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

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

Dolphins D/ST and Buccaneers D/ST grade out even this week. the Dolphins's best edge is opponent giveaways (4.0 sacks allowed to 2.1), the Buccaneers's best edge is lineup share (started rank 16 to 31) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

Dolphins D/ST

D/STMIAvs LV

4.24.24.2 Projected Points

Start

Buccaneers D/ST

D/STTBvs CIN

4.54.54.5 Projected Points

Sit

Why Dolphins D/ST

Start

Start — the No. 23 defensive matchup this week: LV gives up 4.0 sacks and 1.4 turnovers a game, and 4.2 pts projected vs LV.

LV's offense gives up 4.0 sacks and 1.4 turnovers a game (2025), well above league average.
Vegas has LV at 22.3 points as 3-point favorites.
Under-started: only 0% of leagues have them in, 31st among defenses, against a No. 23 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	Dolphins D/ST	Buccaneers D/ST
Projected points	4.24.24.2	4.54.54.5
Projection rank	Proj.DST23	Proj.DST20
Started in	0% of leagues	9% of leagues
Opponent sacks allowed / game	4.0(2025)	2.1(2025)
Opponent turnovers / game	1.4(2025)	1.4(2025)
Opponent implied total	22.3	27.0
Home / away	Away	Away