Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2026 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Defenses to Start
Baltimore Ravens D/ST (vs. LAC)
Baltimore’s defense hasn’t been a reliable fantasy option this season, averaging just 3.8 fantasy points per game. The Ravens have allowed 26.2 points per game and have produced only 17 sacks and nine takeaways. This start is about the opponent. The Chargers are the only winless team in the NFL, and their offense has been the most generous unit in football for opposing defenses. Los Angeles has allowed 11.0 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, the most in the league, while giving up the second-most sacks (31) and committing 19 turnovers, tied for the most in the NFL.
The Chargers have also scored just 15.1 points per game, the fewest in the league, so even a Baltimore defense that has struggled should be able to keep the points-allowed total in a useful range. Justin Herbert’s finger imaging came back negative, and Jim Harbaugh said he should be good to go, so the Ravens won’t be facing a backup quarterback. But the Chargers’ protection and ball security have been problems all season, regardless of who’s under center. Baltimore’s own numbers make this a matchup play rather than a trust play. I’m starting the Ravens because the Chargers have allowed the second-most sacks, are tied for the most turnovers and have scored the fewest points in the league.
Buffalo Bills D/ST (at NYJ)
Buffalo’s defense has been an average fantasy option, scoring 6.4 fantasy points per game, but it has done a solid job creating turnovers. The Bills have forced 12 takeaways this season, tied for the ninth-most in the league, which gives them a path to points even when the pass rush is quiet. That pass rush has been the weakness, as Buffalo has just 17 sacks this season. The Bills have also allowed 23.4 points per game, so they haven’t been a dependable source of points-allowed bonuses.
The Jets give Buffalo’s pass rush a chance to get going. New York has allowed 28 sacks this season, the fourth-most in the NFL, and has scored just 20.2 points per game, the eighth-fewest. Buffalo’s offense should also help its defense, as the Bills lead the league at 32.0 points per game and could force the Jets to throw more than they’d like. That’s the kind of game script that creates sack and turnover opportunities, even for a pass rush that hasn’t been consistent. I’m starting the Bills as a DST1 because the Jets’ protection problems and a likely pass-heavy game script give Buffalo’s defense real sack upside.
Green Bay Packers D/ST (vs. MIN)
Green Bay has one of the most productive defenses in fantasy football. The Packers are averaging 7.6 fantasy points per game, and they’ve forced 19 takeaways, second only to Tampa Bay’s 21. They’ve also recorded 26 sacks, tied for the fourth-most in the league, including 10 over their last two games. Their ability to force interceptions stands out, as Green Bay has picked off 4.0% of opponents’ pass attempts, the third-highest rate in the NFL. That combination of pressure and turnovers gives the Packers one of the highest weekly floors at the position.
Minnesota’s quarterback situation makes this an even better spot. Kirk Cousins was traded to the Vikings this week and hasn’t been confirmed as the starter, while Kyler Murray is dealing with a hamstring injury and Carson Wentz is dealing with an ankle injury. Whoever starts will be working behind a line that has allowed 23 sacks, tied for the 10th-most in the league, in an offense that has averaged just 18.3 points per game. A quarterback with only a few practices in the offense, facing one of the league’s most opportunistic defenses, is a difficult combination for Minnesota. I’m starting the Packers as a DST1 because their turnover production and Minnesota’s quarterback uncertainty give them one of the best matchups of the week.
Defenses to Sit
Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST (at CIN)
Pittsburgh has been one of the best fantasy defenses this season, averaging 9.1 fantasy points per game, the third-most in the league. The Steelers have recorded 26 sacks and forced 13 takeaways while allowing just 18.0 points per game, and they’re coming off a bye week with extra time to prepare. On talent alone, this is a defense that would be in most lineups every week.
The matchup is the problem. Cincinnati is averaging 30.0 points per game, the second-most in the NFL, and Joe Burrow has thrown 16 touchdown passes over his last four games. The Bengals have also kept Burrow upright, allowing just 15 sacks this season, and they’ve given up only 4.0 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, the 10th-fewest in the league. That limits the sacks and turnovers Pittsburgh would need to overcome a high points-allowed total. Cincinnati scored 27 points in the first meeting between these teams, which left little room for fantasy production. I’m sitting the Steelers in shallower leagues because Cincinnati’s offense limits both their sack upside and their points-allowed floor, although managers without a better option can still start them.
San Francisco 49ers D/ST (at DAL)
San Francisco’s defense has been productive overall, averaging 7.5 fantasy points per game. The 49ers have allowed 19.5 points per game and forced 12 takeaways, while adding two defensive touchdowns. However, their pass rush hasn’t matched their overall production. San Francisco has recorded just 15 sacks this season, the fifth-fewest in the league, so its fantasy output has depended more on turnovers and touchdowns than consistent pressure.
Dallas is a tough matchup for opposing defenses. The Cowboys have allowed just 3.4 fantasy points per game to defenses, the eighth-fewest in the league, while giving up only 14 sacks. They’re also averaging 27.3 points per game, and this game carries a 55.5-point total, the highest on the Week 10 schedule. That points toward a high-scoring game where San Francisco will have a difficult time keeping the points-allowed total in a useful range. Without a reliable pass rush, the 49ers would need a turnover-heavy day or another defensive touchdown to deliver a strong performance. I’m sitting the 49ers because their limited sack production and a Dallas offense that protects its quarterback make them a risky option in a likely shootout.
New England Patriots D/ST (at DET, Munich)
New England’s defense has been a middle-of-the-pack fantasy option, averaging 5.8 fantasy points per game. The Patriots have generated plenty of pressure with 25 sacks, but they’ve forced only eight takeaways, tied for the fourth-fewest in the league. They’ve also allowed 23.0 points per game, and they’re coming off a 45-27 loss to Green Bay.
Detroit is a difficult offense for defenses to take advantage of. The Lions are averaging 27.8 points per game, the fifth-most in the NFL, and they’ve committed just five turnovers all season, tied for the second-fewest in the league. They’ve also allowed only 3.1 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. New England’s pass rush gives it some upside, but a defense that rarely forces turnovers is facing an offense that rarely commits them. I’m sitting the Patriots because the Lions protect the football too well and score too often for New England to deliver a useful fantasy performance.
Kickers to Start
Spencer Shrader, K (IND)
Spencer Shrader’s range is what makes him one of the most valuable kickers in fantasy football. He’s made 22 of 24 field-goal attempts across nine appearances, including eight of nine from 50 yards or longer, and he’s averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game. Indianapolis has consistently trusted him with long attempts, which gives him scoring chances on drives that stall well outside the red zone. He’s coming off a strong game against Dallas in Week 9, making all three of his field goals, two from 50 yards or longer, and both extra points for 16 fantasy points.
Shrader did have two quiet weeks before that, scoring three and one fantasy point in Weeks 7 and 8, so his production can swing with Indianapolis’ field-goal volume. Miami gives him a good chance to bounce back. The Colts are favored at home, and the Dolphins will start Kyle McCord in his first NFL start, which could give Indianapolis additional possessions if Miami’s offense struggles to move the ball. Even if the Colts’ drives stall, Shrader’s range means many of those possessions can still turn into points. I’m starting Shrader as a top-10 kicker because his long-range accuracy and Indianapolis’ favorable matchup give him one of the highest ceilings at the position.
Eddy Piñeiro, K (SF)
Eddy Piñeiro’s value comes from the offense around him. San Francisco is averaging 29.4 points per game, the third-most in the NFL, and the 49ers are playing in a game with a 55.5-point total, the highest on the Week 10 schedule. Piñeiro hasn’t attempted many field goals, making seven of 10 this season, but he’s made 26 extra points, giving him a steady source of points when the 49ers finish drives in the end zone. He’s averaging 5.6 fantasy points per game, and he scored eight points against Las Vegas in Week 9.
Dallas has allowed 26.2 points per game, tied for the seventh-most in the NFL, which should give San Francisco plenty of scoring opportunities. In a game where both offenses are expected to move the ball, Piñeiro’s extra-point volume gives him a reasonable floor, and any stalled drives in Dallas territory should turn into field-goal attempts. The tradeoff is that an offense this good often finishes drives with touchdowns, which limits his field-goal chances, and he’s missed four extra points this season. I’m starting Piñeiro as a matchup streamer because San Francisco’s offense and the highest-scoring game environment of the week give him plenty of opportunities to put up points.
Ryan Fitzgerald, K (CAR)
Ryan Fitzgerald has been one of the more accurate kickers in the league, making 13 of 14 field-goal attempts, including all three from 50 yards or longer. He’s averaging 7.4 fantasy points per game, and his range gives him upside in an offense that hasn’t always finished drives in the end zone. He’s coming off a quiet game against Denver in Week 9, when he made three extra points but missed his only field-goal attempt, finishing with two fantasy points. The week before, he made two field goals, including a 50-yarder, and an extra point against Green Bay for nine fantasy points.
The setting works in his favor this week. Carolina plays indoors at the Caesars Superdome, where conditions won’t be a factor on long attempts, and Bryce Young’s passing volume should keep the Panthers moving against New Orleans. Fitzgerald’s perfect mark from 50 yards or longer means any drive that stalls past midfield has a good chance to turn into points. His production will depend on how often Carolina stalls in field-goal range, which makes him more of a streamer than a weekly starter. I’m starting Fitzgerald as a streaming option because his accuracy and an indoor game give him a good chance at multiple field goals.
Kickers to Sit
Matt Gay, K (LV)
Matt Gay has been productive this season, averaging 9.8 fantasy points per game and making 19 of 21 field-goal attempts. His best game came against Kansas City in Week 4, when he made four field goals and an extra point. But his outlook this week depends on the Raiders’ offense, and that offense looks very different. Las Vegas traded Kirk Cousins to Minnesota this week, and Fernando Mendoza was named the starter for his first NFL start. Cousins had thrown 20 touchdown passes, the second-most in the league.
The Raiders are implied for just 17 points as 6.5-point underdogs against Seattle, which is the main reason to sit Gay. A low team total limits his opportunities for both field goals and extra points, and a quarterback making his first start adds uncertainty to how often Las Vegas will be able to move into scoring range. Gay’s accuracy keeps him in the conversation in deeper leagues, and he could still produce if the Raiders’ drives stall in field-goal range. But there’s too much uncertainty around the offense to count on his usual production. I’m sitting Gay because the Raiders’ low scoring projection and Mendoza’s first start limit his opportunities.
Chad Ryland, K (ARI)
Chad Ryland has made 20 of 22 field-goal attempts this season and is averaging 9.1 fantasy points per game. His best performance came against the Rams in Week 6, when he made all six of his field-goal attempts for 19 fantasy points. That game is the best reason to consider starting him this week. However, his production has been inconsistent, and he scored just three fantasy points against Seattle in Week 9. Carson Beck was named Arizona’s starter, and the Cardinals’ offense has struggled to sustain drives.
That Week 6 performance came in a different situation. Arizona is now implied for just 15 points as a 9.5-point underdog, one of the lowest projections of the week. When an offense is expected to struggle this much, even a kicker who has done well against this opponent can see his opportunities dry up. Ryland’s accuracy gives him a path to points if Arizona can move into field-goal range, and another multiple-field-goal game wouldn’t be shocking. But the Cardinals’ low scoring projection makes it hard to count on that happening. I’m sitting Ryland because Arizona’s limited scoring outlook makes another six-field-goal game unlikely.
Andy Borregales, K (NE)
Andy Borregales hasn’t attempted a field goal in two of his last six games, and that lack of volume is the biggest reason to sit him. He’s been accurate, making 10 of 13 field-goal attempts and 23 of 24 extra points, but he hasn’t attempted more than three field goals in any game this season. He’s averaging 6.0 fantasy points per game, and he’s coming off two quiet performances, scoring five and three points over his last two games.
Detroit could also limit New England’s scoring opportunities. The Lions are averaging 27.8 points per game and have committed just five turnovers, which could keep the Patriots from getting many short fields. New England is also dealing with injuries in its backfield, with TreVeyon Henderson out with an illness and Rhamondre Stevenson missing Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. That could make it harder for the offense to sustain drives into field-goal range. I’m sitting Borregales because his limited field-goal volume and New England’s offensive questions give him too low a ceiling to start.
