception until five minutes left in the fourth quarter. He then caught a 46-yard pass and followed it up with a 65-yard touchdown grab in the team's final drive. Pierce has put together a few games like this so far this season, catching multiple deep passes, whether from QB Anthony Richardson or Joe Flacco. While his target share remains low in the offense, the third-year receiver has shown the ability to be a trusted deep ball target for both QBs. He can be considered a boom-or-bust option in Week 6 when the Colts take on the Tennessee Titans.

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Joe Flacco Oct 7 1:00am CT
Joe Flacco

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco completed 33 of his 44 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns in the team's 34-37 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Flacco committed no turnovers and also surprisingly ran the ball three times for another 22 yards on the ground. Flacco was nearly perfect in the shootout loss, finding Michael Pittman Jr., Mo-Alie Cox, and Alec Pierce in the endzone throughout the game. The game script heavily favored Flacco's performance, with the Colts facing a two-touchdown deficit with less than six minutes to play in regulation, resulting in an increased passing volume for Indy. It's unclear what the plan is for Indianapolis at quarterback while Anthony Richardson (oblique) recovers from injury. Still, Flacco would remain a strong streaming option if he gets the start again in Week 5. The Colts will face a stingy Titans defense in Week 6, but Flacco would remain firmly on the radar again then should he be named the starter.

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Trey Sermon Oct 7 1:00am CT
Trey Sermon

Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon ran the ball ten times for 38 yards and a touchdown in the team's 34-37 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also grabbed six catches for another 25 yards through the air. Sermon was slated to be the starter in Jonathan Taylor's (ankle) absence and was able to string together a productive fantasy outing as a result. Sermon saw a ten-to-five split in carries with running back Tyler Goodson, indicating there will be a noteworthy split in opportunities between the two in Taylor's absence. The former Ohio State Buckeye remains a viable option with Taylor out but will be in for a tougher matchup in Week 6 when the Colts face the Tennessee Titans.

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George Kittle Oct 7 1:00am CT
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle continued his hot streak by putting up 16.4 half-PPR points on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to avoid a 24-23 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The colorful former Hawkeye hauled in eight of a co-team-high 12 targets for 64 yards and a touchdown. Kittle's day could have been even better if he had caught a tough first-quarter red-zone target and avoided an unforced drop on a 14-yard target later on. Historically, Kittle has been boom-or-bust but his fantasy production has been steady this year, averaging 13 half-PPR points per game with a low of six points, which came in Week 1. Kittle will be a top choice at tight end in Week 6 when the 49ers face the Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday Night Football.

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Jaleel McLaughlin Oct 7 12:50am CT
Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin only had six carries for 22 yards rushing (3.67 yards per carry) in the 38-14 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5. It was more of the same for McLaughlin in the fifth game of the season, but he did manager to salvage his fantasy day somewhat for those that used him in a flex spot in deeper leagues with three catches on his four targets for three yards and his second touchdown of the year. The touchdown was nice for the 24-year-old, but it came on a day in which backfield mate Javonte Williams led the team in both rushing and receiving as their primary offense weapon. McLaughlin has scored twice and Williams is still searching for his first score, but he's the clear No. 2 in an offense that finally broke out for the first time in five weeks. He was out-touched 18 to nine by Williams. In a Week 6 matchup against a tougher defense in the Los Angeles Chargers, McLaughlin will be tough to trust in a flex spot.

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Courtland Sutton Oct 7 12:50am CT
Courtland Sutton

After scoring his first touchdown of the season in the Week 4 upset win over the New York Jets, Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had a very non-descript day despite the offense breaking out for a season-high 34 points in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Sutton finished with just two catches on five targets for 32 yards. He led all Denver wideouts in targets (five) but was out-produced by both running back Javonte Williams and receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey as quarterback Bo Nix continued to spread the ball around. The 28-year-old didn't have much of a chance to produce for fantasy managers with the Broncos RBs seeing more work in the passing game. Sutton is the clear No. 1 target for Nix, but he hasn't been efficient in 2024 and will continue to be a touchdown-dependent, low-upside WR4/flex in Week 6 against a stout Chargers defense.

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Javonte Williams Oct 7 12:40am CT
Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams still has not found the end zone in 2024, but he managed his best game of the year regardless in the 34-18 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Week 5. Williams had a team-high 13 carries for 61 yards (4.69 yard-per-carry average) while catching a team-high five passes on a team-high six targets for a team-high 50 receiving yards. It was the first time that he has gone over 100 scrimmage yards this year. He out-touched Jaleel McLaughlin 18 to nine and produced 111 scrimmage yards to McLaughlin's 25, but McLaughlin did score for the second time in 2024. The 24-year-old was very efficient and had a long run of 17 yards to take advantage of a great matchup. It was nice to see for Williams' fantasy managers, but he'll once again be a low-upside RB3/flex in a tougher matchup in Week 6 against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers.

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Bo Nix Oct 7 12:30am CT
Bo Nix

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix went 19-for-27 for 206 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the 34-18 win on Sunday in Week 5 to snap a long losing streak to the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Nix also had eight carries for nine yards and his third rushing touchdown in five games. The 24-year-old 12th overall pick certainly improved over his 60-yard performance in the Week 4 win over the New York Jets. Nix and the Broncos were able to open their passing game up as much as they have all year, with his two touchdown tosses (one to Jaleel McLaughlin and one to Josh Reynolds) being a season-high through five weeks. The biggest thing is that Nix has avoided turning the ball over in each of their three wins after throwing four interceptions in the first two weeks. Nix led Denver to a season-high 34 points on Sunday, but he'll once again be a low-end QB2 in fantasy in another divisional game in Week 6 against what has been a stingy Chargers defense.

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Kyren Williams Oct 7 12:10am CT
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams rushed for 102 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries during Sunday's Week 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He also caught a three-yard pass and lost a fumble in the contest. Williams currently owns an eight-game touchdown streak dating back to last season. During that span, he has found the end zone a total of 11 times. The 24-year-old continues to be one of the most reliable touchdown scorers in fantasy football, contributing RB1 value week after week. He should continue to be started in all fantasy leagues when he faces the Las Vegas Raiders on the other side of the Week 6 bye.

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Diontae Johnson Oct 6 11:40pm CT
Diontae Johnson

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson turned six targets into just three catches for 23 yards during Sunday's Week 5 loss to the Chicago Bears. Given that the 25-year-old had 15 catches, 205 yards, and two touchdowns through his first two games with Andy Dalton under center, this performance in Week 5 was a massive disappointment for Johnson's fantasy managers. This wide receiver and quarterback pairing will have a chance to restore their rapport and get the Panthers back in the win column next Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson remains a fringe top-24 fantasy receiver at the moment.

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