Week 2 saw more sparks from fantasy D/STs, and we were able to capitalize on some with our rent-a-defense picks. We also have a potential every-week D/ST start to check the waiver wire for this week.
Week 2 Results
New England (at Miami) - 5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 ST TD
The Patriots' defense actually played very poorly against the pass in this game, despite notching five sacks.Tua Tagovailoa regained his 2023 form at times, and the Patriots look like one of the defenses we will target when setting our lineups. Dueling return touchdowns on back-to-back plays put this one over the top, with thanks going to Antonio Gibson.
A Look Ahead: PIT CAR @BUF - If Bryce Young bombs again and isn't benched for Week 4, we'll come back to New England.
San Francisco (at New Orleans) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
I suppose it's time we stop picking on Spencer Rattler. Not only did he avoid negative plays, but he also kept his team in the game until late in the fourth quarter with three touchdown passes.
A Look Ahead: ARI JAX @LAR - Nothing too promising ahead.
Indianapolis (vs Denver) - 1 INT
Bo Nix looked a lot better than he did in Week 1 and limited his mistakes in this game. The Colts' defense probably just caught the Dolphins on the right day in Week 1.
A Look Ahead: @TEN @LAR LV - Cam Ward has gotten sacked 11 times so far this season. Colts D/ST is a still a Week 3 candidate despite the Week 2 dud.
Arizona (vs Carolina) - 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 DEF TD
The Cardinals' defense had a sack, two takeaways, and a defensive touchdown in the opening six minutes. They didn't do much after that, but they were still one of the best D/ST plays of the week.
A Look Ahead: @SF SEA TEN - We'll see where Cam Ward is in Week 5 and potentially come back to Arizona.
Tennessee (vs LA Rams) - 1 sack, 1 INT
LA Rams (at Tennessee) - 5 sacks, 1 INT
The Titans' D/ST lost some luster when T'Vondre Sweat was declared inactive. Matthew Stafford also showed no signs of his summer back issues. The Rams D/ST was a solid play, as Cam Ward continues to learn on the job, but Ward limited big mistakes in this one.
TEN A Look Ahead: IND @HOU @ARI - Daniel Jones is not a quarterback to target these days
LAR A Look Ahead: @PHI IND SF - We'll come back to the Rams later this season.
Seattle (at Pittsburgh) - 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 ST TD
The Seahawks defense gave Aaron Rodgers fits, but thanks to rookie RB Kaleb Johnson, who failed to go after the kickoff in the end zone even though he touched it, and the Seahawks pounced on it for a score, putting this play over the top.
A Look Ahead: NO @ARI TB - Okay, maybe pick on Spencer Rattler.
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda
Atlanta (at Minnesota) - 6 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INT, 6 pts allowed
Maybe we should give Baker Mayfield more credit for winning in Atlanta in Week 1. J.J. McCarthy played poorly for the whole game this time, but he was nursing an ankle injury that will sideline him for a few weeks.
LA Chargers (at Las Vegas) - 3 sacks, 3 INT, 9 pts allowed
Geno Smith's mistakes contributed to the interceptions as much as the Chargers defense did, but we should still be more open to the Chargers D/ST, given the likelihood of playing from ahead in game scripts, thanks to Justin Herbert. We should also be more open to targeting Smith after a strong Week 1 took us off his trail.
Week 3 Candidates
**Buffalo and Minnesota are assumed to be rostered**