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 Steelers hosting Da Bears, 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 against a Kingless Titans. In DFS this week, there are too many good defensive options so fading the top could result in playing from behind in a lot of your matchups for a few hundred dollars of cap space. Hopefully this helps navigate the choices.
Indianapolis Colts
Opponent: vs New York Jets
DraftKings: $3300
FanDuel: $4600
Kemoko gets home. 🐉
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/tuqBo2acwb
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 31, 2021
This may be disrespectful to Mike White, and though I do not dare incur his wrathful arm, I must pick against his team. The New York Mike White’s played a Bengals team that just plainly forgot to show up. Despite allowing 34 PA, the Bengals were still able to come away with positive points because of multiple turnovers and sacks. The same chances will be there for the Colts on a short week as the Jets are still allowing the most points to D/ST’s, even after Sunday. The Colts’ strength is closer to the line of scrimmage so the target share will need to shift from the RB’s to the wideouts. Corey Davis missed the Bengals matchup due to injury and Elijah Moore has shown zero rapport with White. This matchup would be slightly better with Wilson, though his penchant for interceptions would keep things just about equal.
New Orleans Saints
Opponent: vs Atlanta Falcons
DraftKings: $3700
FanDuel: $4700
PJ WILLIAMS WITH THE PICK TO TOUCHDOWN!!!#TBvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/2xCfZOCIGY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 31, 2021
This Falcons squad is toothless without Calvin Ridley who has decided to step away from the game indefinitely while he works on his mental health. I for one, wish him all the best. As for the players still starting, it’s not impressive. They have Cordarrelle Patterson, a journeyman hybrid that has been their best offensive player, a tight end in Kyle Pitts that gets a double team at minimum without Ridley in the game, Russell Gage and his zero target performances, and Tajae Sharpe, who most people forgot was in the league. The Saints are coming off an impressive victory against Tampa Bay but lost ‘Famous Jameis’ Winston in doing so. The defense is going to need to step up big for them against Atlanta as they have been all season. This will be the best and probably last chance you have to get the Saints after a drop ownership against the Bucs.
New England Patriots
Opponent: @ Carolina Panthers
DraftKings: $4100
FanDuel: $4800
GO ADRIAN!!@Phillips_17 pick-six for the lead!
📺: @NFLonCBS / Patriots app pic.twitter.com/bCYNtoNJbX
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 31, 2021
The Patriots are coming off a big win over the Chargers and they did so by generating points on defense and having pressure in Justin Herbert‘s face all game. As with the Saints, ownership was lower last week because of their matchup with the Chargers so this is a good time to strike. Sam Darnold has had a rough two weeks. He was benched in favor of P.J. Walker against the Giants and needed to visit the blue tent for concussion protocols after taking a violent hit this past week against the Falcons. Now he gets the Patriots who have been an unkind opponent to Darnold. With as bad a line as the Panthers have been and as poorly as Darnold is playing, they should probably just hand off to Chuba Hubbard all game and take whatever they can get. The Panthers are giving up the 7th most points to defenses and now they get a top 10 defense ready to build on its momentum from last week. Good luck, Sam. You’ll need it.
Miami Dolphins
Opponent: vs Houston Texans
DraftKings: $3100
FanDuel: $4300
Xavien Howard with a crazy interception! #FinsUp #ATLvsMIA #NFL #NFLTwitterpic.twitter.com/nCD6cTBMAJ
— Football Outsiders (@fboutsiders) October 24, 2021
The Texans stuck with Davis Mills against the Rams. Early reports have him starting against the Dolphins as well. If that’s the case, Miami is a must start with the lower price and higher availability. The outcome and final score do not reflect how well the Dolphins played against the Bills this past week. They were able to smother Josh Allen and the Bills in the first half, only allowing three points, and still played well in the second half, but could not overcome the Dolphins repeated three and outs the Bills were dishing out. The Texans are giving up the 3rd most points to opposing D/ST’s and now get another elite cornerback pairing of Byron Jones and Xavien Howard.
Previous Week: Bengals, Chargers, Steelers, and Eagles
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