Should I Start the Dolphins DST in Week 18? Fantasy Football Team Defenses

January 7, 2023

Should I start the Miami Dolphins DST for fantasy football in Week 18? Is the Miami Dolphins DST a good start? Read the latest fantasy football outlook.

The DST position is one of the trickier propositions in fantasy football, but it can sometimes be the difference between wins and losses. As we head into Week 18 of the NFL season, many fantasy managers are left searching for viable streaming options at the DST spot for the final week in fantasy football.

The Dolphins DST has been a below-average streaming option throughout the 2022 fantasy season. Miami has struggled to generate takeaways this year, forcing 14 turnovers with one game to go, the third-fewest in the league. Last Sunday's game marked the eighth time this year that the Dolphins did not register a takeaway. The Jets come to town in what is a must-win game for Miami to make the postseason.

So, should we start the Miami Dolphins DST this week in a rematch with the New York Jets?

What Has The Dolphins DST Done in 2022?

The Dolphins DST has struggled since taking advantage of a horrendous Houston offense in Week 12, averaging 3.2 points per game over the past five weeks.

Since acquiring star edge-rusher Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos, Miami's pass rush has stayed active. The Dolphins have recorded multiple sacks in every game since Week 9, averaging over three sacks per game since trading for Chubb. Jaelan Phillips leads the front seven with seven sacks on the year.

Opponents are averaging 24.6 points per game against the Miami Dolphins this year, the sixth-most in the league. They currently stand 23rd in scoring among DSTs, averaging 6.1 points per game.

Should I Start The Dolphins DST In Week 18 Fantasy Football?

The New York Jets started the season 7-4, but Robert Saleh's squad has dropped their last five games and is no longer in contention for an AFC wild-card spot. Joe Flacco is averaging over 51 pass attempts per start this year and will be the quarterback under center for New York this week.

Flacco dueled with the Dolphins in Week 11 last year. He totaled 291 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 loss. Miami's secondary has been vulnerable all season long, allowing the third-most touchdowns through the air and the fourth-most passing yards.

During their five-game losing streak, the Jets offense is averaging two turnovers, over three sacks allowed per game, and just 12.0 points per game. The Dolphins DST is a viable streaming option against a depleted New York offense.

Click here to find out where RotoBaller's own DST expert, Eric Samulski places this DST in his Week 18 DST Rankings!

More Fantasy Football Analysis