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

Start the Broncos — the lineup-share and opponent giveaway edges are too wide to ignore.

Broncos D/ST is started in more leagues (started rank 4 to 13) and faces the more giveaway-prone offense (2.9 sacks and 0.9 turnovers allowed per game to 1.8 and 1.0). the Chiefs's edge is the opponent total, 20.0 to 22.5 opponent implied points. The gap is comfortable.

Broncos D/ST

D/STDENvs KC

5.95.95.9 Projected Points

Sit

Chiefs D/ST

D/STKCvs DEN

5.45.45.4 Projected Points

Toss-Up

Why Broncos D/ST

Sit

Sit — a bottom-tier defensive matchup this week (No. 11): 5.9 pts projected vs KC.

KC's offense gives up 2.9 sacks and 0.9 turnovers a game (2025), near league average.
Vegas has KC at 22.5 points as 2.5-point favorites.
Over-started: 88% of leagues have them in, 4th among defenses, against a No. 11 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	Broncos D/ST	Chiefs D/ST
Projected points	5.95.95.9	5.45.45.4
Projection rank	Proj.DST11	Proj.DST14
Started in	88% of leagues	29% of leagues
Opponent sacks allowed / game	2.9(2025)	1.8(2025)
Opponent turnovers / game	0.9(2025)	1.0(2025)
Opponent implied total	22.5	20.0
Home / away	Away	Home
Start/Sit record	—	0–0+1 toss-up