Lions D/ST or Chargers D/ST: Toss-Up — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Lions D/ST and Chargers D/ST grade out even this week. the Lions's best edge is lineup share (started rank 8 to 12), the Chargers's best edge is the opponent total (17.0 to 20.8 opponent implied points) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Lions D/ST

D/STDETvs NO

7.47.47.4 Projected Points

Start

Chargers D/ST

D/STLACvs ARI

7.57.57.5 Projected Points

Start

Why Lions D/ST

Start

Start — the No. 4 defensive matchup this week: 7.4 pts projected vs NO.

NO's offense gives up 3.1 sacks and 1.4 turnovers a game (2025), near league average.
Vegas has NO at 20.8 points as 7-point dogs.
Under-started: only 62% of leagues have them in, 8th among defenses, against a No. 4 matchup.

Why Chargers D/ST

Start

Start — the No. 3 defensive matchup this week: ARI gives up 3.7 sacks and 1.2 turnovers a game, and Vegas has them at 17 points.

ARI's offense gives up 3.7 sacks and 1.2 turnovers a game (2025), well above league average.
Vegas has ARI at 17 points as 11.5-point dogs.
Under-started: only 46% of leagues have them in, 12th among defenses, against a No. 3 matchup.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Lions D/ST	Chargers D/ST
Projected points	7.47.47.4	7.57.57.5
Projection rank	Proj.DST4	Proj.DST3
Started in	62% of leagues	46% of leagues
Opponent sacks allowed / game	3.1(2025)	3.7(2025)
Opponent turnovers / game	1.4(2025)	1.2(2025)
Opponent implied total	20.8	17.0
Home / away	Home	Home