Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Football Week 2: Defenses

If you need to play the matchup, Week 2 offers a handful of solid options just off the beaten path.

UPDATED: September 17, 2021

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 the elite players in the NFL 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 set the most effective starting lineup possible. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2021 NFL season.

Week 2 Start ‘Em: Defenses

Start of the Week

Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers D/ST vs. Falcons (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): The Buccaneers posted a mere two points in last week’s win over the Cowboys, but a home matchup against Atlanta is quite favorable. The Eagles D/ST scored 10 fantasy points against them in the opener, and the Bucs’ front seven should dominate the Falcons’ questionable offensive line.

Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

• QUARTERBACKS
• RUNNING BACKS
• WIDE RECEIVERS
• TIGHT ENDS
• KICKERS
• TEAM DEFENSES

Start ‘Em

Patriots D/ST at Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS): You know the old adage about Bill Belichick’s defense playing great against rookie quarterbacks? Well, that’s the case this week when the P-Men face Zach Wilson and the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Last week, the Panthers D/ST put up nine fantasy points against the Men in Green, so the matchup is favorable.

Packers D/ST vs. Lions (Mon, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Packers looked horrible a week ago, but their defense should rebound at home against Jared Goff and the Lions. While their offense did post good numbers last week, the Niners D/ST still finished with 10 fantasy points. Green Bay should bounce back and post a nice stat line this week.

More Starts

• Football Team vs. Giants (Thurs., 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL)
• Browns D/ST vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains

• Browns D/ST vs. Texans (DraftKings: $3,500)
• Steelers D/ST vs. Raiders (DraftKings: $3,000)

Week 2 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Ravens D/ST vs. Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Ravens D/ST had a rough first week of the season, scoring just two fantasy points in a loss to the Raiders. Next up is a far more difficult matchup against Patrick Mahomes and a Chiefs offense that has averaged 418.4 yards and 28.1 points in their last nine games dating back to 2020.

Sit ‘Em

Colts D/ST vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, FOX): The Colts D/ST took it on the chin in last week’s loss to the Seahawks, and a home date against Matthew Stafford and the Rams won’t make it more attractive this week. Los Angeles put up 386 yards of total offense and 34 points in Stafford’s debut, so Indianapolis will be at a disadvantage.

Cowboys D/ST at Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Cowboys defense is in shambles, as the team will be without Demarcus Lawrence (foot) and likely Randy Gregory (COVID-19) in a matchup against the Chargers. With little pass rush to pressure Justin Herbert, Dallas will be at a huge disadvantage. Keep this defense on the sidelines.

More Sits

• Dolphins D/ST vs. Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Vikings D/ST at Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX)

DFS Fades

• 49ers D/ST at Eagles (DraftKings: $3,600)
• Raiders D/ST at Steelers (DraftKings: $2,800)

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated 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 late-breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business!