D/ST Matchups to Target in Week 15 - Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles

There are a few ways you can get an edge and increase your chances of success when picking D/STs to start in DFS. We'll detail our reasoning down below, but there's a lot that goes into how a defense scores points in fantasy football. While the rules seem simple, game scripts and injuries are at least two big factors that dictate how games can go.

After watching enough NFL games this season, it's been interesting to note how seemingly insignificant developments can change how defenses score. Just a few failed drives by offenses can lead to a much better day for the opposing defenses. Injuries to lesser-known players also drive a lot of what happens on the field.

Let's break down three D/STs that could provide good value for their cash prices in DFS this week.

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Washington Commanders D/ST

$3.4k on DraftKings, $4.7k on FanDuel; @ New Orleans Saints

The Washington Commanders D/ST is pretty expensive, but they'll be facing the New Orleans Saints, who traded away their best cornerback, Marshon Lattimore (hamstring). Ironically, they sent him to the Commanders, and Lattimore is expected to make his debut with his new team this week.

No pretending from Marshon Lattimore. There is extra motivation facing the Saints in his Commanders debut.

"They traded me away. I'm going back to show why they shouldn't have." pic.twitter.com/2nbXwJd4jM

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 13, 2024

New Orleans will trot out quarterback Jake Haener, a second-year player who has attempted just 29 passes in his entire career against one of the better pass defenses in the league. This game has the potential to get very ugly, very quickly for the Saints, who will still be without their top-3 receivers. Chris Olave, (concussion), Rashid Shaheed (knee), and Bub Means (ankle) won't be able to suit up.

While Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is a force to be reckoned with, there isn't much he can do. NO has a poor pass-protecting offensive line, an inexperienced quarterback selected in the later rounds of the NFL draft, and a rash of injuries. Running back Alvin Kamara is expected to play, but he can't carry a functional offense all on his own.

"I am going to be confident. I am going to let it rip," - Haener on his first start this Sunday for the #Saints pic.twitter.com/rIr1oWiBP7

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 13, 2024

We hope he is confident and lets it rip!

Arizona Cardinals D/ST

$3.0k on DraftKings, $4.4k on FanDuel; vs. New England Patriots

It could be hard for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to find many open receivers against the Arizona Cardinals defense this week. NE has one of the worst pass-catcher rooms in the league, and is in desperate need of help in that area, but won't be able to effectively address that until after the season ends.

SCOOP: The Patriots and Browns are the front runners in trade discussions for 49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk, per a league source. Both teams are offering more than $30M. Though the Steelers are also in the mix, this should come down to the Patriots and the Browns. Aiyuk is… pic.twitter.com/KCYQr2CIVg

— Cam Marino (@MarinoNFL) August 3, 2024

New England knew this before the season started, but weren't able to convince San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) or any other key names to sign with them. They drafted WR Ja'Lynn Polk early in the second round, but he ended up being a complete bust. Yes, it's fair to evaluate rookies. He's done nothing.

In a now deleted tweet, PFF for the Patriots, that Ja'Lynn Polk has posted the lowest graded season for a WR EVER since PFF has started grading in 2006. pic.twitter.com/RHZps2eiAv

— Dustin (@Scoop03) December 7, 2024

Maye has had to do everything on his own. While the Cardinals were blasted by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14, they probably weren't expecting the big changes on offense, especially in the run game, that the Seahawks made. Divisional games can be flukey and strange. Teams that play each other twice per season are bound to know each other better.

We don't expect the Patriots to have much success against the Cards. It's no secret that NE has the worst offensive line in football, and Arizona's first-round pick, pass-rusher Darius Robinson, continues to get healthier. We like Arizona's D/ST to have a bounce-back game this week.

Philadelphia Eagles D/ST

$3.1k on DraftKings, $4.5k on FanDuel; vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Like the Washington Commanders D/ST, the Eagles' unit is pretty expensive, but they're one of the most talented units in the league, and the matchups for the Steelers are horrific. They'll be without their only consistently good wide receiver, George Pickens (hamstring), who's dealing with a hamstring issue.

Steelers ruled out wide receiver George Pickens for Sunday’s game against the Eagles due to his hamstring injury.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2024

The NFL is a heavily matchup-driven league. The Steelers can try to run the ball all they want, but if the linebackers can cheat up in anticipation of not having many issues with a very thin WR group, it could get ugly for the Steelers. This will be especially true if the Eagles jump out to an early lead.

By EPA/Drive, the #Eagles are now ranked...
6th on Offense
7th on Defense pic.twitter.com/bnmKiym0qC

— Deniz Selman (@denizselman33) December 11, 2024

The matchup for running back Saquon Barkley is actually weirdly important here. The Eagles have played much more conservatively this year, a departure from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's proclivity to throw the ball early and often. Philly passes the ball at the lowest rate in the league. By a lot.

The Steelers defense has aligned in single-high safety looks at the 2nd-highest rate (63.7%) this season, according to @NextGenStats.

Saquon Barkley has averaged 6.8 YPC against single-high, the most by any RB with at least 100 carries against single-high in a season since 2016. pic.twitter.com/eoYN5J77J9

— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) December 13, 2024

We'll have to see if Pittsburgh adjusts their game plan, I guess.

Saquon Barkley could find open lanes against the Steelers' run defense

Barkley ranks 1st in average yards before contact. Pittsburgh's run defense has struggled to get to the ball carrier quickly, ranking 26th in average yards before contact allowed to RBs. pic.twitter.com/nTpIlph4es

— PFF PHI Eagles (@PFF_Eagles) December 13, 2024

Now we're talking. The Steelers have a few key injuries along the defensive line... wait, why are we talking about the Steelers' defense here? Well, what we don't want is for the Steelers to keep the game close. That would allow them to grind the clock down with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's stupid run run run the ball game plan.

It's probably better for the Eagles D/ST if Pittsburgh is forced to pass the ball more often. That could lead to more mistakes from Steelers QB Russell Wilson, or interceptions purely on excellent coverage reps. Anyways, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) won't play.

Steelers injury report for this week against the Eagles: pic.twitter.com/dQoXghq5mE

— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) December 13, 2024

Barkley could have a huge game, and the Eagles could build an early lead and then continue to chew the clock down. We expect Pittsburgh's offense to struggle in this one.

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your DFS contests!

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