We’re back for the Week 5 edition of Defense Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em. As always—two for each category.
Start ’em
Indianapolis Colts D/ST (at Jacksonville Jaguars; 9.5% rostered)
There is still value in this defense, even if they had a middling 7.0-FPT performance last week against the Steelers. They did, however, record four sacks and force two fumbles. The pressure rate remains well above league-average for the Colts, and they’re causing offense to make mistakes.
As for letting Pittsburgh back into the game, I’m not quite sure how to explain that one yet. But I’m willing to give this unit one last chance against a struggling Jacksonville offense.
Through four weeks, this defense has:
- 12 sacks
- 6 forced fumbles
- 2 interceptions
- 1 blocked field goal
Jacksonville currently allows the eight-most fantasy points to opposing defenses.
Am I terrified this is the week Lawrence figures it out, and the Colts defense gets utterly bamboozled in Duval? Sure I am. But I’m going to follow the data. You should, too.
Green Bay Packers D/ST (at Los Angeles Rams; 28.4% rostered)
The Packers are so back, baby. They weren’t even gone for that long. And thank goodness. They’re one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch right now, what with all their youth, speed, and moxie.
This will translate over to SoFi Stadium, where the battered-and-bruised Rams, fresh off a devastating last-minute loss to the Bears in Chicago, await. The Packers looked like they were getting their groove back against Minnesota in the second half of Week 4. The Rams look utterly bereft of groove.
The Packers have 13 sacks on the season. Expect them to get at least three, maybe four on Sunday against this patchwork offensive line in Los Angeles. Doesn’t seem like Stafford’s immune to chucking up a freebie every now and again in the current state of this offense, either.
Sit ’em
Chicago Bears D/ST (vs. Carolina Panthers; 44.5% rostered)
Matthew Stafford gifted Jaquan Brisker a game-sealing pick in the fourth quarter, and nearly hand-delivered him one earlier in the second quarter, just before half. Getting three sacks on this Rams offensive line is only average, honestly. Take away all of that, and the Bears defense has an absolutely ghastly Week 4 fantasy performance against a struggling LA offense.
The Bears defense has been inspired for most of the season, though. It makes sense why people want to believe. But I’m not sure it’s a more inspired story that’s directly translating to inspiring on-field play than that of Andy Dalton’s CPOY campaign in Carolina. I think the Panthers are going to suffocate the Bears on Sunday on the defensive side of the ball, which means they’ll be able to play safe offensively.
The Bears are a trendy pick to have a good defensive fantasy performance in Week 5; don’t take the bait.
New England Patriots D/ST (vs. Miami Dolphins; 17.5% rostered)
This is the consensus-ranked seventh-best defense to start this week. I just don’t get it. The Patriots are turning the ball over too much for this defensive unit to ever be set up for success. The Dolphins offense is struggling without Tua at the helm, yes. But their ground game is going to absolutely shred New England on Sunday.
This is going to be a low-scoring game full of long-possessions that are just going to wear both defenses out. I don’t see any way New England has any advantage, here. Let alone one as large as most of the industry is projecting.
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