Should I Start the Steelers DST in Week 11? Fantasy Football Team Defenses

The Pittsburgh Steelers DST has been up and down as a unit in 2022 and has not been the must-start, elite fantasy producer that it has been in years past.

They will take on their divisional rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, at home in Week 11 in a rematch from Week 1. The Steelers prevailed in overtime, 23-20 back in the season opener.

So, should we start the Steelers DST in Week 11 against the Bengals? Let's dive in and take a look!

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What Did the Steelers DST Do In Week 10?

The Steelers held the Saints to just 10 points in a 20-10 win in Week 10. They picked up two sacks and intercepted Andy Dalton twice in the contest.

In addition, the Steelers held New Orleans to just 186 yards of total offense in the win. These Saints aren't the same as they were in the Drew Brees era but they are still averaging 372.5 yards per game, ninth best in the NFL.

The Steelers got a boost in the Week 10 game as star edge rusher T.J. Watt made his first appearance since he injured his left pectoral muscle in Week 1 against Cincinnati.

.@Steelers @_TJWatt what a difference this Steeler defense looks like with Watt back in the lineup. No one else in this league plays like this. Makes everyone else better. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/tGI9dnbbM5

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 15, 2022

What Has the Steelers DST Done Against The Bengals Lately?

The Steelers have already faced off against the Bengals this season, back in the season opener in Week 1. They notched seven sacks and forced five turnovers, including four Joe Burrow interceptions. That impressive performance led Pittsburgh to finish as the overall DST2 on the week.

In 2021, Pittsburgh's DST did not fare as well as they gave up a combined 65 points to the Bengals over their two meetings while notching two sacks, two interceptions, and five quarterback hits over that span.

While their 2021 performance against Cincy wasn't great, their Week 1 outing this season was much more promising and holds much more weight as it comes to their fantasy outlook.

Should I Start the Steelers DST In Week 11 Fantasy Football?

The Steelers not only got T.J. Watt back last week, but they also got a big boost with safety Damontae Kazee making his 2022 debut in Week 10. In addition, the Steelers are also expecting to have star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (appendix) back after he missed Week 10 with appendicitis. Fitzpatrick practiced fully on Thursday and should bring his play-making ability to the Pittsburgh secondary.

In my latest film room, I take a look at Damontae Kazee's promising debut in black and gold.

He showed he can be a true asset to this defense and has me even more excited for what this defense can do with three healthy safeties. #Steelershttps://t.co/niDGeXiyrI

— Tyler Wise (@TriggeredWise) November 18, 2022

The Bengals can be explosive on offense but their offensive line is still a problem and they will play another game without star wideout Ja'Marr Chase (hip). On the year, the Bengals have allowed 32 sacks, behind only the Bears and Colts, and tied with the Commanders.

Chase's absence has been felt by the Cincy offense. Without Chase, they only managed 13 points against a vulnerable Cleveland defense in Week 8. They bounced back to hang 42 points on the Panthers in Week 9, although almost all of that production came on the ground thanks to Joe Mixon. Pittsburgh's run defense ranks as the seventh-best in the league in DVOA and should provide  Mixon with much more resistance than the Panthers did.

The Steelers are installed as 3.5-point home underdogs in a game with a low 41-point over/under, putting them in a good spot heading into Week 11. Unless you are rostering an elite fantasy DST, you should start the Steelers this week.

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