Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is almost in the books, and multiple defenses put up big points. The Chicago Bears’ defense put up 22 points against the Tennessee Titans, as did the Minnesota Vikings’ D against the New York Giants.
While Monday sees the New York Jets take on the San Francisco 49ers, the attention for many managers is on Week 2. Let’s take a look at Week 2’s projections as per fantasy.nfl.com:
Fantasy Football Week 2 Defense Rankings
- #1, New York Jets (@ Titans) – 7.19
- #2, San Francisco 49ers (@ Vikings) – 7.17
- #3, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Saints) – 7.15
- #4, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Raiders) – 7.15
- #5, Seattle Seahawks (@ Patriots) – 6.53
- #6, Washington Commanders (vs. Giants) – 6.40
- #7, Los Angeles Chargers (@ Panthers) – 6.38
- #8, Pittsburgh Steelers (@ Broncos) – 6.32
- #9, New York Giants (@ Commanders) – 6.24
- #10, Houston Texans (vs. Bears) – 6.21
- #11, Detroit Lions (vs. Buccaneers) – 6.17
- #12, Denver Broncos (vs. Steelers) – 6.10
- #13, Green Bay Packers (vs. Colts) – 6.09
- #14, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Falcons) – 6.00
- #15, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Cardinals) – 5.97
- #16, Cleveland Browns (@ Jaguars) – 5.95
- #17, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Bengals) – 5.92
- #18, Carolina Panthers (vs. Chargers) -5.82
- #19, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Browns) – 5.74
- #20, Miami Dolphins (vs. Bills) – 5.68
- #21, Tennessee Titans (vs. Jets) – 5.62
- #22, Buffalo Bills (@ Dolphins) – 5.60
- #23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ Lions) – 5.59
- #24, Cincinnati Bengals (@ Chiefs) – 5.58
- #25, Minnesota Vikings (vs. 49ers) – 5.56
- #26, Chicago Bears (@ Texans) – 5.51
- #27, Indianapolis Colts (@ Packers) – 5.50
- #28, New Orleans Saints (@ Cowboys) – 5.48
- #29, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Rams) – 5.45
- #30, New England Patriots (vs. Seahawks) – 5.42
- #31, Atlanta Falcons (@ Eagles) – 5.41
- #32, Las Vegas Raiders (@ Ravens) – 5.10
While many of the expected top performers will be impossible to target, there are a few defenses that could be available on waivers. If you see the Steelers, Jets, Ravens or Cowboys D available, you should pick them up, but very few leagues will have that luxury.
Let’s take a look at three defensive streamers:
Fantasy Football Week 2 Defense Streamers
#1, Commanders (vs. Giants) – 6.40
The Washington Commanders had an odd game with rookie QB Jayden Daniels under center, and on the other side of the ball, their defense looked wobbly. The reason they present a good streamer option in Week 2 is that they face the New York Giants, who looked very weak offensively against the Vikings.
Trusting the hot hand is a safe method in fantasy football, and so is chasing a cold offense defensively. The Vikings D put up 22 points vs. NY and the Commanders could do the same in Week 2. QB Daniel Jones threw 2 INTs and 0 TDs, and Washington will want to make its rivals suffer in a similar way.
#2, Seahawks (@ Patriots) – 6.53
The Seattle Seahawks defense looked solid in Week 1, hosting a rookie-led Denver Broncos. The Seahawks’ D picked up 9 points, picking off Bo Nix twice, recording 2 sacks and recovering a fumble.
Seattle travels to New England to play one of the weakest teams in the NFL in the Patriots. While the Patriots managed a huge surprise in taking down the Bengals in Week 1, Seattle will likely be a different story.
Expect the Seahawks’ defense to be prepared for Jacoby Brissett and Rhamondre Stephenson, and likely hit around 9 points in Week 2.
#3, Chargers (@ Panthers) – 6.38
The LA Chargers look to be a tough-nosed team in 2024 and face the Panthers, who to put it mildly, suffered in Week 1. The Panthers hosted the Saints and Bryce Young threw 2 picks as New Orleans took a huge lead in a one-sided game.
The Saints’ defense put up 22 points, and the Chargers will look to present similar problems for Carolina in Week 2. The LA D put up 14 points in Week 1 on the back of 4 sacks, 1 INT and 2 fumble recoveries as they defeated AFC West Rivals the LV Raiders.
If the Panthers cannot change their offensive issues swiftly, the Chargers could be in for a big day defensively.