Raiders D/ST or Buccaneers D/ST: Toss-Up — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Raiders D/ST and Buccaneers D/ST grade out even this week. the Raiders's best edge is the opponent total (19.3 to 27.0 opponent implied points), the Buccaneers's best edge is lineup share (started rank 16 to 27) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Raiders D/ST

D/STLVvs MIA

4.84.84.8 Projected Points

Start

Buccaneers D/ST

D/STTBvs CIN

4.54.54.5 Projected Points

Sit

Why Raiders D/ST

Start

Start — the No. 18 defensive matchup this week: 4.8 pts projected vs MIA.

MIA's offense gives up 2.9 sacks and 1.4 turnovers a game (2025), near league average.
Vegas has MIA at 19.3 points as 3-point dogs.
Under-started: only 1% of leagues have them in, 27th among defenses, against a No. 18 matchup.

Why Buccaneers D/ST

Sit

Sit — a bottom-tier defensive matchup this week (No. 20): Vegas has CIN at 27 points, and 4.5 pts projected vs CIN.

CIN's offense gives up 2.1 sacks and 1.4 turnovers a game (2025), near league average.
Vegas has CIN at 27 points as 3.5-point favorites.
Over-started: 9% of leagues have them in, 16th among defenses, against a No. 20 matchup.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Raiders D/ST	Buccaneers D/ST
Projected points	4.84.84.8	4.54.54.5
Projection rank	Proj.DST18	Proj.DST20
Started in	1% of leagues	9% of leagues
Opponent sacks allowed / game	2.9(2025)	2.1(2025)
Opponent turnovers / game	1.4(2025)	1.4(2025)
Opponent implied total	19.3	27.0
Home / away	Home	Away