Start Seahawks D/ST over Steelers D/ST — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

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

Seahawks D/ST faces the more giveaway-prone offense (3.0 sacks and 0.9 turnovers allowed per game to 1.9 and 1.1) and is started in more leagues (started rank 1 to 2). the Steelers's edge is the opponent total, 19.8 to 20.5 opponent implied points. The gap is narrow.

Steelers D/ST

D/STPITvs ATL

7.57.57.5 Projected Points

Start

Seahawks D/ST

D/STSEAvs NE

7.27.27.2 Projected Points

Start

Why Steelers D/ST

Start

Start — the No. 2 defensive matchup this week: ATL protects the ball (1.1 turnovers a game), and 7.5 pts projected vs ATL.

ATL's offense gives up 1.9 sacks and 1.1 turnovers a game (2025), below league average.
Vegas has ATL at 19.8 points as 3-point dogs.
Started in 90% of leagues, 2nd among defenses, in line with a No. 2 matchup.

Why Seahawks D/ST

Start

Start — the No. 5 defensive matchup this week: 7.2 pts projected vs NE.

NE's offense gives up 3.0 sacks and 0.9 turnovers a game (2025), near league average.
Vegas has NE at 20.5 points as 3.5-point dogs.
Over-started: 91% of leagues have them in, 1st among defenses, against a No. 5 matchup.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Steelers D/ST	Seahawks D/ST
Projected points	7.57.57.5	7.27.27.2
Projection rank	Proj.DST2	Proj.DST5
Started in	90% of leagues	91% of leagues
Opponent sacks allowed / game	1.9(2025)	3.0(2025)
Opponent turnovers / game	1.1(2025)	0.9(2025)
Opponent implied total	19.8	20.5
Home / away	Home	Home