🏈 The 7 defenses you should target

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It's The Touchdown Press Newsletter. Your #1 source for all things fantasy football, DFS, and sports betting, along with 10,000+ fellow degenerates.

“Offense sells tickets and defense wins games.” -Lindsey Nelson

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• Why the Pats can repeat as DEF1 👑

• Dallas can force more turnovers in ‘23 🤠 

• Which young Florida squad to target 🎯 

• The news trickling out of NFL camps 🏈 

New England Patriots

The defense might be the most appealing Patriot fantasy pick outside of Rhamondre Stevenson.

Belichick and Sons have built a solid unit that was the DEF1 in 2022, on the back of 10.9 points per game and 10 finishes in the top 10.

They tied for the 2nd most turnovers and 3rd most sacks in the league led by Matthew Judon, who had 15.5.

To cap it off, the Pats scored 8 D/ST TDs, which was 3 more than the next team.

They added talented CB Christian Gonzalez in April’s draft, so this unit may even stand to get better.

San Francisco 49ers

You want to argue that they belong in the top spot? You have a good case.

Nick Bosa anchors a fearsome defensive pass rush that racked up 44 sacks last season.

The team also forced 30 turnovers (T-2), and allowed the fewest yards per game in the league.

The only reason I have them second is due to having the 3rd hardest strength of schedule for defenses.

The Niners also have terrific skill position players.

WR Deebo Samuel only played in 13 games last year. If he’s healthy, he’ll beat his PrizePicks line of 780.5 yards.

Dallas Cowboys

On paper this unit looks like it will be one of the better fantasy units in the game.

Guys like Stephon Gilmore, Treyvon Diggs, and DeMarcus Lawrence on the same side will stop some attacks.

Plus, they forced the most turnovers in 2022, with 33.

Dallas is a safe draft choice if you don’t like the weekly pain of streaming your DST week-to-week.

Buffalo Bills

Reports on Von Miller are that he’ll be ready to go at the start of the season, which is good news for a team that finished just 14th in sacks.

Still, the Bills were fantasy DEF4, scoring 8.9 points per game on their way to 8 weeks in the top 10.

Sean McDermott’s schemes are more than serviceable in this league, and although they have a tough DST strength of schedule, they have a few matchups worth circling.

An added Buffalo Bonus is that Nyheim Hines was the only player to score 2 kick return TDs last season, bringing the Bills’ total to… 2.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philly tied Buffalo with 8.9 fantasy points per game and 27 forced turnovers in ‘22, but may take a slight step back.

The loss of Javon Hargrave will undoubtedly hurt the efficacy of the defensive line, and key linebackers have departed the team too.

The team also lost defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to the Cardinals which could trigger some adjustment pains.

Still, this unit is built to win, and the Eagles played some of the best complementary football in the game on their way to the NFC Championship.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars ended the year scorching hot, scoring an average of 14 points over the final 5 games while never falling out of the top 5.

That’s league-winning stuff right there!

They were one of four teams that caused 27 turnovers, tying them for 4th in the NFL.

This was a young unit last season, so it’s reasonable to expect some marginal growth, and they beefed up the middle of the unit in the middle rounds of April’s NFL draft, selecting 2 LBs, a DL, and a Safety.

And they have the 4th easiest SOS for defensive teams.

Baltimore Ravens

Can positive TD regression happen to a defense?

Baltimore was one of just four teams to score 0 defensive touchdowns all season, and only added 1 on special teams.

Still, the unit was 9th in yards allowed per game, and tied for 5th in sacks, and forced a respectable 25 turnovers.

The biggest issue is having to face the Bengals twice.

🏃‍♂️ Hard-Running Chief Welcomes Increased Workload

✈️ Jets Add Another WR: Does it Boost Them?

📃 Falcons' RB Starts Season on Active/PUP List

😀 Commander-In-Chief: Washington Gets New Owner

🤦‍♂️ Protection Woes? Saints Release OL Who Failed Physical

🦁 Lions' QB Starts Season on NFI List

🏎 Vikes’ Addison Cited for High-Speed Adventure

😱 Money Badger a Surprise Cut in Detroit

🏈 Lions Trade for Denzel Mims; Jets Get Pick

✍️ Eagles Sign Tackle, Strengthening Formidable O-Line

I hope you’re able to get out of the house this weekend and play a little defense vs. the stressors of your work week.

The Touchdown Press is a must-read for every NFL fan — pure signal, highly actionable, and one-liners funny enough to make you pee a little bit.

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