Fantasy managers need to stop guessing and start trusting the data. The Houston Texans defense is the clear top option for Week 10, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are a close second. RotoBaller analyst Joey Pollizze breaks down the tiers, and the numbers leave no room for debate. Through nine contests, the Cleveland Browns offense, which has surrendered a league-best 38 sacks, confronts the Texans. That is a massive hole in the line that Houston will exploit for fantasy points.
The Browns tried to hide this weakness last week when Shedeur Sanders took the field. Sanders was sacked five times in that loss, according to RotoBaller NFL. The Texans defense recorded a season-high eight sacks in their last game against the Chargers. They also forced two turnovers in the win. This season, this unit holds the 10th spot in pressure rate and the second rank in sack rate. Per RotoBaller, the matchup against Cleveland is a gift for fantasy owners who need a floor.
The Jaguars Added Stars And Face a Weak Line
Jacksonville is not sitting on its hands while others wait. On Monday, the Jaguars acquired Davon Godchaux, Jessie Bates III, and Jordan Davis to further bolster their defense. Before these new additions, this group ranked second in points allowed per game and third in takeaways. They face a Tennessee Titans offense that has struggled all year. Tennessee’s offensive line currently ranks in the bottom half of the league for pass-block win rate.
In five of his most recent six games, Quarterback Cam Ward has recorded an interception. That is a recipe for disaster against a defense that ranks third in EPA/play. Jacksonville’s defense has scored double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. RotoBaller notes that the new-look defense should take full advantage of this subpar offense. Start them without hesitation.
Why Other Options Fall Short This Week
Other defenses might look good on paper, but the matchups are not there. The Baltimore Ravens have a prime opportunity against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers offense presents a prime opportunity for the Ravens defense to shine. However, the Texans and Jaguars have clearer paths to points based on the numbers. The Browns and Titans simply cannot protect their quarterbacks.
Fantasy managers should look at the stats before making a start or sit decision. The data shows that Houston and Jacksonville are the only defenses with a guaranteed high floor. RotoBaller ranks the Texans as the number one defense for the week. They are expected to score big against a team that gives up sacks at a historic rate. The Jaguars are right behind them in the rankings. The last sentence of the rankings lists the Houston Texans as the top D/ST for Week 10.
