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Looking at Defensive Opportunities Heading to Week 6

With nearly a third of the fantasy season behind us, we should take a look around to see who is excelling, and who has failed to live up to expectations.

Fantasy football is a game built on opportunity, and those who see the patterns being laid down are more likely to end up on top.  Choose players that go up against these teams for a higher likelihood of success from now until the playoffs. In other words, strike while the iron is hot.

In this article, we'll look at defensive opportunities for each position in the coming weeks to see which players might give fantasy football owners an edge when it comes to start/sit decisions.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!

 

Most Points Allowed to Quarterbacks

Highlights:

  • Much to the surprise of everyone in the sports community, the Patriots have been a raging dumpster fire on defense this year. They are far and wide the best weekly matchup across the board, as they are bottom-five in every category.
  • Deshaun Watson is in wonderful position for the rest of the year, as he plays six of these teams over the next 11 weeks.
  • Matt Ryan is in a position to excel as he plays seven of these teams over the next 11 weeks. Cam Newton is in a similar position.
  • Russell Wilson faces five of these teams including a week 16 matchup against the Cowboys, when many fantasy Super Bowls are being played.

Bottom 12 teams against QBs:

QBS Team PPG
1 New England 25.6
2 Indianapolis 21.6
3 Tennessee 21.6
4 Tampa Bay 21.5
5 Cleveland 21
6 Houston 19.8
7 Arizona 19.6
8 Kansas City 19.4
9 Dallas 19.4
10 Philadelphia 18.8
11 NY Giants 18.8
12 New Orleans 18.6

 
 

Most Points Allowed to Wide Receivers

Highlights:

  • Tampa Bay is getting torched by wide receivers thus far, allowing nearly 21% more points per game than the second worst team (the Eagles).
  • Only the Patriots, Titans, Buccaneers, Cardinals and Cowboys are ranked in the bottom ten in points allowed to both quarterbacks and wide receivers. Although the Eagles and Saints follow just behind with bottom-12 ranks in both categories.
  • The Raiders and Broncos receivers have golden opportunities with two bottom-12 teams in their division.

Bottom 12 teams against wide receivers:

WRS Team PPG
1 Tampa Bay 51.4
2 Philadelphia 42.5
3 Tennessee 39.6
4 New England 39.1
5 Arizona 37.8
6 San Francisco 37.8
7 Dallas 37.6
8 Kansas City 37.1
9 Indianapolis 36.3
10 Los Angeles Chargers 34.8
11 New Orleans 34.6
12 Detroit 33.8

 
 

Most Points Allowed to Running Backs

Highlights:

  • The Cardinals and Seahawks have two of the bottom-three rush defenses in their division. Adrian Peterson, and whoever wins the lead role in Seattle are in phenomenal positions to thrive.
  • The Eagles and Redskins have two bottom-12 rush defenses in their division.
  • Doug Martin and Christian McCaffery are in prime positions over the next 10 weeks.
  • Miami and Buffalo have two bottom-five rush defenses in their division. Jay Ajayi is a perfect buy-low candidate.

Bottom 12 teams against the run:

RBS Team PPG
1 New England 30.8
2 Los Angeles Rams 29.9
3 San Francisco 29.4
4 Pittsburgh 28.6
5 NY Jets 28.1
6 New Orleans 27.9
7 Atlanta 27.6
8 Jacksonville 26.9
9 Los Angeles Chargers 26.4
10 Dallas 26.3
11 Indianapolis 25.4
12 NY Giants 24.5
13 Baltimore 24.5

 
 

Most Points Allowed to Tight Ends

Highlights:

  • The Cowboys and Eagles have top-flight tight end candidates, Zach Ertz and Jason Witten are likely to continue to succeed.
  • The Bills and Jets have two bottom-five tight end teams in their division. Pick up Charles Clay if he’s been dropped in your league, he’ll be a great late-season asset to stash now.
  • Delanie Walker and Julius Thomas have two bottom ten ranked teams in their division.

Bottom 12 teams against tight ends:

TES Team PPG
1 NY Giants 21.5
2 Cleveland 20.6
3 Washington 18.4
4 New England 17.1
5 Miami 15.7
6 Denver 15.1
7 Houston 14.9
8 Indianapolis 14.6
9 Baltimore 14.1
10 Minnesota 13.9
11 Seattle 12.3
12 Chicago 12.2

 
 

Bottom 12 Teams on Average and Playoff Matchups

Team QB rank WR rank RB rank TE rank Week 15 Week 16
Patriots 1 4 1 4 Steelers Bills
Titans 3 3 20 26 49ers Rams
Colts 2 9 11 8 Broncos Ravens
Buccaneers 4 1 16 31 Falcons Panthers
49ers 13 6 3 32 Titans Jaguars
Saints 12 11 6 22 Jet Falcons
Cardinals 7 5 30 21 Redskins Giants
Cowboys 8 7 10 18 Oakland Seattle
Ravens 27 28 10 9 Browns Colts
Jets 14 19 5 24 Saints Chargers
Browns 5 24 17 2 Ravens Bears
Eagles 11 2 27 14 Giants Raiders
Jags 32 27 8 19 Texans 49ers

 

More Week 6 Lineup Prep


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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