Start 'Em, Sit 'Em D/STs: Week 10 fantasy football

The race for the playoffs across many fantasy leagues is simply too close to call.

With just a few weeks to go in the regular season, making the right start/sit decisions can be the difference between hoisting your league's trophy or doing some ridiculous punishment. While defenses are often are afterthought in fantasy lineups, you don't want to make the wrong call and fall short because of one.

The Browns, Packers, Seahawks and Raiders won't be taking part in this week's festivities, so don't bother sending them an invite to the party. Instead choose to focus on turning out the right defense so you can be victorious in the battleground. So in an attempt to make your life easier, here are four defenses to start and four defenses to sit in Week 10.

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Fantasy football start 'em: Week 10 D/STs

Chicago Bears (vs. New England Patriots)

Fading a rookie quarterback on the road is a solid strategy. Fading a bad Patriots team is also a solid strategy. That means that starting the Bears in Week 10 is a solid strategy. New England's offense isn't keeping any defenses up at night and their lack of pass-catching options has a lot to do with that. Due to that reality, Drake Maye has made a living off his rushing ability, something the Bears are capable of slowing down.

They are allowing just 18 rushing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks and that sample size includes matchups against Jayden Daniels and Kyler Murray. While Daniels was able to find 52 yards against this Chicago defense, his performance is the outlier in what's been a mobile quarterback-heavy schedule. Considering Maye has tossed two interceptions in two of his four starts and that's a recipe for success.

Philadelphia Eagles (at Dallas Cowboys)

Dak Prescott isn't running out of that tunnel for the Cowboys, meaning it'll be Cooper Rush under center in Dallas. While the Eagles have been an average fantasy defense, there is reason for optimism beyond Rush starting. Philadelphia's defense has stepped up coming out of their Week 5 bye week, allowing less than 20 points in all four games.

On the Dallas side, they are already down Prescott and don't have the running game to help make up for that loss. CeeDee Lamb is dealing with a shoulder injury and Dallas has been horrific at home in 2024. The Eagles should have no issues taking care of business against their division rival.

Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Tennessee Titans)

Sometimes you just have to take the layup. The Chargers own arguably Week 10's top defense in fantasy and there's no reason to overthink it. Jim Harbaugh has transformed his team quickly, successfully establishing a new identity in just one offseason.

Los Angeles is holding teams to a league-low 12.6 points per game and the Titans are averaging just 17.5 points per game, sixth worst in the league. That's a big advantage for Harbaugh's group and also for your fantasy team.

New York Giants (at Carolina Panthers in Germany)

International games can be wonky, especially when they feature two of the NFL's worst teams. The Germans are set to be treated to this doozy of a game that could help decide which team earns the draft's top selection in April. While it's unlikely that Americans are setting their alarms for this one, the Giants are a frisky defense that could be successful against these Panthers. With the Giants' ability to get after the quarterback, New York is firmly in streaming territory across the pond.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 10 D/STs

Houston Texans (vs. Detroit Lions)

Despite the Texans' success as a fantasy defense, any matchup against the Lions represents an automatic fade. The league's highest scoring offense is putting up 32.3 points per game and is showing no signs of slowing down. If there's one thing we know about Dan Campbell, he won't be taking his foot off the gas.

Detroit possesses too many weapons and too much creativity to make it worth putting yourself through three hours of agony for the sake of a fantasy defense. Campbell's team won't rest until they are the only team with kneecaps remaining in the NFL. Save yourself the trouble and look elsewhere.

Pittsburgh Steelers (at Washington Commanders)

It's hard to keep the Steelers' defense on the bench, but the matchup makes a solid case. The Commanders, like the Lions, possess a dynamic offense that's posting the third-most points per game (29.2). Dual-threat and rookie of the year frontrunner Jayden Daniels has taken the league by storm in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. He looks like the real deal as Washington keeps on winning. There's always a possibility of T.J. Watt completely wrecking the game, but we'd steer clear of Pittsburgh if possible.

Denver Broncos (at Kansas City Chiefs)

The Broncos are another top fantasy defense worthy of earning a spot on the bench this week, especially in a brutal divisional matchup. While they were riding high going into Week 9, Denver was overmatched against the Ravens. They allowed 41 points and didn't reward fantasy managers who showed trust in them. Even against a potentially hampered Patrick Mahomes, there is really no reason to have faith that this week will be any different.

Dallas Cowboys (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

The Cowboys are far from the fantasy defense they once were and have instead rated as one of the worst in 2024. If you're still rostering them, or starting them, get them out of the lineup against the Eagles. Dallas should remain on the waiver wire until proven otherwise.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 10

→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 10.

→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 10 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 10.

→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 10.

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 10.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 10: 8 D/STs to start or sit