You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Ja'Marr Chase. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
You may have heard: T.J. Watt and Co. are good at football. Outside of one game this season, they've been good for fantasy with a safe floor. This should be a ceiling week against a Raiders team that's really struggling. They have allowed 11-plus fantasy points to an opposing fantasy defense in three of five weeks and are in the top four in fantasy PPG allowed to defenses on the season. Even with a potential QB change, this is an offense we will pick on, especially with a defense like Pittsburgh's.
Deshaun Watson has taken sacks at the highest rate in the NFL. The Browns are struggling mightily to move the ball and put up points. So far, they have allowed the fourth-most FPPG to opposing defenses. Only one time this season has an opposing defense scored fewer than nine fantasy points against them. Start the Eagles this week.
The Colts have really struggled on defense this season. But streaming defenses in fantasy is largely about the matchup and the Titans are an ideal one. Tennessee has allowed by far the most FPPG to opposing defenses. So far this season, a fantasy defense has reached 20-or-more fantasy points four times and two of those four games have come against the Titans, who have only played four games. Take the upside here with the Colts.
The Patriots have taken sacks at the third-highest rate in the NFL, and the offensive line is still a big problem for them even with the team turning to rookie Drake Maye at quarterback. The Dolphins were not able to take advantage of the matchup last week, but the two defenses to face the Patriots prior to that scored 22 and 16 fantasy points. In total, they’ve allowed the fifth-most FPPG to opposing defenses. This remains an offense to stream against in fantasy football.
Even in a game where the Giants played well and won, they allowed a touchdown to the opposing defense. On the year, the Giants have allowed the sixth-most FPPG to opposing defenses, including the 22-point extravaganza to the Vikings in Week 1. The Bengals are in play as a streamer.
Sit 'Em
The Commanders are legit because Jayden Daniels is legit. On the year, opposing defenses have averaged just two FPPG against them, the second-fewest in the NFL (behind only Baltimore). The Ravens' defense has yet to reach double-digit fantasy points in a game. Three times they have scored five or fewer. Get away from them this week.
The Lions have allowed the fourth-fewest FPPG to opposing defenses. They can beat you in a multitude of ways, which makes them so hard for defenses to stop. Plus, the Cowboys' defense is extremely banged-up right now. They have not looked like the elite unit of recent years. Get away from them this week.
The Cowboys' offense has been tough on opposing defenses despite the struggles of their own defense. On the season, they have allowed the fifth-fewest FPPG to opposing defenses. Plus, with the Lions scoring so many points, their games often become shootouts. In an indoor game with two offenses that can really move the ball, you can avoid both defenses.
The Eagles have not been nearly as scary of a matchup for fantasy defenses as you would have expected coming into the season. But that may change -- and quicky -- as there's a chance we see both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith return this week. We know the Eagles' offense is a different beast with those two on the field. The Browns have scored six fantasy points or fewer in three of five games. It's OK to get away from them.
The Bucs may take sacks at a high rate, but they also score touchdowns at a high clip. As a result, they have allowed the fifth-fewest FPPG to opposing defenses this season. Divisional games can be defensive battles, or they can be absolute shootouts, as we saw last week with the Bucs and Falcons. I would play a different defense this week.
