With the 2024 NFL season getting tantalizingly close, it’s time to look at which defenses are the best picks for Week 1 of the fantasy campaign. Defenses are much overlooked in general, and whether you have drafted already or not, these rankings could help you start the season 1-0.
Let’s take a look at the complete defensive rankings for Week 1, as per Fantasy.NFL.com’s official projections:
NFL Fantasy Week 1: Complete defensive rankings
- #1, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Jets) – 7.03
- #2, Dallas Cowboys (@Browns) – 6.89
- #3, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Patriots) – 6.73
- #4, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Broncos) – 6.71
- #5, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Commanders) -6.41
- #6, New Orleans Saints (vs. Panthers) – 6.41
- #7, Buffalo Bills (vs. Cardinals) – 6.38
- #8, LA Chargers (vs. Raiders) – 6.35
- #9, Cleveland Browns (vs. Cowboys) – 6.33
- #10, Minnesota Vikings (@ Giants) – 6.33
- #11, Miami Dolphins (vs Jaguars) – 6.32
- #12, Houston Texans (@ Colts) – 6.21
- #13, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Packers) – 6.20
- #14, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Steelers) – 6.16
- #15, Chicago Bears (vs. Titans) – 6.12
- #16, Pittsburgh Steelers (@ Falcons) – 6.12
- #17, New York Giants (vs. Vikings) – 6.02
- #18, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Ravens) – 5.85
- #19, Carolina Panthers (vs. Saints) – 5.82
- #20, Detroit Lions (vs. Rams) – 5.78
- #21, Baltimore Ravens (@ Chiefs) – 5.68
- #22, Denver Broncos (@ Seahawks) – 5.63
- #23, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Texans) – 5.62
- #24, Green Bay Packers (@ Eagles) – 5.61
- #25, Las Vegas Raiders (@ Chargers) – 5.59
- #26, Washington Commanders (@ Buccaneers) – 5.50
- #27, Jacksonville Jaguars (@ Dolphins) – 5.39
- #28, New York Jets (@ 49ers) – 5.32
- #29, Tennessee Titans (@ Bears) – 5.23
- #30, Arizona Cardinals (@ Bills) – 5.10
- #31, LA Rams (@ Lions) – 5.19
- #32, New England Patriots (@ Bengals) – 5.11
NFL Fantasy Week 1: 5 defensive streamers
While the best defenses to target for 2024 will likely have been drafted, there will be many streamers available that could be in for decent performances due to their opponent’s weaknesses. Let’s take a look at five that could be available:
#1, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Broncos)
The Seahawks have a favorable matchup to kick off their season, facing the Denver Broncos at home in Seattle. The Broncos have been looking for a QB since Peyton Manning retired in early 2016 and while they think they may have found one in Bo Nix, it is unlikely he will deliver a massive performance here.
Nix has looked good in preseason, but those debut lights will be bright and the Seahawks will have their starters out there. As such, Seattle is expected to take the win in a potential low-scorer. Seattle’s defense is often underrated and a few sacks and turnovers could lead them to record a double-digit score if the game goes as many are predicting.
#2, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Commanders)
Speaking of rookie QBs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to host rookie Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 1, especially with backup Marcus Mariota questionable. Daniels could set the league alight and be the answer to Washington’s perennial QB problem, but those are high expectations for an NFL debut.
More likely is that the Commanders will put in a decent display, but one with multiple errors from their debutant under center. Tampa Bay will be looking to get after Daniels from the off and while Daniels could punish them, he could also be rushed into some critical mistakes.
#3, Chicago Bears (vs. Titans)
The Chicago Bears will be an interesting team in 2024, with many fans tipping Caleb Williams to be the scourge of the NFC North. That will certainly be a huge focal point in Week 1, but the Bears’ defense will be equally decisive.
Chicago faces the Titans, a team going through a lot of changes of their own. With no Derrick Henry and a new HC, Tennessee could be set to throw the ball a lot more, which could go either way.
Will Levis was fairly good at avoiding picks, going for 8 TDs and 4 INTs in 9 starts, but that was in a mostly run-heavy offense. The Bears D is arguably top 10 in the league and will test the Titans early and often and a couple of turnovers seem likely.
#4, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a lot of noise with the additions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on the cheap, but 2023’s stagnant offense has looked very cold in the preseason. Pittsburgh has some good tools in George Pickens and Najee Harris, but the Falcons’ defense is looking scary with the addition of Matthew Judon.
With two very top defenses set to duke it out with two uncertain offenses, this could be a mistake-laden and low-scoring game. Expect both these defenses to do well in Week 1, but the Falcons get the nod as a better streamer.
#5, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Patriots)
Given the host of concerns at the New England Patriots in 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals defense should be snapped up immediately if available. This is a decent defense to target in your fantasy draft, as you can swap them out in Week 2 when they face the Chiefs for another streamer.
With the Patriots set to start either Drake Maye or (more likely) Jacoby Brissett behind one of the lowest-rated offensive lines, this could be a huge day for the Bengals’ defense. Rhamondre Stevenson could be an issue, but the Patriots’ receiver room is not highly rated and Cincinnati blitzers could be in the backfield quick enough to shut plays down early.
Opponents to target with defenses in 2024 NFL Fantasy
Picking the Bengals in Week 1 is an example of a very good tactic in NFL fantasy – chasing weak offenses. If you can chase poor offenses on a weekly basis, you might be in for a bonanza of points, more so than if you draft a safe defense.
While multiple managers in your league may do the same, there are a few offenses that are projected to struggle more than others. Here are five to keep an eye on:
- #1, New England Patriots
- #2, Carolina Panthers
- #3, Denver Broncos
- #4, Minnesota Vikings
- #5, New York Giants