Wild Card Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Kickers and Team Defenses

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Wild Card Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Wild Card Start ’Em: Defense/Special Teams

Start of the Week

Bills defense vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Bills defense has been playing at a higher level in recent weeks, and now they get a home game against Mason Rudolph and the Steelers in what will be “perfect” Buffalo weather conditions. Look for the Bills to hold Pittsburgh in check and force a few turnovers in the game.

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Start ’Em

Chiefs defense vs. Miami Dolphins (Sat. 8 p.m. ET, Peacock): The Chiefs don’t look like a great play on paper, but freezing weather conditions coupled with a Dolphins offense that’s struggled and is dealing with injuries makes it a viable option. This unit has been tough at home, too, allowing just 16.4 points per game.

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Buccaneers defense vs. Philadelphia Eagles ($3,200)
Chiefs defense vs. Dolphins ($2,900)

Wild Card Sit ’Em: Defense/Special Teams

Sit of the Week

Rams defense at Detroit Lions (8 p.m. ET, NBC): The Lions possess one of the most explosive offenses in the league, averaging 30.9 points and over 400 yards of offense at home. Their line has also allowed the second-fewest sacks among home offenses, so Aaron Donald and the Rams defense could have a tough week.

Sit ’Em

Dolphins defense at Kansas City Chiefs (Sat. 8 p.m. ET, Peacock): The Chiefs offense hasn’t been great this season, but it has allowed the second-fewest sacks among home teams. The Dolphins offense has also struggled in terms of injuries lately, and Tua Tagovailoa struggles to perform well in cold conditions.

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Dolphins defense at Chiefs ($2,800)
Rams defense at Lions ($2,700)

Wild Card Start ’Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

Brandon Aubrey vs. Green Bay Packers (4:30 p.m. ET, Fox): Aubrey came out of nowhere to produce some elite-type numbers among kickers, and this week’s matchup against the Packers makes him a must start. In the last four weeks, their defense has allowed seven field goals and the eighth-most points to kickers.

Start ’Em

Mike Badgley vs. Los Angeles Rams (8 p.m. ET, NBC): Badgley’s numbers haven’t been great since he took over the kicking duties in Detroit but you have to like his chances this week. This could be a high-scoring game against the Rams, and their defense has allowed the most points to kickers among playoff teams.

Wild Card Sit ’Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Jason Sanders at Kansas City Chiefs (8 p.m. ET, Peacock): Sanders was hot late in the season, but he cooled off with a combined nine points in his last two games. He’s going to get even “colder” this week, as temperatures in the Kansas City area will be near zero. That could make the kicking conditions difficult.

Sit ’Em

Chris Boswell at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Boswell has scored 12 points in two of his last three games, but a tough matchup in Buffalo makes him a fade this week. The Bills defense has surrendered just 26 field-goal conversions this season, not to mention the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers overall. 

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