Forrest Gump loved football, and not just because he loved to run. He also appreciated the randomness of the game, which paralleled the unpredictability of existence. The NFL version of "Life is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you're gonna get" could very well be "any given Sunday." We have witnessed some very random stuff this season, especially with defenses, and with every point taking on more importance at this stage of the fantasy football season, we really have to buckle down at D/ST. Our Week 8 fantasy defense rankings can help you pinpoint those important sleepers and waiver-wire streamers.
Of course, some things are just easy to predict. Consistently dominant defenses like the Cowboys (vs. Bears in Week 8), Eagles (vs. Steelers), and Patriots (@ Jets) are no-brainers in favorable matchups like these. Even with all their injuries, the 49ers (@ Rams) should also be able to take advantage of a very generous Rams' offense that allows the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to D/STs.
More "must-starts" include the Broncos (@ Jaguars), who should continue their impressive pass defense against a young quarterback. The Jags (vs. Broncos) are also a solid play against either a gimpy Russell Wilson (hamstring) or Brett Rypien. Finally, the Bills (vs. Packers) have been the No. 1 scoring defense and second-best yardage defense in the NFL, but which version of Aaron Rodgers will we see this week? Sometimes Green Bay's offense goes through lengthy stretches of stagnant plays; other times the four-time MVP goes into superhero mode. Still, you have to ride with Buffalo at home with extended rest and preparation after a bye week.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
As for the fringe plays, we've been telling you about Robert Saleh's Jets (vs. Patriots) piquing our interest for a couple of weeks now. New York has enjoyed a massive October, beating the Steelers, Dolphins, Packers, and Broncos. Three of those four offenses had QB injuries, inadequacies, or inexperience, but that will be the case again this week against Mac Jones, a banged-up, second-year QB with less-than-stellar pass-catchers.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
What can we expect from the Colts (vs. Commanders)? Shaq Leonard (concussion, nose) hasn't played in weeks, but Indy still looked pretty good against Tennessee. Against Taylor Heinicke — behind one of the worst and most dinged-up offensive lines in football — we have to think Frank Reich's D/ST will be a solid play. Similarly, we wouldn't mind rolling out the Commanders D against Sam Ehlinger and Indy. Washington ranks in the top five in sacks this season, and the Colts have allowed a ton of QB takedowns. Indy also turned the ball over three times last week against the Titans.
WEEK 8 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Among the D/STs we view as sleepers, watch for the pass rush of the Raiders (@ Saints) to do some damage in the Bayou against a banged-up, turnover-prone offense. The Giants (@ Seahawks) have the secondary to expose Geno Smith and haven't allowed over 215 passing yards since Week 1. The Titans (@ Texans) have surrendered just 44 points over the past three weeks (14.6 ppg) and now face a Houston offense averaging 17.2 points per game.
WEEK 8 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Even the Panthers (@ Falcons) look like a decent, deep-league fill-in option after Carolina stunned Tom Brady and the Buccaneers 20-3 in Week 7. You could also try the Dolphins (@ Lions), who get healthier each week as squads like Detroit keep adding studs to their injury reports.
WEEK 8 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Beware of the good teams with bad levels of volatility in Week 8. The Rams (vs. 49ers) rarely translate their on-field success to fantasy points, and they might fail in both respects against a revitalized Niners offense after a full week of practice for Christian McCaffrey. The Buccaneers (vs. Ravens) got gashed by Chuba Hubbard and D'Onta Foreman, so Lamar Jackson and Gus Edwards could have field days.
Then there are defenses that have underwhelmed all season and now face offenses in must-win mode. The Ravens (@ Bucs) draw a desperate Tom Brady, the Vikings (vs. Cardinals) host an Arizona offense that just had its way with New Orleans, and the Ohio teams (Bengals @ Browns) face off with both sides yielding very few fantasy points to D/STs. We also can't trust the Saints (vs. Raiders) to slow down Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams, nor do we want any part of the Packers (@ Bills) with Buffalo getting an extra week to prep.
Let's get to our complete rankings and prime you for what should be another wild weekend of twists and turns. Good luck, and come back throughout the week for the latest updates and player movement.
Week 8 fantasy defense rankings
Rank Team
1 Dallas Cowboys vs. Bears
2 Philadelphia Eagles vs. Steelers
3 New England Patriots @ Jets
4 San Francisco 49ers @ Rams
5 Buffalo Bills vs. Packers
6 Denver Broncos vs. Jaguars
7 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Broncos
8 New York Jets vs. Patriots
9 Indianapolis Colts vs. Commanders
10 Las Vegas Raiders @ Saints
11 New York Giants @ Seahawks
12 Tennessee Titans @ Texans
13 Washington Commanders @ Colts
14 Carolina Panthers @ Falcons
15 Seattle Seahawks vs. Giants
16 Los Angeles Rams vs. 49ers
17 Miami Dolphins @ Lions
18 Atlanta Falcons vs. Panthers
19 Houston Texans vs. Titans
20 Baltimore Ravens @ Buccaneers
21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Ravens
22 Minnesota Vikings vs. Cardinals
23 New Orleans Saints vs. Raiders
24 Cleveland Browns vs. Bengals
25 Cincinnati Bengals @ Browns
26 Green Bay Packers @ Bills
27 Pittsburgh Steelers @ Eagles
28 Arizona Cardinals @ Vikings
29 Detroit Lions vs. Dolphins
30 Chicago Bears @ Cowboys
Week 8 defense fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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