Running Back Matchups to Target in Week 6 (2025) - Josh Jacobs, Ashton Jeanty, Javonte Williams, More

Thunder Dan's favorite RB matchups to exploit for Week 6 of 2025 - DFS running backs to target on DraftKings and FanDuel. These RB matchups are GPP and cash game opportunities.

The main slate of NFL games on Sunday is just around the corner, and I'm back this week to try to uncover the absolute best spots for running backs to succeed. You won't find guys like Christian McCaffrey or Rachaad White on this list, despite their popularity on DraftKings this week, as their projections are boosted in a big way by their ability as receivers more than runners. Instead, I'll highlight my top-5 spots that pop for guys who do the vast majority of their work on the ground and not in the passing game.

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 you should smash into your season-long lineups and great candidates for prop bets, too. Let's get to it. Here are my top-5 matchups for Week 6.

Week 6 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' run-blocking grade for each team's offensive line.

Josh Jacobs ($7,300 DK, $8,700 FD)

Green Bay Packers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Jacobs and the Green Bay run game could roll over the bungling Bengals this week. The Packers are the biggest favorite on the slate with a massive 14-point spread at home. And while we can't always project the game script perfectly every week, it's pretty reasonable to project that the Packers will be protecting a lead in this game and leaning on their bell-cow back against a 26th-ranked rush defense.

Running back artistry from Josh Jacobs. pic.twitter.com/lnOGfa1DlX

— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) September 29, 2025

The volume of touches has been there for Jacobs all season as he's had 20 or more in all four of the Packers' games this season. His rushing prop is around the 80-yard mark this week, one of the highest on the board. He's got the best odds of any running back to score two touchdowns, as well as he has a 76% red-zone rushing share.

The Packers are implied for 29.5 points in this one, and you have to think that Jacobs is heavily involved in the offense and the scoring. He's even racked up nine receptions over the last two weeks, reminding us that he can make things happen as a receiver out of the backfield, too, even while he does his best work between the tackles.

Ashton Jeanty ($6,900 DK, $8,000 FD)

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans

The rookie running back exploded in Week 4 against the Bears, rolling up 138 yards on the ground and scoring three touchdowns. Last week, he came back to Earth as he faced a much tougher Colts defense, and he logged only 14 carries as Vegas went down big and was forced into a pass-heavy game script in the second half of that game.

But this week, the Raiders are home favorites over another very bad team -- the 1-4 Titans -- that won last week mainly due to the incompetence of the Arizona Cardinals. This is a good spot for Las Vegas to lean on its bell-cow back as the Titans have the 31st-ranked run defense. And while Vegas has not blocked well for Jeanty this year, it should have a slight advantage up front against this Tennessee front seven that has been downright awful.

Jeanty has shown that he only needs a crack to get going and break off some big runs. It'd be wise to keep him involved in the passing game, too, as he posted 5-42 as a receiver last week, which was his best outing as a pass-catcher.

Javonte Williams ($6,400 DK, $7,800 FD)

Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers

Williams has been featured multiple times in this article this year, and he continues to roll up opposing defenses as the Cowboys have established the top rushing attack in the league through the first five weeks.

Javonte Williams’ 2025 pace:

1,519 Rushing Yards
5.66 Yards Per Carry
20 Touchdowns pic.twitter.com/QpytXgkaeU

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 9, 2025

Williams ran all over the Jets last week for a season-high 135 yards rushing, including a 66-yard burst in the second quarter. He also scored twice (for the second time this season), taking his touchdown total on the year to six.

When we consult our handy matchup chart, we can see that Dallas is one of only two matchups with green across the board (meaning it has an above-average grade in all three categories). With the Dallas offensive line continuing to open up holes and Williams having a stranglehold on the touches (with rookie Jaydon Blue as his only backup now), there's no reason not to expect Williams to have another big week against the Panthers.

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Kyren Williams ($6,300 DK, $8,400 FD)

Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens

We are looking at another week where Rams receiver Puka Nacua is the most highly rostered player on the Sunday DFS slate. And that's obviously for good reason, as he's having a historic start to his season and has a great matchup against this poor Baltimore secondary.

But let's not forget about Kyren Williams and the Rams' running game, which has an even better matchup against a Ravens run defense that is reeling after suffering multiple injuries to starters. The Rams have nothing but GREEN across my ratings, too, as they have been an elite run-blocking unit this year and are facing the 27th-ranked Baltimore run defense.

The Rams are touchdown favorites on the road, and I wouldn't be surprised if they ran away from Baltimore in this one. Their offense is better than the Houston unit that marched up and down the field on Baltimore last week. It could be a great game script for Williams, and we know that his coach loves to feed him in the red zone, too. He seems massively underpriced on DraftKings for his upside.

Rico Dowdle ($5,800 DK, $6,600 FD)

Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Who doesn't love a good revenge narrative, right? With Chuba Hubbard sitting out for a second straight week, we get another game with Rico Dowdle as the lead back for what has been a pretty solid Carolina rushing attack.

If you remember last week, I was on this matchup for Carolina against Miami, but I also got cute and recommended Trevor Etienne as a potential pivot off Dowdle. That was dumb, as Dowdle rolled up 200+ rushing yards against Miami and now has a chance to possibly seize the starting role long term with another good outing here.

Dallas can be run on, as we saw Breece Hall rip off big gains last week, even in a losing effort. It ranks just 23rd in rushing defense, and this game is ticketed with a spicy 49.5-point total and only a three-point spread. If Carolina is going to have success against this porous Dallas defense, Dowdle is likely to be a big part of that attack.

He's trending toward being a chalky pick again this week, but I won't make the same mistake two weeks in a row. Get Dowdle into cash games as his opportunity share and this matchup are both too good to pass up at his price point.

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