This week is a bit different as I wanted to feature some top-rated defenses that are still available in some leagues for playoff pushes. It will still not cover teams from previous weeks. If you were able to grab one from the previous selections and they still have a favorable matchup, like the Colts hosting the Jaguars, go ahead and start them again, no need to waste FAAB or waiver priority. If you have a defense like the Rams and Bucs, you should be starting them every week. Some defenses to not make the list this week but would have in normal weeks would be the Ravens, Raiders, and Broncos. Good luck this week!
Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: vs Detroit Lions
DraftKings: $4100
FanDuel: $4900
Normally, the Steelers would no longer make the list because of the high ownership rate, but I needed to stress how good a matchup this is for the Steelers on the off-chance you can get them. The Lions have had a leaky offensive line all year and now two of the best pass rushers in the league look to get their fill. Per PFF, the Lions are the 7th worst pass-blocking team while the Steelers are the 4th best pass rushers. As we’ve seen thus far this year, bye weeks mean nothing so if there is a single reason for the Lions to make this troublesome for the Pittsburgh defense, I am all ears. The Lions are already one of the most generous teams to D/ST’s in the league, this should be a layup.
This is the part where we say TURN DOWN FOR WATT 🗣@_TJWatt | 📺: ESPN
Bid on exclusive T.J. Watt items in the #RockSteelersStyle auction: https://t.co/EYf0uQ3AN5 pic.twitter.com/VYhHVo1ZXv— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 9, 2021
Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: vs Carolina Panthers
DraftKings: $3700
FanDuel: $4800
The Cardinals may end up the number one defense this week and it’s like no one cares. At $3700, it feels like an insult. The Panthers still have OLine issues, QB issues, whichever one plays, and their wideouts are either disgruntled or getting killed out there. Arizona has averaged two turnovers and three sacks a week this season. Carolina’s line has allowed 133 pressures and seven different linemen have allowed at least 10 pressures. For those of you picking up on the issue here, after five, you’re just showing off. Ownership rates didn’t spike quite as they should have for the tilt with the 49ers, so if the Cardinals are on your wire, scoop ’em up. Three of their next 5 games are against the Panthers, Bears, and Lions, so if you don’t mind sitting through the bumpier matchups with the Seahawks and Rams, they should be a worthwhile investment.
All hail the king.
Chandler Jones has passed Freddie Joe Nunn as the franchise’s all-time sacks leader 👑 pic.twitter.com/P2FeDUCcUc
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 7, 2021
Dallas Cowboys
Opponent: vs Atlanta Falcons
DraftKings: $3000
FanDuel: $4200
When you want to kickstart your defense back into action, it’s always good to get a team like the Falcons into your building. Bad offensive line, limited weapons on offense, and a quarterback not afraid to sling it are the perfect recipe for another Trevon Diggs boom game. The Broncos were a matchup problem for a coaching staff woefully unprepared for its matchup, but I expect a bounce back from McCarthy and Quinn to get their players in the right spots to win. Jerry Jeudy was too often covered by Diggs and it’s well documented that shiftier receivers do much better than big-bodied receivers against him. Unless he somehow gets Russell Gage, which is extremely unlikely, this should be another lockdown day for the secondary.
TREVON 👏 DIGGS 👏#DALvsNE | 📺 : @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/FARYOhGUVn
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 17, 2021
Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: @ Green Bay Packers
DraftKings: $2500
FanDuel: $4200
The Chiefs’ defense is one of the worst in the league, if not THE worst. They just held the Packers to seven points in Jordan Love’s debut which was marred by a myriad of mistakes leading to a 10 point fantasy game for the Chiefs D/ST. Now Seattle travels to Green Bay to get a firsthand look. The defensive line should be able to generate one or two sacks, but what we’re hoping is that they let Love air it out a bit more against their recently formed rival and the opportunistic, ball-hawking secondary of Seattle, can convert on one or two interceptions or possibly generate a score if we’re lucky.
This is all predicated on Love being the starter. If A-A-Ron is able to get back for this game, I would pivot off the Seahawks to the Broncos or Raiders, assuming we won’t have time to slide in the Ravens as they play on TNF.
PICKED IT‼️ @jay__sneed
📺: #GBvsKC on FOX pic.twitter.com/95juWUNZfh
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 8, 2021
Previous Week: Patriots, Saints, Colts, and Dolphins
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