The Pittsburgh Steelers logged four sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception while holding the Giants to 18 points in a Week 8 victory. While Pittsburgh's defense has been stout this season, its special teams unit has arguably been even more impressive as receiver Calvin Austin III returned a punt for a 73-yard touchdown in the third quarter. On the defensive side of the ball, T.J. Watt turned in another dominant performance with a strip sack and fumble recovery that prevented New York from scoring late in the fourth quarter. Rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop came down with a game-sealing interception, his third in two weeks. Unfortunately, the Steelers DST may need to be dropped in shallow formats with a Week 9 bye and matchups against the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens on tap.
Oct 29, 2024 1:12 AM EST
The Las Vegas Raiders D/ST intercepted Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II once and sacked him one time in their 20-27 loss in Week 9. While those plays benefitted their fantasy scoring, they still are the 31st ranked D/ST in the NFL due to their inability to stop opposing offenses and their overall lack of production. They have just three interceptions this season, are tied for second-to-last in total takeaways with four, have yet to force a single fumble, and have allowed 26.3 points per game to opposing offenses, sixth-worst in the league. They should not be rostered in any fantasy leagues, especially with a date with the Cincinnati Bengals and their high-powered offense in Week 9.
Oct 28, 2024 10:37 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ribs) exited during the second half of Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys. The team announced that he was questionable to return, but he was not spotted on the field for the remainder of the contest. He finished Week 8 with seven targets, four catches, and 71 receiving yards, plus an additional 15 rushing yards on four attempts. Samuel figures to handle a significant workload moving forward with Brandon Aiyuk (knee) done for the year. Fortunately for Samuel, the 49ers have a Week 9 bye, so he gets a little extra time to rest and recover before his next game. Assuming he suits up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10, he'll rank as a fantasy WR2.
Oct 28, 2024 12:24 AM EST
The Denver Broncos defensive unit turned in another solid outing in the team's 28-14 blowout of the Carolina Panthers. Don't let the box score fool you, as this game was not as close as it may seem. Carolina scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the game but did not again reach pay-dirt until their last -- deep into garbage time. The Broncos D recorded two sacks and two interceptions -- their second multi-interception effort of the year. Sunday marked the fifth time in eight contests that they've held their opponents to 14 points or less. It was another strong showing for one of the league's tougher defensive units. Denver will line up to take on the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday in Week 9, a much more formidable opponent.
Oct 27, 2024 10:00 PM EST
The New York Jets allowed 25 points while picking up two sacks in a 25-22 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 8. The performance goes down as a disappointment as the Patriots had to turn to backup Jacoby Brissett after starter Drake Maye was knocked out of the game early in the second quarter. The Jets were led by Quinnen Williams, who had 1.5 sacks in the loss. New York will now have a short turnaround as they will face the Houston Texans in Week 9's Thursday night game.
Oct 27, 2024 9:38 PM EST
The Detroit Lions DST delivered a strong fantasy performance in Week 8 despite allowing over 400 yards in their 52-14 win over the Tennessee Titans. The unit made big plays, including a punt return for a touchdown, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. This effort earned the Lions a Top-5 fantasy defense finish and marked their third double-digit fantasy scoring game of the season. The Lions DST will aim to stay productive in their Week 9 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Oct 27, 2024 9:23 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns defense played well in a 29-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. The Ravens' offense came into the game leading the league in points per game and yards per game but the Browns held them under their averages while pulling off the upset win over their divisional rivals. Cleveland's defense sacked Lamar Jackson three times in the contest, getting one apiece from Za'Darius Smith, Ogno Okoronkwo, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, although Owusu-Koramoah was carted off the field in the third quarter with a neck injury. Cleveland's defense will look to stay hot against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9.
Oct 27, 2024 8:58 PM EST
The Los Angeles Chargers defense played well in a Week 8 game against the New Orleans Saints, allowing just six points in a 26-8 win. The Bolts recorded five sacks and even despite not recording any turnovers, still put up a solid eight fantasy points in standard scoring formats. The Chargers will face the Cleveland Browns in Week 9 then the Tennessee Titans in Week 10, making them a very appealing fantasy defense to ride with for the next couple of weeks.
Oct 27, 2024 8:10 PM EST
The Philadelphia Eagles defense held the Cincinnati Bengals to 17 points, recorded a sack, and tallied two turnovers in their 37-17 win on Sunday. Since the bye, the Eagles defense has looked strong, holding opponents to an average of 12 points per game. This was a litmus test against a powerful Bengals offense and even though they were without wideout Tee Higgins, there was still plenty of doubt that Philadelphia could hold them in check. The team will host the Jacksonville Jaguars next week after they lost multiple receivers in their loss to the Green Bay Packers. Philadelphia will be on the streaming radar.
Oct 27, 2024 8:04 PM EST
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams' unit produced two turnovers in their 30-27 victory on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Packers were decent, but not spectacular as the team could only muster one quarterback sack of Trevor Lawrence on the afternoon. The team did get back into the turnover column after being shut out in Week 7 against the Texans. Safety Xavier McKinney notched his NFL-leading sixth interception on the season in the second quarter and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper forced a sack and forced fumble leading defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt to scoop up Lawrence's fumble. With the Detroit Lions coming into down fresh off of a 52-point effort against the Titans, it's probably a good idea to bench the Packers as your fantasy defense for Week 9.
Oct 27, 2024 5:15 PM EST
The Houston Texans D/ST turned in a decent performance on Sunday against Indianapolis, compiling five sacks and two turnovers in a 23-20 victory. The Texans lost Colts receiver Josh Downs for a 69-yard touchdown in the first half, but otherwise stymied the Indianapolis passing game. Houston held Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to a woeful 10-for-32 passing and coaxed him into two turnovers, an interception and a fumble on the last play of the game. The Texans will look for a similar effort in Week 9 against the New York Jets.
Oct 27, 2024 5:08 PM EST
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (groin) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Slay, who departed during the third quarter, finished Week 8 with four tackles and one pass defended. In his absence, Isaiah Rodgers should earn more snaps opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
Oct 27, 2024 3:56 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Antonio Hamilton (back) will not suit up in Week 8 when the Falcons face their division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hamilton logged three limited practice sessions during the week but is unable to suit up on Sunday afternoon. Hamilton has been deployed in a depth role this season and has only tallied four total tackles. As a result, fantasy managers should expect A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes to operate as the starting defensive backs this afternoon.
Oct 27, 2024 12:02 PM EST
The Dallas Cowboys defense is coming off of their worst outing of the season after surrendering 47 points to the Detroit Lions in Week 6. With Micah Parsons (ankle), DaRon Bland (foot), and Jordan Phillips (wrist) all sidelined and Eric Kendricks (shoulder) and Caelen Carson (shoulder) listed as questionable, this unit remains beaten up. The matchup against San Francisco is not favorable, especially with key players out. Look elsewhere for your fantasy defense this week.
Oct 27, 2024 10:39 AM EST
New York Giants defense, despite a challenging 28-3 loss to the Eagles in Week 7, remains a formidable unit heading into their Monday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ranked 6th against the pass, allowing only 179.4 passing yards per game, the Giants defense will focus on containing Russell Wilson, who had a strong showing against the Jets with 264 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Giants' weakness against the run (25th, allowing 138.1 yards per game) could be exploited by Pittsburgh's 9th-ranked rushing offense, led by Najee Harris. The Giants lead the NFL in sacks with 31, and if they pressure Wilson effectively, they could disrupt Pittsburgh's 20th-ranked offense, which averages 314.1 total yards per game.
Oct 26, 2024 10:35 PM EST
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense led the charge in a victory over the Jets last week and will hope to repeat this success against the New York Giants in Week 8. This contest has defensive slugfest written all over it, with the lowest over/under of the week and both defenses performing at a high level this season. Pittsburgh ranks top-five in takeaways per game and the Giants are surrendering sacks at the sixth-highest rate. Fantasy managers should have supreme confidence in the Steelers DST, especially in this Monday night showdown at Acrisure Stadium. Fire up Pittsburgh as a top-five option in all formats.
Oct 26, 2024 3:00 PM EST
The Denver Broncos D/ST is a top option in Week 8 when they square off against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Denver's defense has been one of the more staunch tests for opposing offenses in 2024, and they get a tantalizing outing this Sunday against the Bryce Young-led Panthers offense. Carolina is scoring just 15.7 points per contest -- the fifth-lowest mark in the league -- and has turned the ball over 12 times in seven games, the second-most in the NFL. Additionally, the Broncos' defense will be at near-full strength with the return of lockdown cornerback Pat Surtain II after a one-game absence. This week, the unit tops the list, ranking as RotoBaller's No. 1 overall ranked D/ST ahead of Sunday's contest.
Oct 26, 2024 2:56 PM EST
The San Francisco 49ers D/ST hosts the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football. They come into the game as the fifth-most productive unit in fantasy, averaging eight points per game. Last week the 49ers D sacked Patrick Mahomes twice and picked him off twice, but allowed 28 points. Dallas' offense ranks near the middle of the league in yardage but was dreadful last week, scoring no touchdowns against Detroit and turning the ball over five times. Both the Niners' defense and Cowboys' offense are healthy, but Dallas is coming off of a bye. Given the Cowboys' extra time to prepare and their offensive competency before last week, San Francisco's D/ST is just outside the Top 12 in Week 8.
Oct 26, 2024 2:50 PM EST
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit should not be considered at all by fantasy managers in a rough Week 8 matchup. Along with being one of the worst defenses in football this season, they face off with the Green Bay Packers high-powered offense, led by quarterback Jordan Love, Jayden Reed, and Josh Jacobs. The Packers aren't the worst possible matchup from a fantasy perspective, but the combination of a great passing offense going up against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL means a very high chance of negative fantasy points. In fact, the matchup looks better on paper than it actually is, because Malik Willis started at quarterback for two weeks while Love was injured. Almost any other unit is better to start than the Jaguars D/ST in Week 8.
Oct 26, 2024 11:09 AM EST
The Chicago Bears' defense and special teams aim to build on their strong early-season performance against the Washington Commanders this week. The critical factor in deciding whether to start the Bears defense and how confidently hinges on the status of Jayden Daniels (ribs). Starting the Bear's defense could be risky if Daniels plays, regardless of whether he's limited. Daniels has already established himself as one of the league's top playmaking quarterbacks, capable of making explosive plays with both his legs and arm. If he's unable to go, veteran Marcus Mariota will take the helm. Also on the injury front, the Bears' secondary will be without two starters, safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring), during Sunday's game against Washington. While Mariota had a solid outing last week in relief of Daniels against the struggling Carolina Panthers, the Bears defense would likely welcome the chance to face him. This scenario would make the Bears a viable start across all leagues, as they would hope to force a turnover or two from Mariota.
Oct 26, 2024 6:20 AM EST