Week 2 Defense (DEF) Streamers and Starts - 2024 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

September 12, 2024

Joey Pollizze analyzes all 2024 fantasy football Week 2 defenses (DEF) -- streamers, sits/starts, and D/ST waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 2 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to our defensive streamers and starts for Week 2. When looking at which fantasy defenses to target each week, a couple of factors come into play. For starters, you should be looking at starting defenses going against bottom offenses. Offenses like the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and New York Giants are all expected to struggle in 2024.

On top of that, fantasy managers should be looking at the opposing team's implied totals for the week. The fewer points a team scores every week, the better your fantasy defense will do. While defenses are hard to predict in fantasy, there are plenty of great defenses to target every week on the waiver wire.

So, without further ado, here are the Week 2 fantasy football defense streamers and D/ST rankings. 

Tier 1 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

1. Baltimore Ravens D/ST vs. LV

BAL favored by 9.5, Total ~41.5

The Baltimore Ravens come in as the top fantasy defense in Week 2 against a Raiders offense with the lowest implied total (17). While the Ravens struggled to contain the Chiefs offense in the season opener, they should bounce back this week. In Week 1, Las Vegas turned the ball over three times (one interception and two fumbles) and allowed four sacks. Start Baltimore's defense with confidence.

2. Dallas Cowboys D/ST vs. NO

DAL favored by 6.5, Total ~45.5

The Dallas Cowboys defense has been one of the best fantasy units over the past few years. That continued in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, as they scored 17 fantasy points in most formats. They sacked Deshaun Watson six sacks while forcing two interceptions and returning a kickoff for a touchdown. Despite the Saints coming off a 47-point offensive performance, don't stay away from this dominant Cowboys defense in fantasy.

Cowboys' defense and special teams completely overshadowing a $300 million QB & WR.

feels a lot like 2023.

— David Helman (@davidhelman_) September 8, 2024

3. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST @ DEN

PIT favored by 3, Total ~37.5

It was a rough rookie debut for quarterback Bo Nix. Nix threw two interceptions and was sacked twice against the Seattle Seahawks. Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the rookie quarterback in his second career start. That makes them a strong play in Week 2 on the road. Last week, the Steelers held the Falcons to just 10 offensive points while forcing two interceptions and one fumble.

4. New York Jets D/ST @ TEN 

NYJ favored by 4, Total ~42.5

The New York Jets had a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, but their defense should be in for a solid fantasy day in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. Will Levis struggled in his first game of the season, getting sacked three times and throwing two interceptions (including one for a pick-six). The Jets are a nice play this week with Tennessee's implied total sitting at just 19 points.

5. San Francisco 49ers D/ST @ MIN

SF favored by 5.5, Total ~46.5

The 46.5 total is one of the higher totals in Tier 1. However, expect the 49ers to make things difficult for quarterback Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold looked solid in his team debut, throwing two touchdowns and only one interception against the New York Giants. The 49ers defense, though, is a much better unit. So, they should be locked into your D/ST spot in fantasy in Week 2.

6. Los Angeles Chargers D/ST @ CAR 

LAC favored by 6, Total ~39.5

The Los Angeles Chargers defense looked solid against the Raiders last week. They sacked Gardner Minshew II four times and forced three turnovers. Now, they get an even better matchup in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. Bryce Young was disappointing last week, and Carolina will enter Week 2 with a 17.5 implied team total. Start the Los Angeles defense with confidence.

7. Seattle Seahawks D/ST @ NE

SEA favored by 3.5, Total ~38.5

The New England Patriots played a clean game in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. They didn't give away any turnovers, and Jacoby Brissett was only sacked once. However, the Seahawks are a strong play against them in Week 2. The 38.5 implied total in this game is one of the lowest this week, and New England has an 18-point implied team total. So, Seattle is a strong play this week.

Tier 2 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

8. Indianapolis Colts D/ST @ GB

IND favored by 3.5, Total ~40.5

With Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) expected to miss multiple weeks with an MCL injury, the Indianapolis Colts are now a solid defensive option in Week 2. The Colts had a hard time stopping the Texans offense to open the season, but they did sack C.J. Stroud four times in the contest. Given that the Packers could be starting Malik Willis this week, Indianapolis' defense should be picked up and started.

The #Packers will start Malik Willis on Sunday vs. the Colts — assuming Jordan Love isn’t cleared, per HC Matt LaFleur. Sean Clifford will be the backup. pic.twitter.com/oyDeSFHW65

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 9, 2024

9. Denver Broncos D/ST vs PIT 

PIT favored by 3, Total ~37.5

The Broncos' defense held their own last week against the Seattle Seahawks for most of the game. They sacked Geno Smith twice, secured an interception, and forced two safeties in the contest. That helped them finish with double-digit fantasy points in Week 1. While we don't know if the Steelers will start Justin Fields or Russell Wilson in Week 2, the 37.5 implied total in the game makes Denver a sneaky defense to add this week.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST vs CLE

JAC favored by 4, Total ~41.5

The Cleveland Browns offense looked all of out sorts last week, and the Jaguars only gave up 20 points to the explosive Miami Dolphins offense. If both Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin can't suit up again in Week 2 for the Browns, Jacksonville could be a solid fantasy play this week. Deshaun Watson was sacked six times in Week 1, and Jacksonville has plenty of star power on the defensive line to match that total.

Tier 3 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

11. Cleveland Browns D/ST @ JAC

JAC favored by 4, Total ~41.5

Yes, the Browns defense had a rough Week 1 performance, giving up 33 points and not forcing any turnovers. But don't forget, this was the No. 1 ranked defense last year, and they won't play the Cowboys' offense every week. With the Jaguars struggling offensively in the second half of Week 1, Cleveland should bounce back in fantasy in Week 2.

12. Houston Texans D/ST vs CHI 

HOU favored by 6.5, Total ~45.5

The Houston Texans will be facing a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams in Week 2, which is a great defensive matchup for them. Williams still has a lot of things to work on, and the Bears offense didn't even top 150 total yards last week against the Titans. Now, the first overall pick will play in the first road game of his career against a defensive-minded coach in DeMeco Ryans. Houston is not a bad defensive option this week.

Yesterday was the Bears’ 1st win with under 150 yards of total offense since December 3, 2006. pic.twitter.com/cNoVpEm3Gh

— Marquee Bears (@BearsMarquee) September 9, 2024

13. Washington Commanders D/ST vs NYG

WSH favored by 2.5, Total ~43.5

Some might have expected the Commanders' defense to be ranked higher this week, considering they will face Daniel Jones in Week 2. However, Washington's defense isn't exactly good themselves. They gave up 37 points to the Buccaneers last week while sacking Baker Mayfield only once. The Commanders' secondary has plenty of holes entering Week 2, making them a Tier 3 defense in fantasy this week.

Tier 4 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

14. New York Giants D/ST @ WSH 

WSH favored by 2.5, Total ~43.5

It's hard to put a ton of faith in the Giants' defense in fantasy this week. But if you really need a defense in Week 2, they have some potential against the Commanders. Washington's offensive line is not great, and New York has a couple of pass rushers who can get to the quarterback at a high level (Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawrence II). Still, they aren't a preferred option this week.

15. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. ATL

PHI favored by 6.5, Total ~48.5

The Falcons offense looked like a team that hadn't played together before. While that was true since Kirk Cousins didn't play in any preseason games, will Week 2 see better results for Atlanta? It remains to be seen, but just going off of Week 1, the Eagles defense could have some fantasy value on Monday night.

16. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST vs. CIN 

KC favored by 6, Total ~48.5

The Bengals are another offense that struggled to open the season. Joe Burrow didn't throw a touchdown, and Ja'Marr Chase only saw six targets. In Week 2, they will go up against an elite Chiefs defense that gave up just 20 points to the Ravens to open the season. Still, it's hard to really trust Kansas City's defense in fantasy this week, even with Burrow playing like he did in Week 1.

17. New England Patriots D/ST vs. SEA

SEA favored by 3.5, Total ~38.5

The Patriots did a nice job containing Burrow and Chase in Week 1, and now they'll face the Seahawks in Week 2. With the implied total set at 38.5, New England could be a defensive target for those in deeper leagues. They aren't a preferred option in Week 2, but given the way they played last week, they should be considered in fantasy.

18. Detroit Lions D/ST vs TB 

DET favored by 6.5, Total ~50.5

The Detroit Lions showed some nice things defensively against the Rams in Week 1. They allowed just 20 points while sacking Matthew Stafford twice and forcing an interception in the red zone. Nevertheless, the Buccaneers are coming off a strong offensive performance themselves, putting the Lions' defense at the bottom of Tier 4 on this list.

Tier 5 & 6 Defenses – Fantasy Football Rankings for Week 2

Fantasy managers should not be targeting any defenses from these two tiers. Most of these defenses are major risks and going against some potent offenses in Week 2. The only one to possibly consider here is the Panthers against the Chargers, considering Los Angeles only scored nine points through three quarters last week.

Outside of them, though, most of the other defenses in this tier face top offenses. Defenses playing offenses like the Dolphins, Bills, 49ers, Cowboys, Ravens, and Lions should be avoided every week in fantasy.

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