NEWSLETTER
Fantasy Football Expert Justin Edwards looks at the current Fantasy Football Defense rankings and projections for Week 4.
“After three full weeks of NFL action, there are a number of surprises in the fantasy football landscape, and the Defense rankings are reflecting that.”
2023 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings
*As always, the projections and rankings are courtesy of 4for4’s Fantasy Football Defense rankings!
| # | Player | FF Pts |
| 1 | 49ers | 8.1 |
| 2 | Chiefs | 7.9 |
| 3 | Eagles | 7.3 |
| 4 | Cowboys | 6.8 |
| 5 | Steelers | 6.6 |
| 6 | Browns | 6.4 |
| 7 | Ravens | 6.3 |
| 8 | Jaguars | 6.2 |
| 9 | Saints | 6.2 |
| 10 | Seahawks | 6.1 |
| 11 | Bengals | 6.1 |
| 12 | Broncos | 6.1 |
| 13 | Bills | 6 |
| 14 | Patriots | 6 |
| 15 | Chargers | 6 |
| 16 | Vikings | 5.9 |
| 17 | Rams | 5.9 |
| 18 | Buccaneers | 5.8 |
| 19 | Dolphins | 5.7 |
| 20 | Bears | 5.7 |
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Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings, Who Should I Add Off Waiver Wires:
The Denver Broncos were the highest recommended D/ST waiver wire pickup this week.
Analysis
1. Denver Broncos – Rostered in 38% of Yahoo leagues
The Broncos were rage-cut in 22% of Yahoo leagues after ‘scoring’ -2 points against Miami’s offense. As frustrating as they may be, Sunday still makes for a tremendous spot against Chicago’s offense, which is one of only three around the league permitting double-digit fantasy points to opposing defenses.
Spending a tad more on Denver’s defense this week additionally guarantees managers a top-five option against Zack Wilson next Sunday.
2. Cincinnati Bengals – Rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues
Tennessee’s offense, averaging the fourth-fewest yards per play, is projected with the seventh-lowest team total (19.2) in Week 4.
3. Atlanta Falcons – Rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues
With six sacks and five turnovers on offense, the Jaguars are quietly allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to enemy defenses.
This total (43.5) also ranks as the sixth-lowest in Week 4, suggesting it will be more of a defensive battle than an offensive shootout.
Read John Daigle’s full Week 4 Waiver Wire Watch
What is another Matchup to Exploit in the Fantasy Football Defense Rankings?
The Bengals stick out with a positive matchup during Week 4.
Analysis
The Bengals’ defense has certainly not been the main talking point of their season up to this point, but maybe they’re being a little too overlooked.
Cincinnati currently ranks second in sack rate (12.2%) and eighth in adjusted sack rate (9.1%), even though they have been playing from behind on 52.6% of their snaps. That script is unlikely to continue in Week 4, as they head to Tennessee to take on a moribund offense as 2.5-point favorites.
Ryan Tannehill had a great Week 2 against the Chargers defense, but in his two other games (Saints, Browns), he has completed 49.1% of his passes for 302 yards (5.1 yards per attempt).
Over those 70 dropbacks, he has been pressured 29 times for a 41.4% pressure rate. The offensive line ranks only ahead of the Jets’ line with a 4.08 blown block percentage, per Sports Info Solutions.
If the Bengals’ offense can get rolling and put some pressure on the Titans to take to the air, they could have a similar outcome to Week 3, when they manhandled a struggling Rams offensive line for six sacks.
*Read Justin Edwards’ full O-Line Rankings and Matchups to Exploit: Week 4*
Who are some Week 4 Fantasy Defenses to avoid?
Some options who have fallen out of the top-20 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings include: the Las Vegas Raiders, the Houston Texans, the Carolina Panthers, and the Washington Commanders.
For more advice on who to start check out the Fantasy Football DST Rankings Week 4 to compare the following defense pairings
- New England Patriots or Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Detroit Lions or Los Angeles Rams
- Cleveland Browns or Dallas Cowboys
- Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers
- Los Angeles Chargers or Los Angeles Rams
- Indianapolis Colts or Jacksonville Jaguars
- Baltimore Ravens or Kansas City Chiefs
- Denver Broncos or Seattle Seahawks
- Buffalo Bills or Cincinnati Bengals
- Cincinnati Bengals or Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Indianapolis Colts or Pittsburgh Steelers
- Indianapolis Colts or New York Jets
