Start Chiefs D/ST over Cowboys D/ST — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Start the Chiefs — the lineup-share and opponent scoring edges are too wide to ignore.

Chiefs D/ST is started in more leagues (started rank 13 to 18) and faces the lower-scoring offense (20.0 implied points to 23.5). the Cowboys's edge is opponent giveaways, 2.8 sacks allowed to 1.8. The gap is comfortable.

Cowboys D/ST

D/STDALvs NYG

4.94.94.9 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Chiefs D/ST

D/STKCvs DEN

5.45.45.4 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Cowboys D/ST

Toss-Up

Toss-up — a middling defensive matchup (No. 16 this week): on the road, and 4.9 pts projected vs NYG.

NYG's offense gives up 2.8 sacks and 1.0 turnovers a game (2025), near league average.
Vegas has NYG at 23.5 points as 1.5-point dogs.
Started in 8% of leagues, 18th among defenses, in line with a No. 16 matchup.

Why Chiefs D/ST

Toss-Up

Toss-up — a middling defensive matchup (No. 14 this week): DEN protects the ball (1.0 turnovers a game), and at home.

DEN's offense gives up 1.8 sacks and 1.0 turnovers a game (2025), below league average.
Vegas has DEN at 20 points as 2.5-point dogs.
Started in 29% of leagues, 13th among defenses, in line with a No. 14 matchup.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Cowboys D/ST	Chiefs D/ST
Projected points	4.94.94.9	5.45.45.4
Projection rank	Proj.DST16	Proj.DST14
Started in	8% of leagues	29% of leagues
Opponent sacks allowed / game	2.8(2025)	1.8(2025)
Opponent turnovers / game	1.0(2025)	1.0(2025)
Opponent implied total	23.5	20.0
Home / away	Away	Home
Start/Sit record	—	0–0+1 toss-up