Another NFL week is upon us, and with it comes a little more insight into defenses across the league. You can never underestimate the importance of defense, whether that be in determining winners and losers on the physical gridiron or in your workplace’s fantasy football league. Let’s take a look at our best picks for which defenses you should start in Week 6, and which you should sit.
Start Em’
Denver Broncos: The Broncos might not be the top defense in the league, but they certainly know how to get the job done – so far this season, they are first in conversion rate allowed, fourth in EPA per play allowed, and seventh in opponents’ scoring rate among all NFL teams. Those stats have helped them average eight fantasy points per game.
This week, they face the New York Jets, who are giving up over eight fantasy points per game this season, and have an offense that averages 319 yards per game and 22.4 points per game. It’s a matchup that should give the Broncos plenty of room for success.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are tied for fifth in forced turnovers per game and are ninth in opponents’ scoring rate, and average over 10 fantasy points per game. They’ll head into a matchup this week with a Cardinals’ offense that gives up eight fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, has turned the ball over six times in five games, and is missing their top two running backs due to injury.
Los Angeles Rams: The Rams had a rough outing last week, but still boast a top ten total defense in the NFL. They’ll face off against a Ravens’ offense that scored just 10 points against the Texans last week and are missing their starting quarterback.
Sit Em’
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals are in a tough spot. They have the third-worst defense in the NFL in terms of both total yards and scoring, and face off against a top-ten scoring offense in the Green Bay Packers. The Bengals have looked lifeless on both sides of the ball since starting quarterback Joe Burrow was lost to injury for the season, so don’t expect the offense to keep the defense off the field either.
Baltimore Ravens: On the flip side of this game, the Ravens’ defense gave up 44 points and the 11th-worst offense in the NFL last week, and are going up against the second-best unit in the NFL in total offense. The Ravens are the team to go against this week on both sides of the ball.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons do allow their opponents the fewest offensive yards per game in the NFL so far this season, but they possess just an average scoring defense. Meanwhile, the Bills may be one of the best teams in the NFL once again, and have been propelled there by an offense among the top three in the league in both total yards and scoring. Don’t expect the Falcons’ defense to continue to hold up this week.
