As always, Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is geared toward helping fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. You won't see "start Jahmyr Gibbs" here. Instead, I'm exploring the players closer to the perceived fringe and aiming to optimize your lineups for another weekly win! Importantly, the new "Start of the Week" and "Sit of the Week" are the calls I have deemed the most notable in each category, not necessarily the most necessary players to start or sit.
Also, you'll see quite a few references in this year's column to NFL Pro, and the insights it provides through Next Gen Stats data dashboards, matchup evaluations, All-22 film, and the uniquely trained Fantasy AI Assistant. You can get access to all those tools yourself with an NFL+ Premium subscription!
P.S. Feel free to follow me on X -- @MattOkada -- or Instagram -- @mattokadaNFL -- and hit me with your questions, congratulations or complaints throughout the year.
Start 'Em
Start of the Week
The 49ers defense was a high waiver wire priority after dominating the Rams last week. With a healthy Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, the Niners held Matthew Stafford and Co. to just seven points and had two takeaways. On Sunday, San Francisco hosts Malik Willis and the Dolphins after the Raiders' defense scored 14 fantasy points against Miami in Week 1. The 49ers are a legitimate contender to be the highest-scoring defense of Week 2.
Notable starts
The Jaguars' defense -- last week's "Start of the Week" in this space -- scored 14 fantasy points against the Browns. Until things change dramatically for Cleveland's offense, its opponent will likely be in this slot each week. The Buccaneers, whose defense put up eight fantasy points last week thanks to Josiah Trotter's pick-six, are no exception.
The Panthers defense scored -8.0 fantasy points in Week 1 (fewest in the league), and the Falcons offense surrendered 19 fantasy points to the Steelers' defense (second-most on the week). Something’s gotta give in this matchup. I lean toward the Carolina defense against a Falcons offense that's navigating a rocky quarterback situation.
The Ravens logged the highest pressure rate of any defense in Week 1 (52.9%), while Tyler Shough and the Saints took five sacks against the Lions, tied for the most in the NFL. Pretty clear vision. Baltimore’s defense is a must-start Sunday.
Sit 'Em
Sit of the Week
The Lions are ESPN's ninth-most rostered defense and posted only 5.0 fantasy points against New Orleans in Week 1. So, I'm obligated to say: SIT DETROIT AGAINST THE BILLS. Josh Allen and Co. galloped all over the Texans -- you know, the league’s best overall defense in 2025 -- resulting in negative points for Houston’s fantasy managers. I might bench the '85 Bears defense against this Buffalo unit right now. Find a streamer elsewhere.
Notable sits
Houston’s defense had the third-lowest fantasy total of the week (-4.0 points) against Josh Allen’s Bills. This week, the Texans take on Joe Burrow’s Bengals. I’d rather stream a defense in a great matchup than bank on Houston bouncing back.
The Broncos defense didn’t look nearly as superhuman on Monday against Kansas City as it did for most of last year, and Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence looked exactly as superhuman in Week 1 as he did late last season. Sit Denver.
The Rams’ defense was incredibly disappointing in Australia last week and now Myles Garrett is on injured reserve (knee). While Los Angeles’ D should stabilize at some point this season, it’s unlikely to happen against Jaxson Dart and the Giants, who looked electric in Week 1.
