Fantasy Football: Week 11 Team Defense Recap
As Week 11 comes to a close and the fantasy playoffs inch ever closer, one lesson can be heard loud and clear: chase bad QB play if you can do it! All 3 of Week 11’s top DEF/ST benefited from predictably bad QB play. In fact, every one of the top 6 teams had at least 3 turnovers by the opposing QB. After a tame Week 10, Week 11 gave us 5 teams with a DEF/ST touchdown and 6 teams with 4 or more takeaways. There were plenty of points to be had, let’s take a look at who had them.
Week 11 Top Performances
Baltimore Ravens: @ GB
There’s good and then there’s shutting out Green Bay in Lambeau good. Fine work by the Ravens in this one. To go along with allowing 0 points, they added 5 takeaways and 6 sacks. Brett Hundley is as gun shy as I’ve seen in a QB. He holds the ball too long and doesn’t seem to trust his arm and that is a deadly combination with a guy like Terrell Suggs lining up on defense.
Week 12 Matchup: vs HOU
Tom Savage is starting to find his footing but, with Will Fuller questionable and D’Onta Foreman lost for the year, you can still comfortably start the Ravens this week. The Texans have given up top 12 finishes to opposing DEF/ST in 5 of their last 6 games.
Jacksonville Jaguars: @ CLE
As predictable a beatdown as they come. While cliche, this is what happens when the very stoppable force meets the immovable object. The Browns defense held their own but Deshone Kizer continues to struggle. After allowing a deep TD to Duke Johnson, the Jaguars buckled down and stopped all scoring for the rest of the game. They finished with 5 sacks and 5 takeaways, including a fumble recovery in the end zone for a TD on one of the games last plays.
Week 12 Matchup: @ ARI
While Blaine Gabbert didn’t look bad last week, but he didn’t look great either. There is no way you’re even considering benching the Jags here, go with your gut.
Los Angeles Chargers: vs BUF
This game can be summed up by the sentiments of the Chargers own Joey Bosa, who said after the game that he actually started to feel sorry for Nathan Peterman. While Los Angeles only sacked Peterman once, a sack-strip-fumble by Bosa that was returned for a TD, they picked him off 5 times…in the 1st half. His first NFL pass was intercepted and returned for a TD. It was one of the worst performances of all time that has Buffalo looking like they’ve fallen to levels of ineptitude usually reserved for the Cleveland Browns.
Week 12 Matchup: @ DAL
If you had asked me about this game 2 weeks ago, I’d have said your benching the Chargers for sure. Today, I say Full Stream Ahead. The Chargers are only owned in 50% of leagues and catch a reeling Dallas team in a short week. Happy Thanksgiving indeed.
Week 12 Starts
Cincinnati Bengals: vs CLE
It appears we’ve reached that time of the year, where DEF/ST recommendations always start with “who’s playing the Browns?” Don’t overthink this one.
Philadelphia Eagles: vs CHI
Eagles have been on a tear with top 12 finishes in each of their last 3 weeks. The Bears have started to improve with Trubisky under center but still give up top 5 fantasy points to DEF/ST.
Elsa/ Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers: vs GB
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Without Aaron Rodgers, this offense lacks any punch and the Steelers are the worst possible follow up to a game where you were shut out. It’s been a long month for Brett Hundley and that will continue Sunday.
Stream of the Week
Oakland Raiders: vs DEN
Let me start by acknowledging that Oakland’s defense has been bad this season, which is why they are owned in less than 10% of leagues. They’ve only finished in the top 12 twice and not since Week 4…when they faced the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are a team in turmoil and should be a great “get right” game for the Raiders. Look for a monster game from Khalil Mack.
Week 12 Sits
Los Angeles Rams: vs NO
Drew Brees is a monster and not to be trifled with. The Saints can get it done by ground or by air and I don’t trust any DEF/ST against them.
Denver Broncos: @ OAK
I typically try to avoid obvious teams in my Starts and Sits but since 75% of you still own the Broncos despite them not finishing in the top 12 since Week 5, I guess this has to be said: DON’T START THE BRONCOS. Cut them. Now.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs: vs BUF
I know this sounds counter-intuitive after what the Chargers just did to the Bills but I feel like this is a trap game. Let me start by saying if Buffalo throws Peterman out there again, start the Chiefs. But I think Tyrod takes back over and has a great game. Just my thoughts, but I’m avoiding the Chiefs this week.
Top DEF/ST Year-To-Date
The table is arranged by YTD fantasy points but all categories are sortable. Also, I have ranked teams on a Yards-per-Game basis in Passing/Rushing.
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