NFL · 1 year ago

NFL DFS: Ranking the Must-Play Defense Matchups for Week 11

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. San Francisco 49ers
FanDuel Salary: $4,900

Opponent: Seattle Seahawks

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 28th

The San Francisco 49ers can't afford any more slip-ups. After narrowly avoiding defeat last week, their defense needs to step up against the Seattle Seahawks offense in Week 11. Thankfully, several metrics point toward renewed success for San Francisco.

First, Seattle has had a rash of turnovers lately. The Seahawks are coming off a three-turnover performance last week, playing into the Niners' strength as one of the top turnover defenses in the league. Second, the 49ers rank in the league's bottom half in scoring defense despite operating a top-ten total defense. That imbalance supports the idea that San Fran should see a decrease in scoring over the latter stages of the season.

Finally, the 49ers are back home, where they typically do their best work. With the Seahawks struggling on offense lately, we are betting that San Francisco ends the day as one of the top defensive units on the main slate.

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5. New Orleans Saints
FanDuel Salary: $3,900

Opponent: Cleveland Browns

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 30th

A coaching change has spurred the New Orleans Saints into action. After struggling through the first half of the season, the Saints responded with a monumental win at home versus the Atlanta Falcons last week. We expect them to keep the good times rolling with a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

This play is as much a bet against the Browns as it is a play on New Orleans' defense. Other than a win against the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland's offense has looked atrocious. They have the 30th-ranked total offense and 29th-ranked scoring offense, failing to generate anything on the ground or through the air. That implosion reaches a new level against the Saints.

While the results don't reflect it, the Saints' defense has looked solid this season. They rank in the top ten in takeaways, forcing 1.5 turnovers per game, and are coming off a three-sack performance against the Falcons. Jameis Winston threw three interceptions and was sacked six times last week, setting the bar for what to expect from New Orleans on Sunday.

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4. Miami Dolphins
FanDuel Salary: $4,300

Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 32nd

The Miami Dolphins are taking The Goonies approach to the end of the season -- the Dolphins never say die. Expect their defense to be at their best when they welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to town.

Consistency has hampered their overall performance, but Miami's defense has sometimes looked exceptional. Last week's performance against the Los Angeles Rams validates this. The Fins forced three fumbles (one lost), one interception, and four sacks while holding the surging Rams to just 15 total points and no touchdowns.

The Raiders remain one of the worst offensive teams in the league, plagued by mistakes week after week. Miami will be ready to capitalize and could be an x-factor in DFS tournament play.
3. Los Angeles Rams
FanDuel Salary: $4,700

Opponent: New England Patriots

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 27th

Drake Maye is doing his best to lead the New England Patriots back to prominence, but he faces a stiff challenge in getting past a tough Los Angeles Rams defense in Week 11.

Even with the most recent setback, the Rams have turned a corner with their recent defensive efforts. They've held their past three opponents to an average of 312.7 yards and 21.0 points per game, with five turnovers and 13 sacks. That's a troublesome position for Maye, who has three interceptions and has been sacked five times over the past couple of games.

The primary factor working against the Rams in this one is playing in the early time slot. However, we trust Sean McVay to have his team ready to compete and his defense operating at peak efficiency.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
FanDuel Salary: $4,000

Opponent: Baltimore Ravens

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 1st

The betting market has taken a firm stance on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11, a position that's also reflected in Defense salaries. Baltimore is favored on the road against the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, and its defense is priced significantly higher. Nevertheless, we expect the Steelers to do what they do best and limit the Ravens' offensive success.

Heading into Week 11, Pittsburgh has the second-ranked scoring and ninth-ranked total defense. Moreover, they have playmakers at every level of their defense. The Steelers' front seven have terrorized opposing quarterbacks, consistently applying pressure on step-backs. Further, they've been one of the best at forcing turnovers, with an average of 1.8 takeaways per game.

We're taking a position on the Steelers' undervalued defense in a battle of strength versus strength.
1. San Francisco 49ers
FanDuel Salary: $4,900

Opponent: Seattle Seahawks

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 28th

The San Francisco 49ers can't afford any more slip-ups. After narrowly avoiding defeat last week, their defense needs to step up against the Seattle Seahawks offense in Week 11. Thankfully, several metrics point toward renewed success for San Francisco.

First, Seattle has had a rash of turnovers lately. The Seahawks are coming off a three-turnover performance last week, playing into the Niners' strength as one of the top turnover defenses in the league. Second, the 49ers rank in the league's bottom half in scoring defense despite operating a top-ten total defense. That imbalance supports the idea that San Fran should see a decrease in scoring over the latter stages of the season.

Finally, the 49ers are back home, where they typically do their best work. With the Seahawks struggling on offense lately, we are betting that San Francisco ends the day as one of the top defensive units on the main slate.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter.
5. New Orleans Saints
FanDuel Salary: $3,900

Opponent: Cleveland Browns

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 30th

A coaching change has spurred the New Orleans Saints into action. After struggling through the first half of the season, the Saints responded with a monumental win at home versus the Atlanta Falcons last week. We expect them to keep the good times rolling with a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

This play is as much a bet against the Browns as it is a play on New Orleans' defense. Other than a win against the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland's offense has looked atrocious. They have the 30th-ranked total offense and 29th-ranked scoring offense, failing to generate anything on the ground or through the air. That implosion reaches a new level against the Saints.

While the results don't reflect it, the Saints' defense has looked solid this season. They rank in the top ten in takeaways, forcing 1.5 turnovers per game, and are coming off a three-sack performance against the Falcons. Jameis Winston threw three interceptions and was sacked six times last week, setting the bar for what to expect from New Orleans on Sunday.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.

NFL DFS: Ranking the Must-Play Defense Matchups for Week 11

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