NFL Week 2 DFS Defense Value Picks
NFL Week 2: September 17 – 21, 2020
We’ll provide some details and insights on some of the potential top daily fantasy defense/special team value plays for week 2.
Salary ranks are based on the main-slate Sunday only (13 games).
Betting lines are as of the time of this writing.
Updates will be made as new info comes to light.
Defense
Los Angeles Rams – Salaries: DraftKings (DK) – 2800 (5.6% of cap), FanDuel (FD) – 4500 (7.5% of cap). The Rams’ salary ranks them 13th/5th on DK/FD, respectively, making them a better relative value on DK.
The betting line with the Eagles has the game total at 46 points with the Rams as -1 point road favorites. The Rams’ implied team total is currently at 23.5 points and the Eagles are currently at 22.5 points.
Against the Cowboys, the Rams’ defense logged 3 sacks, with 7 QB hits, and allowed 17 points. The Cowboys’ implied team total was 25.25 last week.
Washington registered a whopping 8 sacks on 15 QB hits, with 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery for the upset win against the Eagles last week.
The Eagles were missing 3 of their starting 5 starting offensive linemen last week, however, RT Lane Johnson (ankle) may have a chance to return this week as well as RB Miles Sanders (hamstring).
The Rams’ defense ranked 4th in sacks with 50 last season, and their D-line should carry the advantage against an injury-decimated Eagles’ O-line.
Arizona Cardinals – Salaries: DraftKings (DK) – 3000 (6% of cap), FanDuel (FD) – 3600 (6% of cap). The Cardinals’ salary ranks them 11th/17th on DK/FD, respectively, making them a better relative value on FD.
The betting line with Washington has the game total at 47 points, with the Cardinals as -6.5 point home favorites. The Cardinals’ implied team total is currently at 26.75 points and Washington is currently at 20.25 points.
The Cardinals’ defense registered 3 sacks, 1 blocked kick, and held the 49ers to 20 points last week for the upset win. The 49ers implied team was 27.5 points last week. The Cardinals’ defense held the 49ers to a weak 2/11 third-down conversion ratio.
The Eagles’ defense logged 3 sacks and gave up 27 points to Washington last week.
If the implied positive-script holds for the Cardinals, they should be able to force Washington into an unfavorable, one-dimensional game-plan. Washington’s Dwayne Haskins happens to be the lowest priced starting QB on both DK and FD.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Salaries: DraftKings (DK) – 2900 (5.8% of cap), FanDuel (FD) – 3800 (6.33% of cap). The Bucs’ salary ranks them 12th/14th on DK/FD, respectively.
The betting line with the Panthers has the game total at 48 points with the Bucs as -9.5 point home favorites. The Bucs’ implied team total is currently at 28.75 points and the Panthers are currently at 19.25 points. The Bucs are favored with the largest spread on the board.
The Bucs’ defense logged 1 sacked and gave up 28 offensive points at New Orleans last week. The Raiders’ defense logged 1 sack and gave up 30 points to the Panthers last week.
RB Christian McCaffrey only had 3 sub-par games last season, but 2 of those were against the Bucs. The Panthers gave up the most sacks (tied) with 58 last season. The Bucs’ defense ranked 7th (tied) in sacks with 47 and 1st in QB hits with 117 last season. The Bucs’ get a much more favorable home date compared to last week’s trip to New Orleans.
