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 Justin Jefferson. 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
Denver's defense is in play most weeks, but the unit is an absolute MUST-START in this matchup. The Broncos comfortably lead the league in sacks. This week, they face the Raiders, who have taken sacks at a top-10 rate. The Raiders have given the ball away at the third-highest rate in the NFL, too. In total, Vegas has allowed the third-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses.
The Jets have taken sacks at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL. The Browns have generated sacks at the second-highest rate in the NFL. That seems like a recipe for a successful fantasy day for the Cleveland D. Plus, this has the potential to be more of a defensive, low-scoring battle. The Browns are very much in play.
Buffalo has generated sacks at the second-highest rate in the NFL. The Bills have historically played the Dolphins very well -- and the vibes have never been lower in Miami. The Dolphins have allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Plus, with Tua Tagovailoa on bench alert, we could see a reserve QB at some point in this one. The Bills are a strong streaming option.
Last week was Tyler Shough's first NFL start. The Saints scored 10 points. They allowed a sack, an interception and a fumble lost in that game, surrendering nine fantasy points to the Rams. On the year, the Saints have allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Carolina's defense has been better for real-life purposes than fantasy, but given the matchup, the unit is in play as a streaming option.
The Commanders will be without Jayden Daniels for the foreseeable future. In the last month, they have allowed the fourth-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Marcus Mariota has taken at least three sacks in two of his three starts this year. Detroit's defense has been very up and down for fantasy purposes, but the unit has shown us it can take advantage of the right matchup. The Lions are in play as a streaming option for those in need.
Sit 'Em
Green Bay's defense is very tough -- most weeks, at least -- in real life. But it has not translated into much fantasy success, with just one game over eight points on the season. This week, the Packers face the Eagles, who have allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. This feels like a pretty straightforward "sit."
I do think the Falcons could make life tough on Daniel Jones this week. Still, though, I would look to avoid the defense in fantasy. The Colts have allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Last week, they yielded a big fantasy day to the Steelers, but prior to that, they were allowing negative fantasy PPG to the defenses they faced. They take sacks at the sixth-lowest rate and take care of the ball. Stay away from Atlanta in Week 10.
The Vikings have a good real-life defense -- and having Andrew Van Ginkel back is huge. You know what matters even more? Lamar Jackson being back for the Ravens. We saw last week that Baltimore's offense remains a buzzsaw when Jackson is out there. Plus, the Vikings D/ST exploded for 30 fantasy points against the Jake Browning-led Bengals back in Week 3, but the unit has scored seven fantasy points or fewer in every other game. Get away.
Pittsburgh is coming off its biggest fantasy game of the season on defense. The unit has been very boom-or-bust, maybe more so than any other defense. I would look to get away this week against the Chargers, who can put up points in bunches. I expect this to be a higher-scoring game, which does not bode well for fantasy defenses.
San Francisco's defense is extremely beat up, ruining the unit for fantasy purposes. The D has scored more than five fantasy points just once since Week 2. That includes the last game against the Rams, when, despite recovering two fumbles, the Niners defense finished with just five fantasy points. Given how well Matthew Stafford and Los Angeles' passing attack is playing right now, I would stay far away.
