Rent-A-Defense: Week 6

Fantasy D/ST's were in the center of the Week 5 action, with two 100+ yard touchdown returns on the same day for the first time in league history. In fact, they happened within minutes of each other, and both D/STs were in our rent-a-defense picks! Let's see if we can do that again this week.

Week 5 Results

Green Bay (at LA Rams) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT

The Rams were surprisingly competitive yet again. Xavier McKinney had an interception yet again. It wasn’t a huge hit, but it wasn’t a disappointment either.

A Look Ahead: ARI HOU @JAX - The Packers D/ST is top-five to date and hasn’t had a letdown week yet. Kyler Murray is playing well, but we should consider sticking with the Packers.

Denver (vs Las Vegas) - 3 sacks, 3 INT, 1 DEF TD

Patrick Surtain II took one to the house from the opposing end zone and the Broncos got the Raiders to pull Gardner Minshew II; maybe for good.

A Look Ahead: LAC @NO CAR - Justin Herbert should be healthier and the Chargers will be very conservative on offense, but the Broncos D/ST’s top-five ranking to date will keep them in consideration.

Chicago (vs Carolina) - 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT

The Bears D/ST was a hit yet again, and they forced Andy Dalton out of the game to avoid more hits.

A Look Ahead: JAX BYE @WAS - This game is in London and Trevor Lawrence is playing better, but the Bears have been a top-five D/ST to date.

Seattle (vs NY Giants) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 DEF TD

Rayshawn Jenkins took an Eric Gray fourth and goal fumble the distance for a score, but otherwise, the Giants had the upper hand. It was still a hit on the strength of that play.

A Look Ahead: SF @ATL BUF - We’ll let the Seahawks fly free with this upcoming schedule.

Washington (vs Cleveland) - 7 sacks, 1 fumble recovery

A big lead plus a porous offensive line plus a tentative Deshaun Watson led to too many sacks and a good week to play the Washington D/ST.

A Look Ahead: @BAL CAR CHI - Lamar Jackson will be a little different than Deshaun Watson, but we’ll come back to the Commanders in Week 7.

New England (vs Miami) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT

The Patriots defense was not the reason they lost to the Dolphins, and they were the better side of this lackluster matchup.

A Look Ahead: HOU @JAX NYJ - We salute the Patriots D/ST for their service.

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

NY Giants (at Seattle) - 7 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 ST TD

The Giants defense was already having a great afternoon and then they blocked a potential game-tying field goal and returned it for a touchdown to seal the deal.

LA Rams (vs Green Bay) - 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 DEF TD

Jordan Love was about to go out of the back of the end zone for a safety after taking a hit but instead turned into Will Levis and threw one of the easiest pick-sixes you’ll ever see. You or I could have caught it and returned it for a score.

Week 6 Candidates

**Chicago, Pittsburgh, Denver, and Green Bay are assumed to be rostered**

Philadelphia (vs Cleveland)

We will keep targeting Deshaun Watson as long as he is the starter. Vic Fangio will know what to do.

A Look Ahead: @NYG @CIN JAX - Let’s see how Daniel Jones plays against the Bengals before deciding about Week 7.

Houston (at New England)

If it’s Drake Maye’s first NFL start, that’s a good matchup for the Texans D/ST. If Jacoby Brissett is still the starter, that’s a good matchup for the Texans D/ST. Update: It will be Maye's first start.

A Look Ahead: @GB IND @NYJ - Houston, we have a problem if we keep the Texans D/ST for Week 7.

Atlanta (at Carolina)

The Falcons offense could help feed the defense turnover and sack situations when they face a lesser offense than Tampa’s, like the Panthers.

A Look Ahead: SEA @TB DAL - The Seahawks just gave up a good D/ST to the Giants, and the Falcons offense is heating up. We may stick with them for Week 7.

Tampa Bay (at New Orleans)

Derek Carr left in the fourth quarter with an oblique injury and has a short week to get healthy enough to face the Bucs. Jake Haener did not look ready for primetime, so if the Bucs get to face him in an offense that has become very predictable, it could lead to great fantasy output for their D/ST.

A Look Ahead: BAL ATL @KC - We won’t play the Bucs D/ST in this stretch, but we will see just how good this team is. And we’ll hope that Hurricane Milton isn’t as bad as the forecasts.

Indianapolis (at Tennessee)

The Colts D/ST hasn’t been stellar, but Will Levis is good for at least one potential defensive touchdown a week.

A Look Ahead: MIA @HOU @MIN - A good reason to go with the Colts this week is to have them for the matchup with Tyler Huntley next week.

LA Chargers (at Denver)

The Chargers defense has multiple sacks and at least one takeaway in every game, the team will be rested, and Bo Nix is vulnerable if you can make him play from behind.

A Look Ahead: @ARI NO @CLE - Will Jameis Winston be starting for the Browns by Week 9? If not, we will come back to the Chargers.

Week 7 Preemptive Pickups

Jacksonville (vs New England)
Indianapolis (vs Miami)
Cincinnati (at Cleveland)
Washington (vs Carolina)
LA Rams (vs Las Vegas)