Starting to Defend: 2024 Week 13

Dallas Cowboys last year highest scoring defense In the NFC. But like so many things in Dallas this season, things haven’t been the same in 2024. The Cowboys have been frustrated defensively this season, especially against the run, due in large part to injuries. This disappointment spilled over into fantasy; The Cowboys ranked 29th among fantasy defenses entering Week 12.

They are now ranked much higher.

The Cowboys gave up 26 points and 412 yards of offense. But they also sacked Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels four times, scored three touchdowns and returned not one but two kickoffs for touchdowns en route to one of the biggest runs on fantasy defense this season.

Normally this is considered just a fantasy perversion; Returning two strikes for a score in a game is not very common. But there is reason to believe the Cowboys can be a viable fantasy defense in Week 13.

Is this the reason? Tommy Cutlets and the New York Giants coming to AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving. In his first G-Men start last week, Tommy Devito threw for just 189 yards, was sacked four times, and the Giants scored seven points in a blowout upset of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Giants surrendered fourth-most fantasy points per game The focus on defense this season makes the Dallas defense a viable, albeit flawed, matchup this week.

It also gives you something basic about why you’re wondering why, for God’s sake, you’re eating the fourth slice of cake.

THE DOUBTS

Denver Broncos (vs. Cleveland Browns)

The Broncos are right in the middle of the Wild Card hunt in the AFC, thanks to a defense that ranks third in the NFL in both total defense and scoring defense and first in the NFL with 44 sacks. The Browns lead the NFL in points allowed with 47 and have given up the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. This is a “perfect storm” fantasy matchup of sorts; The AFC’s highest-scoring fantasy defense at home against a team that has been a gold mine for the position this season.

Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Houston was stunned at home against the Titans last week, but even in that game the defense gave fantasy managers a little something – Houston sacked Will Levis eight times, had three takedowns and returned an interception for a touchdown en route to the third-highest ranking. Defensive score of the 12th week. Now an angry Texans team hits the road to face a Jacksonville Jaguars team that has been collapsing offensively since Trevor Lawrence was injured. No team has allowed more fantasy points per game on defense since Mac Jones took over at quarterback.

Buffalo Bills (at San Francisco 49ers)

After dethroning the NFL’s only undefeated team two weeks ago, the Bills entered their bye week as arguably the hottest team in football. Now, after an off week, Fantasy’s seventh-ranked defense prepares to face the San Francisco 49ers, a team that has had its 2024 season torn apart by injuries. It’s doubtful that quarterback Brock Purdy is possibly on the wrong end at this point, and with Brandon Allen at center last week, the Niners turned the tables three times, gave up a pair of sacks and scored just 10 points.

Detroit Lions (vs. Chicago Bears)

The Lions are known more for their rushing offense than their defense, and that defense lost two key players in rushing forward Aidan Hutchinson and linebacker Alex Anzalone. But after easily beating the Indianapolis Colts last week, the Lions quietly sit fourth among all team defenses in fantasy points. The Bears have improved offensively since showing former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron the door, but Chicago still ranks second in the league in points allowed and has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to the defense this season.

Los Angeles Chargers (at Atlanta Falcons)

The Chargers defense would likely forget Week 12; The Baltimore Ravens rolled into Los Angeles and rushed for over 200 yards. It’s the first time a Jim Harbaugh-coached NFL team has allowed that much yardage on the field. But there’s a difference between having the NFL’s best offense and an Atlanta Falcons team that was beaten 38-6 the last time we saw them in Denver. The Falcons don’t lack firepower on offense, but Kirk Cousins ​​has looked like a 36-year-old quarterback fresh off an Achilles tear in his last few starts.

Pittsburgh Steelers (at Cincinnati Bengals)

At first glance, this isn’t a great matchup for Pittsburgh; The Steelers’ defense was in control last week in Cleveland, and offense wasn’t a problem for the Bengals. In fact, Cincinnati has given up the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to team defense this year. But the Steelers, who were beaten by a bad Browns team in the snow, will be a red-hot team in Week 13, and Pittsburgh ranks fifth on the season in fantasy points among defenses. TJ Watt will record multiple sacks in this game – book it.

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PUBLISHERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!

Seattle Seahawks (at New York Jets)

Before last week’s win against the Arizona Cardinals, many people weren’t paying much attention to the Seattle defense. This was before Seattle sacked Kyler Murray five times and safety Coby Bryant returned an interception for a touchdown. Now the Seahawks are at least on the broadcast radar as they prepare to take on the three-ring circus that is the New York Jets. This season, the Jets have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game on defense, and Gang Green’s bye week may have done as much harm as good, considering what happened. talking about the bench Aaron Rodgers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Carolina Panthers)

The Buccaneers had their third double-digit fantasy outing of the year, recording four sacks and recovering a fumble in last week’s blowout against the New York Giants. Tampa hasn’t been a particularly good defensive football team this season; They gave up the fourth-most yards per game and the ninth-most points per game in the league. But despite a few good starts from Bryce Young, the Panthers still rank near the bottom of the league in some offensive categories and allow the defense the 12th-most fantasy points per game.

Washington Commanders (vs. Tennessee Titans)

This matchup might have looked a lot better for Washington’s defense a week ago — Commanders Cooper “Not Dak Prescott” Rush and the Dallas Cowboys were lit up by Will “I Hate That Mayonnaise Commercial” Levis and the Titans stunned the Texans in Houston. However, only two teams in the league surrendered more sacks than the 41 sacks the Titans gave up, and no team in the league gave up more fantasy points per game to the opposing team’s defense. If Washington can’t eat here, he won’t eat anywhere.

Kansas City Chiefs (at Las Vegas Raiders)

The Chiefs were also in this column last week, and immediately followed up with a defensive egg against the Panthers in Carolina. Last week the Chiefs allowed a staggering 27 points, had no expediency, and sacked Bryce Young just twice. But sometimes fantasy managers have to have short defensive memories, and this week in Kansas City, there’s a Black Friday matchup against a Raiders team that gives up the second-most fantasy points per game on defense and will start either Desmond Ridder or Aidan O’. Connell is at quarterback.

Indianapolis Colts (at New England Patriots)

The Colts were neither great nor terrible defensively; He ranked in the middle of the pack in many categories, including fantasy points allowed at the position. Meanwhile, the introduction of Drake Maye as the Patriots’ starting quarterback has injected at least some life into the New England offense. But the Patriots have been one of the more error-prone teams in the league, and thanks to an inconsistent offensive line, the Pats rank fifth in fantasy points given up on defense this year. That’s not entirely Jerod Mayo’s fault, though – just ask him.

CAVEAT EMPTOR, FRIENDS

Philadelphia Eagles (at Baltimore Ravens)

The Eagles have long been considered a good defensive team, but the secondary fell apart last year. The team appears to have corrected Philly leading the league in total defense in 2024 and ranking third against the pass after 12 weeks. However, in last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Eagles lost veteran offensive lineman Brandon Graham to a season-ending arm injury. The Eagles now face their toughest defensive test yet: Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense, which leads the NFL in yards per game and the AFC in points per game.

Gary Davenport is a two-time recipient of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year award. Follow him on X @IDPSharks.