Welcome back after a Week 2 that saw so many injuries around the NFL. This season is piling up injury designations faster than IDP superstar Aidan Hutchinson is racking up sacks. In the land of streaming D/ST, we saw the Chargers and the Texans feast for double-digit fantasy production while, unfortunately, the Colts could not keep up with Green Bay’s ground assault amassing over 250 rushing yards. This week, we pinpoint some slept-on defenses matching up against weaker offenses struggling out of the gate this season. So, let’s begin as we search for teams rostered in around 50 percent of leagues or fewer.
Please note: there’s a decent chance that better teams above this 50 percent threshold are available in your league, but we can’t assume they’re out there for everyone. We have to draw the proverbial line somewhere, so stay active and monitor the league home page; someone might drop a desirable defense after waivers clear.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: vs. Denver Broncos
ESPN % Rostered: 3%
Yahoo % Rostered: 6%
This one doesn’t initially leap off the page at you with the Buccaneer D/ST not putting up fantasy production so far this season. They are the only defense that has not allowed a single passing touchdown in the league through two weeks, despite being the most thrown against defense this season. They have the fourth-highest number of blitzes, but they are just not getting home with only two sacks to show so far. Going home in week three to host the Broncos should be just what is needed to trend those stats upward. Tampa Bay picked off the Lions offense twice last week, which just so happens to be the number of interceptions QB Bo Nix is averaging per game. I’ll let him break down and explain what exactly happened last week in elaborate and specific detail here. Denver has turned the ball over five times and has given up four sacks in two games. The Broncos have yet to field a running back with over 30 yards in a game this season and have not crossed the 150-passing yard mark either.
Las Vegas Raiders
Opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
ESPN % Rostered: 4%
Yahoo % Rostered: 9%
I know Carolina just made the switch at quarterback to Andy Dalton. I’m not sure it matters going up against wrecking ball DE Maxx Crosby and his stat line from last week alone, where he had two sacks, four tackles for a loss, two QB hits, and a pass defended against the Ravens. The Raiders are another team that isn’t putting up fantasy points on D/ST, but they have been on the road twice against a divisional rival and a productive Baltimore offense. Now they get to play their first home game of the season, and what a team to host for the occasion. Carolina ranks at the bottom of the league in total offense production and points scored, and by a considerable margin. With six sacks allowed and four turnovers through two games, I like the Raiders here in their first home game of the season.
Green Bay Packers
Opponent: @ Tennessee Titans
ESPN % Rostered: 6%
Yahoo % Rostered: 16%
Tennessee is giving up the most points in the league to fantasy defenses. They have turned the ball over five times and given up seven sacks in just two games. The Titans have also given up two defensive touchdowns, which I admit is not something you can rely on, but it is worth noting. QB Will Levis has yet to throw for over 150 yards in a game this season. The biggest factor boils down to this: Green Bay is leading the league in turnovers, which includes five (!) interceptions in just two games. Tennessee is leading the league in actually turning the ball over with five giveaways. If Jordan Love is ready, then the Titans could very well find themselves trying to keep up by throwing the ball even more. Head Coach Matt LaFleur told us this week about Love, “If he’s ready, he’ll be ready.” Bold.
Honorable Mentions
Chicago Bears (E:35% Y!:54%) – Keep an eye out for this defense. If they can prove that they are for real in Indy this week, their next few games are looking pretty favorable.
Indianapolis Colts (E:13% Y!:36%) – If you can stomach being burned by them last week, they are hosting a Bears team that has already surrendered nine sacks in just two games.
Buffalo Bills (E:15% Y!:64%) – ESPN leagues might have cast aside this defense prematurely! Check to see if they are around for you this week, hosting a porous Jacksonville offensive line.
Los Angeles Chargers (E:63% Y!:74%) – The Steelers offense has been shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly, and the unheralded Chargers are still around in a few leagues.
If you see something I don’t, leave a comment or hit me up with feedback @MikeoftheFF on Twitter or find me on Reddit!
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photography by Leslie Plaza Johnson / Icon Sportswire