Best Wild Card Round DFS options: Patriots D/ST or Titans D/ST

The Patriots D/ST ($4,800) was one of the best in the league during the regular season and would go on to average 14.3 DKFP overall. They 25 interceptions they grabbed were the most in the league while the 47 sacks they generated were within the top 10. The Titans D/ST ($4,200), despite a shaky secondary at times, would go on to average 8.3 DKFP per game, with 25 interceptions and 47 sacks.

Daily fantasy football analysis: Patriots D/ST, Titans D/ST

One can certainly make the argument that the Pats D/ST trailed off from a fantasy perspective near the end of the regular season. Over the last five games, they averaged just 7.2 DKFP with only one game, Week 15 vs. the Bengals, finishing with double-digit fantasy points with 20. Ryan Tannehill ($16,200) was on the field for 12 games this season, averaging 2.5 sacks taken per game. The Patriots registered a sack in 14 of their 16 games and three or more in eight of them. The biggest problem for the Patriots defense as of late has been defending against the run, more specifically against teams that use that position heavily. The Titans are one of those teams as Derrick Henry ($18,000) not only won the rushing title but has 100+ rushing yards in six games this season, five of which came over the course of their last six games. Even with some holes in their defense, the Pats D/ST brings some tremendous upside each and every week.

While all the focus will undoubtedly be on the Pats, the Titans D/ST certainly held their own during the season as well. It’s hard to deny that Tom Brady ($10,400) has shown his age at times this season and some issues on their offensive line hasn’t helped matters. Brady’s completion percentage really tanked during the second half of the season and he failed to reach at least 60% in six of his last seven games. As I mentioned, the Titans nabbed 25 interceptions on the season, which would rank them in a tie for eighth-best in the league. Brady is only averaging 1.6 sacks per game but if the Titans can provide some good coverage, it could become more of an issue than people may think.

Daily fantasy recommendation

The Patriots are a tough defense to fade, even with some struggles heading into the playoffs. With both defenses being separated by $600 in salary, it feels a lot closer than expected. I think both are very much in consideration but if we’re coming down to one, the Pats are the safer, more consistent side to go with. The upside they bring and Tannehill playing in his first playoff game is hard to ignore.