Start 'Em, Sit 'Em D/STs: Week 4 fantasy football
Historically, defense and special teams (D/STs) haven't been top scorers in fantasy football weekly. For the last three seasons, only two D/STs have averaged double-digit points per game, per FantasyPros data.
That's changed in the 2024 NFL season. Through Week 3, nine D/STs are averaging 10 points or more per game, according to FantasyPros, topped by the Minnesota Vikings at 16.0. They're only rostered in 53% of Yahoo fantasy football leagues and 20.4% of ESPN leagues.
If you're looking for a slight edge in fantasy football this week, here are five D/STs to start and five to sit for Week 4.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 4 D/STs
Miami Dolphins (vs. Tennessee Titans)
D/STs playing against Tennessee are scoring 18.7 points per game in 2024, which is good enough for RB9 and WR9 in PPR scoring. The Titans' offense turns opposing defenses into DK Metcalf for a week. Miami had a rough go in Week 3 against a Seattle offense that's running the ball very well. The Dolphins may struggle to score in this one, but the defense should keep them in it.
Tennessee Titans (at Miami Dolphins)
Miami's second to Tennessee in points given up to D/STs in 2024. Opposing units are averaging 11.7 points per game. With Tua Tagovailoa out, Seattle scored 13 fantasy points with six sacks and three points allowed. Tennessee has the talent on defense to do something similar against what may be a hapless offense.
Chicago Bears (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Chicago lost to Indianapolis in Week 3, but that was more due to offensive woes. The Bears' defense tallied a sack and two interceptions. This week, they'll play a Rams team that gives up the eighth-most points to opposing D/ST units.
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Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
Houston ranks fourth in the NFL in sacks this season with 13 and faces a Jacksonville offense that's 30th in points scored per game. It won't be nearly as big of a challenge as Minnesota was in Week 3.
Cleveland Browns (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Las Vegas allows opposing D/STs to score the seventh-most points per game in the NFL. The Raiders have one of the worst running games in the league, which should allow Myles Garrett and this secondary to capitalize.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 4 D/STs
Atlanta Falcons (vs. New Orleans Saints)
Even in their worst week of the year, the Saints only allowed one sack and one interception to Philadelphia. Atlanta's defense played well against Kansas City in Week 3, but this Saints team is just not allowing opposing defenses to score fantasy points.
Denver Broncos (at New York Jets)
Denver's defense had a bounce-back game against Tampa Bay in Week 3 with seven sacks and two turnovers. That likely won't be the case in Week 4. The Jets have allowed just 10 points to opposing defenses in three weeks.
Arizona Cardinals (vs. Washington Commanders)
Surprisingly, the Commanders are the worst team in fantasy football for opposing D/ST units. They've yet to turn the ball over in 2024, so the nine sacks allowed are the only points D/STs are scoring. Arizona's defense lacks talent compared to other units Washington's faced.
Seattle Seahawks (at Detroit Lions)
Seattle is second in the league in pressure rate (32.5%), but Detroit is one of the best teams in the league at avoiding sacks. Seattle's run defense is league-average, so the Lions could opt to lean more run-heavy at home, which will minimize scoring opportunities for the Seahawks' D/ST.
Indianapolis Colts (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Colts recently placed arguably their best defensive player, DeForest Buckner, on injured reserve. They're one of the worst run defenses in the league and are facing an offense that leans more on the running game and has just one turnover through three games.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 4
Looking for more fantasy football advice? Paste BN Sports has you covered:
→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 4.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 4 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 4.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 4.
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 4.