Week 10 is almost upon us, and while there is the small matter of the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs versus an injury-hit Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, it’s time to think about a defense.
Week 10 sees the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks all on bye weeks, which takes their defenses out of consideration. Let’s take a look at the defensive rankings by projections, as per fantasy.nfl.com:
Week 10 Defense Rankings
- Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Titans) – 6.73
- Chicago Bears (vs. Patriots) – 6.42
- Minnesota Vikings (@ Jaguars) – 6.23
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Broncos) – 6.21
- New York Giants (@ Panthers) – 6.13
- Buffalo Bills (@ Colts) – 6.02
- New York Jets (@ Cardinals) – 5.90
- Atlanta Falcons (@ Saints) – 5.80
- Washington Commanders (vs. Steelers) – 5.73
- Pittsburgh Steelers (@ Commanders) – 5.69
- Dallas Cowboys (vs. Eagles) – 5.67
- San Francisco 49ers (@ Buccaneers) – 5.62
- Miami Dolphins (@ Rams) – 5.61
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. 49ers) – 5.59
- Los Angeles Rams (vs. Dolphins) – 5.47
- Baltimore Ravens (vs. Bengals) – 5.47
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Vikings) – 5.41
- Denver Broncos (@ Chiefs) – 5.40
- Detroit Lions (@ Texans) – 5.40
- Carolina Panthers (vs. Giants) – 5.37
- New Orleans Saints (vs. Falcons) – 5.37
- Arizona Cardinals (vs. Jets) – 5.34
- Philadelphia Eagles (@ Cowboys) – 5.33
- Houston Texans (vs. Lions) – 5.31
- New England Patriots (@ Bears) – 5.29
- Indianapolis Colts (vs. Bills) – 5.06
- Tennessee Titans (@ Chargers) – 4.93
- Cincinnati Bengals (@ Ravens) – 4.58
While some of the best defenses listed above will obviously be taken, some intriguing options will be available to you. So, which of these are good streamers and which of them are traps?
Week 10 Defense Streamers
#1, LA Chargers (vs. Titans)
The LA Chargers’ defense has looked very solid in 2024, and the whole team is grinding out games. On Sunday, the Chargers defense were hugely impactful against the Cleveland Browns and recorded 6 sacks and 3 INTs in the 27-10 win.
LA’s D came away with 16.00 points on Sunday and hit 12.00 the week before. Week 10 sees them take on the Tennessee Titans, and whichever QB they play profiles to lead a low-scoring offense. If that QB is Will Levis, all the better for this defense, as Levis has thrown 5 TDs to 7 INts in 5 games this season.
Rostered in 73.0% of leagues, you might not be able to pick them up on waivers easily but if they are there, they should be your first waiver choice.
#2, Philadelphia Eagles (@ Cowboys)
The Eagles’ defense has been a bit shaky over the past season and a half, but in Week 10 they face a Dallas Cowboys team that is really struggling to run the ball. Worse for Dallas is that QB Dak Prescott is expected to miss multiple weeks, so the Philly defense is a must-stream/must-start. Rostered in 51.6% of leagues, you might have a shot at landing them.
#3, New York Giants (@ Panthers)
The New York Giants’ reputation and record can often lead to their defense being overlooked and that has been the case this season. While the Giants are fourth in the NFC East at 2-7, the defense is leading the NFL for sacks with 35.0 sacks.
That ability to get to the QB will be hugely impactful in Week 10 as New York faces Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers. Presuming Young is not traded, the Giants could cause a lot of trouble for the QB, who has thrown for 3 TDs against 6 INTs this season. If Young is traded, the Panthers will start Andy Dalton, who has a TD-INT ratio of 7-6 this season so the Giants are still a good start.
The New York D is rostered in only 5.5% of leagues and could be a huge game-changer in Week 10.
#4, Atlanta Falcons (@ Saints)
The Atlanta Falcons are having a good season and look set to be a playoff team, and from there, who knows? However, their defense has looked a bit suspect thus far, especially considering some of the A-list names on board.
This means they are only rostered in 6.5% of fantasy leagues, and the good news is they play a struggling New Orleans Saints in Week 10. The Saints just fired their HC and are in freefall, with the Carolina Panthers extending their losing streak to seven games on Sunday.
The Saints are playing some pretty suspect football on offense, and while that could change in an instant, it probably won’t.
Week 10 Defense Traps
#1, Pittsburgh Steelers (@ Commanders)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in very strong form in 2024 and their defense has looked elite at times. This is a defense you shouldn’t drop, but it may be worth considering benching them in Week 10. Pittsburgh plays the Washington Commanders in what could end up being a shootout.
QB Jayden Daniels has thrown 9 TDs to 2 INTs and the Commanders are second in the NFL for points scored at 263 (behind the Ravens’ 283). This could be the day Daniels gets a rude awakening to life in the NFL, but you shouldn’t bank on it in fantasy football.
#2, Washington Commanders (vs. Steelers)
Similarly, if this game devolves into a shootout, you shouldn’t look to start Washington’s defense. The Steelers have looked much improved in 2024, and even more so since Russell Wilson took over for Justin Fields.
Wilson is spreading the ball around nicely, and his deep passing threat is opening the running game up for Najee Harris. Washington’s defense is allowing 21 points per game in 2024 and isn’t scoring enough points in fantasy to warrant starting them here.
#3, Denver Broncos (@ Chiefs)
The Denver Broncos defense has looked elite this season but is coming off a bruising 41-10 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. It won’t get a huge amount easier in Week 10, as the Broncos face the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead.
While the Chiefs have not been prolific on offense, they are 7-0 and getting the job done. Yes, Patrick Mahomes is throwing a steady flow of INTs, but the running game is getting going and KC may play more sensibly against their AFC West rivals.
The Chiefs like to make a statement against the teams in the West, and with the Broncos looking like wild-card candidates in 2024, there has been more noise about them of late. This could be a game to consider benching the Broncos D as Kansas City looks to quash the good feeling that had been growing in Denver.