Top five fantasy defenses for NFL Week 4

Recognize you not the beast we’ve created? It’s the month of franken-constructions, spiritually and spookily, and indeed, I’m staring at a team—starters and bench included—that is perhaps 20% source material from the actual draft, and 80% crudely-attached appendages like Rocket Sanders, Tyquan Thornton, Ted Hurst III, and Kenyon Sadiq. Victor Frankenstein was a boob in Shelley’s novel and even more so in Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation (Oscar Isaac played him so well!), but I find myself channeling his scientific ambition to make gorgeous, cohesive monster out of the fractured limbs (not here referring, of course, to the 3,476 season-ending injuries through three weeks of the season) of fantasy production. I do not remember an October which—beyond the teams who drafted Gibbs and Ken Walker, or whatever—the entire fantasy board was so ripe for the taking, if only you’re sharp and willing to take ugly risks.

Happy Fantasy Friday once more—and happy season of shadows to all, now that the calendar’s turned to October. I’m here with the Five Lists of Five: Week 4 edition. Franken-lineup edition. May we maintain our humanity during this monstrous time.

For the newly-ordained: Soundbite-length blurbs with advanced analysis on my favorite plays of the week. We begin now with my Top five fantasy defenses for NFL Week 4. Here are my other offerings in this edition:

• Top five must-start WRs for fantasy football Week 4
• Top five must-start RBs for fantasy football Week 4
• Top five fantasy football players to stash ahead of NFL Week 4
• Top five FLEX plays for fantasy football Week 4

All data provided by Fantasy Points Data Suite 2.0, unless otherwise noted.

Fantasy football Week 4: Top five D/STs to start

Seattle Seahawks D/ST (vs. Chargers)

Seattle’s front permits a stifling 1.44 adjusted YBC/ATT, third-fewest in the league, and I expect it to push Justin Herbert into frequent third-and-long situations. I expect it, frankly, to decimate him. The Chargers rank 31st in EPA/play; Herbert ranks 27th in EPA/DB and 25th in turnover-worthy throw rate. Los Angeles committed five turnovers against Buffalo while cycling through three running backs. Nothing is working.

Ladd McConkey’s foot injury further complicates the passing game, even if he dresses and is limited. Seattle has surrendered a league-low 152.0 passing YPG, although Marcus Mariota just threw three TDs against this secondary. Herbert, however, has hung three consecutive one-TD outings, and the Chargers seem to be allergic to sustaining drives. Seattle belongs near the top of this week’s defense plays in all formats.

Baltimore Ravens D/ST (vs. Titans)

Baltimore blitzes on 42.4% of opposing dropbacks, sixth in the NFL, and Titans QB Cam Ward ranks 31st in EPA/DB against the blitz. He has yet to complete a throw traveling 20-plus air yards. I expect the Ravens to attack him ruthlessly; I doubt Ward will come close to punishing an aggressive defenses with anything downfield.

Baltimore runs two-high on 68.6% of dropbacks. Ward has averaged 4.38 YPA through 53 dropbacks against those shells. He has yet to surpass 183 passing yards in a game.

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry should push Tennessee into catch-up passing. Of these five defenses, Baltimore has my favorite combination of an exploitable quarterback and the scheme to aggravate his problems.

Green Bay Packers D/ST (at Buccaneers)

Jalon Daniels makes his first NFL start after averaging 5.4 YPA across 44 preseason attempts. I’m streaming Green Bay against the undrafted rookie, expecting mistakes as he adjusts to the speed and coverage changes of a regular-season defense.

The Packers earned plenty of skepticism last week. Michael Penix averaged 10.2 YPA, Drake London caught nine passes for 194 yards, and Green Bay finished with minus-two fantasy points. Emeka Egbuka can exploit another afternoon of loose coverage, while Bucky Irving threatens to shorten Daniels’ passing assignments.

Jordan Love building a lead would help considerably. Tampa Bay would then have to ask more of its inexperienced passer. I’m prioritizing the sack and turnover potential here, with modest expectations for points-allowed scoring.

New York Jets D/ST (at Bears)

The Jets are my deepest-league selection here. New York permits 6.48 YPT to outside receivers, seventh-fewest, and 184.7 passing YPG, fourth-fewest. Chicago’s short preparation week and Braxton Jones’ absence from practice strengthen the case for a few disrupted possessions.

Ben Johnson’s quick passing game worries me. Case Keenum threw to his first read on 85.3% of attempts Monday; 10 of Luther Burden’s 11 targets came that way. Whether Chicago starts Keenum or Tyson Bagent, Aaron Glenn must make those initial throws harder.

New York also allows 2.41 adjusted YBC/ATT, seventh-most, so Chicago can attack on the ground. I’ll use the Jets when the stronger streamers have disappeared; Seattle and Baltimore warrant clear priority.

Atlanta Falcons D/ST (at Saints)

New Orleans has conceded 10 sacks and committed seven turnovers through three games. Tyler Shough supplied three of those turnovers alongside four TD passes against Las Vegas. I’m streaming Atlanta for sacks and takeaways, accepting considerable risk in points-allowed scoring.

Shough has surpassed 250 passing yards every week, and Atlanta’s front permits an NFL-low 48.0 RB rushing YPG. With Travis Etienne on IR, the Saints face another difficult rushing assignment while sorting out a three-back committee. I expect Shough to throw frequently again.

Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele are massive threats to this squad’s underbelly: Atlanta concedes 157.3 receiving YPG to outside WRs, second-most. The Falcons fit deeper leagues and formats that reward sacks and takeaways heavily.