Start Texans D/ST over Browns D/ST — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Start the Texans — the lineup-share and home-field edges are too wide to ignore.

Texans D/ST is started in more leagues (started rank 5 to 10) and plays at home. the Browns's edge is opponent giveaways, 3.4 sacks allowed to 2.9. The gap is comfortable.

Browns D/ST

D/STCLEvs JAX

4.94.94.9 Projected Points

Sit

Texans D/ST

D/STHOUvs BUF

5.35.35.3 Projected Points

Sit

Why Browns D/ST

Sit

Sit — a bottom-tier defensive matchup this week (No. 17): Vegas has JAX at 24 points, and 4.9 pts projected vs JAX.

JAX's offense gives up 3.4 sacks and 1.1 turnovers a game (2025), near league average.
Vegas has JAX at 24 points as 7.5-point favorites.
Over-started: 52% of leagues have them in, 10th among defenses, against a No. 17 matchup.

Why Texans D/ST

Sit

Sit — a bottom-tier defensive matchup this week (No. 15): 5.3 pts projected vs BUF.

BUF's offense gives up 2.9 sacks and 1.1 turnovers a game (2025), near league average.
Vegas has BUF at 23.5 points as 1.5-point favorites.
Over-started: 87% of leagues have them in, 5th among defenses, against a No. 15 matchup.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Browns D/ST	Texans D/ST
Projected points	4.94.94.9	5.35.35.3
Projection rank	Proj.DST17	Proj.DST15
Started in	52% of leagues	87% of leagues
Opponent sacks allowed / game	3.4(2025)	2.9(2025)
Opponent turnovers / game	1.1(2025)	1.1(2025)
Opponent implied total	24.0	23.5
Home / away	Away	Home