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- Defenses
You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers — at least we hope so. Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Justin Jefferson. But that’s too obvious, so you won’t see such simple analysis here. Instead, we’re exploring more debatable situations. And if you can’t find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start ‘Em
Things have gotten rough offensively for Big Blue. The Giants have taken sacks at an above-average rate while struggling to put points on the board. They have scored 10 real-life points in their last two games combined. In the last three weeks, defenses have scored 10, eight and 15 fantasy points against the G-Men. The Steelers are a must-start defense this week.
Cleveland will have a new starting QB this week, with Jameis Winston taking the reins following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury, and the Browns have taken sacks at the highest rate in the NFL. They have struggled to pick up first downs, let alone score touchdowns. Until we see otherwise, you can start defenses against the Browns. Especially one like the Ravens’ unit.
In the two games the Saints have played without Derek Carr, they have allowed 17 and 20 fantasy points to the opposing defenses. Those aren’t just good performances — they’re ones that can alter an entire fantasy week. In those two games, rookie QB Spencer Rattler has been sacked 11 times. The Chargers have been a tough defense this season. The upside in this matchup makes Los Angeles a must-start option.
The Raiders issued 17 fantasy points last week to the Rams. In each of their last four games, they have allowed at least 11 and have given up 16 or more twice. The Chiefs are a tough real-life defense, but the unit hasn’t always produced fantasy points. That should change this week, as the Raiders have allowed the most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. With Aidan O’Connell placed on IR and Gardner Minshew poised to start, we’re streaming defenses against the Raiders until they give us a reason not too.
The Denver defense is coming off of a huge fantasy week, scoring 20 points against the Saints. They’ve scored 11-plus points in four of their last five games. Three times in that span, they hit 15 or more. That’s pretty elite in terms of fantasy production from a defense. Now Denver gets the Panthers, who have allowed the eighth-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Start the Broncos.
On the year, the Titans have allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Even last week, with turnover-prone QB Will Levis out of the lineup for the offense, Tennessee still allowed 11 fantasy points to the Bills. In that game, the Titans took three sacks and had two giveaways. You can stream pretty much any defense against Tennessee, and Detroit is a particularly good one.
Sit ‘Em
The Browns have a ton of defensive talent, but it hasn’t led to much fantasy success. They have reached double-digit fantasy points in just two games this season and have scored six or fewer in four of seven games. Meanwhile, the Ravens allow the fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Get away from the Browns’ D this week.
Seattle’s defense is coming off of a big fantasy day. Do not chase the points. Not when the Seahawks are facing Josh Allen and the Bills. Allen has taken sacks at the third-lowest rate in the NFL and has yet to throw an interception this season. Buffalo tends to score a lot of touchdowns, as well. Avoid Seattle this week.
This is not the dominant Cowboys defense from years past. Three times this season, the Dallas D has scored negative fantasy points. Since Week 2, the unit has posted four fantasy points or fewer in all but one game. And in that one game, they scored just six points. Now they draw a high-powered 49ers offense — yes, even with all the missing pieces. Do not chase the name or past production. Stay far away from the Cowboys’ defense in fantasy football.
Philadelphia’s defense is coming off its best fantasy game of the season, as the Eagles crushed the Giants, 28-3. In fact, it was the unit’s first time scoring more than seven fantasy points in a game. I will credit the matchup against the struggling G-Men for much of that success. The first six weeks showed us that this is not a defense to trust weekly in fantasy. Especially not against Joe Burrow and a potentially explosive Bengals offense.
The Bears are a tough real-life defense and it translates to fantasy production a good amount. But this is not the week to trust the unit — not if Washington’s rookie sensation, quarterback Jayden Daniels, is able to play through his Week 7 rib injury. On the year, the Commanders have allowed the second-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. If Daniels is ultimately inactive, though, you can fire up the Bears’ D.
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