“I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good.
I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood.”
- “Wishlist,” Pearl Jam
The bye weeks are here, and for us DST streamers, this actually takes some solid options off the table. The Lions, Eagles, Chargers, and Titans are golfing this week, so that means a few of your league mates might also be heading to the waiver wire for a Week 5 defense. No worries, they’ll wait around to pick up the scraps from what is left. You’re going to attack the best plays on the board. Let’s get a W this week.
Defenses owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Drake’s Top 5 Pickups:
New England vs Dolphins
Seattle vs Giants
Denver vs Raiders
Las Vegas @ Broncos
Green Bay @ Rams
Higher-owned Options
Seattle Seahawks (SEA, 27%) — It’s not difficult to simply find who the Giants are playing and add that defense. The Giants allow the fifth most points to opposing DSTs. The G-men admittedly have been better of late, but Daniel Jones going cross country has me feeling a pick-six. Seattle has scored double-digit fantasy points at home this season. That crowd, plus the possibility of Malik Nabers missing the game with a concussion, make me sign all the way up for Seattle, despite the defensive injuries.
Top Targets
New England Patriots (NE, 3%) — The Pats D is real-life good. For fantasy, it’s a work in progress, but this week's opponent is Miami, which starts Tyler Huntley at QB. No offense to the former Pro Bowler (seriously), but he’s not ready for prime time. Heck, he’s not ready for 1 PM EST starts this season. Miami has allowed the third most points to opposing DSTs. It’s a double-digit bonanza whenever defenses line up across from this Miami unit. I love New England as a play this week. Miami simply can’t score. This is a smash play for those seeking a season-long or DFS pick.
Denver Broncos (DEN, 17%) — Don’t look now, but the Broncos have put up 11+ points in three of four contests this season. They’ve been crushing opposing QBs with a ferocious pass rush. Denver has (and I checked this three times) 12 sacks over the last two weeks. Their Week 5 opponent, Las Vegas, is totally lost. They’ve got issues at quarterback. We don’t know if Davante Adams is playing (or getting traded). Simply put, it’s a mess. But what else is new with the Raiders? Vegas has turned the ball over at least once in every game. If I’m scrounging for a DST with some sneaky upside, I’m clicking the Broncos this week.
Las Vegas Raiders (LV, 26%) — They’ll travel to Mile High coming off a three-sack week where they allowed just 10 points to the Browns. Denver hasn’t allowed a sack in two weeks, but something is bound to give, and I’ll bet it won’t be in Bo Nix’s favor. Denver’s pass game is pathetic, and that’s being kind. Last week against the Jets, Denver had one receiver with more than three receiving yards. I don’t know how that happens in 2024. This offense is trash. Hopefully, we get Maxx Crosby back for this one. He said on SiriusXM this week that his plan is to play against Denver, which would obviously boost the Raiders' DST.
Going Deeper
Green Bay Packers (GB, 31%) — The Pack is back and will face a Rams team with more holes than my old boxer shorts. Green Bay has ten sacks over the past two games and six turnovers. I love those trends to continue versus the Rams, who are just decimated across the offensive line. Matthew Stafford has taken at least three sacks in three straight games. I highly doubt that streak ends Sunday at SoFi.
Washington Commanders (WAS, 1%) — You want to shoot for the moon? Washington has a crap defense. I don’t mince words. But the Browns allow the fourth most points to opposing DSTs thus far. Deshaun Watson has been sacked 11 times in the past two weeks. If you go back to Week 1, the Browns have allowed 19 sacks. Enter the hottest team east of Minnesota. This is probably a better DFS play, to be honest. But, if you’re desperate and there is nothing on the wire, lean on the fact that Cleveland can’t protect the QB, and the fans in D.C. should be raucous for their first-place Commanders.
