3 FanDuel Defenses to Target in Week 16
Cleveland Browns
FanDuel Price: $4,400
numberFire Projection: 9.2 FanDuel points
The Cleveland Browns' defense has floundered at times this season, leaving them ranked in the bottom 10 in both yards (401.1) and points (24.9) allowed per game. Over their last five weeks, though, they have performed like the elite unit our metrics believe they are.
In four of their last five games, the Browns have allowed 20 or fewer points while generating at least two turnovers in three games. They rank second -- behind just the Chicago Bears -- in turnovers forced (30) for the year. This Sunday, they likely will get Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward back from a two-game absence too. His presence will help Cleveland to continue flexing their defensive muscle against a short-handed Cincinnati Bengals squad.
The Bengals are down their starting quarterback (Andy Dalton) and likely their top two wide receivers (A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd). In five of their last six games, the Bengals have failed to score more than 21 points, including twice with Jeff Driskel under center. Naturally, Cincy owns the fourth-lowest implied point total of the week (17.25).
In Driskel’s three starts, he has tossed just 4 touchdowns for a 3.0% touchdown rate -- ranking him 35th out of the 36 quarterbacks to attempt 125 or more passes. His 59.7% completion percentage ranks him 33rd out of that same group.
