D/ST Matchups to Target in Week 14 - Cardinals D/ST, Saints D/ST, Titans D/ST, Bears D/ST

December 7, 2024

John's favorite D/ST matchups to exploit for Week 14 of 2024 - DFS defenses to target on DraftKings and FanDuel. These D/ST matchups are GPP and cash game opportunities.

Generally, people can be slow to react to defenses that emerge as some of the league's best in the middle of the season. But that can give you a big edge in your DFS fantasy games.

It's the nature of the NFL that in the right matchups, even overall poor defenses can perform well. In addition, there are underrated options that have played well in recent weeks, but their value has been dragged down by early-season woes. There are also units that gain key players back from injury.

Let's look at some D/STs that could be set to outperform their cash prices on DraftKings and FanDuel and break down why they're good options to add to your DFS lineups for Week 14.

Arizona Cardinals D/ST

$3.0k on DraftKings, $3.7k on FanDuel; vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Arizona Cardinals D/ST is the ninth-cheapest defense on FanDuel this week, making them a fantastic value. ARI's defense has been on an absolute heater in recent weeks, and they get a dream matchup against the Seahawks, who have one of the NFL's worst offensive lines.

Since Week 7 the Arizona Cardinals Defense is:

2nd in PPG
2nd in yds per play
1st in YPG
1st in sacks

ELITE🔥 pic.twitter.com/tfcDZZIGOZ

— K1SinceDay1 (@KSzn2021) December 5, 2024

The Seahawks elevated a running back from their practice squad amid an injury to running back Kenneth Walker III (calf/ankle), and subsequently, Walker was ruled out of the game, giving Arizona's defense an extra boost. In addition, SEA no longer has their starting center, Connor Williams, who unexpectedly retired mid-season.

The Cards took advantage of the lack of offensive line play by sacking quarterback Geno Smith five times, forcing a fumble, catching an interception, and allowing just 285 total yards in the first edition of this matchup in Week 12. They exploited their opponent's weak OL by logging eight tackles for loss.

I've watched some bad offensive lines with the Seahawks the last 10 years.

This is by far the worst one. The 5th string RT, the horrible RG, the C that can't snap the ball, the dud LG.

I can't believe we have to watch 8 more games of this.

— Jeff Simmons (@realjeffsimmons) November 5, 2024

General Manager John Schneider doesn't seem to believe that a good offensive line is a priority and consistently trots out the team's quarterback with a poor pass-protection group. They haven't been good at run-blocking either. Arizona's D/ST could be one of the best-scoring fantasy options this week, and is available for pretty cheap.

New Orleans Saints D/ST

$2.9k on DraftKings, $4.4k on FanDuel; at. New York Giants

Admittedly, the Saints' D/ST is a much better value on DraftKings, where they're priced as the 12th defense for Week 14. They'll face the New York Giants in Week 14, who have a very poor offensive line, a mess of a quarterback situation, and are, in general, likely to be tanking for a better pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

DeMarvion Overshown. Playmaker. pic.twitter.com/BcAfDSsD5j

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 28, 2024

Drew Lock has now played in just eight games in the last three seasons. He wasn't the team's original choice of starter, as they released QB Daniel Jones a few weeks ago. And NY lost their best offensive tackle, Andrew Thomas (foot) to a foot injury. Their best offensive player, Malik Nabers (hip) is dealing with an injury as well.

We may not see much offense at all from the Giants, especially if Nabers misses the game. Even if he plays, Lock threw for just 178 yards and one interception in Week 13. He's not a great passer, and the opposing Dallas Cowboys scored 19 fantasy points against them, holding them to just 247 total yards.

They also sacked him six times, forced and recovered a fumble, and scored a touchdown. The interception in the above clip was as bone-headed play by the former Broncos QB. New Orleans should have a solid game in Week 14.

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— Scott (@scottd923) September 25, 2023

Tennessee Titans D/ST

$2.8k on DraftKings, $4.0k on FanDuel; vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Any defense going against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones is worth a solid look, and they're priced reasonably well considering the great matchup. Even when they had their starting QB, Trevor Lawrence (concussion, shoulder), JAX's offense didn't play great football despite being loaded with talent.

How is Mac Jones this bad? pic.twitter.com/5ARQCNXHs2

— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) December 1, 2024

It's always a huge plus for a defense when they can bust a coverage as hard as the Houston Texans did on the above play and still be rewarded for it. Jones isn't a signal-caller any team wants starting for their squad, but the Jags don't have much of a choice. TLaw will be out for the season now.

Tennessee was carved up by quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in Week 13, but that's one of the worst teams for a defense to face in fantasy football. A much easier matchup should yield better results, and the TEN D/ST's value is depressed by their overall low-scoring nature so far this season, adding nice value.

Chicago Bears D/ST

$2.4k on DraftKings, $3.6k on FanDuel; at. San Francisco 49ers

The Chicago Bears D/ST are one of the cheapest defenses in DFS this week, likely because they're facing the San Francisco 49ers. Despite this, they could be a solid play this week, considering how many injuries SF's squad has. They'll have Brock Purdy available to play, but they've lost a ton of difference-makers to various ailments this season.

The defense is SWARMING

📺: #NEvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/xnteE1nWjO

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 10, 2024

They've been a good unit, ranked 11th in total fantasy points scored this season. And the 49ers will be without key offensive lineman Trent Williams (ankle), running back Christian McCaffrey (knee), and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), all of whom were key cogs in what made the 2023 offense so potent.

49ers injuries for Sunday

OUT
George Odum (knee)
Trent Williams (ankle)
Jordan Mason (ankle)
Dre Greenlaw (Achilles-IR)

DOUBTFUL
Nick Bosa (hip/oblique)

Questionable
Flannigan-Fowles (knee)
Aaron Banks (concussion-still in protocol)
Talanoa Hufanga (wrist-IR)

— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) December 6, 2024

The Niners' offensive line has been in shambles, meaning players like defensive end Montez Sweat should get plenty of pressure on Purdy. Also, this is a bad matchup for wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings, as they'll face plenty of cover-3, which Jennings struggles against, and are solid against slot WRs, which is where Samuel often plays.

If rookie running back Isaac Guerendo has a big game, this may not be a great pick, but we're willing to take our chances on a third-string first-year player not having a massive night.

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your DFS contests!

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