“I got bills to pay and children who need clothes.
I know there's fish out there, but where God only knows.
They say these waters aren't what they used to be.
But I got people back on land who count on me.”
- “The Downeaster ‘Alexa,’” Billy Joel
In this article, I’m about accountability. I want you to know I’m in this with you and care about the results. Let’s look back at how our top five fared from last week.
Week 6 Results:
Eagles - 9 points (DST 8 on the week)
Texans - 12 points (DST 4)
Buccaneers - 17 points (DST 2)
Falcons - 5 points (DST 16)
Colts - 3 points (DST 18)
It was a great week of calls. I hope it helped some of you get much-needed wins. As always, the focus is on using data and common sense to exploit poor offensive lines, injuries, bad quarterback play, and negative game scripts.
WEEK 7 BYES: Cowboys and Bears
*> * We like to suggest DSTs rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues
Drake’s Top 5 DST Adds:
- Cincinnati (17%) vs CLE
- NY Giants (3%) vs PHI
- LA Rams (2%) vs LV
- Green Bay (46%) vs HOU
- New Orleans (35%) vs DEN
Higher-owned Options
Check your waiver wires for these teams, which are owned in over 50% of leagues but could still be available: Bills, Chargers, Broncos, and Vikings.
Green Bay Packers (GB, 46%) — Facing the Texans is never something I’m going to push for in a streaming DST, but the Packers shouldn’t be this low-owned. This is the overall #2 DST in fantasy at the moment. The fact that I can get them on this list in Week 7 is insane, but here we are. The upcoming schedule isn’t ideal. Houston allows the 12th fewest fantasy points to opposing defenses. The following two weeks are at Jacksonville and home versus Detroit before a Week 10 bye. Sometimes, it’s just smart to bet on talent, and Green Bay will face a Houston team without Nico Collins. With the third most interceptions (9), it wouldn’t shock me if the Pack got to C.J. Stroud, especially at Lambeau Field.
Top Adds of the Week
{{Cincinnati Bengals|DST|CIN} (CIN, 17%) — Everyone facing the Browns goes off. This offensive line in Cleveland is in shambles. They lost their center Sunday to go along with the tackles they’re missing. Oh, their quarterback sucks too. Deshaun Watson has been sacked at least five times in four of six games. He’ll also be without his former top receiver, as Amari Cooper was traded to Buffalo on Tuesday. There’s a chance the Browns could get Nick Chubb back, but I highly doubt he walks into a massive role after his knee injury. Honestly, this week's picks scare me because these are really volatile defenses on which we’re depending. Cincy isn’t good. Let’s not act like I’m telling you to add the 70’s Steel Curtain. It’s simply a function of a bad line, an awful QB, and I expect Cincy to have a lead in the second half. Per DraftKings, Cincinnati is a 5.5-point favorite.
New York Giants (NYG, 3%) — The Giants' Week 7 opponent, Philadelphia, has quietly allowed three consecutive double-digit games to opposing DSTs. The Birds will be without stud left tackle Jordan Mailata for a few weeks. That’s a big loss against the Giants pass rush, which leads the NFL in sacks. This Giants unit is playing well despite their overall results. It’s not their fault the offense can’t get out of their own way. I like this spot for the G-Men at home to pressure Jalen Hurts in a handful of sacks and a few turnovers. Philly has allowed the 8th most points of opposing defenses. Nobody in your league is going to target the Giants. It's a great streaming option you’ll likely get for free after waivers run.
Next Best Things
Los Angeles Rams (LAR, 2%) — Another defense that isn’t great. The Rams have just nine sacks this season. On the positive side, they do lead the league in quarterback hurries per dropback at 14%. This week, they’ll play a Raiders team that has allowed double-digit points to opposing defenses. It’s Aidan O’Connell, let’s not overthink things.
New Orleans Saints (NO, 35%) — The wheels have fallen off the Saints offense thanks to a barrage of injuries. But the defense has a shot to come through this week against Bo Nix and the Broncos. Any game in the Superdome featuring a rookie QB is worth looking at. I think New Orleans is in a desperate spot here.
It’s Last Call, and the Lights are Coming On
Indianapolis Colts (IND, 25%) — These Colts let us down last week, with a dud against the Titans of all teams. It’s another week with an incredible streaming matchup as Indy hosts Miami. We’re still without Tua Tagovailoa under center, so it’s another Tyler Huntley affair. The key to this game will be if Indy can get out on Miami and force Huntley into a dropback game. With the Colts returning their QB Anthony Richardson, I’m not excited at that prospect. This is a low-end play for those in dire situations or DFS.
Washington Commanders (WAS, 4%) — The Commanders are leading the NFC East thanks to Jayden Daniels, and I don’t expect the Panthers to slow this offense down for a second. That means a second half of Andy Dalton dropping back to throw over and over. Good things happen for DST streamers when that’s typically the case. Washington is a 7.5-point road favorite. This has all the makings of a big day for D.C. on both sides of the ball.
