NEWSLETTER
Fantasy Football Expert Justin Edwards looks at the current Fantasy Football Defense rankings and projections for Week 9.
“After eight 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 | Saints | 7.6 |
| 2 | Ravens | 7.5 |
| 3 | Browns | 7.4 |
| 4 | Falcons | 7.4 |
| 5 | Steelers | 7 |
| 6 | Patriots | 6.7 |
| 7 | Raiders | 6.6 |
| 8 | Chargers | 6.2 |
| 9 | Jets | 6.1 |
| 10 | Eagles | 6.1 |
| 11 | Cowboys | 6 |
| 12 | Bills | 5.9 |
| 13 | Packers | 5.8 |
| 14 | Texans | 5.8 |
| 15 | Colts | 5.8 |
| 16 | Rams | 5.8 |
| 17 | Bengals | 5.7 |
| 18 | Chiefs | 5.7 |
| 19 | Buccaneers | 5.6 |
| 20 | Panthers | 5.6 |
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Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings, Who Should I Add Off Waiver Wires:
The Tennessee Titans were the highest recommended D/ST waiver wire pickup this week.
Analysis
1. Tennessee Titans – Rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues
Pittsburgh ranks 28th in yards per play (4.6) and has allowed pressure on 41.4% of their dropbacks (29th). Also: Mitch Trubisky.
2. Las Vegas Raiders – Rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues
Tommy ‘Danny’ Devito completed 2-of-7 passes for -1 yards (lol) against the Jets. Unfortunately for him, Giants signal-callers have collectively been pressured at the league’s highest rate (47.5%).
3. Atlanta Falcons – Rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues
Jaren Hall.
4. Green Bay Packers – Rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues
Brett Rypien.
Read John Daigle’s full Week 9 Waiver Wire Watch
What is another Matchup to Exploit in the Fantasy Football Defense Rankings?
The Las Vegas Raiders stick out with a positive matchup during Week 9.
Analysis
It looks as though the Giants will be welcoming back Daniel Jones for Week 9, but that’s not necessarily great news for their offense, and it’s certainly not bad news for opposing fantasy defenses.
Over Jones’ 198 dropbacks this year, he holds the league’s worth pressure-to-sack rate (31.5%), far beyond the 19.3% league average.
Though the Giants’ offensive line looked better in Week 8 without replacements rotating in for injury purposes, they still rank at or near league-worst in almost every metric.
Those include adjusted sack rate (13.5% – 32nd), pressure rate allowed (45.5% – 32nd), blown block percentage (3.82% – 31st), adjusted line yards (3.26 – t-32nd), and running back yards before contact (1.25 – 28th). The Raiders D/ST should be prioritized wherever possible.
*Read Justin Edwards’ full O-Line Rankings and Matchups to Exploit: Week 9*
Who are some Week 9 Fantasy Defenses to avoid?
Some options who have fallen out of the top-20 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings include: the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals.
For more advice on who to start check out the Fantasy Football DST Rankings Week 9 to compare the following defense pairings
- Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Miami Dolphins vs. Seattle Seahawks
- New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Las Vegas Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
