Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Kickers and Team Defenses Fantasy Football Week 1: Ravens Get to Pick on a Rookie

Ravens defense vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Ravens defense should put up a great line this week, facing a questionable Houston offense that will be starting a rookie quarterback in C.J. Stroud. While I don’t think Baltimore’s defense will be as good as in season’s past, this unit is a virtual must start in Week 1.

Start ’Em

Commanders defense vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Commanders are in a great position to start their season on a high note, facing maybe the league’s worst team in the Cardinals. Their offense will be starting journeyman QB Joshua Dobbs, who was acquired late in camp. Go get Washington's defense now.

More Starts

Seahawks defense vs. Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Jaguars defense at Colts (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Vikings defense vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Jaguars defense at Colts ($3,500)
Seahawks defense vs. Rams ($3,300)
Commanders defense vs. Cardinals ($2,800)

Week 1 Sit ’Em: DefensesSit of the Week

Patriots defense vs. Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Patriots defense should be one of the more valuable in fantasy leagues this season, but a matchup against the Eagles and Jalen Hurts is anything but favorable. Their offense is one of the NFL’s most talented, so I’d find a streaming option and bench New England.

Sit ’Em

Dolphins defense at Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Dolphins-Chargers game figures to be a high-scoring affair, so I’d be keeping the Miami defense on the sidelines. While this is a talented unit, it’ll be without CB Jalen Ramsey and could be vulnerable to Justin Herbert and the Bolts’ electric passing game.

More Sits

Steelers defense vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)\
Browns defense vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Buccaneers defense at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Chargers defense vs. Dolphins ($3,100)
Steelers defense vs. 49ers ($3,000)
Patriots defense vs. Eagles ($2,700)