We start the defense: week 9 of 2024

Some weeks are filled with great, fantastic defensive matchups for the team. The best in the league face tomatoes and can attack. There are some rock solid matchups. There are more possible fantasy defenses to start than there are teams in a 12-team league. Everyone will be able to eat something.

This is not one of those weeks.

It doesn’t help that they have two of the seven best defenders in terms of fantasy points (third-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers and seventh-ranked San Francisco 49ers) will be off this week. But that’s not the only dilemma facing fantasy defensive managers this week.

Take the Denver Broncos for example. Thanks to a solid fantasy performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8, the Broncos passed the Minnesota Vikings for the highest fantasy scoring defense. The Broncos have been productive and consistent – Denver ranks third in total defense and scoring defense, leads the AFC with 30 sacks and ranks sixth in the league with 12 sacks.

But people who decide to leave Denver this week will do so with their eyes closed. The 5-3 Broncos are on the road in Baltimore this week. The Ravens can and do lead the NFL by a significant margin in total offense after a loss. Their 30.3 points per game leads the AFC. And only the Buffalo Bills gave up less fantasy points per game to defend this year.

Rolling Denver is a risky play in Week 9. But honestly, there aren’t many defensemen this week who aren’t doing it – at least to one degree or another.

Still, fantasy managers need to start with someone in the D/ST position. So let’s take a look at the pieces closest to the blocks, some streamers, and a defense that (like the Broncos) would be better off left on the bench.

UNDOUBTED

Los Angeles Chargers (at Cleveland Browns)

The Browns’ fourth place in fantasy points allowed on defense should now be taken with a pinch of salt – with Jameis Winston under center, the Browns certainly had their best game of the season against the Ravens last week offensively, scoring 20 points for the team for the first time this season . However, the Browns still lead the league in sacks with 37 (10 more than any other team in the league), the Chargers don’t screen passes like the Ravens, and Winston is known for the occasional penalty. interception.

Minnesota Vikings (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

It was bound to happen sooner or later – the Vikings lived off sacks and takeout, and last week against the Rams, those dried up and Minnesota’s porous defense was exposed. But in Week 9, the Vikings will host a Colts team led by quarterback Anthony Richardson, who hopes to one day complete half of his passes. Last week against the Houston Texans, Anthony Richardson was sacked five times and turned the ball over twice. Minnesota collects rebounds at home during prime time on Sunday night.

Houston Texans (at New York Jets)

The Texans aren’t ranked outside the top 12 in fantasy defense on the season, but DeMeco Ryans’ lineup has been hot lately, ranking third among fantasy defenses in a three-week stretch in which Houston has scored double-digit points in all three of those contests. Only the Tennessee Titans have given up fewer yards per game than the Texans this season, and New York’s offensive line will have its hands full with the energetic Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The Jets are a favorable fantasy matchup when it comes to defense – 11th in points per game allows for that position.

Baltimore Ravens (vs. Denver Broncos)

As mentioned, the Ravens don’t perform well defensively in the passing game. In fact, no team in the league is worse. The question is whether rookie quarterback Bo Nix can exploit that weakness against a Ravens team that also does a good job of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks – he’s fourth in the league with 24 sacks. The Ravens are no doubt furious after losing to their rival and losing first place in the AFC North in the process. This is a game Denver could get away with. And if the Ravens can start against Nix, the rookie will likely make mistakes with the ball.

Chicago Bears (at Arizona Cardinals)

The Bears have been solid defensively this year, ranking just outside the top 10 in yards allowed and fourth in scoring defense. Chicago has also proven effective for fantasy managers, with 20 sacks, 13 takeaways and two non-offensive touchdowns, Da Bears currently rank third in fantasy points per game among defenses. The Cardinals are not a particularly favorable fantasy matchup, but they have struggled with consistency on offense, especially against better defenses. The Bears aren’t a great play, but managers who have already hired them shouldn’t hesitate to bring them in.

Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

It seems like I write this every week, but when the reasons why Kansas City is the only undefeated team in the NFL are revealed, the defense rarely has much work to do. However, the Chiefs rank fifth in both total defense and scoring defense, and second against the run. Baker Mayfield is playing arguably the best football of his career. However, his wing corps has been ravaged by injuries, and while Mayfield’s 21 tries lead the league, so do his nine interceptions. The injuries relate to Monday’s attack in Tampa.

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STREAMERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!

Philadelphia Eagles (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Philly’s “No Doubter” days are behind them – at least for now. The team is struggling to stop the pass (again), and their 20 sacks on the season are just…OK. However, the Eagles put up one of their better defenses of the season last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, and a trip to Jacksonville this week could be a matchup dream. Jacksonville’s passing game was reduced to tight end Evan Engram, Sal the nacho seller and Lou the parking attendant. You know, that guy with the orange stuff who tells you where to park.

Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

The 2024 season hasn’t gone as planned for the Cincinnati Bengals, in large part because of a defense that was, like Arby’s, beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles a week ago. But here’s some quick news – the Las Vegas Raiders are most definitely not the Eagles. Through eight weeks, the Raiders turned the ball over a league-leading 17 times, gave up 25 sacks (fourth most in the league) and gave up more fantasy points to defense than all but one other team in the NFL. If Cincy is unable to get back on track this week, there will be no tracking.

Washington Commanders (in New York Giants)

You won’t find the Commanders at the top of any defensive leaderboard, but Washington’s defense has improved significantly over the last month – they kept Caleb Williams and the Bears under control last week, and the Commanders have been a top five fantasy defense over the last four weeks. The Giants have had problems with both Daniel Jones’ defense and Daniel Jones turnovers this season – so much so that the team has given up the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses.

New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)

To say the Saints have struggled defensively of late is an understatement – no team in the NFL is giving up more yards per game this season. However, injuries and a woeful offense have played a role in these struggles, and there is optimism that quarterback Derek Carr can return in Week 9. Even if that doesn’t happen, the Saints draw a matchup in which opposing defenses consistently look good – the struggling Panthers rank 29th in both total offense and scoring, lead the NFC with 14 giveaways and have given up the eighth most fantasy points per match in favor of the opponent’s defense.

ATTENTION EMPTOR, PEOPLE

Green Bay Packers (vs. Detroit Lions)

The Packers are a poster defense waiting to be drafted. Not only is Green Bay a solid sixth on the season in fantasy points, but there has been no real upset – Green Bay has scored at least a handful of points every time, including from some high-end offenses. However, there is no way to rationally consider starting a defense against the Honolulu Blue-hot Detroit Lions this week. Minnesota’s defense was saved against the Lions a few weeks ago with a defensive touchdown, but counting on that is just asking for trouble.

Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on X at @IDPSharks.