Start ‘Em, Sit’ Em Fantasy Football Week 15: Team Defenses

Start ‘Em, Sit’ Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst PPR based scoring system matches in fantasy football. This column will not cover elite NFL players like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams or Travis Kelce. Instead, I’m going to look at which players you have the most questions about to help you define the most effective starting roster possible. For all of your final fantasy roster decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2021 NFL season.

Week 15 Start ‘Em: Defenses

Beginning of the week

D / ST Dolphins vs. Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Miami’s D / ST are in the top 10 units in the fantasy world, and they are expected to thrive this week against Zach Wilson and a smashed attack from the Jets. Defenses average the fifth most points per game against the Men in Green, who allowed 36 sacks and committed 25 giveaways, a league-high in 2021.

Week 15 Start ‘Em, Sit’ Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACK | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS | TEAM DEFENSES

Start them

Cowboys D / ST at Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Cowboys have one of the two best defenses in fantasy football, and a clash against the Giants makes them an even more attractive option in Game 1 of the Fantasy Playoffs. As of Week 9, their offense has averaged the third fewest points (15.2 PPG) and just 258.5 yards of total attacking.

D / ST Cardinals at Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Arizona’s defense is one of the best units in the Fantasy Leagues, and a clash against the Lions makes it a high-end option this week. Jared Goff and the Detroit offense could lose several important players, and the defenses have sacked him 33 times. The Lions also made 18 gifts.

More departures

• Eagles D / ST vs. Team Soccer (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• 49ers D / ST vs. Falcons (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS good deals

• 49ers D / ST vs. Falcons ($ 3,100)
• Jaguars vs. Texans ($ 2,800)

Week 15 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Seat of the week

Ravens D / ST vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Ravens have had a disappointing defense this season, and it won’t improve against Aaron Rodgers and his explosive Packers offense. Opposing defenses are on average the fifth fewest fantastic points against Green Bay, who are on average 25.2 points and have committed just 10 freebies.

Sit down

Saints D / ST at Buccaneers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Saints were a popular fantasy streamer unit last week, but it was against the Jets. Next up is a clash with Tom Brady and an offense from the Buccaneers who are averaging 31.5 points and 410.2 total yards of attack per game. New Orleans should find its way back to the sidelines.

Panthers D / ST at Bills (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Carolina defense smelled badly against the Falcons, scoring just two fantastic points despite a positive game. Next on the calendar is a much tougher opponent, as the Panthers head east to face the Bills. Defenses have on average the seventh fewest fantastic points against them this season.

More seats

• Seahawks D / ST at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
• D / ST Football Team at Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS fade

• Rams D / ST vs. Seahawks ($ 3,400)
• Titans D / ST at Steelers ($ 3,000)

Michel Fabien is an award winning fantasy football analyst on Illustrated sports and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram for your latest fantastic news and the best analysis in the business!