Week 18 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

December 31, 2024

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 18 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 18 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 18 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings for the 2024 fantasy football season. Every week, I'll go through the best and worst fantasy defenses to start in your lineups.

If you play in a Week 18 fantasy football championship, you have come to the right place. This article will look at the best and worst defensive options in the final week of the regular season. With several starters resting this week, though, these defensive rankings will look very different than in weeks past.

So, here are defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 18. Below, you will find our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

1. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. CLE

BAL favored by 18, Total ~41.5

The Ravens will come in as the No. 1 fantasy defense in Week 18 against the Browns. Cleveland has scored just nine points over the past two weeks with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center, and the second-year quarterback has thrown three interceptions in those two games. As a result, Baltimore will be a must-start defensive option in the final week of the season.

The Ravens' pass defense has turned things around in a major way 📈

Where Baltimore ranks since Week 11 in:

EPA per Dropback: 1st
Opponent Passer Rating: 1st
1st Downs per Attempt: 1st
YAC per Reception: 1st
Allowed TDs per INT: T-3rd pic.twitter.com/20ASgSWFjD

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 28, 2024

On top of that, this Ravens defense has played well in recent weeks. It has totaled at least three sacks in seven of the past eight games and currently ranks second in sacks this season. With Baltimore also playing for the AFC North title on Saturday, this team has something to play for in Week 18.

2. Denver Broncos D/ST vs. KC

DEN favored by 9.5, Total ~38.5

With the Chiefs locking up the first seed in the AFC, they will be resting most of their starters in Week 18. That means Patrick Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, DeAndre Hopkins, and Travis Kelce will all be out for this week's game against the Broncos. As a result, Denver's defense will be a strong play in fantasy this weekend.

The Broncos have gotten to the quarterback 58 times this season (most in the NFL) and have totaled at least three sacks in five of the past seven games. This unit has also forced 25 turnovers through 17 weeks (tied for the sixth-most). Given that Carson Wentz will start for the Chiefs in Week 18, Denver will be almost a must-start defensive option. 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. NO

TB favored by 14, Total ~43.5

It would be a shock to see Derek Carr (hand) and Alvin Kamara (groin) play in this game. With the Saints not playing for anything in Week 18, it's likely they will start Spencer Rattler at quarterback in the final week of the season. Therefore, this Buccaneers defense will be a top-3 play at home this weekend.

Rattler has been sacked at least three times in all five of his starts this season while throwing three interceptions over the past two games. That's great news for a Buccaneers defense that has totaled multiple sacks in 11 of the past 13 games. This Tampa Bay front seven also ranks 10th in pass-rush win rate this season. So, this unit should be in for a strong fantasy day in Week 18.

4. Green Bay Packers D/ST vs. CHI

GB favored by 9, Total ~40.5

It's going to be hard to sit this Packers defense in Week 18 against the Bears. Chicago is averaging only 11.25 points per game over the last four weeks, and Caleb Williams has been sacked a league-leading 67 times this season. The rookie quarterback has also been sacked 44 times since Week 9. So, this Green Bay defense will have a solid floor in Week 18.

The Packers have totaled at least three sacks in three of the past five games and just sacked Williams three times in Week 11 when these two teams faced off. That makes this Green Bay defense a reliable fantasy option this week.

5. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. NYG

PHI favored by 3, Total ~38.5

With the Eagles locking up the second seed in the NFC, most of their starters will likely not play in Week 18. However, this Philadelphia defense will still be a strong play against the Giants this weekend. New York had a strong offensive showing last week, but don't expect that to happen again in the final week of the season.

Drew Lock has been sacked 11 times across his last four starts while throwing at least one interception in three of those four games. He'll now have to go up against an Eagles defense that has forced nine turnovers over the past two games. While some of the defensive starters might not play in this game, the unit will still be a top-5 play at home in Week 18.

6. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST at LV

LAC favored by 5.5, Total ~41.5

The Chargers defense had a strong showing last week against the Patriots, holding them to only seven points while totaling four sacks in that game. Now, this unit has another great matchup in Week 18 against the Raiders. Las Vegas has given up 50 sacks through 17 weeks (tied for the sixth-most in the NFL), and Los Angeles currently ranks tied for fifth in total sacks (46) this season.

So, this Chargers defense will be a solid defensive option in most leagues this weekend. This unit has totaled multiple sacks in three of the past four games, and this Raiders offense has scored under 20 points in five of Aidan O'Connell's six starts in 2024. Los Angeles also ranks first in points allowed per game (17.6) this season.

7. Houston Texans D/ST at TEN

TEN favored by 1, Total ~38.5

Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that both Mason Rudolph and Will Levis will play in Week 18. That's certainly great news for a Texans defense that has played well for most of the year. But how long will the defensive starters play against Tennessee? With Houston already locking up the division title and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs, there isn't much incentive to play key starters for most of the game.

Still, this Texans defense can be a solid start in most leagues in Week 18. This unit sacked Levis eight times the last time these two teams played in Week 12, and this Tennessee offensive line has given up 50 sacks this season (tied for the sixth-most in the NFL). Given that both Levis and Rudolph have thrown 21 interceptions through 17 weeks, Houston is a nice defensive option this weekend.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

8. Buffalo Bills D/ST at NE

BUF favored by 3, Total ~38.5

It'll be interesting to see how many Buffalo starters play in Week 18. With nothing to play for and the second seed already locked up, the Bills might choose to sit some of their starters on the defensive end against the Patriots. Still, this unit can be a solid play in most leagues this weekend.

Today marks the first time since 1998 the Bills defense has had a defensive safety, recovered an opposing fumble and 2+ interceptions in a single game.

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) December 29, 2024

The Patriots have scored under 20 points in three of their past five games, and Drake Maye has been sacked at least three times in four of the past six weeks. Maye has also thrown an interception in seven of the past eight contests. So, even with the Bills potentially playing backups in Week 17, this defense is a top-8 play in Week 18.

9. Miami Dolphins D/ST at NYJ

MIA favored by 1, Total ~39.5 

The Dolphins played an almost perfect game defensively last week. They held the Browns to three points, forced two turnovers, and scored 13 fantasy points in the win. With a matchup against the Jets now on deck, this Miami defense can be used again in some leagues heading into the final week of the regular season.

Aaron Rodgers has been sacked multiple times in six of the past eight games, and this Jets offensive line currently ranks 18th in pass-block win rate this season. So, this Dolphins defense could be in for a solid fantasy day. Although Miami only scored three fantasy points against this New York offense back in Week 14, this defense has totaled at least three sacks in six of the last eight weeks.

10. Atlanta Falcons D/ST vs. CAR

ATL favored by 8.5, Total ~47.5

The Falcons have turned things around defensively in recent weeks. After having just 10 sacks through the first 11 weeks, this Atlanta defense has totaled 21 sacks over the past five games. During that five-game stretch, this defense has totaled at least four sacks in four of those contests. As a result, this unit will be a top-10 play at home in Week 18 against the Panthers.

Bryce Young has been sacked 14 times over the past three weeks, and this Carolina offense has scored under 15 points in two of the past three games. So, even though Young has looked better at quarterback recently, this Falcons defense has plenty of fantasy potential in Week 18. The Panthers also rank 31st in pass-block win rate this season.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

11. Washington Commanders D/ST at DAL

WSH favored by 3.5, Total ~44.5

The Commanders did not have a strong defensive performance the last time they played the Cowboys. In that game back in Week 12, Dallas scored 34 points, and the Washington defense only managed to sack Cooper Rush once. However, this unit will still be a top-12 play in the final week of the regular season.

The Commanders have totaled multiple sacks in 13 of the past 14 games and currently ranks tied for 11th in sacks (41) this season. Washington also ranks seventh in pass-rush win rate through 17 weeks. So, this unit can be a solid play against the Cowboys in Week 18. Rush is also coming off a game where he threw two interceptions, including one for a pick-six.

12. Tennessee Titans D/ST vs. HOU

TEN favored by 1, Total ~38.5

It remains to be seen how much C.J. Stroud, Joe Mixon, and Nico Collins will play in this game. With the Texans already locked into the fourth seed in the AFC playoffs, there's a strong chance that Stroud, Mixon, and Collins don't play the full game on Sunday. As a result, this Titans defense has some fantasy potential in Week 18.

Although head coach DeMeco Ryans said he plans to play everyone this week, we could see the Houston starters for only one half to save them for the playoffs. So, it might be worth it to play this Tennessee defense in Week 18. This Texans' offensive line has given up the third-most sacks (53) this season.

13. Los Angeles Rams D/ST vs. SEA

SEA favored by 3, Total ~39.5

There's a chance that the Rams decide to rest their starters in this game after locking up the division a week ago. With Seattle being favorited by three points on the road, Vegas certainly thinks that will be the case. However, this Los Angeles defense can still be a top-14 play at home against the Seahawks.

The Rams' defense has allowed less than 10 points in three straight games while totaling at least three sacks in two of those three games. Given that the Seahawks have given up the fourth-most sacks (52) this season, this Los Angeles unit has some fantasy potential in 14-plus team leagues in Week 18.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

Most of the defenses in Tier 4 should only be started in deeper formats. If all 13 defenses aren't available from the first three tiers, then the Colts and Giants are your next best choices.

The Colts are coming off a disappointing performance in Week 17 against the Giants, so it's going to be hard to trust them this week against the Jaguars. The good news for Indianapolis, though, is that Mac Jones has thrown seven interceptions across his six starts this season. As for the Giants, they will be facing an Eagles team that will likely be resting most of its starters in Week 18.

The other three defenses on this list are all riskier options, but both the Jets and Seahawks could move up to Tier 2 on this list, depending on which quarterbacks start for the Dolphins and Rams on Sunday. Tua Tagovailoa missed last week's game due to a hip injury, and his status for Week 18 is currently up in the air. The Rams could also plan to sit several key starters against Seattle after they locked up the division last week.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 18

For the most part, fantasy managers should not be targeting any defenses from these two tiers. Most of these defenses are way too risky to start this week and should be avoided in most cases. 18 other defenses are better plays in Week 18.

**Note: With Brock Purdy out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Arizona's defense now moves up to No. 7 on the week. 

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