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The high-scoring areas of the field are the most valuable areas of opportunity for our fantasy football assets. This report will keep track of each team’s top performers in that area of the field, as well as the players getting the most opportunities in the red zone. Adding even more fantasy value to this report, we’ll also include each team’s opponent and their effectiveness when defending in the red zone to identify our best matchups.
Note: Plays called back due to penalties or plays with pre-snap penalties will not be included within the player data.
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ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Arizona Cardinals
- Week 13 opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Total red-zone plays faced: 78 (30th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 40.0% (25th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 42.4% (30th)
Arizona WR/TEs:
Arizona RBs:
- The Buccaneers haven’t spent a ton of time defending the red zone this season, though they do rank bottom three at limiting offensive success rate (41.0%), making them a better matchup to target.
- Bam Knight has handled the large majority of carries in the red zone this season, scoring twice on the ground over the last two weeks. Knight should be the top scoring option on the ground for the Cardinals in a good matchup this week, while Trey McBride continues to find the endzone through the air.
Atlanta Falcons
- Week 13 opponent: New York Jets
- Total red-zone plays faced: 114 (11th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 33.3% (11th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 40.4% (25th)
Atlanta WR/TEs:
Atlanta RBs:
- The Jets’ red-zone defense ranks below average overall at limiting offensive success, showing a particular weakness defending the run, as they are tied for the third-most rushing touchdowns against in the red zone (10).
- Over the last two weeks, Bijan Robinson has carried the ball in the red zone four times compared to Allgeier’s one (although Allgeier scored on his carry), which hasn’t been the norm this season. If Robinson is truly getting those red-zone carries back, then it’s an ideal matchup for him to score against the lowly Jets’ rushing defense.
Baltimore Ravens
- Week 13 opponent: Cincinnati Bengals
- Total red-zone plays faced: 151 (1st)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 45.6% (29th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 27.8% (6th)
Baltimore WR/TEs:
Baltimore RBs:
- Editor’s note: The Ravens’ game was already played on Thursday.
Buffalo Bills
- Week 13 opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
- Total red-zone plays faced: 115 (10th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 27.1% (5th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 36.5% (21st)
Buffalo WR/TEs:
Buffalo RBs:
- The Steelers’ weakness in the red zone has come against the run this season, which has been a strength of the Bills, ranking top five in red-zone rushing success rate (40.0%) and scoring the second-most rushing touchdowns (14) from the red zone.
- James Cook and Josh Allen are the clear best bets to score this week in an ideal rushing matchup. Cook has scored four red-zone rushing touchdowns, while Josh Allen has scored 10 times on the ground in the red zone this season.
Carolina Panthers
- Week 13 opponent: Los Angeles Rams
- Total red-zone plays faced: 110 (14th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 26.2% (2nd)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 28.6% (9th)
Carolina WR/TEs:
Carolina RBs:
- The Rams have been a top-three red-zone defense at limiting offensive success rate this season (27.3%), allowing just 15 red-zone touchdowns, which is tied for the second-fewest.
- With the Panthers’ red-zone success rate coming in well below average (31.2%), it’s difficult to overinvest in anyone from this group, though Rico Dowdle at least has the best chance to overcome the matchup given his usage.
Chicago Bears
- Week 13 opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
- Total red-zone plays faced: 97 (24th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 32.1% (10th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 40.9% (28th)
Chicago WR/TEs:
Chicago RBs:
- The Eagles’ red-zone defense has allowed eight passing touchdowns this season, which is tied for the second-best mark in the league, though they allowed three red-zone passing touchdowns just last week against the Cowboys.
- Colston Loveland has been starting to get more involved in the red zone this season, earning the highest target rate on the team and scoring twice over the last three games while ranking third on the team in red-zone routes over that span. It won’t be an easy matchup, but the Eagles did show some weakness last week through the air, and Loveland is beginning to heat up.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 13 opponent: Baltimore Ravens
- Total red-zone plays faced: 122 (6th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 36.2% (17th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 22.6% (2nd)
Cincinnati WR/TEs:
Cincinnati RBs:
- Editor’s note: The Bengals’ game was already played on Thursday.
Cleveland Browns
- Week 13 opponent: San Francisco 49ers
- Total red-zone plays faced: 99 (23rd)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 45.6% (30th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 40.5% (26th)
Cleveland WR/TEs:
Cleveland RBs:
- The 49ers’ red-zone defense ranks last at limiting offensive success in that area of the field (43.4%), while the Browns come in near the bottom of the league on offense in that regard (26.4%).
- Quinshon Judkins is the primary hope for a Browns touchdown most weeks, but especially in a week like this, where they aren’t faced with a difficult matchup, Judkins’ chances increase.
Dallas Cowboys
- Week 13 opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
- Total red-zone plays faced: 84 (28th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 33.3% (11th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 31.1% (16th)
Dallas WR/TEs:
Dallas RBs:
- Editor’s note: The Cowboys’ game was already played on Thursday.
Denver Broncos
- Week 13 opponent: Washington Commanders
- Total red-zone plays faced: 120 (8th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 39.0% (22nd)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 41.0% (29th)
Denver WR/TEs:
Denver RBs:
- The Commanders rank bottom five overall at limiting offensive success in the red zone (40.0%), while the Broncos offense ranks top-10 in that regard (37.9%).
- Troy Franklin owns the team’s lone red-zone touchdown through the air over the last three games, as the Broncos haven’t been able to capitalize on favorable opportunities too often recently. That should change in a great matchup this week with RJ Harvey leading the way on the ground and Franklin through the air.
Detroit Lions
- Week 13 opponent: Green Bay Packers
- Total red-zone plays faced: 92 (26th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 26.4% (3rd)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 28.2% (7th)
Detroit WR/TEs:
Detroit RBs:
- Editor’s note: The Lions’ game was already played on Thursday.
Green Bay Packers
- Week 13 opponent: Detroit Lions
- Total red-zone plays faced: 109 (16th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 37.5% (21st)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 26.7% (5th)
Green Bay WR/TEs:
Green Bay RBs:
- Editor’s note: The Packers’ game was already played on Thursday.
Houston Texans
- Week 13 opponent: Indianapolis Colts
- Total red-zone plays faced: 135 (3rd)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 30.2% (8th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 49.0% (32nd)
Houston WR/TEs:
Houston RBs:
- The Colts’ red-zone run defense ranks dead last at limiting offensive success on the ground, while the Texans’ red-zone rushing offense also ranks dead last at rushing success rate (17.9%).
- Considering how bad the Texans’ rushing success has been in the red zone this year – nearly 10 percentage points worse than the next closest team – we’d expect the Colts to win that battle most of the time.
Indianapolis Colts
- Week 13 opponent: Houston Texans
- Total red-zone plays faced: 64 (32nd)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 36.4% (18th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 35.5% (19th)
Indianapolis WR/TEs:
Indianapolis RBs:
- The Texans have spent the fewest amount of snaps defending the red zone this season, while the Colts have spent the second-most amount of snaps in the red zone (132) and have found success at a top-five rate (39.4%).
- Jonathan Taylor was held out of the endzone last week. We shouldn’t expect that to be the case for much longer and should bounce back this week in a neutral matchup.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 13 opponent: Tennessee Titans
- Total red-zone plays faced: 101 (22nd)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 30.2% (7th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 45.8% (31st)
Jacksonville WR/TEs:
Jacksonville RBs:
- The Titans have struggled significantly defending the run in the red zone this season, tying for the second-most rushing touchdowns allowed (11).
- Travis Etienne has scored four of his six red-zone touchdowns over the last three games alone, and considering the matchup this week, it makes sense that he’d add another in a great matchup this week.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 13 opponent: Dallas Cowboys
- Total red-zone plays faced: 123 (5th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 39.1% (23rd)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 37.0% (22nd)
Kansas City WR/TEs:
Kansas City RBs:
- Editor’s note: The Chiefs’ game was already played on Thursday.
Las Vegas Raiders
- Week 13 opponent: Los Angeles Chargers
- Total red-zone plays faced: 102 (21st)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 26.4% (3rd)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 40.8% (27th)
Las Vegas WR/TEs:
Las Vegas RBs:
- The Chargers have been among the best red-zone defenses in the league at defending the pass, though they have shown some vulnerability defending the run, tying for the third-most red-zone rushing touchdowns against (10).
- Ashton Jeanty has been the clear top option to bet on with this Raiders offense at the moment, as he’s scored two of the team’s three red-zone touchdowns over the last two games.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 13 opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
- Total red-zone plays faced: 139 (2nd)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 33.9% (14th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 28.6% (9th)
Los Angeles WR/TEs:
Los Angeles RBs:
- The Raiders have played the second-most amount of snaps defending the red zone this season, though they’ve been better than expected, ranking top-10 at limiting offensive success rate (30.9%) in that area of the field.
- Omarion Hampton has a shot to return this week, which would likely put him as the favorite on the ground in the red zone, while Oronde Gadsden has quietly led the team in red-zone targets in recent weeks, though he hasn’t scored since Week 8. Still, he’ll get more opportunities to take advantage of his usage this week.
Los Angeles Rams
- Week 13 opponent: Carolina Panthers
- Total red-zone plays faced: 107 (18th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 36.5% (19th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 30.9% (14th)
Los Angeles WR/TEs:
Los Angeles RBs:
- The Panthers are tied for the second-most red-zone rushing touchdowns against this season (11) despite only ranking around average in total snaps in that area of the field.
- Kyren Williams has been sharing red-zone carries a little more with Blake Corum over the last two weeks. Corum took five carries to Williams’ four over the last two games.
Miami Dolphins
- Week 13 opponent: New Orleans Saints
- Total red-zone plays faced: 97 (24th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 43.5% (28th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 35.3% (18th)
Miami WR/TEs:
Miami RBs:
- The Saints’ red-zone defense ranks well below average at allowing successful plays, specifically against the pass.
- De’Von Achane not only leads the team in red-zone carries, but he’s also second on the team in red-zone targets this year, making him by far the top option to score in a positive matchup this week.
Minnesota Vikings
- Week 13 opponent: Seattle Seahawks
- Total red-zone plays faced: 121 (7th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 30.5% (9th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 28.2% (7th)
Minnesota WR/TEs:
Minnesota RBs:
- The Seahawks red-zone defense ranks top-five at limiting offensive success rate (29.8%), while the Vikings red-zone offense ranks bottom-10 in that regard (29.0%).
- Jordan Mason has taken the large majority of red-zone carries this year, including with Aaron Jones in the lineup, so while he’s the best Minnesota option to score, it is a more difficult matchup to trust him this week.
New England Patriots
- Week 13 opponent: New York Giants
- Total red-zone plays faced: 110 (14th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 40.3% (26th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 37.2% (23rd)
New England WR/TEs:
New England RBs:
- The Giants’ red-zone defense has allowed the second-most touchdowns against (30) on the year, and it ranks well below average at limiting overall offensive successful play rate (39.1%).
- Rhamondre Stevenson returned to the lineup last week and dominated the red-zone carries, and while he didn’t score, he’ll be the top bet to deliver in a more favorable matchup this week.
New Orleans Saints
- Week 13 opponent: Miami Dolphins
- Total red-zone plays faced: 118 (9th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 42.1% (27th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 29.5% (11th)
New Orleans WR/TEs:
New Orleans RBs:
- The Dolphins’ red-zone defense has struggled to defend the pass this season, although the Saints‘ red-zone offense ranks second-to-last in passing success rate (23.4%).
- New Orleans really only has one clear option as a receiver, which is Chris Olave, though Taysom Hill took a team-leading five red-zone carries last week, making him a sneaky bet to find the end zone, assuming that Alvin Kamara is out.
New York Giants
- Week 13 opponent: New England Patriots
- Total red-zone plays faced: 72 (31st)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 48.9% (31st)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 33.3% (17th)
New York WR/TEs:
New York RBs:
- The Patriots’ red-zone defense ranks 31st at limiting offensive successful play rate this season (42.3%), while the Giants’ offense ranks dead last in that regard (23.5%).
- Tight end Theo Johnson has seen the most red-zone targets on the team over the last few games, and while he hasn’t scored since Week 9, he gets a great matchup to deliver this week.
New York Jets
- Week 13 opponent: Atlanta Falcons
- Total red-zone plays faced: 112 (12th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 34.5% (15th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 22.2% (1st)
New York WR/TEs:
New York RBs:
- The Falcons‘ red-zone defense has been much better at defending the run than the pass this season, while the Jets have come in below average in red-zone success rate when running the ball (29.4%).
- Breece Hall has just one red-zone touchdown on the year, and this matchup isn’t the one to expect him to add to that total.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 13 opponent: Chicago Bears
- Total red-zone plays faced: 103 (20th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 35.3% (16th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 38.5% (24th)
Philadelphia WR/TEs:
Philadelphia RBs:
- The Bears‘ red-zone defense comes in below average overall, while the Eagles are a top-five red zone offense in overall success rate (40.0%).
- Over the last two games, A.J. Brown has seen five red-zone targets while no other Eagles player has seen more than one. If Brown is going to continue getting fed the ball, he should be able to take advantage of this generally positive matchup this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 13 opponent: Buffalo Bills
- Total red-zone plays faced: 104 (19th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 28.8% (6th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 36.5% (21st)
Pittsburgh WR/TEs:
Pittsburgh RBs:
- The Bills’ red-zone defense has been much better at defending the pass than the run this year.
- Jaylen Warren led the way in terms of backfield carries in his return last week and was able to score. Warren is the best option to capitalize on a favorable matchup this week.
San Francisco 49ers
- Week 13 opponent: Cleveland Browns
- Total red-zone plays faced: 83 (29th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 36.6% (20th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 23.8% (3rd)
San Francisco WR/TEs:
San Francisco RBs:
- The Browns have spent a well below-average amount of time defending the red zone this season and have found strength against the run, allowing just four rushing touchdowns on the ground, which is tied for the fewest in the league.
- Christian McCaffrey will put this Browns red-zone rushing defense to the test this week, as he has rushed for seven touchdowns on the year in the red zone and added five more through the air.
Seattle Seahawks
- Week 13 opponent: Minnesota Vikings
- Total red-zone plays faced: 111 (13th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 33.3% (11th)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 30.0% (12th)
Seattle WR/TEs:
Seattle RBs:
- The Vikings‘ red-zone defense ranks slightly above average at limiting offensive success this season (30.0%), while the Seahawks rank as an above-average unit in that regard (35.7%).
- Zach Charbonnet was highlighted as a top bet to score last week, and he delivered, though Kenneth Walker did take three carries compared to Charbonnet’s two last week. Walker should be considered a better bet to score than he has been in previous weeks when Charbonnet was taking the majority of red-zone carries.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 13 opponent: Arizona Cardinals
- Total red-zone plays faced: 124 (4th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 39.1% (23rd)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 30.9% (14th)
Tampa Bay WR/TEs:
Tampa Bay RBs:
- The Cardinals have spent a top-five amount of time defending the red zone and, as a result, have allowed 10 red-zone rushing touchdowns (tied for third-most).
- Bucky Irving looks set to return this week, putting him back as a top bet to score as he dominated the red-zone carries through the first four weeks of the year when he was healthy. Irving may be eased back into the lineup, though his involvement should lower the impact that Sean Tucker and Rachaad White have this week.
Tennessee Titans
- Week 13 opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Total red-zone plays faced: 108 (17th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 49.2% (32nd)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 25.6% (4th)
Tennessee WR/TEs:
Tennessee RBs:
- The Jaguars have been night and day different in the red zone when defending the run versus the pass, ranking dead last when it comes to pass defense.
- Chimere Dike and Tyjae Spears have been getting looks through the air in recent weeks when the team is in the red zone and will have the best chances to score as receivers this week.
Washington Commanders
- Week 13 opponent: Denver Broncos
- Total red-zone plays faced: 88 (27th)
- Red zone successful pass plays allowed: 20.8% (1st)
- Red zone successful run plays allowed: 30.0% (12th)
Washington WR/TEs:
Washington RBs:
- The Broncos have been the most effective red-zone defense on the year, leading the league at limiting offensive red-zone success rate (25.0%) this season.
- Deebo Samuel has been the team’s most utilized weapon in the red zone this season and remains the best bet to overcome this difficult matchup in Week 13.