Rent-A-Defense: Week 18

Our Sigmund Bloom finds waiver-wire defenses with great matchups that should be featured in your starting lineup.

Sigmund Bloom's Rent-A-Defense: Week 18 Sigmund Bloom Published 12/31/2024

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Week 17 Results

Indianapolis (at NY Giants) - Nada. Zilch. Bupkis.

Someone forgot to copy us on the memo announcing that the Colts defense was giving up on the 2024 season.

Miami (at Cleveland) - 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 3 pts allowed

Not a bad result, but unless your league gives bonuses for points and yards allowed; not the result we were looking for.

Philadelphia (vs Dallas) - 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD
Dallas (at Philadelphia) - Nada. Zilch. Bupkis.

This was a good game to look for a rent-a-defense, after all, but only on the Eagles' side. The loss of CeeDee Lamb hampered Cooper Rush, and the Eagles defense continued to surge. Kenny Pickett got the start for the Eagles, and the Cowboys even knocked him out of the game. But Saquon Barkley and the Eagles' dynamic wide receiver duo were too much for Dallas to handle.

Las Vegas (at New Orleans) - 4 sacks, 2 INT

Drew Lock might have let us down in Week 17, but we still have Spencer Rattler to kick around.

Kansas City (at Pittsburgh)  - 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT

Even with George Pickens back, the Steelers offense was not very imposing. Russell Wilson is still good for holding the ball too long when he has to make up deficits.

Cincinnati (vs Denver) - 2 sacks, 1 INT

This was a low-scoring affair for three quarters. Bo Nix didn’t have to take a lot of chances to keep his team in the game.

Baltimore (at Houston) - 5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 pts allowed (0 offensive)

The Ravens defense was an electric fence for a very anemic Texans offense

Atlanta (at Washington) - 5 sacks, 1 INT
Washington (vs Atlanta) - 2 sacks, 1 INT

The Falcons resurgent pass rush made them the better play, even though the Commanders won in the end.

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

NY Giants (vs Indianapolis) - 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD

The football gods gave us Joe Flacco to make up for Jameis Winston being benched.

Buffalo (vs NY Jets) - 1 safety, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 INT

This was one of the worst games of Aaron Rodgers career.

Seattle (at Chicago) - 7 sacks, 1 INT, 3 pts allowed

Hopefully, the Bears can get someone to fix this offense in the offseason.

Tampa Bay (vs Carolina) - 5 sacks, 1 DEF TD

Bryce Young is slowing down after a mid-season renaissance.

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