Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 10: Fantasy Tiers & Rankings

November 3, 2014

Matt Lib analyzes which defenses (DEF) to sit or start, and provides his Week 10 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses. Starting the right defense in fantasy football can be a game changer.

For those of you fantasy football owners out there who are streaming defenses, RotoBaller has got you covered with around-the-league analysis of the Week  NFL matchups. Week 10 has some enticing defensive matchups from teams that aren’t widely owned, and a few top fantasy defenses on bye, so be sure to stay on top of your league’s waiver wire options.

Just like every other week of the fantasy football season, we’re here to give you the insight to help make your defense streaming decisions and Week 10 lineup decisions a bit easier. Some of these defenses may have good matchups, and be sleepers available on your league’s waiver wire, so make sure to take a look at your waiver wire options as well. Good luck in Week 10 RotoBallers!

Teams that have bye weeks in Week 10: Indianapolis, Minnesota, New England, San Diego, Washington & Houston

Week 10 Defenses: Tiers & Rankings

Tier 1: Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys

No real surprises here. Seattle, Denver, and Arizona start off the first tier of fantasy football defenses in Week 10. Seattle faces off against Eli Manning, Rueben Randle, Odell Beckham Jr. and the New York Giants, who are coming off a short week after playing the Colts in Week 9. The Seahawks defense has started to show some signs of what they were a year ago in these past couple of weeks, against the Panthers and Raiders, and I would expect that to continue against any team that calls the Meadowlands home. Seattle now has 10 takeaways and 11 sacks, which is still underwhelming - but with 5 of those turnovers and 4 of those sacks coming in the past two weeks, things may be starting to revert back to what we saw from them last year. The Giants have given up 10 turnovers, and 15 sacks prior to their game against the Colts, and just don't look the same without Victor Cruz and possibly Rashad Jennings on offense.

Denver travels to Oakland where they take on Derek Carr, James Jones, Andre Holmes and Darren McFadden. The Broncos have the league's best run defense in yards given up at 72 YPG, and are giving up a total of 23 PPG. Oakland is averaging a measly 16 PPG and have been putting up a league low 66 YPG running the ball. The Raiders have given up 14 turnovers, but have only given up 9 sacks at this point in the season. This is about the only thing that may bode well for them against a Denver defensive line that has racked up 24 sacks. Denver still has one of the best defenses in the league and shouldn't have too many issues dealing with an offense struggling to find star power.

The Arizona Cardinals have been one of the better stories so far this season, and now at 7-1 they host the St. Louis Rams. The Cardinals have been giving up a hair under 20 PPG and have 16 takeaways, as they face a Rams team putting up 19 PPG who have given the ball up 12 times so far this year. Arizona has been particularly stingy against the run this year as they've only been allowing teams to gain 80 yards on the ground each game, and this has been without the help of Darnell Dockett and Daryl Washington. They will look to take a bleak Rams running game out of it entirely and force Austin Davis to beat them through the air against Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu and Antonio Cromartie. Davis will be throwing to Kenny Britt, Jared Cook and Tavon Austin as Brian Quick is out for the year.

Rounding out the first tier, I have the Dallas Cowboys "at" Jacksonville in London. Dallas has had a couple of rough weeks and will look to take advantage of their matchup against a much worse team in the Jaguars. Only owned in 23% of Fleaflicker leagues, Dallas can be considered one of the defensive wavier wire sleepers for Week 10. The Cowboys have been letting up 22 PPG and have 14 takeaways to this point, and while their pass rush hasn't been getting it done with just 11 sacks they should be able to find their groove against a Jaguars D-Line that's given up a league worst 35 sacks. Even if Tony Romo doesn't end up playing this week, their defense should more than hold their own against Blake Bortles, Alex Hurns and Denard Robinson. All of these tier one defenses are rock-solid options for fantasy managers, and are must-starts in all leagues.

Tier 2: Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens

The second tier is full of good defenses with better than average matchups, starting off with Cincinnati at home against their in-state rivals. The Browns offense has been fairly streaky to this point, and has been averaging 23 PPG with a crew of Brian Hoyer, Ben Tate, Terrance West and Andrew Hawkins. Both sides are middle of the road as far as the sack numbers go with Cleveland allowing 13 so far, while the Bengals have a disappointing 13 sacks for their "vaunted" D-Line. They will still be without their linebacker in Vontaze Burfict, but should have Rey Maualuga back for this one. The Bengals have been giving up 23 PPG, but hope to add to their 13 takeaways and 13 sacks in their quest to sweep the division (this being their third divisional game).

Kansas City is the other team in this tier that's widely owned, but their matchup against the Bills is interesting for a few reasons. The Chiefs have been stingy with their points allowed at 17 per game, and have racked up an impressive 27 sacks. This week they go up against a Buffalo team averaging just 22 PPG that has 11 giveaways and has let up 23 sacks. This Chiefs defense shouldn't have much of an issue containing Kyle Orton, Sammy Watkins, Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown. Just like last year when they were 9-0, this may be one of the most overlooked and unimpressive winning teams in the league joining Miami and Buffalo in that category. Speaking of Buffalo, their matchup is fairly enticing as well. They've only been giving up 21 PPG, and Kansas City has averaged 25 PPG and breaking 30 points only three times on the year. Alex Smith, Dwayne Bowe, Travis Kelce and Jamaal Charles haven't been racking up the points very often. The Bills will look to add to their 18 takeaways and 28 sacks, and Kansas City's O-Line hasn't been all that great in pass blocking allowing 19 sacks so far. This game has all the makings of a defensive  battle.

The Detroit Lions are at home against Ryan Tannehill, Mike Wallace, Charles Clay and possibly Lamar Miller as they host the Dolphins. Miami did just put up 37 points against a pretty good defense in San Diego, but Detroit has been the best defense in the league so far. They've allowed the 2nd fewest rushing yards per game, and I'm not convinced that Tannehill can continue to beat teams with his arm like he did last week when their offense managed only 50 yards on the ground. The Dolphins have been putting up 26 PPG, and have 10 turnovers against, while the Lions have been allowing a league best 16 PPG while accruing 12 takeaways to go with their 23 sacks. Miami has given up 23 sacks with their young and inexperienced offensive line.

Finishing up with tier 2 we find the Ravens at home against the Tennessee Titans. Baltimore has only been giving up 19 PPG even after giving up 43 to Big Ben Roethlisberger and the red hot Steelers. They've got 13 takeaways and 20 sacks on the year, and will be looking to add to those numbers facing off against a Tennessee squad that has turned the ball over 10 times and has let up 20 sacks. With the Titans averaging just 17 PPG, Kendall Wright, Bishop Sankey and Zach Mettenberger aren't exactly keeping defensive coordinators up at night. All of these second tier defenses are pretty good bets this week, and are start-worthy in most 8+ team leagues. If they are still available on your league's waiver wire, you may want to add them for Week 10.

Tier 3: Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles

As we get to the third tier, we start to find some dicier matchups, but these four are who I feel have the highest floor and the highest ceiling of the middle-of-the-road matchups. We start off with Cleveland traveling within Ohio to Cincinnati to take on Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, Jeremy Hill possibly Giovani Bernard. The Browns are giving up just 21 PPG defensively and have gathered 13 takeaways to go with their 17 sacks on the year. The Bengals are averaging just 24 points a game, but have only given up 9 turnovers and 1o sacks. These AFC North games are almost always a question of whether it will be a blowout or a defensive battle to the end.

As I mentioned above in the Buffalo vs. Kansas City outlook, another team not garnering enough attention and credit has been Miami. Ryan Tannehill is coming off of a career day and the offense looked good even without much of a running attack. But their defense isn't getting enough love either, allowing just 19 PPG and accruing 18 takeaways to go with their 25 sacks through their first eight games. This week they travel to Detroit to face off against Matthew Stafford, Joique Bell, Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush and Golden Tate. The Lions are averaging just 20 PPG and have turned the ball over 10 times. The most intriguing part of this matchup for me though, will be the play of the lines. Both teams have a fierce front seven, and offensive lines that have given up more than 20 sacks. The Lions have given up 24 sacks themselves, and Cameron Wake will have another chance to wreak havoc.

Pittsburgh goes to New Jersey as they face Michael Vick, Percy Harvin, Chris Ivory and Eric Decker along with the rest of the Jets. The Steelers haven't been all that great defensively giving up 24 PPG, but for however bad Pittsburgh has been defensively, the Jets have been much worse than that offensively. New York has averaged 17 PPG, has 16 giveaways, and has let up 25 sacks. Michael Vick's health is in question for Week 10 after his foot was stepped on in the Chiefs game, and no matter who is at QB for the Jets, it seems like they're guaranteed to turn the ball over at least twice per game. Pittsburgh has 16 sacks on the year to go with their 13 takeaways, and this proves to be an ample opportunity to add to those totals.

Philadelphia is at home this week against the Panthers. The Eagles have been giving up a solid 22 PPG, with 11 takeaways and 23 sacks to this point. They'll take on Cam Newton, Kelvin Benjamin, Jonathan Stewart and Greg Olson in an offense has been putting up 20 per game, has turned the ball over 11 times, and has given up 22 sacks. The Panthers offensive line play has been less than stellar, ranking in the bottom half of the league in both run and pass blocking. Philly should be able to try and make Cam beat them with his arm as Carolina is the 29th ranked run blocking team. All of these tier 3 teams are startable options for fantasy managers in 12+ team leagues, but are somewhat of boom/bust plays off the Week 10 waiver wire.

Tier 4: San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants

The fourth tier is where the waters start to get really choppy, starting off with the matchup of San Francisco traveling to New Orleans. This is the tale of a mediocre offense against a fairly horrible defense, and a pretty good defense against an insanely potent offense. San Francisco's defense has been giving up 22 per game, has 13 takeaways and 13 sacks, while the Saints have averaged 28 PPG along with their 14 turnovers given up and 13 sacks allowed. The Niners may be getting Aldon Smith back if the NFL reduces his suspension by one game for good behavior. This would be a site for sore eyes for a San Francisco defense that has been without him or Navarro Bowman (arguably their best two players) for the majority of the season. It's certainly not easy to contain Drew Brees, Kenny Stills, Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks, but San Francisco has proven they're no slouches. The Saints on the other hand also pose an intriguing matchup as they take on  Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore and Anquan Boldin. The Saints have allowed 21 PPG, only have 9 takeaways, but have 17 sacks on the year. Junior Gallete and company will take on a Niners O-Line that has let up 27 sacks on the year, coming off an embarrassing 8 sack game against the Rams. The Niners are averaging just 21 points per game and have 9 turnovers against on the season.

St. Louis travels to Phoenix to take on Carson Palmer, Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Ellington along with the rest of the Arizona Cardinals. The Ram's defensive line is coming off of an outstanding contest against the 49ers, but they only had six on the season prior to last week, leaving them with 14 on the year now. The Cardinals have been putting up 24 PPG and have only allowed 12 sacks on the year, and even with the QB carousel that's taken place in Phoenix, they're still 7-1. This team is red hot and I'd be looking to avoid playing against them even with a better defense.

Atlanta has been a complete disappointment again this season, and their defense is a big part of that. They travel to Tampa Bay this weekend in another divisional matchup, and while the Buccaneers seem to have a lot pieces in place on offense with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, they're also missing the key piece in that puzzle in a QB that can throw the ball. Tampa has been averaging just 19 per game, has 14 giveaways on the year, and has allowed a total of 21 sacks. The Falcons are allowing 28 per game, and only have 7 sacks on the year to go with their 13 takeaways. This is about as high as I'm willing to rank the Falcons, even with the great matchup this week.

The Packers are at home against Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey, Martellus Bennett and Matt Forte. Green Bay has been giving up 24 PPG, has 15 takeaways, and 18 sacks to this point. Chicago is averaging 23 per game, has given up 21 sacks, and has been seemingly turnover happy at the hands of gunslinger Jay Cutler with 15 giveaways. On the other side Green Bay is clearly back to their normal offensive selves after an early season scare, putting up 28 PPG with only 7 giveaways. Trying to contain Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Eddie Lacy and Randall Cobb is no easy task. Their offense has allowed 21 sacks though, and will be going against a Bears front seven with 20 sacks on the year that has 12 turnovers. In the end, I'm just not looking to be anywhere near this matchup this week.

Carolina heads up to Philadelphia in their game against the Eagles. The Panthers defense has been improving the past couple of weeks, but we haven't seem them against an offense like the Eagles yet. Even with Mark Sanchez at the helm, this team has receivers who can make plays after the catch, and a great running game in LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles. Philly has been putting up just under 30 per game and has only given up 11 sacks, but has turned the ball over a league worst 20 times. Carolina has given up 26 PPG, has 16 sacks on the year and has racked up 20 sacks.

Finishing out the fourth tier are the Giants who take on the Seahawks in Seattle. Prior to their Monday night game against the Colts, the Giants were giving up 24 PPG, and had 13 takeaways with 13 sacks. Seattle is averaging 25 per game, has given up a league fewest 3 turnovers, but has let up 17 sacks to this point. With Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Doug Baldwin still getting it done without Percy Harvin, this isn't the week I would be looking to stream New York . That goes for all of these tier four teams, they're desperation plays for fantasy managers in desperate measures in deep leagues.

Tier 5: Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans

As we reach down into the bottom of the barrel for Week 10, we find some familiar faces in the Jaguars, Raiders and Jets. Jacksonville "hosts" the Dallas Cowboys for their game in London, and even if Tony Romo doesn't end up playing, the Jags are letting up 123 YPG rushing and are going up against Demarco Murray, Lance Dunbar, and an offensive line that's playing out of their mind. It seems as though Romo will play though, and one thing that's safe to assume is that Dez Bryant and Terrence Williams should get more than two receptions a piece this week. Jacksonville is giving up 28 PPG and Dallas will look to get their train that had so much momentum back on tracks.

Oakland is at home against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos... I'm not sure I need to say much else. But Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Ronnie Hillman will look for a better result than this past week in New England. Oakland's defense has been giving up an average of 26 PPG, and while they have been fighting and scratching into the 4th quarter in all of their eight games so far this season... they've yet to find their first win.

The New York Jets will host the Pittsburgh Steelers who have been hotter than July as Stevie Wonder would say. Ben Roethlisberger has been putting up historic numbers over the past couple of weeks, putting Antonio Brown on pace to make history in receiving yards as well. Le'Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant, LeGarrette Blount and Markus Wheaton are all Big Ben should need to tear up a Jets secondary that has been bleeding yards all season. One of the Jets few bright spots this year has been their pass rush accumulating 25 sacks to this point, and even though the Steelers O-Line has given up 23 sacks (including three straight this past week against Baltimore), that simply isn't enough numbers to justify even considering them this week for most fantasy managers.

Tampa Bay is at home against Atlanta in another divisional matchup where the Falcons will be looking for just their third win of the season. And while it's fair that Atlanta's offense hasn't been nearly what most people were expecting it to be (myself included), this Tampa defense has been just as bad. They've been giving up almost 31 points per game,only have 13 sacks, and seem to give up the big plays every week. Atlanta on the other hand has has a roller coaster of a season offensively, they rarely put up points in the 20's, it's always either sub-20 in a poor offensive performance, or 35+ in a shellacking. Regardless, it's hard to place any sort of faith in Tampa's defense for fantasy purposes.

Rounding out this weeks matchups is Tennessee traveling to Baltimore to take on Joe Flacco, the Smith Brothers (Torrey and Steve Sr.) and Justin Forsett in what could be another long day at the office for the Titans defense. They're giving up 25 PPG while the Ravens have been putting up 27 a game. The Ravens have cooled off a bit in the past couple of weeks, but will look to rebound after a couple of losses to divisional opponents. Just like in the Jets matchup against another AFC North squad, even though the Titans have racked up 23 sacks while the Ravens have given up 13, the numbers just don't come anywhere close to making me consider them as startable this week. That goes for all of these tier five teams this week, simply not worth considering unless fantasy managers are in the most desperate of situations.

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