Start 'Em, Sit 'Em D/STs for Week 2 fantasy football

Streaming. It's a word that has seen public opinion shift in recent years, going from a cheap new concept to something that is extracting every last dollar out of your wallet – especially if sports are your thing. Streaming was supposed to take away the need for cable, letting people buy what they w

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What is the story about?

Streaming.

It's a word that has seen public opinion shift in recent years, going from a cheap new concept to something that is extracting every last dollar out of your wallet – especially if sports are your thing. Streaming was supposed to take away the need for cable, letting people buy what they want without breaking the bank.

And where did that get us? Right back to cable, but in streaming form.

Just like your viewing habits, picking the right fantasy football D/ST week to week is a lot like finding the right streamer. After all, few will find a unit that is startable every week of the season. If you do, be sure to hold on to it.

For the rest of us, we are left to play the matchups and hope for the best. At least in this case, the price isn't

going up every couple of months.

Here are the fantasy defenses to start and others that should sit in Week 2.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 2 defense/special teams

Philadelphia Eagles (at Tennessee Titans)

Cam Ward didn’t turn the ball over in Week 1, which could be problematic from a fantasy football standpoint. However, he could feel the need to force it in Week 2 as the Titans try to put together something that resembles an NFL offense.

One way or another, the Jets defense was living in the Tennessee backfield throughout Week 1 and Ward was running for his life. The second-year quarterback was slippery in the pocket, but the Eagles will present an even bigger challenge. This could be a big number from Vic Fangio’s unit.

Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

The Chiefs smothered the Broncos offense last week. Denver couldn’t run the ball, couldn’t throw the ball and, essentially, couldn’t have the ball. It was an old-fashioned beatdown in Kansas City, reminding NFL fans of who the Chiefs are.

You could point to the new play-caller in Davis Webb for Denver, but this is still a much more talented unit than the one going into Arrowhead in Week 2. Daniel Jones seems to have lost some of the magic and Jonathan Taylor can’t do it all alone. Steve Spagnuolo should be salivating at this matchup.

New England Patriots (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

Flip the script. That is the goal for the Patriots in Week 2 after laying an egg against the Seahawks on opening night. New England had no business losing that game after Drew Lock entered for the injured Sam Darnold, but Mike Vrabel’s team found a way anyway. It wasn’t the defense’s fault, however.

Despite some horrendous offense, the Patriots still held the Seahawks to just 13 points and we should expect more of the same against the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers isn’t a threat to run and DK Metcalf will have to deal with Christian Gonzalez – and we know how that typically goes. With Rodgers averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt in Week 1, New England can crowd the line of scrimmage without much fear of being beat over the top.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Cleveland Browns)

The Bucs just gave up 33 points to the Bengals in Week 1, mostly because their offense produced more turnovers than your favorite bakery. It just so happens that Baker Mayfield was a key reason for that, losing three fumbles in the contest all by himself. One of Tampa's four turnovers did result in a touchdown, so we can't blame the defense for that.

Luckily for the Bucs, Week 2 is much easier against a lifeless Browns team. If a Deshaun Watson-led offense puts together a solid showing and ruins the day for this fantasy defense, we'll just have to tip our cap. Don't bet on that happening though.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 2 D/STs

Houston Texans (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

It was a week to forget for one of the NFL's best defenses. Houston gave up 36 points and recorded just two sacks against Buffalo in Week 1, and they failed to force a turnover. You can easily dismiss the performance since the Bills were on the opposite sideline, but the Texans' Week 2 opponent is no cupcake.

The Bengals scored 33 points in the opener and that was without Ja'Marr Chase making an impact. While there's a good chance that the Texans were the first defense off the board in your draft, we can't in good faith recommend starting them. If there's a better matchup available, don't hesitate to take it.

Green Bay Packers (at New York Jets)

Life without Micah Parsons hasn't been kind to the Packers. They are now on a five-game losing streak without the star defender, which is actually six if you include the game when he got hurt. Green Bay is in danger of stretching that streak to seven in the Meadowlands, where it will take on a frisky Jets team that is riding high after Week 1.

With some rain in the forecast, that bodes well for the Jets. They can lean on a solid offensive line and another run-heavy game script against a Packers team that just gave up a pair of rushing scores in the opener. And who could possibly forget the 22 unanswered points that the Vikings scored in the fourth quarter? Don't be surprised if that hangs over Matt LaFleur's group in Week 2.

Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)

Speaking of teams that deserve a little more credit, how about the Cardinals? No one gave them a chance to win in Week 1. Not only did they win, but they also did it in dominant fashion against the Super Bowl-contending Chargers. Now for an encore, Arizona only has to match up against the defending Super Bowl champions.

However, let's not forget that Lock is the starter and that increases the potential for turnovers from the Seahawks offense. Turnovers lead to short fields, short fields lead to points, points lead to fantasy defense sadness. Yet that isn't the Cardinals' only chance in Week 2, considering Mike LaFleur has put together a competent offense. This could be a letdown spot for the Seahawks after celebrating the Super Bowl win and losing Darnold all in one night. This will be their first test without him for an entire game, against a divisional opponent. Seattle's defense can ride the bench this week.

Los Angeles Rams (vs. New York Giants)

Myles Garrett was invisible in Week 1. He will miss Week 2 after knee surgery. Garrett might not be the only star in this loaded L.A. defense, but he is certainly the biggest one. The Giants won't have to deal with the pass-rusher, which only helps their chances.

John Harbaugh's team proved to be a physical, pesky group in Week 1. Between Jaxson Dart's legs and Cam Skattebo's tough running style, these aren't the Giants of old. After playing in Australia last week, the Giants are one of those teams that Sean McVay's sleepy bunch won't want to see. This game could be closer than expected and that won't bode well for the Rams' D/ST unit.