It’s defense time!
I’ll be highlighting DSTs that may still be available in your leagues. These are DSTs that are still below a 50% or 35% ESPN ownership on Thursdays that I feel are startable if you’re still searching.
These options are only for the desperate teams that stream DSTs weekly and missed out on some favorites on waivers. The teams that still have Kansas City’s DST on their lineups when they’re on a bye.
My projections are based on Vegas odds, defensive and offensive player projections, starters, and positional matchups. These are your defensive detours!
Defenses Still Under 35% Ownership
MIN Vikings – 26.3% Ownership
Opponent – CHI
These Chicago QBs are… rough. Chicago has thrown the fourth-most INTs and have taken the tenth-most sacks. They sit in 27th in total offensive points while Vegas is giving them the sixth-least expected points this week. This is also the lowest over/under for the week at 43.5. This Minnesota defense isn’t very good so don’t expect a lot, this is purely a bad offense. A low score allows for a steady floor in fantasy scoring. With David Montgomery still in concussion protocol, this Minnesota DST becomes even more intriguing if he’s out this week.
CLE Browns – 16.1% Ownership
Opponent – HOU
Cleveland will be fresh off a bye against a team that is potentially playing without their starting RB in David Johnson. Houston has given up the seventh-most sacks per game this season while Cleveland hasn’t finished a game without a sack. Cleveland is a tough team to play this week for fantasy sake but they have a safe floor if you’re desperate.
Defenses Under 50% Ownership
WAS Football Team – 47.1% Ownership
Opponent – DET
Kenny Golladay is looking to be out again this week for Detroit and Matt Stafford has back-to-back two-turnover games heading into this matchup. Washington is coming off of a five-sack game against the Giants while Detroit has allowed the tenth-most sacks this season. This Washington D-Line is fourth in sacks and fifth in pressure rate, so they’ll be a problem for Stafford in the backfield and be able to rack up some valuable DST points on sacks.
NY Giants – 39.2% Ownership
Opponent – PHI
The New York Giants are currently the eighth-highest scoring DST in fantasy. Philadelphia has allowed the most sacks in the NFL while New York is eighth in sacks and QB knockdown rate. This Philadelphia team is slowly returning to full strength but their O-Line is still a mess and I expect New York to capitalize on this. The NFC North is a mess and any matchup between these teams this season has seemed like nobody wants to win.
