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 like the 49ers visiting Chicago, 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, especially this week against Houston. However, if you need a spot start, or you just need a DFS play, hopefully this helps.
Cincinnati Bengals
Opponent: @ New York Jets
DraftKings: $3600
FanDuel: $4900
This is a dream matchup if you held the Bengals defense. It was good prior to Zach Wilson going down, but now it’s just too good to pass up. I can give you whatever defensive metrics you want, but what do you need outside of the Jets trading for Joe Flacco YESTERDAY with the only other healthy QB being Mike White? The gap run game is weak at best with Michael Carter and Ty Johnson, Corey Davis is the only wideout worth mentioning, and did I mention they only have Mike White and Joe Flacco? If the Jets can manage 150 combined yards from scrimmage in this game, I will be legitimately impressed.
Not getting away from @Mr_Ogunjobi this time. 😤
Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/VAqvZYXRtM
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 24, 2021
Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: vs New England Patriots
DraftKings: $3200
FanDuel: $3900
This is somewhat of a revenge game for Justin Herbert and the Chargers. The Chargers were riding high on hopes of a bright future, until week 13 happened. It was a disaster. They lost 45-0 to Bill Belichick, master rookie destroyer himself. Herbert had his lowest adjusted completion percentage of the year, nearly 10 points below his second-worst at 58.7% Now, they face Bill’s rookie, Mac Jones. While Mac has been impressive in manageable games, this offense is built on running the ball and playing sound defense. When Jones has been forced to pass, especially with pressure in his face, the results have been less than stellar, grading as the 21st best QB per PFF. Add up the Chargers pass rush and the Patriots offensive line issues in pass pro, and you have a great matchup for a DST with a bottom barrel roster percentage.
The @Patriots' defensive plan against the Chargers was picture perfect.
Watch the film from the dominant win in True View. (via @BaldyNFL) pic.twitter.com/sa0Hsoj9Im
— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2020
Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: vs Cleveland Browns
DraftKings: $4300
FanDuel: $4800
There is a chance the Steelers will be on your waiver wire simply because of the bye. If that is the case, now is a great time to pick them up. This game is good enough of a value, but even better is the next two weeks following when they face Chicago and Detroit. Browns, Lions, and Bears, oh my! The Steelers are still a top ten defense with a top-five pass rush and run defense, despite how painful their games have been to watch. Now coming off the bye, they get a Browns team with no Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb coming back from injury, and a question mark at QB as Baker has seemingly an equal chance of starting as he does going on the IR. Get them right now if you have the chance!
T.J. IS REALLY GOOD
📺: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/tQVr44nKjn
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 18, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: @ Detroit Lions
DraftKings: $2700
FanDuel: $4100
Taylor Decker doesn’t look like he’ll be good to go any time soon. There were a few reports about him being close but he’s also suffered setbacks in his recovery and Head Coach Dan Campbell, MCDC to the real ones, hasn’t ruled out shutting him down for the rest of the season. The Lions have no real rush to get him on the field as they are nowhere close to contending. Penei Sewell has been underwhelming considering the expectations from the generational talent that was promised, but played well as of late against the Bengals and Rams. They’ll need him to have another solid day against a formidable defensive front in the Eagles, a top 10 pass rush. Detroit does most of their damage around the line of scrimmage but if they can’t stretch the field at all, this could look a lot like Philly’s Week 1 clash with the Falcons when they smothered Matt Ryan and the Atlanta offense, only allowing 6 points. The Eagles have a current interception streak recording at least one in four straight games, including three in week 5. They are also toward the bottom in roster percentage so they should be widely available.
.@2live_AM helping the defense stand tall!#PHIvsLV | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/oLuEqH6Svl
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 24, 2021
Previous Week: Cardinals, Patriots, Saints, and 49ers
Photos by Zach Bolinger & Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire | Design by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Twitter @ IG)