ZigZagMan said:
I have Chiefs and Panthers defense. I'm thinking about picking up the Lions' D because I really like that matchup against the Giants who look like they're already checked out.
Would it be worth starting the Lions over the Chiefs against Andrew Luck?
Depends on your scoring setup. I think the Lions will hold them down on points (monitor Cruz, pretty sure I saw something about a concussion protocol), but I don't think the Lions score a lot in other ways.
Personally, I have been doing really well on defenses (except one league where after missing the playoff cut, no more waivers, so stuck with what I have) based on a theory of trying to find the best defense with the best matchup, especially at home or road depending on where they play better.
If you think the Lions will repeat the same thing against the Giants that Seattle did, then I would caution your thoughts. Seattle has almost tripled the Lions scoring in my main league. They have 73 TOs+sacks. The Lions have 46. Seattle has given up 205 points and scored 18. The Lions have given up 339 and score 24.
The Lions are not on a roll and Seattle is, they are in no way shape or form similar defenses, so to expect 5 INTs and a shutout is fools gold. I thought the Eagles weren't a bad play, but they are still in the bottom 10 defenses in my league as are the Lions.
One other anecdote, I got drawn into the Lions as a play of the week last year and it cost me my shot at the championship game in this same league (and the championship as my team had a huge week will on the golf course). The problem wasn't their actual play, but Stafford's complete incompetence setting up easy scores for Arizona. Just beware, I am sort of glad they aren't available.