NFL DFS: Ranking the Must-Play Defense Matchups for Week 7

1. Cincinnati Bengals

FanDuel Salary: $4,900

Opponent: Cleveland Browns

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 29th

The Cleveland Browns are on the verge of collapse, and the Cincinnati Bengals are the beneficiaries in Week 7. We anticipate a strong showing from the Bengals' defense, potentially setting the high mark for fantasy production on Sunday's main slate. 

The Bengals defense has been exceptional on the road. In three games away from home, Cincinnati has five takeaways and four sacks, vastly outpacing its home splits. Those metrics will only improve against the Browns, who traded away their best offensive player earlier in the week. Deshaun Watson has also been terrible at protecting the football, throwing three interceptions with five fumbles. 

The Battle of Ohio will be one-sided, and we expect Cincinnati's defense to deliver multiple blows. On that basis, they are worth the investment against an underwhelming Browns team.

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4. Minnesota Vikings

FanDuel Salary: $3,900

Opponent: Detroit Lions

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 3rd

Heading into Week 7, the Minnesota Vikings have the top fantasy defense in the NFL. The undefeated NFC North leaders are averaging 14.4 fantasy points per game, and that could ratchet even higher in a crucial divisional showdown against the Detroit Lions. 

The Vikings are doing everything right. They're averaging 4.0 sacks and 2.6 takeaways per game, second-best in both categories. Moreover, Minnesota has the advantage of playing at home against a Lions squad that will play on the road in back-to-back weeks. 

With elite performers in every layer of their defense, the Vikings should deliver where most other teams have failed, containing the Lions' attack. Detroit is primed for regression after last week's near-historic performance, and DFS bettors can benefit by loading up on the Vikings' defense.

3. Los Angeles Rams

FanDuel Salary: $4,100

Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 30th

All signs point toward a resounding fantasy performance from the Los Angeles Rams defense in Week 7. Coming off a bye week, Sean McVay will have his team ready to defend against one of the worst offensive teams in the league. 

This is as much of a bet against the Las Vegas Raiders as it is on the Rams. The Raiders have turned the ball over more than any other team this season, averaging 2.0 giveaways per game. Likewise, their offensive line has been as sturdy as an umbrella in a hurricane, giving up 3.0 sacks per game. 

Fantasy points are ripe for the picking, and the Rams will be ready to reap the rewards on Sunday. They could substantially overproduce relative to their mid-range salary.

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2. San Francisco 49ers

FanDuel Salary: $4,000

Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 11th

This game has been circled since the schedule was announced. The San Francisco 49ers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of Super Bowl LVIII. Revenge will be on the Niners' minds, and we expect them to quell a dangerous Chiefs' offense. 

San Francisco is just starting to find its stride. The 49ers defense turned the ball over three times in Week 6 while holding the Seattle Seahawks to 24 points at home. Further, their defensive front has been one of the best at pressuring opposing quarterbacks, totaling 16 sacks across six games. 

This is a daunting matchup, but we expect San Francisco to exact revenge for last year's championship defeat. The 49ers should end the day as one of the top-performing defenses.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

FanDuel Salary: $4,900

Opponent: Cleveland Browns

FanDuel Opponent Rank vs. Position: 29th

The Cleveland Browns are on the verge of collapse, and the Cincinnati Bengals are the beneficiaries in Week 7. We anticipate a strong showing from the Bengals' defense, potentially setting the high mark for fantasy production on Sunday's main slate. 

The Bengals defense has been exceptional on the road. In three games away from home, Cincinnati has five takeaways and four sacks, vastly outpacing its home splits. Those metrics will only improve against the Browns, who traded away their best offensive player earlier in the week. Deshaun Watson has also been terrible at protecting the football, throwing three interceptions with five fumbles. 

The Battle of Ohio will be one-sided, and we expect Cincinnati's defense to deliver multiple blows. On that basis, they are worth the investment against an underwhelming Browns team.

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