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
The Titans already fired Brian Callahan, but they very much remain a top offense to stream against in fantasy. Last week, the Patriots defense had five sacks, two takeaways, scored a touchdown and had 19 fantasy points. Tennessee has allowed 13-plus fantasy points to the opposing defense in four of its last five games, including 16-plus in two straight. The Colts are a must-play defense this week.
My hot take is that Miami does not have a Mike McDaniel problem; the Dolphins have a Tua Tagovailoa problem. There is no immediate fix that will help the QB play in Miami. Last week, the Dolphins allowed four sacks, three interceptions, a fumble recovery, a TD and 25 fantasy points (most on the week) to the Browns defense. On the year, Miami has allowed the sixth-most fantasy PPG to defenses. The Falcons have shown the capability to get after the QB.
Last week was the perfect formula for the Browns. Heavily run the ball and trust your defense. That's not likely to be the case this week against the Patriots. New England has posted 11-plus fantasy points in three of its last six games, and Cleveland has allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG to defenses. The Pats are in play.
Coming into the season, the expectation was New Orleans would be an offense we could stream defenses against in fantasy. That has largely not been the case, as the Saints have been more of a middle-of-the pack matchup. But they did struggle last week with four sacks and four giveaways, leading to 13 fantasy points for the Bears' defense. Given that six teams are on bye, including some that I would normally look to stream against, the Bucs are in play this week.
Most weeks, the Broncos are a must-play and far too obvious for this article. However, most weeks, I also suggest to sit defenses against the Cowboys. So, what should you do here? Personally, I am rolling the Broncos defense out wherever I have them. This is a top-three unit on the season and has shown to have a safe floor. Plus, Denver has a favorable schedule coming up. I do not want to lose the Broncos and I definitely do not want to roster two defenses with six teams on bye. Consequently, I will just start Denver and hope for the best.
Sit 'Em
The Eagles faced Jaxson Dart and the Giants just two weeks ago and scored one fantasy point in that game. Philly is coming off its best defensive performance of the season -- fantasy-wise, at least -- but we have seen the Eagles score five fantasy points or fewer four times this season. Plus, this Giants offense is nothing to scoff at. The Broncos' D scored just five fantasy points against the G-Men last week. Avoid the trap.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs look like Super Bowl favorites once again. Defenses have scored more than five fantasy points just once against them all season, when the Jaguars scored seven. Kansas City has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses at just 2.1 per game. Do not play the Commanders this week.
The 49ers' defense is extremely banged up. It was a lot of fun to watch the young players step up on Sunday Night Football last week, but I would not bank on fantasy success. Especially since the unit has yet to score double-digit fantasy points in a game this season. The Niners have two games all year with multiple sacks and have generated pressure at the lowest rate since Week 4 (Nick Bosa was injured in Week 3). And C.J. Stroud is at his best when not under pressure.
The Steelers' defense has been all or nothing for fantasy purposes. Pittsburgh has three games with 10-plus fantasy points and three with five or fewer. This feels more like a nothing week to me, as the Packers have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. They take sacks at a below-average rate and average just 0.5 giveaways per game, the third-fewest in the NFL.
Just a reminder: The Ravens have finished with negative fantasy points in four of their six games. They have topped five fantasy points just once. Plus, the Bears have been playing better on offense and have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. With so many teams on bye, fantasy managers may see the Ravens, remember the glory days and think they can stream them. Nope. The only streaming that should be done here is with fantasy options against Baltimore's D.
