Running Back Matchups to Target in Week 5 (2025) - Jahmyr Gibbs, Javonte Williams, Woody Marks, More

Thunder Dan's favorite RB matchups to exploit for Week 5 of 2025 - DFS running backs to target on DraftKings and FanDuel. These RB matchups are GPP and cash game opportunities.

What goes into a big game for an NFL running back? When you fire up the highlight video, you are trained to admire the sick juke move that he put on a linebacker that led to a long run or the incredible stiff arm that he delivered to a poor cornerback attempting to tackle him. However, for a back to showcase his abilities, he must receive the touches and be put in a position to succeed by his offensive coaches. Oh, and he needs blocking from his offensive lineman and fellow offensive players, too!

I'm breaking down DVOA data, offensive line matchups and ratings, and various other metrics in an attempt to validate some of those matchups that initially stand out and perhaps unearth some sneaky good spots at the same time.

My goal in this weekly article will be to highlight the absolute best matchups for running backs on Sunday's main slate, with a primary focus on DFS. However, these are also running backs that you should smash into your season-long lineups and great candidates for prop bets, too. Let's get to it. Here are my top five matchups for Week 5.

Week 5 Running Back Matchups

In my constant search for usable data, I crunched the first two weeks of numbers to come up with some metrics. The first column is the overall offensive rushing attack vs. their opponent, calculated using each team's offensive and defensive DVOA.

The second column is the offensive vs. defensive line matchup, calculated by using the "adjusted line yards" created and allowed by each team. The third column is simply Pro Football Focus's run-blocking grade for each team's offensive line.

Jahmyr Gibbs ($7,700 DK, $9,000 FD)

Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals

As you can see on the chart, we have a green light across all the columns for Detroit this week against the abysmal Bengals run defense. Cincinnati has been run over the last two weeks by Jordan Mason of the Vikings and then RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins of the Broncos, who combined for 159 yards rushing.

Gibbs has to share touches with David Montgomery, but this offense has been firing on all cylinders the last three weeks and has created a few scenarios where both backs finished with big games (Week 2 vs. Chicago and Week 3 vs. Baltimore).

Off to a fine start to his 2025 season, Jahmyr Gibbs- thanks to his running score in last week's @Lions win vs CLE- now owns 35 career rushing TD between the regular season and playoffs combined (40 games). Entering Sunday vs CIN, he's 1 off of breaking a tie for 4th on this list pic.twitter.com/vgUB1s2GXN

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) October 4, 2025

The Bengals not only rank 26th against the run in DVOA, but they are also dead last (32nd) against backs as pass-catchers. We know that Gibbs (aka Sonic) gets his share of work in the passing game and is featured more on the perimeter, while Monty (Knuckles) handles more of his work between the tackles.

Both backs are positioned well for this week, but Gibbs has that homerun potential to break off a big run or reception at any point. We have the Lions as 10-point road favorites in this one, which sets up a very favorable potential game script for the running attack.

Javonte Williams ($6,200 DK, $6,900 FD)

Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

This game between the Jets and Cowboys will not mean much for the overall landscape of the NFL, but good gravy, is it oozing with fantasy potential. We have two offenses with condensed production among several players going up against two objectively bad defenses and a healthy 47.5 Vegas total.

Dallas just put up 40 points on a Packers defense that we thought was pretty good, continuing to prove that their offense is actually...pretty good. It's the lack of defense that is going to keep the Cowboys from making any noise this season, but I think we'll see them rack up plenty of yards and points against the Jets this week.

The biggest difference with this Dallas offense this year (besides Dak Prescott being healthy and making some incredible throws), has been the improvement of the offensive line. They own the third-best run-blocking grade per PFF this season and have been opening up holes for Williams all season.

Javonte Williams goes 30 yards... touchdown!

NYGvsDAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/KSwB0wDIjm

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

As for Williams, he's looked as good this year as he has in at least three years. Many of us had left him for dead after his last seasons in Denver were mediocre at best. But he's been rejuvenated in Dallas and running with more physicality and burst than he has since injuries sapped his juice earlier in his career.

The Jets' defense has been more of a run funnel this season, giving up big games on the ground to James Cook and De'Von Achane. The Cowboys' offense runs through Williams, who has also excelled as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, securing an average of four receptions per game. He's affordably priced, and it feels like he's going overlooked again this week despite having four touchdowns on the season and a reliable workload in a good spot.

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Alvin Kamara ($5,900 DK, $7,300 FD)

New Orleans Saints vs. New York Giants

Whether you think Kamara will see his full workload this week or not, this matchup with the Giants' run defense is one that we should not overlook. Yes, Kendre Miller had his biggest share of touches on the season in last week's game against the Bills, but Kamara still had 19 touches, turning 15 totes in 70 yards on the ground while catching four of five targets.

The Saints would be wise to feed their backs this week as New Orleans faces a Giants front seven that ranks last in rushing defense (DVOA) by a pretty wide margin. They have allowed several explosive run plays to opponents, including a long touchdown run to Omarion Hampton last week.

The Giants are coming off their first win of the season as their defense was successful at getting pressure on Justin Herbert, who had neither of his starting tackles to protect from their edge rushers. One of the best way to neutralize that rush will be for the Saints to run right at the Giants and continue to feed Kamara and Miller on quick passes on the edge. I look for Kamara to have a big bounce-back game here as the Saints set their sights on their first win of the year at home.

Woody Marks ($5,400 DK, $5,400 FD)

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

We all witnessed the Woody Marks breakout last week as he very obviously showed that he is the more explosive back in the Houston backfield. I mean no offense to Nick Chubb, who was once one of the finest backs in the league before injuries in Cleveland derailed his promising career. And Chubb still has a role in this backfield as an early-down grinder and goal-line back. But if Houston doesn't give Marks more opportunities than Chubb this week, then they'd be awfully foolish.

1st career catch for Woody Marks goes for 37 yards!

TBvsHOU on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/JttFoMqixS

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2025

One thing that Marks can do that Chubb can't is create big plays in the passing game. He's turned six catches into 96 yards and a touchdown as a receiver, ripping off 13.5 yards per reception. Houston's offense finally clicked last week against Tennessee as they focused on running the football against a vulnerable Titans run defense. That formula should be followed this week as the Texans face a Baltimore unit that has struggled to stop the run. Baltimore ranks 28th against the run and is not the same type of shut-down unit that they once were during the Harbaugh era.

Marks is dirt cheap, and because other cheap value plays have emerged due to injuries (Rachaad White, Rico Dowdle), he's going to get overlooked on this slate.

Trevor Etienne ($4,000 DK, $4,300 FD)

Carolina Panthers vs. Miami Dolphins

This is my long shot play of the week, and I would only recommend using Etienne in the large field GPPs or the deepest of fantasy leagues. The matchup that the Panthers have on offense this week is a good one as they face a Miami Dolphins team that has not stopped anyone this season.

We saw the Jets run all over this team last week and the Bills the week before. The Dolphins are 25th in rushing defense (DVOA), and the Panthers have been sneaky good up front in terms of run blocking. We saw Chuba Hubbard run wild at times last season, even in a year when Carolina struggled to do much of anything on offense.

Trevor Etienne showing off the skill moves.

🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/xnuGzvq1a3

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 21, 2025

Hubbard is out this week, and the assumption is that Rico Dowdle will step in as the lead back for the Panthers. I'm sure he will be given the first crack at those touches, but he's been a terribly inefficient running back this season and really fits the mold of a third-down back much better.

Etienne outgained Dowdle last week in rushing yards, 33 to 32 on two fewer carries. He broke off a 22-yard scamper, while Dowdle's longest run was 10 yards. I wouldn't be surprised if Etienne worked his way into more touches as this game went along, and the Panthers could end up riding the hot hand and feeding him touches. He's easily the more dynamic runner of the two, and no one in their right minds (I guess I am the crazy one) is going to play him this week!

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