Funnel defense report: Week 8 defenses with ample pass opportunity

Welcome to the Week 8 Funnel Defense Report, where we examine trends in how defenses are most commonly attacked. It is meant to help narrow our fantasy focus from overall game selection, down to the “run versus pass” level. We as fantasy gamers, like NFL game planners, ideally seek paths of least resistance.

The term “funnel defense,” or “pass funnel defense” was coined several years ago by the esteemed Adam Levitan. It has become common parlance among DFS players and other fantasy aficionados, and refers to defenses which are simultaneously soft against the pass and stout against the run.

Identifying such characteristics is not a one-time task, as injury and performance variation create an evolving landscape. In this space we will leverage, among other resources, up-to-date PFF defensive grades and metrics to stay on top of these constant changes and difference-making fantasy trends.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills allow the fourth-least rushing yards per attempt and feature our second-highest-graded run defense. Opponents pass against them at the fourth-highest rate, and they are starting to make headway. Over the last two games, Buffalo is surrendering an average of 356 yards and two touchdowns through the air – versus per-game passing averages of 229 yards and 0.3 touchdowns (with six total interceptions) posted during the opening four weeks. Deepening their slump are likely absences of cornerback E.J. Gaines and safety Jordan Poyer – two of Buffalo’s four best-graded coverage defenders.

Week 8: The Raiders will be without nominal early-down back Marshawn Lynch, and they finally got their passing attack cranked up last Thursday night when Derek Carr threw for 417 yards and three touchdowns. He has the 28th-ranked passer rating when pressured, and the eighth-highest from a clean pocket. The Bills’ pass rush grades 25th-best and the Raiders feature our sixth-highest-graded pass blocking. Filling in for Gaines is bullseye-in-cleats Shareece Wright, who will help keep Amari Cooper’s hot streak going. Michael Crabtree also gets to run routes against the proven DFS moneymaker.