NFL · 1 year ago

NFL DFS: Ranking the Top 10 Defenses Available in Week 2

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. Pittsburgh Steelers
DraftKings Salary: $3,500
FanDuel Salary: $4,900

This season, a lackluster offensive group has reinforced Mike Tomlin's defense-first approach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Watt and company hamstrung a potent Atlanta Falcons offense in Week 1, allowing just two scoring drives and keeping Atlanta to 226 yards of total offense. The Denver Broncos represent a significant step down in competition, ensuring the Steelers end the day as the top-performing unit.
10. Denver Broncos
DraftKings Salary: $2,800
FanDuel Salary: $3,400

The Denver Broncos traded defensive blows with the Seattle Seahawks for most of their Week 1 showdown; however, the Broncos always have an advantage playing in the thin mountain air at Mile High Stadium. Whether it's Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, the Steelers don't have an overpowering offense that can expose Denver's deficiencies.
9. Dallas Cowboys
DraftKings Salary: $4,000
FanDuel Salary: $4,600

Priced as one of the premier defenses on the main slate, the Dallas Cowboys still have something to prove. The Cleveland Browns aren't an offensive powerhouse, and we saw how effective the New Orleans Saints offense could be. Good enough to crack the top ten, we wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys' defense exceeds expectations in their first home game of the season.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
DraftKings Salary: $3,200
FanDuel Salary: $4,300

You wouldn't know it from the score, but the Kansas City Chiefs weren't at their best in Week 1. The two-time defending Super Bowl Champions gave up 452 yards to the Baltimore Ravens but stood tall when it mattered most. They face a less daunting task in Week 2, keeping the toothless Cincinnati Bengals at bay at Arrowhead Stadium.
7. Washington Commanders
DraftKings Salary: $3,000
FanDuel Salary: $3,800

Much has been made of Jayden Daniels's ability to transform the Washington Commanders' offense, taking some pressure off their defense to perform consistently. Still, we saw enough from Washington in Week 1 to know they can withstand whatever ineffective play-calling the New York Giants will throw their way.
6. Houston Texans
DraftKings Salary: N/A
FanDuel Salary: $4,100

While the Houston Texans aren't featured on DraftKings' main slate, they are worth targeting on FanDuel. The Sunday Night Football hosts take on Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears, who put up a league-worst 148 yards in Week 1. That's a bad omen for a young quarterback playing under the bright lights for the first time.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
DraftKings Salary: $3,400
FanDuel Salary: $4,400

Jim Harbaugh has built a reputation on sound defensive football, a distinction on full display in Week 1. The Los Angeles Chargers can ratchet their defensive production even higher against a laughable Carolina Panthers side in Week 2.
4. Seattle Seahawks
DraftKings Salary: $3,000
FanDuel Salary: $4,000

Undeniably the best value on the main slate, the Seattle Seahawks are poised to build off last week's solid performance against another inferior opponent. Seattle held the Broncos to just 206 yards, relying on the 12th man to tilt the odds in their favor. Even without home-field advantage, they should have no issues corraling an anemic New England Patriots offense.
3. San Francisco 49ers
DraftKings Salary: $3,600
FanDuel Salary: $4,700

Much was made of the New York Jets' outlook heading into the 2024 season, but the San Francisco 49ers squashed all ambition after a convincing win on Monday Night Football. The Niners held the Jets to 266 yards, with nearly 80 coming on the final drive with the starters on the bench. A repeat performance is on tap against the perennially underachieving Minnesota Vikings.
2. Baltimore Ravens
DraftKings Salary: $3,700
FanDuel Salary: $4,800

Defense was born in the AFC North, and the Baltimore Ravens represent another of the stoutest defenses available in Week 2. Keeping the Kansas City Chiefs to just 352 yards of total offense in the season-opener is no small accomplishment, but they'll face less resistance from the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. That should facilitate a better outcome as they play their first home game of the season.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
DraftKings Salary: $3,500
FanDuel Salary: $4,900

This season, a lackluster offensive group has reinforced Mike Tomlin's defense-first approach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Watt and company hamstrung a potent Atlanta Falcons offense in Week 1, allowing just two scoring drives and keeping Atlanta to 226 yards of total offense. The Denver Broncos represent a significant step down in competition, ensuring the Steelers end the day as the top-performing unit.
10. Denver Broncos
DraftKings Salary: $2,800
FanDuel Salary: $3,400

The Denver Broncos traded defensive blows with the Seattle Seahawks for most of their Week 1 showdown; however, the Broncos always have an advantage playing in the thin mountain air at Mile High Stadium. Whether it's Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, the Steelers don't have an overpowering offense that can expose Denver's deficiencies.

NFL DFS: Ranking the Top 10 Defenses Available in Week 2

DraftKings Salary: $3,500
FanDuel Salary: $4,900

DraftKings Salary: $2,800
FanDuel Salary: $3,400

DraftKings Salary: $4,000
FanDuel Salary: $4,600

DraftKings Salary: $3,200
FanDuel Salary: $4,300

DraftKings Salary: $3,000
FanDuel Salary: $3,800

DraftKings Salary: N/A
FanDuel Salary: $4,100

DraftKings Salary: $3,400
FanDuel Salary: $4,400

DraftKings Salary: $3,000
FanDuel Salary: $4,000

DraftKings Salary: $3,600
FanDuel Salary: $4,700

DraftKings Salary: $3,700
FanDuel Salary: $4,800

DraftKings Salary: $3,500
FanDuel Salary: $4,900

DraftKings Salary: $2,800
FanDuel Salary: $3,400

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DraftKings Salary: $3,500 FanDuel Salary: $4,900

DraftKings Salary: $2,800 FanDuel Salary: $3,400

DraftKings Salary: $4,000 FanDuel Salary: $4,600

DraftKings Salary: $3,200 FanDuel Salary: $4,300

DraftKings Salary: $3,000 FanDuel Salary: $3,800

DraftKings Salary: N/A FanDuel Salary: $4,100

DraftKings Salary: $3,400 FanDuel Salary: $4,400

DraftKings Salary: $3,000 FanDuel Salary: $4,000

DraftKings Salary: $3,600 FanDuel Salary: $4,700

DraftKings Salary: $3,700 FanDuel Salary: $4,800

DraftKings Salary: $3,500 FanDuel Salary: $4,900

DraftKings Salary: $2,800 FanDuel Salary: $3,400

DraftKings Salary: $3,500
FanDuel Salary: $4,900

DraftKings Salary: $2,800
FanDuel Salary: $3,400

DraftKings Salary: $4,000
FanDuel Salary: $4,600

DraftKings Salary: $3,200
FanDuel Salary: $4,300

DraftKings Salary: $3,000
FanDuel Salary: $3,800

DraftKings Salary: N/A
FanDuel Salary: $4,100

DraftKings Salary: $3,400
FanDuel Salary: $4,400

DraftKings Salary: $3,000
FanDuel Salary: $4,000

DraftKings Salary: $3,600
FanDuel Salary: $4,700

DraftKings Salary: $3,700
FanDuel Salary: $4,800

DraftKings Salary: $3,500
FanDuel Salary: $4,900

DraftKings Salary: $2,800
FanDuel Salary: $3,400