Should I Start the Raiders DST in Week 16? Fantasy Football Team Defenses

The Raiders' defense has struggled with consistency throughout the entire 2022 season. As a team, they’ve generated just 25.0 sacks, four interceptions, and seven fumble recoveries. As a positive, they’ve scored three D/ST touchdowns on the year.

In terms of pure fantasy scoring, they currently rank as the 30th-scoring D/ST by averaging 5.1 fantasy points per game (FPPG). The only teams below them are the Los Angeles Chargers (tied with 5.1 FPPG) and the Chicago Bears (4.1 FPPG).

Should I start the Raiders DST in Week 16? Check out the answer below.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Should I Start the Raiders DST in Week 16 Fantasy Football? 

The Raiders' defense has performed better lately. Las Vegas’ defense gave up at least 20 points in their first nine games. However, they’ve bounced back lately and held teams to under 20 points in four of their last five games. They’ve also recovered at least one fumble in four straight games and even scored a D/ST touchdown in Week 15.

They also have a good matchup this week in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh has scored 24 points or more three times this season as they’ve rotated between Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett at quarterback. The quarterback duo has just nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions on the season.

The Steelers offensive line hasn’t opened many run lanes this year (just 4.1 yards per carry) and has struggled in pass protection as well, giving up 35 sacks. Pittsburgh just hasn’t shown the ability to move the ball down the field and struggles to put the ball in the end zone.

The Raiders aren’t great at getting to the quarterback but have done a good job generating turnovers on the season. Las Vegas will have a chance to be better than usual as a fantasy defense based on this season, but there doesn’t seem to be a path to them being a top-10 defense this week.

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