These suggestions, as always, will not feature highly rostered DSTs, nor will it cover teams from previous weeks. If you were able to grab one from the previous selections and they still have a favorable matchup, go ahead and start them again, no need to waste FAAB or waiver priority. If you have a defense like the Rams, you should be starting them every week. If you need a spot start, or you just need a DFS play, hopefully this helps.
Dallas Cowboys
Opponent: @ New England Patriots
DraftKings: $3200
FanDuel: $4100
The Cowboys are by far my favorite play of the week. Any time you have a high-powered offense against a low aDOT passer like Mac Jones that typically relies on defense and running the ball, it becomes a contest of who has to adapt to whom? With the Patriots’ defense getting exposed by the Texans, and Jones’ inability to press the offense, this could be the Saints game all over again.
The Patriots are banged up on the offensive line and have underproduced when present, not receiving a pass-blocking grade above 65, per PFF, in any game outside of last week against the Texans. The Cowboys defensive line has been a strength in both the pass and run games. Micah Parsons has aided the edge and has shown a dual-threat range that has mitigated the loss of Demarcus Lawrence and Neville Gallimore.
The secondary has been led by Trevon Diggs and that may be the understatement of the year. Diggs has six interceptions on the year already and has done very well against classic X style wideouts, but has struggled at times against smaller, shifty receivers. Jakobi Meyers would be the only player that may give him any trouble, but he does not have the speed of Kadarius Toney or the route running and release of Keenan Allen. The Patriots just won’t be able to keep up and watching Mac try to do it may prove to be a poor health decision for New England fans.
TREVON DIGGS DOES IT AGAIN.
SIX INTS IN FIVE GAMES.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/wxyjVT3wkG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 10, 2021
Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: vs Seattle Seahawks
DraftKings: $3400
FanDuel: $4800
The Seahawks have lost Russell Wilson for at least the next month and will instead be helmed by Geno Smith. Though Geno was able to keep the ‘Hawks in the game against the Rams, the ending was somewhat predictable, a game-ending interception. With a career TD/INT ratio of 30/37, it’s hard to think that Geno will hit his 9-year breakout against the Steelers, especially in Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. The Steelers have one of the best pass rushes in the league and the Seahawks’ middling offensive line is often supported by Russ’ ability to get out of the pocket and make his own space. After a momentum gaining win on Sunday against the Broncos, both the Steelers and their fans will be looking forward to this one.
Not today 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/5j6FfFd71X
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 10, 2021
Green Bay Packers
Opponent: @ Chicago Bears
DraftKings: $3600
FanDuel: $4200
The Packers pass rush, despite losing Za’Darius Smith early in the season, has fared very well against some of the better offensive lines in the league. Now they get Chicago who has only pass blocked well against a poor pass rush in Cincinnati and the Lions. In a smash-mouth divisional game with a limited Justin Fields due to an injury he sustained against the Raiders, the Packers will need to worry less about Fields’ mobility, and just focus on playing the pass; something Fields is still developing.
While the Packers are still as soft against the run as they have been the last couple of years, the Bears are also without David Montgomery. Jason Peters has had to start at Left Tackle and his roller-coaster season has seen more bad than good, allowing 3 sacks in 5 games. Combined with last season’s total, he has given up 11 sacks, which is his combined total from 2016-2019. Despite his shaky play, the most pressure has come from the interior, allowing 17 hurries from the Center and Guard positions. For comparison, that is five more than the Bengals, one of the worst pass-blocking teams in the league. The Packers should be able to control this game on both sides of the ball and should be in a good position to generate turnovers and sacks.
Big sack to end the half.@YannickNgakoue | #CHIvsLV | CBS pic.twitter.com/8rzN66CfiS
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 10, 2021
Detroit Lions
Opponent: vs Cincinnati Bengals
DraftKings: $2100
FanDuel: $3700
This is the least analytical, film-driven decision you will ever see in these articles. But football is still played by men, by actual people, and it’s impossible to remove the human element. Dan Campbell was at that podium bearing his emotions to the world because of the passion he has for his job, the game, the Lions, and his players. The Lions are battling injuries all over the field, they’re in a brand new system with limited talent, and yet they have been in almost every game this year. The Lions were supposed to be awful, but they’ve made two kicks already this season that were supposed to be game-winners against opponents that were supposed to steamroll them.
Now Cincinnati, after a big letdown against the Packers, travels to Detroit to play in what could be the biggest game of the year for the Lions. They have yet to win a game under this regime and now they’re hosting a Bengals team that has trouble playing whistle to whistle. For DFS, they are the second-lowest cost option at $2100, and even in a loss, there will still be opportunities for sacks if they can generate interior pressure and keep track of Ja’Marr Chase.
An emotional Dan Campbell talks about losing another heartbreaker: pic.twitter.com/Vgb4j2XMcd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 10, 2021
Previous Week: Panthers, Raiders, Cardinals, Patriots
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)