The key with defenses is finding defenses that will face a lot of passing plays. Fantasy point-scoring events like interceptions and sacks occur exclusively on passing plays, and fumbles actually occur more on passing plays than running plays. Defensive touchdowns are difficult to predict, but they're also more likely to occur on passing plays with 53 pick sixes last year compared to only 33 scoop 'n scores.

One of the best ways to identify defenses that will face a lot of passing plays is identifying Vegas favorites, preferably home favorites. And obviously the lower the opponent's implied point total, the better the matchup for the defense.

Premium Options

The chalk this week is Minnesota. They lead all defenses in fantasy scoring by a significant margin, and they rank second in Football Outsiders' DVOA. They don't have an elite matchup against an Eagles team that has allowed the eighth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. But it's not an intimidating matchup either as the Eagles only rank 16th in FO's offensive efficiency, and Philly has the second lowest implied total in Vegas. The Vikes will surely be heavily owned, so they may not be a great GPP play, but they'll certainly work in cash games. They're probably most "affordable" on FanDuel.

The other chalk option is the opposite of Minnesota. Whereas Minnesota is a great defense with a mediocre matchup, Cincinnati is a bad defense with a great matchup. The Bengals rank 25th in FO's DVOA, so they're clearly not an elite unit. But they don't need to be necessarily against the Browns who allow the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. The Browns have the lowest implied total of the day at 17.5, and they're a 10-point underdog on the road. This is exactly the set of circumstances we're looking for where a defense will face a team that is likely to have to throw the ball a lot. The Bengals best price tag is on Fantasy Aces, and they're also priced well enough on FD. They should be a fairly popular play, but they probably won't be as highly owned as Minnesota.

Sneaky Option

This category is reserved for good defenses that may be overlooked in a given week for whatever reason, providing you with the opportunity to roster a really good unit with a lower ownership rate. 

The team that most fits that bill in Week 7 is Arizona. The Cards rank third in FO's DVOA and second in fantasy scoring, yet they don't seem like they're going to be too highly owned this weekend. That makes some sense as their matchup is middling against Seattle. The Seahawks rank 17th in offensive efficiency and allow the 12th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. But it's certainly not a horrific matchup. And the Vegas variables are working in Arizona's favor as they're a home favorite facing the team with the sixth lowest implied total. Given their talent on the defensive side of the ball and their likely low ownership, the Cardinals D makes for a good GPP play this weekend.

Value Options

If you're looking to go as cheap as you can at defense, each of the three sites presents a different option. None of them figure to be highly owned, so they would all make for good GPP plays.

On DK, Tennessee is about as cheap as you can go. They're a three-point home favorite against the Colts who have a slightly below average implied total in Vegas. The Colts have allowed the eighth most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses, so they're a decent matchup. And Tennessee's defense ranks ninth in FO's DVOA, so they're a solid unit.

On FD, New York is the cheapest possible option. The Jets are NOT a good defense as they rank 30th in DVOA and 28th in fantasy scoring. But the Vegas variables are very much in their favor. They're a home favorite against Baltimore, and the Ravens have the third lowest implied total on Sunday. The Ravens rank 27th in offensive efficiency, so they're clearly not an intimidating matchup.

And finally, on Aces, Kansas City is probably too cheap. The Chiefs rank eighth in DVOA and seventh in fantasy scoring, yet 10 of the defenses playing on Sunday are more expensive than KC. The Chiefs definitely have a tough matchup against New Orleans who ranks seventh in FO's offensive efficiency and who have allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses. But the Saints have a below average implied total, and Kansas City is the favorite at home. That makes KC a nice GPP play, especially on Aces.