NFL Week 5 — Red Zone Report
Written by: Varun Sharma
Last Update: Sat Oct 10, 2026, 2:12 pm ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
nfl
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-5.0
-110
54
-105u
-242
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+5.5
-110
54
-110o
+215
This week, before we jump into the touchdowns; we're going to talk about the redzone. I'm going to highlight a few bad defenses in the NFL, but more importantly teams that have struggled to get stops in the redzone.
I'll highlight a few guys that peak my interest, but feel free to pick your own. I'm just here to highlight a few bad defenses.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today's slate, take a look at our NFL Picks Page or our NFL Odds Page.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions rank 31st in opponent redzone scoring percentage, allowing opponents to score a touchdown on 83% of their redzone drives. The defense ranks 31st in opponent redzone opportunities per game (4.3) and dead last in opponent redzone touchdowns per game (3.5).
Detroit's given up 7 touchdowns through the air here in the redzone, with 5 of those touchdowns going to opposing TEs. This week the Lions go on the road for a matchup with the fully loaded Arizona Cardinals offense.
This is the highest total on the board this week, sitting at 54.5 and not budging. The Cardinals have an implied team total of 24.5 point this week and it's because the Lions rank 30th in points allowed (31.8).
The defense is dead last in opponent first downs per game and the unit's allowing 40% of opponent's drives to end in a touchdown. They give up a ton of redzone opportunities and more opportunities is exactly what we're looking for here.
Trey McBride in the Redzone:
- 29% Target Share
- 72% Route Share
- 85% Snap Share
- 38% 1st Read Target Share
- 8 Redzone Targets
- 4 Endzone Targets
Michael Wilson in the Redzone:
- 29% Target Share
- 93% Route Share
- 98% Snap Share
- 33% 1st Read Target Share
- 8 Redzone Targets
- 3 Endzone Targets
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints rank 31st in points allowed, 21st in opponent redzone efficiency, 30th in opponent first downs and 30th in rush yards allowed. The team has been getting gashed on the ground and we saw that once again last week against Atlanta.
The Saints are allowing 147.8 rush yards per game this year, they rank dead last in rush yards allowed to RBs and 2nd last in yards per carry allowed to the position.
New Orleans has given up 9 touchdowns to opposing RBs this year, the most in the NFL, and 7 of those touchdowns have come from inside the redzone. The Saints have also given up at least 1 touchdown to an opposing RB in every game this year and the Vikings have been running a ton.
Minnesota ranks 25th in pass rate this year, only passing the ball on 54% of their offensive plays. Aaron Jones is averaging just over 18 carries per game this year, 74.3 rush yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry. He's got just 1 touchdown and that came Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers.
The Saints have also given up 5 touchdowns through the air, down in the redzone; 3 to WRs and 2 to TEs. The run defense has been their real weakness, but I can't ignore T.J. Hockenson's redzone volume.
Aaron Jones in the Redzone:
- 68% Snap Share
- 60% Designated Carry Share
- 17% Target Share
- 67% Route Share
- 2 Redzone Targets
Best Bet: Aaron Jones 1H ATTD (+200)
T.J. Hockenson in the Redzone:
- 33% Target Share
- 92% Route Share
- 76% Snap Share
- 40% 1st Read Target Share
- 4 Redzone Targets
- 1 Endzone Targets
Washington Commanders
Last defense we're going to talk about is the Washington Commanders.The Commanders rank 29th in points allowed (30.5), they rank 30th in opponent redzone efficiency and 25th in opponent pass yards per game.
Washington's giving up 3.8 redzone attempts per game, they've given up 12 total touchdowns in the redzone; 5 to WRs, 4 to TE, 2 to RB and 1 rushing touchdown to a QB.
Everyone's getting a chance against this Commanders defense.
This week the Commanders will host their in-division rival, the New York Giants. The Giants are 3-1, coming off their highest scoring game of the year. New York scored 36 points against the Cardinals, Jameis Winston threw 3 touchdowns to 3 different receivers and New York dominated.
This week they go up against a redzone defense just as bad as the Cardinals.
Isaiah Likely in the Redzone:
- 43% Target Share
- 93% Route Share
- 73% Snap Share
- 44% 1st Read Target Share
- 6 Redzone Targets
- 1 Endzone Targets
Malik Nabers in the Redzone:
- 21% Target Share
- 71% Route Share
- 70% Snap Share
- 33% 1st Read Target Share
- 3 Redzone Targets
- 1 Endzone Targets
More Bad Defense
| Team | WR TD | TE TD | RB Rush TD | RB Rec TD | Total TD | Drive TD% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DET — Lions | 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 40.5% |
| NO — Saints | 3 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 36.4% |
| ARI — Cardinals | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 33.3% |
| DAL — Cowboys | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 33.3% |
| BUF — Bills | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 31.0% |
| WAS — Commanders | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 30.4% |
| MIA — Dolphins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 28.9% |
| GB — Packers | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 28.9% |
| NYG — Giants | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 27.5% |
| PHI — Eagles | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 25.6% |
Looking for More
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