Fantasy Football: Packers D/ST a good stash for the playoffs

The Green Bay Packers defense is worth picking up and stashing for the fantasy football playoffs.

Fantasy playoffs are just around the corner. If you’ve already secured your place in the postseason, or are close, you might already be beginning to focus on the schedule that awaits. Roster bench spots are like gold dust, but if you have a position available, picking up the Green Bay Packers defense might be worthwhile.

Picking up a defense can be overlooked in fantasy until the last minute, but if you’ve already booked your ticket to the playoffs, being one step ahead could help you win in the knockout rounds.

The Packers are on bye this week, then face a challenging matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. But from Weeks 13 to 15, they have favorable matchups each week. Whether your league’s playoffs begin in Week 13 or 14, the Packers can be started for a few weeks running.

Green Bay’s D/ST has been up and down for fantasy this season, but the group has generally done well in favorable matchups. And that’s for two reasons: sacks and turnovers.

They will have the perfect opportunity in this three-week stretch with matchups against the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears. The final two are at home.

According to Fantasy Pros, New York gives up the second-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. Washington allows the fifth-most. Chicago isn’t as bad, allowing the 19th-most. But Mitch Trubisky and the offense is struggling and the Packers will be strong favorites at home.

The Giants have a league-high 24 turnovers this season, which should give plenty of opportunities for the Packers’ opportunistic defense. Both the Giants and Bears are in the top-10 for most sacks given up this season. That’s good news for the Smith Bros.

Neither opponent scores many points, either. Washington is ranked dead last in scoring offense, averaging just 12 points per game. Chicago is sixth-worst with just 18 points per game. New York scores 20.3 points per game.

In the Week 1 meeting with the Bears, the Packers defense only allowed three points while also making five sacks and an interception. The Bears offense has struggled ever since.

If you’ve got the roster spot available, the Packers could be worth stashing for Weeks 13 to 15 and could help you win in the playoffs.