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Fantasy Football 2018: 3 Must-Start Defenses for Week 1

By Bill Pivetz

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Outside Linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field for the game against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Outside Linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field for the game against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Fantasy Football
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Outside Linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field for the game against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Fantasy Football /

It’s important to start the fantasy football season on the right foot. Here are three defenses you must start no matter what in Week 1.

Your fantasy football defense may not lose you your matchup in Week 1, but they sure can help you win it. With the right matchup, the defense can put up more points than your flex or RB2. While we don’t know how each team looks, based on the news released throughout the preseason, we have an idea of which teams are on the path to success.

With that being said, here are three defenses that are worth starting in both season-long and DFS for Week 1.

BAL D/ST

The Baltimore Ravens are my top defense in Week 1. That may not come as a surprise based on who their opponent is. The Ravens will welcome the Buffalo Bills to Baltimore. The Bills announced that Nathan Peterman will be the starting quarterback.

The Bills receiving corps of Kelvin Benjamin, Zay Jones, Andre Holmes, Jeremy Kerley and Charles Clay doesn’t scare me. With that, I expect the Ravens to stack the box against running back LeSean McCoy.

If Peterman throws another five interceptions, the Ravens defense can score 30 points at the end of the game. They are the most expensive defense on DraftKings at $3,800.

DET D/ST

The Detroit Lions also face a weak AFC East team in the New York Jets on Monday night. The fact that this game is a day later may have people second-guessing because if you are waiting until Monday, they are your last chance to win.

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The Jets will start rookie quarterback Sam Darnold under center. I like the Jets receiving corps as they are all underrated. Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Quincy Enunwa and Terrelle Pryor can put up some good numbers.

The running game is the weak part of the Jets offense. They are going with the combination of Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell.

The Lions defense finished sixth last season and they’ll start off strong this season.

NO D/ST

The New Orleans Saints take on division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. With Jameis Winston suspended for the first three games, the Bucs will have Ryan Fitzpatrick start under center.

Fitzpatrick is a hit-or-miss quarterback. He threw 15 interceptions in 2015 and 17 in 2016. He did throw 31 touchdowns in the 2015 season but that dropped to 12 the following season.

Outside of Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Chris Godwin, OJ Howard and Cameron Brate are the other pass catchers. The Bucs will have Peyton Barber, Jacquizz Rodgers and Ronald Jones at running back.

The Saints defense finished eighth last season. They scored a combined 39 points in the two games against Tampa Bay last season. Without Winston under center, they have a good chance of doing that in Week 1.

They are priced at $3,600 on DraftKings. A modest price to pay for a great matchup.

Honorable mention: CAR D/ST, CLE D/ST

Next. DFS NFL Week 1 Game by Game Breakdown. dark

These three defenses are owned in over 70 percent of leagues. So, if you own them, you are starting them. They are worth the price on DraftKings and can make the difference in your lineup.

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