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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 Christian McCaffrey. 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.
Start ‘Em
When it comes to defenses in fantasy football, you should be playing the matchups. And in those matchups, you should be targeting offenses that allow sacks and turn the ball over at a high rate. Russell Wilson took a sack on nine percent of his dropbacks last season. It was 10 percent the year prior, and in his career, it’s 8.5 percent. This has always been a problem for him, but it seems to be getting worse, as he is less mobile now than he was when he was younger. When you consider that and pair it with the Steelers ranking toward the bottom of the league in scoring in recent years, you have a team to stream against.
Turnovers and sacks are the name of the game. Well, the Patriots’ offense is likely to provide in those categories this season. Their offensive line really struggled in the preseason, allowing the fourth-most QB pressures. PFF ranks their O-line 32nd heading into the season. Given some of the questions they have at the skill positions as well, the Patriots are certainly an offense I will look to stream against early in the season.
The Seahawks defense will now be led by head coach Mike Macdonald, the former Ravens DC. They revamped that side of the ball in the offseason and should get off the ground running against Denver. Rookie QB Bo Nix looked awesome in the preseason, but the regular season is a completely different animal. With the Broncos’ offensive line looking like a middle-of-the-pack unit and their weapons being what they are, the Seahawks are clearly in play as a streamer. Plus, they get the Patriots in Week 2, so you can hold them for at least another week.
I’m not expecting the Raiders to light up the scoreboard. Additionally, Gardner Minshew has taken a sack on about seven percent of his dropbacks during his career, which is right around league average. The real reason to go after the Chargers defense is because you can use it for the first three weeks of the season. They open with the Raiders, then get the Panthers and Steelers.
Sit ‘Em
Do not play defenses against top offenses. The Packers certainly fit that description down the stretch last year. In the final eight games, Jordan Love threw only one interception. The Eagles defense may have been elite a couple of years ago, but it struggled last year. I would stream elsewhere in Week 1.
The Ravens defense is very good. But so is the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs offense. In fact, only Josh Allen took sacks at a lower rate than Mahomes last season. Plus, it will be Baltimore’s first game with new defensive coordinator Zach Orr. They may be a “big name” defense, but I dislike the matchup too much to play them in Week 1.
The Lions defense struggled to produce fantasy-wise at times last season and that could once again be the case this week against the Rams. Not only was Matthew Stafford sacked at the eighth-lowest rate last season, but when the Rams were fully healthy, they were an offensive juggernaut. And they are all fully healthy to start the season. I would avoid both defenses in what could be the highest-scoring Week 1 matchup.
Jared Goff was sacked at the third-lowest rate last season. He also does a good job of limiting turnovers. And, in case you forgot, the Lions offense is one of the best in the NFL. These are not your father’s Lions. This game has the makings of a track meet. Stay far away from the Rams defense this week.
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