For the second consecutive week, offenses had the upper hand over opposing defenses. Seven different teams scored 30-plus points and another put 29 points on the scoreboard. This has been a very welcome change for fantasy managers after offenses got off to a slow start early this year.
The resurgence of offenses has led to a bit of a fall-off to D/ST scoring in fantasy. This was the second week of the year where all defenses failed to clear 20 fantasy points. Only three defenses scored more than nine fantasy points without a touchdown to bolster their output.
Week 6 is a fresh slate and new matchups mean that defenses could find their footing and return to their early-season form. Let's take a look at some of our favorite matchups and defensive streamers as we go through our Week 6 D/ST rankings.
WEEK 6 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
Fantasy Football Defense Rankings Week 6: Who to start, sit at D/ST
These rankings were updated on Oct. 11 and will be updated throughout the week, so check back often.
Those who have played already are listed in italics.
| RANK | TEAM | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Pittsburgh Steelers | at LV |
| 2 | Chicago Bears | vs. JAC |
| 3 | Los Angeles Chargers | at DEN |
| 4 | Houston Texans | at NE |
| 5 | Denver Broncos | vs. LAC |
| 6 | Buffalo Bills | at NYJ |
| 7 | Atlanta Falcons | at CAR |
| 8 | New York Jets | vs. BUF |
| 9 | Las Vegas Raiders | vs PIT |
| 10 | San Francisco 49ers | at SEA |
| 11 | Philadelphia Eagles | vs. CLE |
| 12 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | at NO |
| 13 | Seattle Seahawks | vs. SF |
| 14 | Tennessee Titans | vs. IND |
| 15 | Jacksonville Jaguars | at CHI |
| 16 | Cincinnati Bengals | at NYG |
| 17 | Cleveland Browns | at PHI |
| 18 | Detroit Lions | at DAL |
| 19 | Baltimore Ravens | vs. WAS |
| 20 | New Orleans Saints | vs. TB |
| 21 | Indianapolis Colts | at TEN |
| 22 | Green Bay Packers | vs. ARI |
| 23 | Dallas Cowboys | vs. DET |
| 24 | New York Giants | vs. CIN |
| 25 | Washington Commanders | at BAL |
| 26 | Arizona Cardinals | at GB |
| 27 | Carolina Panthers | vs. ATL |
| 28 | New England Patriots | vs. HOU |
Who are the best fantasy defenses in Week 6?
It would take an absolutely brutal matchup for the Pittsburgh Steelers to be ranked outside of the top-5 defenses. The Las Vegas Raiders do not provide that matchup. Pittsburgh has finished as a top-10 defense in three games this season, and they have a good chance to do so once again in Week 6. Las Vegas ranks 23rd in total offense and 20th in scoring offense.
The Chicago Bears are also an incredibly reliable fantasy defense. They are the D/ST3 on the season and rank in the top 10 of scoring defense and total defense. They get a Jaguars offense that has not been able to put it all together other than in Week 5. Travis Etienne is in the midst of losing his job, and Trevor Lawrence isn't going to have an easy time with Chicago's talented secondary.
The Los Angeles Chargers round out our top-3 defenses for Week 6. They're averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game and now get a Denver offense that has struggled mightily outside of Week 5's clash with the Raiders. This should be a slow-paced battle where both teams will be looking to lean on their highly talented defense. This game could very easily struggle to cross 35 total points. Both defenses in this matchup are strong fantasy options.
WEEK 6 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver Wire list | Top Players to Target | How to spend FAAB
Who are the D/ST units on byes in Week 6?
Kansas City Chiefs: With Patrick Mahomes struggling to produce at MVP levels and several key receivers on IR, the Chiefs' defense has been forced to pick up the slack. They'll have a tough assignment of containing the 49ers offense when they return in Week 7.
Miami Dolphins: Miami is another team whose elite offense has taken a step back as a result of key injuries. The Dolphins' offense can't sustain a drive, and the defense has been on the field quite often as a result. Until Tua Tagovailoa returns, the defense will have to play at elite levels to keep Miami in games.
Minnesota Vikings: One of the NFL's most ferocious defensive units is getting the week off. Brian Flores is making opposing offensive coordinators look like they belong back in college. Minnesota has forced 16 turnovers this season all while allowing 15.2 PPG. They'll be a high-end fantasy option when they return from bye.
Los Angeles Rams: The bye week is coming at an opportune time for the Los Angeles Rams. They came into Week 5 ranking 31st in total defense and proceeded to give up 323 yards of offense to Green Bay last Sunday. They'll need to recuperate during the bye and make adjustments moving forward.
Who are the best fantasy defense sleepers in Week 6?
Yes, the Bengals' defense has been atrocious this season, giving up 26-plus points in four of their five games this season. A matchup with Daniel Jones and the New York Giants presents an opportunity for Cincinnati's defensive unit to get back on track. Malik Nabers has been electrifying in his first four games, but he can't support an offense on his own. Despite the Giants surprising the Seahawks this week, the Bengals can certainly have their way with the Giants on the defensive side of the ball this week.
Finding a defensive streamer is all about targeting favorable matchups. The Texans have just that in Week 6; they'll face off against an inept New England offense. There really just isn't a single redeeming quality for this offensive unit. The offensive line couldn't block a group of DIII pass rushers, there's no true WR1, Rhamondre Stevenson can't hang on to the ball, and Jacoby Brissett is out there trying his best. Houston already proved that they can succeed against a team with a struggling offensive line and QB when they scored 15 fantasy points against the Bears in Week 2. Similar results should be in store this week.
