Start 'Em, Sit' Em Week 13 Fantasy Football: Team Defenders

Start ‘Em, Sit’ Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover elite NFL players like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams, or Travis Kelce. Instead, I’ll look at the players you have the most questions about to help you establish the most effective starting lineup possible. For all your Final Fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings, which will be updated daily during the 2021 NFL season.

Byes: Browns, Packers, Panthers, Titans

Week 13 Start ‘Em: Defenses

Beginning of the week

Eagles D / ST vs. Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Eagles D / ST have been a good choice when the matchup is right, and that’s the case this week when they face Zach Wilson and the Jets. Defenses have averaged the third-most fantasy points when facing the Men in Green, who have committed 24 giveaways and allowed 31 sacks.

Start with them

Buccaneers D / ST at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Buccaneers have one of the top 10 defenses in fantasy football, and this week’s showdown against the Falcons makes him a solid option. Defenses have scored the most fantasy points against Atlanta, which has made a total of 18 giveaways and allowed 21 sacks of quarterbacks this season.

Colts D / ST vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Colts D / ST scored just two fantasy points a week ago, but that was against the Buccaneers. The next is a much more engaging matchup, as the Texans are tied for seventh with the most awards and have allowed 31 sacks. Indianapolis should boast a top-10 fantasy defense this weekend.

More beginnings

Cardinals D / ST at Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Vikings D / ST vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS offers

Cardinals D / ST at Bears ($ 3,400)
Vikings D / ST at Lions ($ 3,200)

Week 13 Sit ‘Em: Defenders

Sit of the week

Bengals D / ST vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Bengals’ D / ST was solid a week ago, scoring 19 Fantasy points in a win over the Steelers. He wouldn’t chase the points though, as Justin Herbert and the Chargers arrive in Queen City. His offense has made just 12 giveaways and he’s averaged nearly 25 points per game this season.

Sit ’em

Bears D / ST vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Bears D / ST recorded four disappointing fantasy points in last week’s win over the Lions, and this week’s game against the Cardinals makes this unit fade. With Kyler Murray and maybe DeAndre Hopkins back this week, Arizona’s offense should do well enough to lay down Chicago’s defense.

Jaguars D / ST at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Matthew Stafford has thrown pick-sixes in each of his last three games, making the Jaguars a potential sleeping option on the minds of some fantasy fans. He wouldn’t chase points, though, as his defense has recorded just five interceptions and forced six points, a league-low, up to this point.

More sits

Saints D / ST vs. Cowboys (Thursday 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL)
D / ST Football Team at Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS fades

Chargers D / ST vs. Bengals ($ 3,000)
Steelers D / ST vs. Ravens ($ 2,900)

Michael Fabiano he is an award winner fantasy football analyst in Illustrated Sports and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram for your latest great news and the best analysis in the industry.