Week 10 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

November 9, 2024

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 10 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 10 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our Week 10 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. With four teams on bye (Browns, Raiders, Packers, and Seahawks) this week, I will be ranking fantasy defenses from No. 1 to No. 28. 

It is unfortunate that both the Browns and Raiders are on byes this week because those are two offenses to target when looking for a fantasy defense each week. However, there are plenty of other offenses that fantasy managers should be targeting, including the Patriots, Panthers, and Titans.

So, here are defenses fantasy managers should be starting in Week 10. Below, you will find our tiered fantasy football D/ST rankings. Good luck RotoBallers!

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 10

You can also read about D/ST schedules for the next four weeks and plan ahead - our top fantasy football defense D/ST rankings and streamers for Weeks 10, 11, 12, 13.

1. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST vs. TEN

LAC favored by 8.5, Total ~37.5

The Chargers defense will come in as the No. 1 fantasy option in Week 10. This unit has totaled 11 sacks over the past two games and is coming off a 19-point fantasy performance last week. Now, Los Angeles gets a struggling Titans offense this upcoming week. Opposing defenses are averaging 11.5 fantasy points per game against that offense in 2024.

So, the Chargers defense is a strong start in all formats this weekend. Whether Mason Rudolph or Will Levis (shoulder) starts for the Titans doesn't really matter because both have struggled with turnovers this season. Tennessee ranks second in giveaways (17), and Los Angeles just forced three interceptions last week.

2. Chicago Bears D/ST vs. NE

CHI favored by 6.5, Total ~38.5

The Bears defense continues to be a solid fantasy option this year. Despite allowing 27 points on defense in Week 9 to the Cardinals, they still finished with eight fantasy points behind a three-sack, two-turnover day. As a result, Chicago's defense is a strong play this week against the Patriots.

The Bears have totaled at least three sacks and forced at least two turnovers in six of eight games this season, and New England has allowed 31 sacks through nine weeks (tied for the second-most in the NFL). Chicago also ranks toward the top of the league in pressure rate (36.3%) and fifth in pass-rush win rate (47%) this season. So, get this unit in your fantasy lineups in Week 10.

3. Minnesota Vikings D/ST at JAX

MIN favored by 4.5, Total ~46.5

After a rough defensive performance in Week 8, the Vikings defense was back to its elite form last week against the Colts. They allowed only seven points on defense (two field goals and one extra point) while totaling three sacks and forcing two turnovers. With an 11-point fantasy day, this unit has now totaled at least double-digit fantasy points in six of eight games this season. As a result, start them in Week 10 against the Jaguars.

The Vikings defense returned to form last night pic.twitter.com/76D8lXt0TI

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) November 4, 2024

Trevor Lawrence has thrown five interceptions across his last five games and now he'll face a secondary that ranks second in takeaways (17). On top of that, Minnesota ranks tied for second in sacks per game (3.4) and ninth in pass-rush win rate (45%). Given that Lawrence has turned over the ball 67 times since 2021 (most in the NFL during that span), the blitz-heavy Vikings defense could be in for a strong fantasy day.

4. New York Giants D/ST at CAR

NYG favored by 5.5, Total ~41.5

It remains to be seen if Bryce Young or Andy Dalton will start for the Panthers in Week 10. Either way, though, the Giants defense is a strong play this weekend. New York ranks first in sacks (35), and this unit has totaled at least four sacks in six of the last eight games. While they didn't total any sacks last week against the Commanders, they are a must-start option this weekend.

The Panthers rank tied for third in giveaways (15) through nine weeks and Carolina quarterbacks have thrown nine interceptions across the past six games. With the Giants ranking toward the top of the league in pressure rate (33.4%), they are a top-5 play in Week 10.

5. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs. DEN

KC favored by 9.5, Total ~41.5

The Chiefs have been a solid fantasy defensive option this year. Despite opposing defenses averaging only 6.2 fantasy points per game against the Broncos offense in 2024, Kansas City is still a strong play in Week 10.

They rank 11th in pass-rush win rate (44%), fourth in points allowed per game (18.4), and top-10 in pressure rate (35.6%). Despite the Broncos' offensive line ranking first in pass-block win rate (76%), there is still potential for this Kansas City defense in Week 10. Bo Nix has been sacked 11 times over the last five games.

6. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST at DAL

PHI favored by 6.5, Total ~43.5

The Eagles might not have been this high on this list a couple of weeks ago, but a lot has changed for Dallas' offense. Dak Prescott (hamstring) will be out multiple weeks, and CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) is week-to-week with a shoulder injury. So, this Philadelphia defense is not a bad option in Week 10 against the Cowboys.

Cooper Rush should take over as the team's quarterback this week, and he'll be placed in a tough situation. The Cowboys' offensive line has allowed nine sacks over the last three games. With the Eagles playing much better defensively since the bye, they are a solid play in Week 10. This unit has totaled 16 sacks across the past four contests.

7. Buffalo Bills D/ST at IND

BUF favored by 4.5, Total ~47.5

Joe Flacco will remain the Colts quarterback in Week 10, and that isn't the worst thing for the Bills defense. Flacco has been sacked nine times across his last four games, including three times in last week's loss. The veteran has also thrown an interception in back-to-back contests.

While the Bills have totaled only eight sacks across the last four games, they do rank in the top half of the league in pressure rate and have forced at least one turnover in every game this season. With Indianapolis ranking 29th in pass-block win rate (51%) through the first nine weeks, Buffalo's defense should be in for a solid fantasy day.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 10

8. San Francisco 49ers D/ST at TB

SF favored by 6.5, Total ~48.5

The 49ers defense comes off the bye as a top-10 fantasy option in Week 10. This unit has played better in recent weeks, forcing six turnovers over the last three games. While San Francisco hasn't been as strong of an option as in years past, this defense has a ton of potential this upcoming weekend against the Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay will continue to be without Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring), and Baker Mayfield has thrown seven interceptions over the last four games. The Buccaneers might be able to score 20-plus points in this game, considering the 49ers haven't allowed under 20 points in four straight contests. However, given that San Francisco ranks top-10 in pressure rate and tied for fourth in takeaways (15), they are a solid play.

9. Atlanta Falcons D/ST at NO

ATL favored by 3, Total ~47.5

Playing the Falcons defense this week is a high-floor play. New Orleans will likely be without Chris Olave (concussion) in this game, and that surely benefits Atlanta's defense. Even with Derek Carr back, this defense will be a top-10 play on the road against the Saints.

Defense bringing the BOOM 🔥

FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/QBiY7JjWRv

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 3, 2024

The last time this defense faced Carr was back in Week 4. The Falcons finished with two touchdowns en route to a 16-point fantasy day. But in that game, they allowed 24 points and only got to the quarterback once while forcing one interception. Even though the Falcons rank almost dead last in pressure rate this season, they could be a nice play against a Saints offense that will be missing plenty of weapons on the outside.

10. New England Patriots D/ST at CHI

CHI favored by 6.5, Total ~38.5

The Patriots defense has surely had its struggles through the first nine weeks of the season. This unit has only totaled two sacks across the last three games while forcing only one turnover during that span. The good news for this defense in Week 10 is that they get a Bears offense that has had a hard time scoring in recent weeks.

Over the last two weeks, both the Commanders and Cardinals finished with some solid defensive numbers against the Bears offense. Caleb Williams has also been running for his life this season, as the rookie has been sacked 29 times through eight games (fifth-most in the NFL). So, even though the Patriots haven't been able to get much pressure on the quarterback this season, this defense is sneaky play this weekend.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 10

11. Washington Commanders D/ST vs. PIT

WSH favored by 2.5, Total ~44.5

After struggling defensively across the first few weeks, the Commanders defense has played much better over the last couple of games. Washington has totaled at least two sacks in seven straight games and currently ranks tied for eighth in sacks (24) this season. So, they'll have some potential in Week 10 against the Steelers.

Although Pittsburgh has looked better offensively with Russell Wilson under center, Wilson was sacked four times back in Week 8. The Steelers also rank 18th in pass-block win rate (59%) through the first nine weeks, while the Commanders rank fourth in pass-block win rate (49%). So, Washington can be a solid play in 12-plus team leagues this weekend.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST at WSH

WSH favored by 2.5, Total ~44.5

Ranking the Steelers defense was tough because the matchup against the Commanders is not great. Opposing defenses are averaging only two fantasy points per game against this Washington offense this year, and quarterback Jayden Daniels has been sacked just eight times across his last five full games.

But Daniels has not faced a defense like the Steelers, and this unit has been on a different level this season. They have forced at least two turnovers in four straight games while ranking tied for fourth in takeaways (15) in 2024. There's no doubt that starting Pittsburgh's defense is a risky play in Week 10. However, no one would fault you for sticking with a defense that is averaging 11 fantasy points per game.

13. New York Jets D/ST at ARI

ARI favored by 1.5, Total ~45.5

The Jets defense finally showed signs of life last week, sacking C.J. Stroud eight times. While it will be hard to replicate that success against the Cardinals in Week 10, they could be a sneaky play in deeper leagues. New York ranks tied for second in sacks (31) through nine weeks and entered last week's win with a 38.3% pressure rate (sixth-best in the NFL).

Of course, the Cardinals do present a tough challenge for the Jets on Sunday. Kyler Murray has only been sacked four times since Week 5 while throwing just two interceptions during that span. But getting Haason Reddick back has made this defense a scary sight for all offenses moving forward.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 10

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 Cardinals and Lions are your next best choices.

The Cardinals have totaled 10 sacks over the last three games, and the Jets offense has been held to under 23 points in six straight games. New York's offensive line also ranks 21st in pass-block win rate (57%) this season. As for the Lions, they'll go up against an offensive that just allowed eight sacks. Even if Nico Collins (hamstring) returns, Detroit has potential. This unit is averaging 2.5 sacks per game this season.

The other three defenses on this list are all riskier options. The Broncos defense has a tough matchup against the Chiefs this weekend, the Ravens gave up 36 points to the Bengals the last time these two teams played in Week 5, and the Panthers have only totaled 10 sacks this season.

Tier 5 and 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 10

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 weekend and should be avoided in most cases. 18 other defenses are better plays in Week 10.

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