NFL Fantasy 2024 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Defenses for Week 7

The Browns' offense is not good, and it's not likely to get better after Amari Cooper was traded to Buffalo. The only way Deshaun Watson -- carrying a league-high sack rate of 13.5 percent -- is useful in fantasy right now is as an appealing matchup for defenses. Forget about touchdowns; Cleveland is struggling to get first downs. The Browns have allowed the fifth-most fantasy PPG to opposing defenses. Play the Bengals. 

The Colts were only able to get the Titans for one interception last week. That was a disappointment, but we are still starting defenses against Tennessee, which has allowed the most FPPG to the position. The Bills' defense tends to beat up on teams like this. Get them in your lineup. 

Spencer Rattler held his own in his NFL debut, but the Bucs still had a huge fantasy day. They sacked him five times, picked him off twice, recovered a fumble and finished with 17 fantasy points, making them the second-highest scoring defense on the week. Denver has been a very tough defense this season, especially against the pass, and it's possible New Orleans will be without both Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed on Thursday Night Football. It's worth the upside shot with the Broncos this week. 

The Colts disappointed last week against the Titans, but I'm willing to give them another shot, because it's all about the matchup. In three games without Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins have allowed 10.3 FPPG to opposing defenses. Every defense has scored at least eight against them in that span. As an offense to exploit, Miami offers a safe floor and some upside. 

The Patriots have taken sacks at the second-highest rate this season (11 percent). Drake Maye hung tough in his first NFL start last week, but the Texans' defense still did sack him four times while picking him off twice. Houston finished with 12 fantasy points. Plus, the Jags will be in London all week, whereas the Patriots will have to fly across the pond. The Jags seemed to have a real advantage in their second London game last season.

I know the Vikings' defense has been great this season, but the Lions' offense is also very good, especially lately, with Detroit scoring more than 40 points in two straight games. The Lions have allowed the third-fewest FPPG to opposing defenses so far this season. This matchup has the potential to be a scorefest, and it's not worth risking a low floor here. 

Hey, do not call me biased! The Vikings have been able to move the ball very well this season, especially through the air, and pass defense is a weakness of the Lions. The absence of injured pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson will only lower the floor and upside of this defense. As I wrote in the above blurb, this could be a high-scoring game, and I would get away from both defenses.

Just because I'm telling you to sit Patrick Mahomes in the QB portion of this column does not mean you should play fantasy defenses against him. He's still been sacked at the eighth-lowest rate in the NFL (minimum of 100 pass attempts). The 49ers' defense has also not been a great fantasy option, having logged one huge game against the Patriots while finishing in the single digits in every other week. I would stream elsewhere this week. 

The Bengals' defense might struggle, but their offense has been a powerhouse as of late. On the season, they have allowed the 12th-fewest FPPG to opposing defenses. The Browns have a lot of talent on defense, but I am not in the business of streaming against Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. You can find another defense to stream this week. 

The Packers' defense has been very reliable for fantasy purposes this season, but I am not sure this is the week to start the unit, not with the way C.J. Stroud and the Texans' offense have been balling. In this matchup between two good offenses with big-play ability, I would look to avoid both defenses.