Fantasy football rankings, Week 1, D/ST: Dolphins, Browns ready to exploit matchups

Brad Pinkerton

Fantasy football rankings, Week 1, D/ST: Dolphins, Browns ready to exploit matchups image

Looking for a fantasy football defense to stream in Week 1? Check out the D/ST rankings below for the best matchups to exploit — and the offenses to avoid. 

Assuming you didn't draft the Seahawks D/ST, let's take a look at the fantasy D/ST rankings for Week 1 to identify the sleepers and busts.

MORE: Week 1 fantasy football rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | K

Fantasy football rankings, Week 1, D/ST

1. Seahawks at Rams. Even though the Seahawks aren't expected to have holdout Kam Chancellor in Week 1, this is still an elite unit facing a weak Rams offense with questions at receiver and running back. 

2. Dolphins at Redskins. Kirk Cousins has more career turnovers (23) than touchdowns (18), and he's going to meet new Dolphins DL Ndamukong Suh on Sunday. 

3. Browns at Jets. The Browns D/ST, which ranked second with 21 interceptions last year, should be a popular streaming option against Ryan Fitzpatrick and Co. 

4. Chiefs at Texans. With poor quarterback and running back situations, fantasy owners should feel free to pick on the Texans. 

5. Texans vs. Chiefs. Having Jadeveon Clowney (knee) on the field is a huge boost for the Texans against a so-so Chiefs offense. 

6. Rams vs. Seahawks. Not an ideal matchup, but the Rams defense is talented enough to trust against most offenses. 

7. Patriots vs. Steelers. The Pats' D has an easier matchup without Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant suiting up for the Steelers. 

8. Panthers at Jaguars. A strong defense against a weak offense is always a recipe for D/ST success. 

9 Colts at Bills. We're not worried about QB Tyrod Taylor, and the Bills could also be missing LeSean McCoy (hamstring). 

10. Packers at Bears. Jay Cutler is always good for a devastating turnover or two. Expect the Packers to cash in. 

11. Cardinals vs. Saints. The Saints offense looks a lot less intimidating without Jimmy Graham on the field. 

12. Eagles at Falcons. Though we like the Eagles D/ST for the season, there could be a lot of points on both sides in the opener at Atlanta.

Best of the rest

13. Jets vs. Browns
14. Bills vs. Colts
15. Broncos vs. Ravens
16. Lions at Chargers
17. Bengals at Raiders
18. Steelers at Patriots
19. Ravens at Broncos
20. Giants at Cowboys
21. Cowboys vs. Giants
22. 49ers vs. Vikings
23. Vikings at 49ers
24. Chargers vs. Lions
25. Jaguars vs. Panthers
26. Saints at Cardinals
27. Buccaneers vs. Titans
28. Titans at Buccaneers
29. Raiders vs. Bengals
30. Bears vs. Packers
31. Redskins vs. Dolphins
32. Falcons vs. Eagles

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Brad Pinkerton