No team is a heavier favorite in Week 1 than the Seattle Seahawks, checking in with a spread of -8.5 for their matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Given their reputation and that they're not even the highest-priced defense on the board, you can bet the masses will be flocking this way.

Whenever we're selecting defenses, we want to put heavy emphasis on Vegas lines, specifically the spread and the opponent implied team total. The Seahawks lead the slate in both regards, so the process aligns well here for a solid output.

If we were to see any movement in the lines prior to Week 1 (Pinnacle already has the Seahawks favored by 10.5), it's very possible we could see the Seahawks slide into the red-alert zone for defenses. From 2012 to 2014, when a team was at least a 10-point favorite with an opponent implied team total of 17 or lower, the defense and special teams averaged 11.13 points per game. There were 48 instances in which this happened, so this isn't a small sample, and those results are baller.

This is why it's fine to use the Seahawks, even though they should be abundantly popular. They're in an elite area odds-wise, and being at home should just bolster our confidence in the defense. There are some solid pivots on the board, so you're not forced to use them, but they should be a staple in your cash-game rosters and have a heavy presence for tournaments, as well.