NFL Fantasy 2024 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Defenses for Week 4

Pittsburgh's defense has displayed a very safe floor, with at least nine fantasy points in every game this season (and at least 12 points in two of three). Now, the Steelers face Anthony Richardson and the Colts, who've experienced turnover troubles of late (five in the last two weeks). There have been quite a few near-picks, as well. The Steelers remain in play.

The Cowboys' defense of 2024 has not looked like the Cowboys defense of recent years. The unit has scored negative fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. But now the 'Boys get the Giants. We have seen Dallas' defense post week-winning performances against this division rival in the past. The Giants have allowed sacks at the second-highest rate in the NFL and have multiple turnovers in two of three games. Don’t give up on Dallas just yet.

We have only played three weeks and twice already the top scoring defense on the week was the Titans' opponent. In Week 1, the Bears went off for 22 points against Tennessee. Last week, the Packers got the Titans for 21. Only three times this season has a defense topped 20 fantasy points ... and two of three came against Tennessee. Will Levis has been sacked on a league-high 13 percent of his dropbacks. Until the Titans stop giving us every reason to fade their offense, we are streaming against Tennessee. 

Tennessee's defense has not had much fantasy success this season, but Miami's offense has not had much success without Tua Tagovailoa. Plus, with Skylar Thompson leaving early last week, that would leave third-stringer Tim Boyle in line to start -- unless the Dolphins opt for recently acquired Tyler Huntley. Boyle has thrown four touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his NFL career. Even if it is Thompson, he has been sacked on 15 percent of his dropbacks. The Titans are a streaming option this week. 

The defense facing the Browns has scored 13 fantasy points or more in two of three games this season. Deshaun Watson has been sacked on 11 percent of his dropbacks, among the five highest rates in the NFL. The Giants got to him eight times last week. The Browns have had turnover and sack troubles -- exactly the things we look for in a streaming matchup. An angry Raiders team awaits Cleveland in Week 4. 

Josh Allen has been sacked on just four percent of his dropbacks. That's after being the least-sacked QB in 2023. Plus, Buffalo's offense has been highly efficient this season. Seemingly every time the Bills touch the ball, they're scoring points. The Ravens' defense has not been as dominant in 2024 as it was in the past. You can get away from Baltimore in this one.

Lamar Jackson has been sacked on a league-low three percent of dropbacks. He also happens to be amazing at football. Defenses have scored a combined seven fantasy points in three games against Baltimore. It doesn’t matter what the Bills have done in past weeks. Play a different D in Week 4. 

The Chargers have fielded a stout defensive unit this season, but that doesn't mean you need to start Los Angeles against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. In fact, the plan when drafting L.A.'s D was to stream the unit for the first three weeks. The Bolts topped double figures in two of three, so it worked out. But now this group is banged up and facing Mahomes, who has only been sacked on four percent of his dropbacks. No defense has reached double-digit fantasy points against Kansas City this season. Stream elsewhere this week. 

The most fantasy points a defense has scored against the Lions this season is five. The Seahawks' D opened with a very favorable schedule and turned in a nice performance or two, but the ride is over this week. This has the chance to be a very high-scoring game, like all Lions games do. I would avoid defenses against Detroit at all costs.

Denver's defense is coming off of a big fantasy performance, but I would not chase the points. Aaron Rodgers has taken a sack on just five percent of his dropbacks this season, well below the league average of 7.5 percent. He's also the best ever at limiting interceptions. Given that and the rushing attack the Jets bring, you cannot fall for the trap.