Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 14: Fantasy Tiers & Rankings

December 1, 2014

Matt Lib analyzes which defenses (DEF) to sit or start, and provides his Week 14 & playoffs 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 14 NFL matchups.

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 14 lineup decisions a bit easier. Week 14 has some enticing defensive matchups, so be sure to stay on top of your league’s waiver wire options.

Bye weeks are now a thing of the past as we approach and begin the fantasy football playoffs, so be sure to keep that in mind when setting your lineups. Good luck in Week 14 and in your playoff matchups RotoBallers!

Week 14 Defenses: Playoff Tiers & Rankings

Tier 1: Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers

No surprises in the first tier this week, just three of the better defenses with juicy matchups against three of the worst offenses in the league. This tier starts out with the Detroit Lions welcoming in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who have been averaging 18 PPG. The Lions have had the league's stingiest defense this year, only allowing 17 PPG, and shouldn't have any issues containing Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin. The Bucs have turned the ball over 25 times on the year and their O-Line has given up 33 sacks. This is a cause for concern going up against a Lions pass rush with 29 sacks of their own.

Houston travels to Jacksonville in a divisional matchup against the Jaguars. Their offense led by Blake Bortles has only been able to put up 16 per game, but with a lack of weapons and a miserable offensive line this would be a tough offense for anyone to produce in. They've turned the ball over 24 times on the year and that O-Line I mentioned has given up a league worst 50 sacks including 7 this past week against the Giants. Denard Robinson and company will have a tough time against this Texans defense that's been allowing 21 PPG and has forced 28 turnovers to go with their 25 sacks.

San Francisco doesn't have to travel too far for their matchup against the Derek Carr led Raiders. Oakland has only been able to muster 15 PPG and has turned the ball over 26 times so far. One of their bright spots has been the offensive line play, only allowing 12 sacks prior to their past game against the Rams in which they were trounced 52-0 and let up six sacks. San Francisco's defense has looked a bit better as they've gotten healthier and will look to continue to improve their stat line of 20 points allowed, 22 turnovers and 26 sacks against Oakland. All of these tier 1 teams are locked-in as must start defenses in all leagues for this week.

Tier 2: New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers

Starting off tier two we have New England who heads to San Diego to face off against Phillip Rivers, Keenan Allen, Ryan Matthews and Antonio Gates. The Chargers look like they may have figured out some of their offensive woes this past week against the Ravens, but they face another tough test against the Patriots defense. San Diego has been putting up 23 PPG and has let up 24 sacks on the year, and New England has only been giving up 21 per game and has 20 turnovers and 28 sacks

The St. Louis Rams hope to carry momentum from their 52-0 beat down of Oakland as they head to Washington to take on Alfred Morris, DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. The Redskins have been putting up 20 points per game and have turned the ball over 22 times, they've also let up 33 sacks on the year with six coming this past week against the Colts. None of this bodes well for Jay Gruden and Colt McCoy as they face a Rams defense with 21 turnovers and 28 sacks on the year. And while Colt McCoy didn't look too bad this past week, the Rams D has been improving and has scored defensive touchdowns each of the past two weeks.

Indianapolis travels to Cleveland to take on Josh Gordon, Johnny Manziel (?), Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West and possibly Jordan Cameron. The Browns have been averaging 21 PPG and aren't exactly sure what's going on at the quarterback position. Meanwhile this Indy defense has 20 turnovers on the year and has racked up 34 sacks. They have been giving up 24 PPG, but have been solid the past couple of weeks and hope to take advantage of an offense in flux.

Denver hosts the Buffalo Bills led by Kyle Orton that have been averaging 22 PPG. They've taken care of the football with only 16 giveaways on the year, but have let up 28 sacks. Meanwhile Denver has been allowing 23 per game, and has 34 sacks on the year. Even if Aqib Talib misses more time than expected, this defense has shown they can contain the likes of Sammy Watkins, Fred Jackson and Robert Woods.

In the first matchup where we look at both sides of the ball we find the Chiefs against Arizona. The Cardinals have been averaging 22 PPG offensively and just didn't look as good this past week with Drew Stanton at the helm. Arizona has only let up 19 sacks so far, but will be tested against a Chiefs pass rush that's generated 32 sacks of their own. Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and others looked fired up this past week in their loss to the Broncos, and will look to take advantage of a reeling Cardinals team. The Chiefs biggest issue has been their offense, which has been putting up 23 per game with Alex Smith under center. They've taken care of the ball all year with only 13 giveaways, but they've given up 33 sacks including 6 this past week against Denver. The Cardinals have been giving up 22 PPG hope their pass rush can add to their 26 sacks against an O-Line that's been struggling.

Green Bay hosts Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Steven Jackson and possibly Roddy White in this weeks Monday night game. The Falcons have looked better offensively as of late, but have only been putting up 24 PPG and have 18 giveaways to go with their 24 sacks on the year. That could mean a long day at the offices for Mike Smith and company as they gameplan for a Packers defense giving up 22 per game with 23 takeaways and 28 sacks. All of this makes Green Bay start-worthy in most 8+ team leagues, along with the rest of these second tier teams.

Tier 3: Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings

This week's third tier is full of interesting matchups on both sides, starting out with the Seahawks matchup in Philadelphia. The Legion of Boom has reared their head at just the right time for Seattle and they've averaged giving up 18 PPG. The only issue is that they'll be taking on Mark Sanchez, Jordan Matthews, LaSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin. The Eagles have been putting up 31 per game, but they have turned the ball over 28 times and let up 18 sacks. On the other side of the ball we find the Philly defense that's been allowing opponents 24 PPG, but they've also generated 22 takeaways and 42 sacks on the year. They'll be hoping to contain Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Doug Baldwin who have been averaging 25 per game. The Seahawks have taken care of the ball with only 9 giveaways on the year, but they've also let up 31 sacks.

The next matchup is the AFC North battle between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Cincinnati's defense has decided to show up lately, and they've been allowing 21 PPG. They'll be facing off against familiar faces in Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown who have been putting up 27 per game. They've also turned the ball over 18 times though and let up over 30 sacks. Pittsburgh's defense will be worried about which Andy Dalton will show up this Sunday, and how effectively he'll use Giovani Bernard, A.J. Green, Jeremy Hill and Mohamed Sanu. The Bengals offense has only been averaging 21 PPG and has given up 18 turnovers, but they've been protecting Dalton, only letting up 15 sacks on the year. The Steelers have allowed 25 per game and these AFC North games tend to be low scoring.

Another AFC North member in the Ravens finds themselves in South Beach to take on Ryan Tannehill, Lamar Miller, Mike Wallace and Jarvis Landry. The Dolphins had been putting up 26 PPG prior to their Monday night game against the Jets, and are in the middle of a thick race for the AFC Wild Card spots along with the Ravens. They've turned the ball over 17 times and have let up 26 times, while Baltimore's defense has only been giving up 20 PPG. They've also racked up 18 turnovers and hope to add to their 31 sacks against a mediocre Miami O-Line. In a similar story on the other side of the ball, Baltimore's offense has been averaging 27 PPG and takes on a Dolphin's defense allowing 20 per. Miami has gathered 20 turnovers and 31 sacks on the year, but face a tough test against a Ravens O-Line that's only let up 15 sacks on Joe Flacco, giving him time to find Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Justin Forsett.

Buffalo has the tall task of heading to Denver to take on Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, C.J. Anderson and possibly Julius Thomas. This offense has been putting up 30 per game, has only turned the ball over 12 times, and has only let up 13 sacks on the year. That being said, this is one heck of a Buffalo defense, giving up a stingy 18 PPG and creating 25 turnovers. They also lead the league with 48 sacks, but face a tough test against a great pass blocking O-Line in front of Peyton.

The Dallas Cowboys travel to Chicago to face off against the Bears. Jay Cutler, Alshon Jeffrey, Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte who have only been putting up 21 per game offensively, and have turned the ball over 23 times as well as giving up 30 sacks on the year. They will take on a Dallas defense that's been underestimated for a good portion of the season based on performance in previous years. They've been giving up 23 PPG and have generated 19 turnovers, and will look to bounce back from a poor performance against the Eagles as they inch closer to the playoffs.

Finishing out the third tier we come to the Minnesota Vikings, who host Geno Smith, Percy Harvin and Eric Decker. The Jets have only been able to muster 16 PPG on the year and have turned the ball over 16 times to go with their 36 sacks given up through 11 games. The Vikings defense is another underrated squad in the league, they've only been giving up 21 per game, and have 35 sacks on the year. They will look to add to that sack total in their juicy matchup against a porous Jets O-Line, which goes for all of these third tier team defenses. They will have an opportunity to take advantage of their matchups, and can be considered as waiver wire streamers and starts for Week 14 and the start of the fantasy playoffs.

Tier 4: Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The fourth tier this week consists of some pretty good defenses with bad matchups, and then some defense that are just pretty bad. Falling under the first category we find the Cleveland Browns who host Andrew Luck and the Colts. With T.Y. Hilton, Colby Fleener, Reggie Wayne, Daniel Boom Herron it's no wonder that Indianapolis is putting up 32 PPG with Luck under center. And while this Browns defense isn't to be underestimated with their 20 PPG average to go with their 22 takeaways and 24 sacks, this Colts offense is just too good and too hot.

Another defense in a tough spot this week as they fight for the playoffs is the Chargers who host the Patriots. Tom Brady, Brandon LaFell, Rob Gronkowski, and all 12 of their running backs have been putting up 32 PPG, have only turned the ball over 9 times on the year, and have only given up 17 sacks. Meanwhile San Diego has been giving up 21 PPG with only 13 takeaways and 18 sacks on the year. Their defense may be underrated, but this isn't the week to try to defend that by starting them.

The New York Giants travel to Tennessee to face Zach Mettenberger, Bishop Sankey, Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter and company who have been averaging just 18 PPG. They've also given the ball away 21 times and let up more than 30 sacks, the only issue with this matchup is that the Giants offense has just as bad ass the Titans offense. They've been giving up 27 PPG and have 18 takeaways, and while they did have six sacks this past week against the Jaguars, the numbers simply aren't there to consider starting them. On the flip side, we find that the Giants offense has been just as bad as their defense, and vice-versa for the Titans. Tennessee has been allowing 28 PPG to opponents, and has only generated 15 takeaways. The Giants however have only been putting up 21 per game, and have turned the ball over 25 times. Just as the Giants defensive matchup, the Titans have generated 31 sacks and New York has let up 28, but there's just not enough there to want to start them.

New Orleans host divisional opponents in Cam Newton, Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olson and their slew of running backs. Carolina has only been putting up 19 points per game, and has let up 35 sacks on the year, but the Saints defense hasn't been nearly as good a lot of people (myself included) expected them to be. They've been allowing 27 PPG and have only generated 13 turnovers on the year. While the Saints have 24 sacks, they've only gotten three in the past three weeks and haven't been consistent enough to be in the conversation.

The New York Jets travel to Minnesota where they take on a Vikings offense coming off an impressive showing against the Panthers. Teddy Bridgewater, Charles Johnson, Greg Jennings and Matt Asiata have only been averaging 19 PPG, but have taken care of the football with only 14 giveaways on the year. The Jets on the other hand have been allowing 28 per game and have only managed seven takeaways so far.

Tampa Bay travels to Detroit to face off against Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Reggie Bush who have only been putting up 19 PPG somehow. The Buccaneers have been allowing 26 PPG and while they have racked up 26 sacks, it seems to be the theme of the fourth tier this week that the sack numbers aren't enough to instill any sort of faith in them. None of these teams should be in consideration for this week, unless fantasy managers are truly desperate.

Tier 5: Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons

The fifth tier this week is full of a bunch of repeat offenders, and teams with terrible matchups, starting off with the Bears taking on the Cowboys. Chicago's defense has been allowing 28 per game and while they have 29 sacks on the year, I'm not looking to trust them against Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray who are looking to get the train back on the tracks headed towards the playoffs.

The Redskins host the Rams, and while St. Louis' offense hasn't been anywhere near consistent enough to be scary, I wouldn't want to come anywhere near Washington's defense as we prepare and start the fantasy playoffs. The Rams are coming off a 52 point performance albeit against the Raiders, and Shaun Hill, Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and Tre Mason will look to stay hot.

Carolina has just been a shell of it's former self, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Their road doesn't get any easier as they head to New Orleans to take on the Drew Brees led Saints. The Panthers have been giving up 28 PPG while the Saints have been putting up 27 themselves. With Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills, Marques Colston and Mark Ingram at Drew's disposal, he should have no problem carving up this defense that seems to get that treatment every week.

Jacksonville takes on the Texans who have been putting up 24 PPG. Ryan Fitzpatrick and DeAndre Hopkins are coming off of career games, and Arian Foster and Andre Johnson will continue to produce. The Jaguars have been giving up 27 PPG, and while they have an impressive 37 sacks, the Texans O-Line play has been fairly effective with 21 sacks given up on the year.

Oakland hosts San Francisco who will look to rebound from an embarrassing Thanksgiving Day performance against the Seahawks. Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Frank Gore have been averaging just 19 per game and have given up over 35 sacks on the year, but the Raiders have only managed 13 sacks themselves. Even with the Niners offensive issues, wouldn't be looking to touch Oakland at any point in the season, let alone this close to the promised land.

Atlanta travels to Green Bay in what should be a warm and sunny day... right? Green Bay has been putting up 32 per game, has only turned the ball over 8 times, and has let up 24 sacks on the year. Not much else to say when the hottest offense in football is taking on a less than stellar defense in the Falcons. They've been giving up 25 PPG and shouldn't be trusted this week, along with all the other fifth tier defenses.