It’s Week 8 and fantasy football games are dictated by defenses often enough that getting the right one is essential. If you are fortunate enough to have the defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets or Denver Broncos, you will be starting them without worry this week. For everyone else, streaming defenses can get you huge points that win close matchups.
Let’s take a look at the defensive rankings by projections in Week 8 (as per fantasy.nfl.com):
Fantasy Football Week 8 Defense Rankings
- Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Giants) – 7.13
- Kansas City Chiefs (@ Raiders) – 7.04
- Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Saints) – 7.00
- Denver Broncos (vs. Panthers) – 6.84
- Baltimore Ravens (@ Browns) – 6.83
- Detroit Lions (vs. Titans) – 6.76
- New York Jets (@ Patriots) – 6.59
- Houston Texans (vs. Colts) – 6.31
- Green Bay Packers (@ Jaguars) – 6.27
- Minnesota Vikings (@ Rams) – 6.10
- Miami Dolphins (vs. Cardinals) – 5.98
- San Francisco 49ers (vs. Cowboys) – 5.96
- Chicago Bears (@ Commanders) – 5.93
- Washington Commanders (vs. Bears) – 5.87
- New York Giants (@ Steelers) – 5.86
- Carolina Panthers (@ Broncos) – 5.78
- Buffalo Bills (@ Seahawks) – 5.64
- Arizona Cardinals (@ Dolphins) – 5.64
- New England Patriots (vs. Jets) – 5.64
- Atlanta Falcons (@ Buccaneers) – 5.60
- Philadelphia Eagles (@ Bengals) – 5.58
- New Orleans Saints (@ Chargers) – 5.58
- Los Angeles Rams (vs. Vikings) – 5.48
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. Bills) – 5.45
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Falcons) – 5.41
- Cleveland Browns (vs. Ravens) – 5.39
- Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Eagles) – 5.35
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Packers) – 5.18
- Dallas Cowboys (@ 49ers) – 5.16
- Indianapolis Colts (@ Texans) – 4.93
- Tennessee Titans (@ Lions) – 4.85
- Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Chiefs) – 4.80
From the above, you can get an idea of some weak offenses to target with your defense selection, and we will take a look at three in more detail.
Fantasy Football Week 8 Defense Streamers
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Saints)
The LA Chargers have been solid on defense, but nothing we’ve seen since Week 2 screams “pick me up.” However, they face a very vulnerable New Orleans Saints team that has looked very weak on offense since Derek Carr got injured.
While the 33-10 loss against Denver was likely the lowest point and Chris Olave should be back this week, the Chargers could be in for a good day against Spencer Rattler. Rostered in 45.1% of leagues, there’s a chance you can get them on waivers and if you don’t, someone else will.
Detroit Lions (vs. Titans)
The Detroit Lions’ defense has been dropped in the vast majority of leagues after Aidan Hutchinson went down with a fractured tibia. The Lions D put up 18 points in the win over Dallas and could be in for a big score against Tennessee. Rostered in only 16.1% of leagues, this defense should be available in waivers.
The Titans look set to start Mason Rudolph if Will Levis can’t go (week to week Q), and whichever QB starts does not inspire a huge amount of confidence in terms of point-scoring. Rudolph threw 215 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT in the 34-10 loss to the Bills and you can see a similar game-script vs. Detroit. Meanwhile, Levis has thrown for 699 yards, 5 TDs and 7 INTs across 5 games.
Atlanta Falcons (@ Buccaneers)
This may seem a wild pick but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ high-flying offense took some huge hits on Monday night with injuries to their top two WRs, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Evans’ ongoing hamstring issue was a concern going into the game and after exacerbating it, he is very unlikely to play vs. Atlanta. Godwin may have dislocated his ankle, as per Todd Bowles (via NFL.com):
“He’s got an ankle, early indication is that it’s dislocated,” Bowles told reporters. “It doesn’t look good.”
While the Buccaneers’ rushing game is certainly looking good with their “three-headed monster” backfield, the Falcons have a good enough defense to counter it given Tampa Bay’s weakened WR room.
QB Baker Mayfield has been elite this season, but historically he has thrown a lot of picks, which could be a feature here without Evans and Godwin. Mayfield has a career TD-INT ratio of 145-79 and you can envision a miscommunication or two in this game. This feels like a good week to target a Falcons defense rostered in only 9.9% of leagues.