“Start” These are going to be D/STs that are rostered that you shouldn’t think twice about starting.

“Sit” These are going to be the D/STs that need to be benched until next week’s evaluation.

“Stream” These are going to be the D/STs that are sitting on your waiver wire begging to be picked up.

Start

Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos

The Packers will be coming off of a bye week. An extra week of preparation is a huge advantage. An extra week of preparation against one of the worst offenses in the league is a massive advantage. The Packers give up the 24 most FPPG against opposing QBs and WRs. Giving up the 5th most points to opposing RBs balance them out. At 636 rushing yards on the season, the Broncos aren’t considered one of the elite running offenses. This shouldn’t be a problem for a proven D/ST.

San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings

A good get-back game for a team that is coming off their first loss this season against an offense that are without one of the best offensive weapons in the league playing is exactly what the 49ers need. A very tough loss for the 49ers (As predicted here at SportsEthos s/o Keith Cork) this last Sunday. They’ll have a full week of practice and restoration and then some. This is a great game for the 49ers D/ST to bounce back. 

Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions

This isn’t a stretch. The Lions have been arguably one of the best teams in the league. Their time to underperform is coming and it’s going to happen against the Ravens. The D/ST that gives up the least amount of FPPG against QBs and TEs, the 6th least points to WRs, and the 14th least points to RBs. No workhorse running back for the Lions this week which will surely hurt the passing game development. The Ravens are coming back from London and elected not to take a bye week for a reason so they expect to win a game like this. That confidence will help them. Start them.

Sit

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Miami Dolphins

A lot of the points from the Eagles come from the amount of sacks they get in a game. The problem with that is that they will be facing an offensive line that has given up only 6 sacks (T-2) this season. The offense of the Dolphins have carved up many defenses in the receiving game and the Eagles give up the 6th most points up to opposing WRs. Combine that with the 7th most FPPG to QBs and you have a real problem. The upside is that they do well against opposing RBs, but the Dolphins lead the league in rushing yards. This isn’t a good look for the Eagles.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers 

After a solid performance against the Denver Broncos (Like we predicted s/o me) the Chiefs will have to face an offense that isn’t shy to score high. The Chargers are looking to have a get-back game after coming off a tough loss against the Cowboys. The Chiefs are currently D/ST12 on the season, something that doesn’t seem sustainable for the rest of the season. This would be a game that would correctly average out where the Chiefs will realistically finish this season. This should be an offensive showdown with these two explosive offenses. I can’t bet on the Chiefs D/ST being good against the Chargers.

Miami Dolphins @ Philadelphia Eagles

This one is very similar to the Eagles reasoning. The Dolphins get to the quarterback as often as the Eagles, but the Eagles have one of the best offensive lines in the league. The Dolphins give up the 8th most FPPG to opposing QBs. You can guarantee a Jalen Hurts rushing TD. Tack on the 10th most FPPG against opposing WRs and you got a game that will probably end up being a high scoring one. I’m staying away from that.

Stream

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