3 FanDuel Defenses to Target in Week 7

New England Patriots

FanDuel Price: $4,400
Projections: 25.16 points allowed, 2.24 sacks, 1.64 turnovers, 0.18 touchdowns

The outlook of the New England Patriots matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers has changed drastically in the last few days. Originally expected to be a high-scoring shootout, it was announced earlier in the week that Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would need to undergo knee surgery, sidelining him for this Week 7 matchup.

In his place, Pittsburgh will start Landry Jones, a major downgrade to say the least. In his short time on the field thus far in his career, Jones has posted a 7.14% interception rate -- that’s an interception every 15 pass attempts.

In the four games Roethlisberger missed last season, the Steelers averaged just 177.5 passing yards per game with a game-high of 207 yards. This is a completely different offense without Roethlisberger, and the New England D/ST could have a feast this week.

The Patriots have allowed 17 or fewer points in four straight games, and Vegas believes that’s possible again this week as the Steelers have a lowly implied team total of 19 points. Since the announcement of Roethlisberger’s injury, the spread moved 8.5 points -- from Pittsburgh as a 1-point favorite to New England being favored by 7.5 points -- so that should tell you the magnitude of Big Ben absence for this week.

The Patriots D/ST is priced at $4,400 as if Roethlisberger is playing. Happily accept the discrepancy and use their defense in all formats in Week 7.