As another main slate concluded, it’s obvious that selecting the right D/ST can give you a massive edge. For example, if you rostered the Cincinnati defense, there’s a great chance you cashed. This is because the most popular defense, Tennessee, only scored seven points. So, let’s try to navigate around the landmines at this position and examine which D/ST to avoid in week six.
New York Jets: $4,200
IND Points/Game:23.6 (T-15th) IND Pass Yards/Game:283 (14th) IND Rush Yards/Game:74.4 (29th)
While this isn’t a bad price, it’s giving the Jets more credit than they deserve. Through their first five games, the best offense they’ve faced, statistically, has been Detroit. The Lions are 13th in points per game with 25. The next best offense they faced was Cleveland, and in that game they faced Tyrod Taylor for most of the first half. This Sunday, the Jets will host Andrew Luck and the injury-ravaged Colts.
Anyone who’s watched the Colts knows that will only go as far as Andrew Luck’s arm will take them. Luck, as of Monday night, is first in pass attempts by 18, 12th in passing yards and tied for third in passing touchdowns with 12. This Jets defense is 17th in passing yards allowed per game, and are tied for ninth in sacks with 14.
On paper this looks like a good spot for the Jets; however, they have only allowed Luck to be sacked 10 times all season. Many people think the Colts roster is full of area-league players, but that’s only because they are one of the most injury-riddled teams offensively. They’ve yet to have their left tackle, Anthony Castonzo, start a game, and T.Y. Hilton is hopeful to return after their Thursday night game. Is it possible Luck makes some mistakes the Jets can take advantage of, sure. However, he’ll be the best quarterback this unit has faced, and the extra time for this team to prepare will keep me off the Jets defense this Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys: $4,100
JAX Points/Game:20.4 (26th) JAX Pass Yards/Game:293.4 (12th) JAX Rush Yards/Game:111 (15th)
As long as Sean Lee remains out of the lineup, this defense is unplayable. In their Sunday night game against the Texans, the Cowboys made two impressive goal line stands against Deshaun Watson. However, those stops were the result of poor quarterback play more so than great defense. The pursuit by the defense was good, but it was created by a quarterback who left the pocket for seemingly no reason.
If the Jaguars are in the same situations, the Cowboys won’t be so lucky. What separates Blake Bortles from Deshaun Watson is not his propensity to run the ball. It’s that Bortles is a more refined player, and when he leaves the pocket, he steps up and out, instead reverse pivoting and giving up more ground. That skill is especially important near the goal line where space is limited. There’s also a good chance the Jaguars don’t put the ball in Bortles’ hands in that situation. And from a DFS perspective, the Ravens and Panthers at $4,000 and $3,900, respectively, are more attractive, despite both of them being on the road.
Arizona Cardinals: $3,500
MIN Points/Game:22.6 (21st) MIN Pass Yards/Game:321.4 (3rd) MIN Rush Yards/Game:65.8 (31st)
I thought it would be best to point out the one $3,500 defense you should avoid if you decide to pay down this far in week six. Of the defenses in this price range, the Cardinals are the only one who have to face a top 15 offense in terms of yards on the road. While Oakland is top six in yards and hosting a $3,500 Seattle defense, that game is in London, so there is no true home/road team. Not to mention, the only time the Cardinals scored double digit FanDuel points was this Sunday, when they faced a back up quarterback. If you were to pick from these $3,500 options, I would forgo all of them and pay down to the Redskins at $3,400
Featured Image Courtesy of The Edwardsville Intelligencer
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