Getty Gallery: 4/7
Start: Seahawks DST at Cardinals
Sit: Vikings DST at Rams
The Cardinals are averaging 6.7 points a game and have scored a total of 20 points this season. Things could get better with Josh Rosen as the new starting quarterback, but the offense is still likely to be a work in progress the rest of the season. Arizona is last in the NFL in points, rushing yards per game, passing yards per game and total yard per game. In other words, the Cardinals have, by far, the worst offense in the league.
Seattle's defense is far from the unit from the Legion of Boom days with Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor. That said, the defense has held its own this season, and the DST is still fantasy relevant. The Seahawks DST is owned in just over seven percent of ESPN leagues heading into waivers. The number is likely to go up a bit, but it is still going to be available in most leagues. The Seahawks DST had 14 and 8 fantasy points over the last two weeks.
All signs point to the Seahawks being a top 10 DST this week as they take on a bad Arizona offense. If the Cardinals offense does not improve, streaming the opposing defense could end up being a solid strategy this season.
The Vikings Defense Has a Bad Matchup Against the Rams
In most cases, I am not a big fan of holding on to two defenses. We are labeling this a sit, but since it is a DST I am essentially telling you it is okay to drop the Vikings DST for another team. The Minnesota DST has scored five points or less in two of its three games. Minnesota just allowed the Bills and rookie quarterback Josh Allen to score 27 points.
I still think they can be a solid DST down the road, but the roster spot is more valuable. If you are concerned about losing them, you could always drop them right before kickoff of the Thursday night game. For most leagues, this prevents other owners from picking them up until next week's waivers run, giving you another chance to claim them back on your team.
Chances are the defense is going to prove it is not up to the same level we are used to seeing from the team. They face a Rams offense that is one of the best in the league as Los Angeles is averaging 34 points per game so far this season.
On a more serious note, the Vikings are likely to be without star defensive end Everson Griffen for the foreseeable future. All indications are Griffen is dealing with mental health challenges after a weekend of troubling behavior. ESPN reported Griffen is being evaluated at a local hospital and was previously banned from team activities until he underwent testing. The Vikings released a statement about Griffen, and it does not sound promising.
"We are aware of the situation involving Everson Griffen and certainly concerned by what we have heard. We are currently focused on Everson's well-being and providing the appropriate support for him and his family," the statement said per KARE 11.
The Vikings have a bad matchup against the Rams, and it is currently hard to trust their DST even in better matchups.