Fantasy Football: Week 6 DEF/ST Recap
Fantasy football is weird sometimes. Like when you have the #1 DEF/ST coming in to play a struggling offense that at the last minute has to scratch their starting QB and start Brock Osweiler. That situation normally means that the Chicago Bears are going to put up fantasy QB-like numbers and reign supreme over the fantasy universe. Not in Week 6 though. Osweiler decided that it was Brocktober and that he was ready to give the world what it needed: more cowbell…no, wait…more Albert Wilson. The Dolphins, and Wilson specifically, torched the Bears for 31 points and most surprising. 0 sacks. The Bears fell to 2nd place in the overall ranks for the first time this year and will need to put the pieces back together before they play New England in Week 7. Now, let’s focus on the teams that didn’t let us down in Week 6 and those that we’ll be happy with again after Week 7.
Week 6 Top Performances
Baltimore Ravens: @ Tennessee Titans
A lot of times, the team that is #1 on this list did everything so well that they filled up the stat sheet and scored you a variety of fantasy points. Sometimes all you need to do is do one thing very well, almost historically well. The Ravens sacked the QB. If you watched this game, you heard that phrase 11 times on Sunday. They didn’t give us one other fantasy-worthy stat…besides the shutout, of course…but I’m willing to wager that there aren’t many weeks where 0 points allowed and 11 sacks don’t find it’s way to the top of the fantasy rankings.
Week 7 Matchup: vs New Orleans Saints
I’m also will to wager just about anything I have that the story will be a lot different with Baltimore playing the explosive Saints. Hard to start any DEF/ST against Drew Brees and Co. especially well rested, coming in off a bye. Bench the Ravens.
Houston Texans: vs Buffalo Bills
The only thing better than playing a rookie QB at home is when you force that rookie out of the game and Nathan Peterman comes in. That is a DEF/ST dream come true. Peterman knew that one quarter was hardly enough time to throw his requisite 5 interceptions but he tried his best. He managed to throw 2 picks in 15 minutes of play, including a pick 6 to seal the game. Houston ended up with 2 sacks, 3 takeaways, 1 TD, and a blocked kick for good measure. Good enough for the 2nd best fantasy performance of Week 6.
Week 7 Matchup: @ Jacksonville Jaguars
I don’t love this road matchup but Jacksonville has been very generous to DEF/ST lately. My biggest concern is that an angry Jacksonville defense destroys this Houston offense and puts the Texans DEF/ST in bad spots all game. That said, if you can’t find a better replacement, see below, you could do worse than the Texans.
Seattle Seahawks: vs Oakland Raiders (in London)
All Seattle did in this game is make Derek Carr look like he didn’t belong in the NFL. The Raiders couldn’t do anything on offense and only managed 3 points. Seattle harassed Carr all game to the tune of 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a ton of QB hits and rushed throws. It was another ugly game for the Gruden-led Raiders, who are looking like a “plus” matchup for fantasy DEF/ST.
Week 7 Matchup: Bye Week
Week 7 Starts
Los Angeles Chargers: vs Tennessee Titans (in London)
Looks like we should get back-to-back weeks of a DEF/ST in London finishing near the top. The Titans look terrible on offense and will probably be licking their wounds after giving up the top performance to Baltimore in Week 6. Look for more of the same in Week 7 when you start the Chargers.
Denver Broncos: vs Arizona Cardinals
Josh Rosen looks good but this Broncos defense is starting to put things together too. Denver held their own against Goff and the Rams and should find the going much easier against a rookie QB with little firepower around him.
Indianapolis Colts: vs Buffalo Bills
This was almost my Stream of the Week, as the Colts are only owned in 6% of fantasy leagues but Buffalo is such a great matchup they make the Colts a must start. It looks like Josh Allen may miss some time and that means the Colts get Nathan Peterman, who may very well believe he plays defense and that he is supposed to throw them the ball.
Stream of the Week
Washington Redskins: vs Dallas Cowboys
Washington is only owned in 7% of leagues on both ESPN and Yahoo. Dallas has looked solid as of late but this Washington defense is no joke. Washington has registered a sack and takeaway in every game this season and, outside of the blowout by New Orleans, hasn’t given up more than 21 points in a game.
Week 7 Sits
Both Teams: Minnesota Vikings @ New York Jets
Sam Darnold and the Jets have scored 70 points and only given up 3 sacks over the last 2 weeks. They will be at home against the Vikings and should be able to light up the scoreboard again. Minnesota only has 2 games all season where they gave up fewer than 21 points. This has the makings of a shootout and that means stay away from these DEF/ST!
Icon Sportswire / Contributor
Chicago Bears: vs New England Patriots
I can’t explain what happened to the Bears last week but unless you want them to let you down again in Week 7, look elsewhere. The Patriots give up the 5th fewest points to opposing DEF/ST.
Carolina Panthers: @ Philadelphia Eagles
Normally, the Panthers are playing so bad I wouldn’t even need to tell you to bench them…but they are owned in more than 60% of fantasy leagues so that is not the case here. Wentz is red hot and the Panthers defense is not. Do not start Carolina in Week 7.
Top DEF/ST Year-to-Date
All Stats and Scores from FantasyData.com, your league scoring may differ. Ranks vs Pass/Run are based on Yards per Game allowed.
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