Defensive tendencies can have a significant impact on fantasy football production. Teams that consistently allow opponents to run a high number of plays create more opportunities for fantasy scoring. However, the way those opportunities are distributed can vary considerably. Some defenses encourage run-heavy game plans that concentrate volume among running backs, while others create pass-heavy environments that support multiple fantasy-relevant receivers and tight ends.
The article below examines offensive play volume and run-pass tendencies allowed by each defense over the past three seasons to identify the most favorable fantasy matchups entering 2026.
Plays allowed per game and neutral-game pass-play rate faced
NFL Defenses 2025 2024 2023 Offensive Plays Allowed Per Game 64.40 65.38 65.95 Pass Play Rate Faced 60.68% 60.69% 61.46%Averages from 2023-25
The league-wide pass rate faced has remained largely unchanged over the past two seasons. The more significant development is the disappearance of extreme environments. Fewer defenses are creating unusually pass-heavy or run-heavy game scripts, while offensive play volume continues to trend downward.
Together, those factors reduce the number of fantasy-relevant opportunities available across the league. Star players can still accumulate elite workloads, but there are fewer excess touches and targets available for secondary skill-position players, resulting in a smaller pool of flex-viable options.