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 Christian McCaffrey. 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.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Don't let their bye week make you forget that the Titans are the very best matchup for opposing defenses. They have allowed the most fantasy PPG to the position. Tennessee has taken sacks at the highest rate in the NFL and gives the ball away at the ninth-highest rate. The immensely talented Texans defense could have the type of performance that flips your fantasy week. They are a must-play.
While I am a fan of Justin Fields, you can stream fantasy defenses against him and the Jets. They have taken sacks at the second-highest rate in the NFL. They’ve allowed the ninth-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. The Patriots have been an up-and-down fantasy defense, but they have shown they can have big days in the right matchups.
Typically the Cowboys defense is one to stream players against. This week, they are a defense to stream. First, they added a lot of talent before the trade deadline with the acquisitions of Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson. Just as important, it's a fantastic matchup against the Raiders, who have allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. They are bottom eight in sack and giveaway rate, which means Dallas could feast on Monday night.
Baltimore is another defense we were streaming against earlier in the season. The Ravens defense is doing that thing again, where they start to play much better after their bye. They have four picks and seven takeaways in the three games since their break. They have scored 23 fantasy points in the last two weeks combined. Now they get the Browns, who have allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. They just allowed a huge day to the Jets.
On paper, the Broncos are not a great fantasy matchup. However, Bo Nix has thrown four interceptions in his last three games. Perhaps this is just vibes-based, but Steve Spagnuolo has had two weeks to prepare for a game the Chiefs must win in their fight for the division and the playoffs. This feels like a spot where the defense shows up and has a big day against a Broncos offense that is struggling mightily right now.
Sit 'Em
This game has the potential to be a scorefest. On the season, the Lions have allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. The Eagles defense has only scored double-digit fantasy points three times all year. Get away.
The Lions have a better-in-real-life-than-fantasy type of defense. They scored just two fantasy points last week against Marcus Mariota and the Commanders. Now they get the Eagles, who allow the ninth-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Avoid the Detroit defense.
The Bills defense is built more on reputation than fantasy production. In fact, they have scored double digits just twice all season. They have scored six fantasy points or fewer in seven of nine games. Now they face a high-powered Bucs offense. There are better options available.
This is another game where I am just avoiding both defenses. The Bills have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. This game also has the potential to be a scorefest. There are a lot of players you can start in this game, but I don't trust the defenses.
The Steelers defense has been extremely boom-or-bust for fantasy purposes. I would expect more of a floor performance in this one. When these two teams matched up in Week 7, the Steelers defense finished with only one fantasy point. The Bengals have scored 33-plus points in three straight games. Like all Cincy games, this has the chance of being a high-scoring contest, so avoid playing the defenses.
