Rent-A-Defense: Week 8

Our Sigmund Bloom finds waiver-wire defenses with great matchups that should be featured in your starting lineup.

Sigmund Bloom's Rent-A-Defense: Week 8 Sigmund Bloom Published 10/22/2024

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Week 7 Results

Cincinnati (vs Cleveland) - 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 ST TD

Deshaun Watson left this game with an Achilles injury, which actually helped here as Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw two picks before he left the game. That wasn't why this one was a hit - Charlie Jones' game-opening kickoff return for a score put this play over the top.

A Look Ahead: PHI LV @BAL - We may come back to the Bengals D/ST in Week 9.

Buffalo (vs Tennessee) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT

Mason Rudolph wasn't much better than Will Levis, but he also wasn't worse, so this was just a modest success.

A Look Ahead: @SEA MIA @IND - The Seahawks offense is warming up, so this isn't a preferred play on the road.

Minnesota (vs Detroit) - 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 DEF TD

This play was going to be disappointing until Ivan Pace Jr. picked up a David Montgomery fumble and returned it for a touchdown.

A Look Ahead: @LAR IND @JAX - Cooper Kupp should be back this week, but we're sticking with the Vikings D/ST for the long haul.

LA Rams (vs Las Vegas) - 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 3 INT, 1 DEF TD

Aidan O'Connell got knocked out of this one early with a thumb injury and Gardner Minshew II obliged with three interceptions. We'll have the Raiders opponent at or near the top of the candidate list going forward.

A Look Ahead: MIN @SEA MIA - The Rams D/ST will roam free on the mountainside.

Indianapolis (vs Miami) - 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries

It wasn't necessarily a fantasy triumph for the Colts D/ST, but they were good enough, and the Colts scraped out a win on a poor afternoon for Anthony Richardson.

A Look Ahead: @HOU @MIN BUF - The Colts D/ST will be put out to pasture.

Atlanta (vs Seattle) - 1 sack

We had the wrong side of this one as the Seahawks did not hit the snooze button on the trip out east.

A Look Ahead: @TB DAL @NO - Baker Mayfield will be playing without his top two wideouts, but this is still one to avoid.

Washington (vs Carolina) - 2 sacks, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD

Dan Quinn has got this defense rounding into form, although facing the Panthers never hurts.

A Look Ahead: CHI @NYG PIT - Caleb Williams has played well enough lately to pass on Week 8, but we'll come back to the Commanders D/ST in Week 9.

New Orleans (vs Denver) - 1 fumble recovery

This one was embarrassing on many levels, the least of which was the performance by a shorthanded D/ST that also lost Rashid Shaheed for the season.

A Look Ahead: @LAC CAR @ATL -The Saints are getting some players back in Week 8, so we might try their D/ST again in Week 9.

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