NFL Fantasy Football Red Zone Report: Week 3

Paying attention to who is getting targeted and/or getting carries in the red zone and down near the goal line are both very important in all fantasy formats. Touchdowns are major point boosters in PPR leagues and even more so in standard. The weekly report will be a one-stop shop where you can find all the information you could possibly need when it comes to the red zone. Each week I will point out some notable performances for that week and then include season totals. Let’s dive in!

Red Zone Targets

Alvin Kamara – Kamara had so many red zone looks this week that he could have gone here or in the red zone carries section this week. He hauled in six of his seven targets in the red zone this week but failed to turn any of them into a touchdown. With the seven targets, he takes over the lead in that category for the season with 12. He also had nine red zone carries this week, but also failed to turn any of those into a touchdown. Needless to say, the Saints use Kamara in every role possible.

Calvin Ridley – Ridley only had two red zone targets this week but he made the most of them as he managed to haul in both for touchdowns. The strong performance will likely lead to more red zone looks as he instills confidence in Ryan. He finished the day with a ridiculous line of seven receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns. He needs to be added in all leagues that he is available in. Julio has never been a strong red zone performer and if Ridley can become Ryan’s go-to goal line target it will only add more value to the rookie.

Robert Woods – Woods was targeted three times in the red zone and snagged two touchdowns. He now has five red zone targets on the year and has to fight with Kupp (seven RZ targets) and Cooks (five RZ targets) for looks, so while this was a strong performance, it is not something you can bank on going forward. That being said, Woods is locked into a strong role on the Rams and can be inserted into your lineup on a weekly basis.

*The below tables are the top-10 in targets for the season in the red zone and inside the 10 yard line. Take note that targets inside the 10 are also included in inside the 20. These tables will be made Thursday’s as to not include Thursday night games.

Red Zone Carries

Cam Newton – So we had a running back in the receiving portion of this article (Kamara) and now we have a quarterback in the rushing portion, you have to love the NFL! Newton is notoriously good near the goal line and this week was no different as he managed to take three red zone carries and turn them into two touchdowns. He now has 57 rushing touchdowns in his career. He also completed his lone red zone pass attempt for a touchdown.

Carlos Hyde – Hyde had four red zone carries this week and two touchdowns. He has eight red zone carries on the season (T-6 in the NFL) but is tied for first in red zone touchdowns with Gurley at four. He also solely leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns inside the five yard line. Hyde is averaging nearly 22 touches per week and with that volume and his red zone usage, he should continue to be the very strong fantasy asset that he has been thus far.

Isaiah Crowell – Crowell had five carries inside the red zone this week and managed to turn two of them into touchdowns. He is currently fifth in the league in red zone carries with nine and his three touchdowns are only less that Gurley and Hyde. Crowell is both the main back and short yardage back for the Jets, so you can continue to expect him to get work around the goal line. That being said, it’s no sure thing that he will this week after his touchdown celebration last week (that could get him disciplined by Todd Bowles).

*The below tables are the top-10 in carries for the season in the red zone and inside the five yard line. Take note that carries inside the five are also included in inside the 20. These tables will be made Thursday’s as to not include Thursday night games.

Red Zone Passing

Deshaun Watson – Watson had nine pass attempts in the red zone this week and tossed a pair of touchdowns. Watson should continue to perform well around the goal line with two great goal line receivers in Hopkins and Fuller. Thus far, he is only 6-of-19 passing in the red zone, which is a number that is poor it is almost impossible for it to stay that low. He makes for a decent buy low(ish) target in fantasy and with the weapons around him and the talent he possesses, better days are ahead.

Drew Brees – Brees led the league this week in red zone pass attempts with 13 and has now led the league in that department two out of three weeks. To no surprise, he leads the league in red zone pass attempts on the season with 31 (six more than the next closest). He turned three of those 13 attempts into touchdowns and now has seven red zone passing touchdowns on the year. The bigger surprise about his red zone production this week was that he had two rush attempts that both resulted in touchdowns.

Matt Ryan – Ryan had his best game in the red zone this week as he tossed four touchdowns on nine attempts. He now has six red zone touchdowns this year and while he still hasn’t found a way to connect with his number one receiver (Julio) in the red zone, he is producing solid numbers. Ryan isn’t an elite fantasy QB option, but you know what you are getting with him and there is nothing wrong with that. He can be plugged into your lineup just about every week.

*The below tables are the top-10 in pass attempts for the season in the red zone and inside the 10 yard line. Take note that pass attempts inside the 10 are also included in inside the 20. These tables will be made Thursday’s as to not include Thursday night games.

Team Defense Red Zone Stats

Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles defense allowed the Colts to march into the red zone five times, but they held strong on four of those occasions to limit the Colts to a 20% red zone touchdown rate. The strong week improved the Eagles red zone defensive touchdown percentage to 33% overall (a top-5 mark in the NFL). The Eagles have one of the better defenses in the league, so their strong red zone numbers are far from a surprise.

Denver Broncos – The Broncos entered the week in the middle of the pack in red zone numbers, but will enter week four as one of the worst after allowing the Ravens to score touchdowns on all three of their red zone drives. Denver still boasts one of the better defenses in the NFL and they should improve on their current red zone touchdown rate of 71%. They finished last season with a touchdown rate against of 59%.

*The below table shows the red zone stats for all 32 teams. How many attempts have been made against each team, how many touchdowns were converted, and the percentage of how often those red zone drives result in touchdowns.