More than a few times this season, we've seen D/STs be legit difference-makers in fantasy football matchups (just ask anyone playing against the Chargers in Week 9). It's safe to assume that will be the case again for at least one D/ST this week -- and it might even be a potential streamer that's available on your waiver wire. Our Week 11 fantasy defense rankings can help you find the right unit for your team.
It's not a terrible week for D/ST byes (more on that in a minute), and there are plenty of intriguing matchups for both highly owned and widely available defenses. Not all will come through, but the potential is there for some big weeks. (Condolences in advance if you're playing against the Cowboys.)
Let's get to it and break down this week's crop of D/STs.
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Which fantasy defenses are on bye in Week 11?
Fantasy owners won't be hurt too much by the loss of the Colts, Saints, Patriots, and Falcons this week, as New Orleans is the only one with a high ranking or high ownership.
WEEK 11 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
However, losing potentially favorable matchups against the Patriots, Falcons, and Colts slightly reduces this week's crop of stud and streamer candidates.
WEEK 11 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy defenses in Week 11?
The Cowboys (@ Panthers in Week 11), Browns (vs. Steelers), Lions (vs. Bears), Bills (vs. Jets), and Jaguars (vs. Titans) make up our top five. All five have favorable matchups against young, turnover-prone QBs, and it doesn't hurt that all but the Cowboys are playing at home. (UPDATE: We also like the Steelers this week, especially if rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson starts as expected.)
There aren't really any more "must-starts," as several solid D/STs have tough matchups this week. The Ravens (vs. Bengals), Chiefs (vs. Eagles), Eagles (@ Chiefs), Bengals (@ Ravens), 49ers (vs. Buccaneers), and Jets (@ Bills) all fall into this category. We still like the Jets against a turnover-prone Josh Allen and the Niners at home against a mediocre offense, but start the rest at your own risk.
WEEK 11 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit
Who are the best fantasy defense sleepers, waiver pickups in Week 11?
The Lions (vs. Bears) are likely going to be the top streamer of the week regardless of who starts at QB for Chicago, but don't sleep on the Commanders (vs. Giants), Dolphins (vs. Raiders), Texans (vs. Cardinals), Chargers (@ Packers), and Giants (vs. Commanders).
Both sides of the Giants-Commanders game entered last week in the top four in most fantasy points per game (FPPG), so expect a sack/turnover fest. The Raiders and Cardinals were both in the top 10 in FPPG allowed, so the Dolphins and Texans should be able to make some big plays at home, though Houston is riskier with Kyler Murray back for Arizona. The Chargers should also get back on track against the low-scoring Packers.
Going deeper, you can try the improving Broncos D/ST (vs. Vikings) at home against Josh Dobbs and hope he has one of his down games, and the Seahawks (@ Rams) are also interesting against a banged-up Matthew Stafford (thumb) or Carson Wentz.
Be sure to check in throughout the week for updates and tweaks.
WEEK 11 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy Defense Rankings Week 11: Who to start, sit at D/ST
Rank Player
1 Dallas Cowboys @ Panthers
2 Cleveland Browns vs. Steelers
3 Detroit Lions vs. Bears
4 Buffalo Bills vs. Jets
5 Washington Commanders vs. Giants
6 Pittsburgh Steelers @ Browns
7 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Titans
8 Miami Dolphins vs. Raiders
9 San Francisco 49ers vs. Buccaneers
10 Houston Texans vs. Cardinals
11 New York Jets @ Bills
12 Los Angeles Chargers @ Packers
13 New York Giants vs. Commanders
14 Seattle Seahawks @ Rams
15 Denver Broncos vs. Vikings
16 Baltimore Ravens vs. Bengals
17 Minnesota Vikings @ Broncos
18 Los Angeles Rams vs. Seahawks
19 Cincinnati Bengals @ Ravens
20 Philadelphia Eagles @ Chiefs
21 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Eagles
22 Tennessee Titans @ Jaguars
23 Green Bay Packers vs. Chargers
24 Arizona Cardinals @ Texans
25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ 49ers
26 Chicago Bears @ Lions
27 Las Vegas Raiders @ Dolphins
28 Carolina Panthers vs. Cowboys
Week 11 D/ST fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week
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