Well past the quarter-point of the regular season, we have a solid sample size with which to work. Matchups are a little more reliable, and the truly talented D/STs are starting to stand out. Our Week 6 fantasy defense rankings will help you determine where your starting unit stands and which sleepers to target on the waiver wire if you need a streamer.
Fortunately, we don't lose any good D/STs with the first set of byes (Lions, Raiders, Titans, Texans), but we do lose some favorable matchups for other defenses. That weakens both the top-end plays and the overall depth of D/ST this week.
Like always, we will speed round through the must-start studs. The Buccaneers (@ Steelers), 49ers (@ Falcons), and Packers (vs. Jets) are all solid and get fantastic matchups against young, mistake-prone offenses. The Rams (vs. Panthers) will be juicy against Baker Mayfield and a poor offensive line. Similarly, the Jaguars (@ Colts) could feast against a washed-up Matt Ryan and dinged-up Jonathan Taylor (ankle).
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
Give the Bears (vs. Commanders) a significant bump at home against Carson Wentz. The same goes for the Panthers (@ Rams), who should be a plus-play against a one-dimensional offense with a struggling line. The Browns (vs. Patriots) and Ravens (@ Giants) should both pressure the opposition into a couple of mistakes despite facing run-oriented offenses. Rookie Bailey Zappe or a hobbled Mac Jones (ankle) will have problems against a strong Cleveland front-seven, and, yes, Daniel Jones has been awesome, but so has Lamar Jackson — and to keep up with L-Jax, Jones will throw plenty (and throw plenty of ducks).
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
The Saints (vs. Bengals) might feel volatile, but remember that Cincinnati hasn't looked right offensively most of the season, at least along the offensive line. Conversely, we have slight concerns about the Broncos (@ Chargers), but they still have enough talent to post solid numbers.
WEEK 6 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
We're giving Cooper Rush a ton of respect, but the Eagles (vs. Cowboys) are still a very good play in prime time at home. We also like the Patriots D (@ Browns), which almost propelled New England to a win over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Week 4 and shut out the Lions 29-0 last weekend. The matchup is brutal on paper, but Bill Belichick will scheme something up against Jacoby Brissett.
WEEK 6 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
The Bengals (@ Saints) could be in play depending on New Orleans' QB situation, but tread lightly — the Saints just dropped 39 last week with Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill juggling snaps. We might opt instead for the Commanders (vs. Bears) against a Justin Fields-led offense. Hell, even the Chargers (vs. Broncos) could have a "get-right game" against Russell Wilson, who has looked optically challenged at various points this season.
WEEK 6 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
As tough as this might be, we don't advise rolling with the Bills (@ Chiefs) given their track record against Patrick Mahomes, nor do we want any part of the Cowboys (@ Eagles). Don't drop Buffalo or Dallas, but don't gamble with them in their hardest matchups of the season. These are the weeks when planning ahead for your D/ST streamer can really pay off.
Let's get to our complete rankings and prime you for what should be another wild ride of a weekend. Good luck, and come back throughout the week for the latest updates and player movement.
Week 6 fantasy defense rankings
Rank Team
1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Steelers
2 San Francisco 49ers @ Falcons
3 Los Angeles Rams vs. Panthers
4 Jacksonville Jaguars @ Colts
5 Green Bay Packers vs. Jets
6 Carolina Panthers @ Rams
7 Chicago Bears vs. Commanders
8 New Orleans Saints vs. Bengals
9 Baltimore Ravens @ Giants
10 Cleveland Browns vs. Patriots
11 Denver Broncos @ Chargers
12 Cincinnati Bengals @ Saints
13 Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cowboys
14 New England Patriots @ Browns
15 Washington Commanders vs. Bears
16 Buffalo Bills @ Chiefs
17 Dallas Cowboys @ Eagles
18 Arizona Cardinals @ Seahawks
19 Indianapolis Colts vs. Jaguars
20 Los Angeles Chargers vs. Broncos
21 Miami Dolphins vs. Vikings
22 Atlanta Falcons vs. 49ers
23 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buccaneers
24 Minnesota Vikings @ Dolphins
25 New York Giants vs. Ravens
26 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Bills
27 Seattle Seahawks vs. Cardinals
28 New York Jets @ Packers
Week 6 defense fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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