Seahawks D/ST - Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 13 (2023)

BALLER MOVE: Bench in 12-14 team leagues

POSITIONAL VALUE: DST20

ANALYSIS:  The Seattle Seahawks defense has a talented group of playmakers. Longtime linebacker Bobby Wagner rejoined the team that drafted him. Defensive end Boye Mafe is having a breakout season. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was looking like the best defensive rookie at times.

But all of this talent hasn't translated into a great defense. The Seahawks are allowing 22.6 points per game, more than two-thirds of the teams in the league, and their D/ST has underperformed in recent weeks in fantasy football. In each of the past four weeks, the Seahawks D/ST has finished outside of the top 12 defense and special teams units.

One problem is that the Seahawks have faced a tough schedule recently. The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers both scored over 30 points on the hapless Seahawks. The stretch of tough opponents continues in Week 13 when Seattle goes to Arlington, Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys lead the NFL in scoring with 31.5 points per game, and they are fifth in yards per game with 377.6. Betting markets expect the Cowboys to score between 28 and 29 points against the Seahawks, so Seattle's D/ST should not be expected to score very many fantasy points on account of limiting the Cowboys offense.

Another way fantasy D/ST units can score points besides shutting down the opposing offense is by making sacks, fumble recoveries, and interceptions. Unfortunately, the Cowboys offense does not give up many sacks or turn the ball over much. Dallas is allowing an average of 2.1 sacks per game, the eighth-fewest, and they only give the ball away about 0.9 times per game, the third-fewest.

The Seahawks D/ST should not be started in Week 13 in ordinary leagues.

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