The further we get into each NFL season, the better equipped we are to deploy the right fantasy D/ST. We know the weekly defensive studs like the Eagles (@ Texans in Week 9), Patriots (vs. Colts), and Bills (@ Jets), but we also know which offenses to target and which to avoid. The sample size after eight weeks is plentiful, so our Week 9 fantasy defense rankings can help you find legit sleepers and waiver-wire streamers.
With six teams on bye this week, countless fantasy owners will be streaming D/STs. Maybe you don't have the Browns or Steelers, but you would be hard-pressed to find a 12-team league with the Cowboys, 49ers, Broncos, and Giants unowned. Now, the wisest and most proactive managers check our waiver wire watchlist every Thursday to prepare you for the best streams a week before the byes rear their ugly heads, but if you like to live dangerously, fear not: we have you covered.
The top dogs, as always, are the easiest to forecast. We already mentioned the big three — Philly, New England, and Buffalo — and can add the Buccaneers (vs. Rams) against a turnover- and sack-prone L.A. offense. Similarly, the Ravens (@ Saints) should cause some problems for Andy Dalton after logging three sacks and a takeaway against Tampa last week. Baltimore quietly ranks top three in turnover percentage and top five in fewest ground yards allowed.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
The Colts (@ Patriots) are finally started to hit their stride with some positive momentum. With stud linebacker Shaq Leonard finally back, the timing seems perfect to capitalize on a dicey New England QB room. Speaking of dicey QBs, the Vikings (@ Commanders) should be able to pressure Taylor Heinicke into plenty of mistakes. Minnesota has multiple takeaways in two of its past four games.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
Now for the fringe plays. The Chiefs (vs. Titans) surrendered a whopping 26.8 points per game in October — among the most points allowed in that span — but remember that Kanas City faced the Bucs, Raiders, Bills, and Niners during that stretch. Rookie Malik Willis or a gimpy Ryan Tannehill (ankle) and Tennessee's meager pass-catching corps will be a vacation compared to those offenses. We can probably also expect the Bengals (vs. Panthers), who scored a measly three fantasy points per game between Weeks 5 and 7, to show more signs of life against a lackluster Panthers' offense that gives up a lot of fantasy points to D/STs.
WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
From there, things get murky. The Packers (@ Lions) have playmakers, but so does the Lions offense now that it has regained some health. The Cardinals (vs. Seahawks) give up yards and points, but they also have a knack for making big defensive plays at home. The Jaguars (vs. Raiders) have failed to eclipse five fantasy points in each of the past five weeks, but a date with the struggling Raiders could reverse their fortunes.
WEEK 9 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
So many question marks exist in this bye-pocalypse. Can we trust the Rams (@ Buccaneers) against the 2022 version of Tom Brady? Are the banged-up Chargers (@ Falcons) still a good play even though Atlanta has been showing signs of offensive life lately? Will the Dolphins (@ Bears) continue to get trampled through the air, or will they finally put up a solid performance against Justin Fields? Either way, we like all three of these units more than the Saints (vs. Ravens) and Jets (vs. Bills).
WEEK 9 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Those in deep leagues looking for a flier should consider the Raiders (@ Jaguars) or Seahawks (@ Cardinals). Both these defenses have looked decent at the line of attack lately, while Trevor Lawrence and Kyler Murray have struggled with sacks and interceptions.
It's going to be a rough ride if you're looking for any value beyond this point of the rankings, though. Word to the wise: prep for your bye weeks one or two weeks in advance. Every position matters and wins are becoming more important, so you can never be too prepared!
We'll be updating our D/ST rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest analysis and player movement.
Week 9 fantasy defense rankings
Rank Team
1 Philadelphia Eagles @ Texans
2 New England Patriots vs. Colts
3 Buffalo Bills @ Jets
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Rams
5 Baltimore Ravens @ Saints
6 Indianapolis Colts @ Patriots
7 Minnesota Vikings @ Commanders
8 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Titans
9 Cincinnati Bengals vs. Panthers
10 Green Bay Packers @ Lions
11 Arizona Cardinals vs. Seahawks
12 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Raiders
13 Miami Dolphins @ Bears
14 Los Angeles Rams @ Buccaneers
15 Los Angeles Chargers @ Falcons
16 Las Vegas Raiders @ Jaguars
17 Washington Commanders vs. Vikings
18 Carolina Panthers @ Bengals
19 Seattle Seahawks @ Cardinals
20 Atlanta Falcons vs. Chargers
21 New York Jets vs. Bills
22 New Orleans Saints vs. Ravens
23 Chicago Bears vs. Dolphins
24 Tennessee Titans @ Chiefs
25 Detroit Lions vs. Packers
26 Houston Texans vs. Eagles
Week 9 defense fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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