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Week 2 Defense (DEF) Streamers, Starts & Targets: 2017 Fantasy Tiers, Rankings

Bill breaks down all 2017 fantasy football Week 2 defenses (DEF) -- targets, streamers, sits/starts, and waiver wire pickups to add. His Week 2 rankings and tiers for all of the NFL defenses.

Hot dog, what a Week 1! Below are RotoBaller's Week 2 defense tiers and rankings, or which defenses to stream and start for Week 2 of the NFL and fantasy football season.

Our tiered defense rankings are your guide to drafting defenses, making waiver wire pickups/adds to improve your lineups, and to decide which defenses to start, sit, target, avoid or stream for Week 2.

Starting the right defense every week can be a difference-maker, so we have broken out our defense rankings into tiers with analysis on each matchup. Some of these Week 2 defenses have good matchups and are not widely owned, representing fantasy scoring opportunities if they are available on your league's waiver wire for a Week 1 pickup or add. Good luck in Week 2 RotoBallers!

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Week 2 Defenses To Start & Stream: Tiers & Rankings

Tier 1 Defenses (The "Duh" DSTs)

1. Baltimore Ravens (vs. CLE)
2. Seattle Seahawks (vs. SF)
3. Arizona Cardinals (@ IND)
4. Houston Texans (@ CIN)

Most of the usual suspects here, all with juicy matchups. The Cardinals are here entirely because the quarterback situation is such a mess in Indianapolis. I personally think they'll be better off with a mobile Jacoby Brissett under center than Scott Tolzien, but with the Cardinals looking like a very legitimate fantasy DST against a capable Detroit Lions team in Week 1 I simply don't see how they let you down against the Colts.

The Texans were abused by the Jags in Week 1, but it wasn't entirely on the defense (although they weren't impressive either). This week they get Andy Dalton and the Bengals, and while I don't think we can expect another bazillion turnovers from the Red Rifle, the Texans should have no problem getting pressure and forcing a couple mistakes.

 

Tier 2 Defenses (Rock-Solid Starts)

5. Denver Broncos (vs. DAL)
6. Carolina Panthers (vs. BUF)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CHI)
8. New York Giants (vs. DET)
9. Los Angeles Rams (vs. WAS)

We didn't get a chance to see the Bucs in Week 1, but I've got them as a second-tier option in their debut in a home game against the Bears. Mike Glennon and the Bears put up a surprisingly good effort against the Falcons, but I'm considering that an outlier versus a new norm. The Buccaneers front seven led by Gerald McCoy is not going to give Jordan Howard and surprising standout Tarik Cohen much room to work, which will force Glennon to beat them. I'm not betting on that happening.

The Giants are going to be a solid option almost every week, and I love their chances of putting up a solid fantasy day in a home game against the Lions. Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns in Week 1 against a great pass defense, but their running game was virtually non-existent. Despite the loss the Giants secondary didn't get shredded by the Cowboys by any means, and they shouldn't have a problem finding success against Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay.

 

Tier 3 Defenses (Decent Streamers)

10. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. PHI)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. HOU)
12. Oakland Raiders (vs. NYJ)
13. Philadelphia Eagles (@ KC)

The Bengals got it handed to them by the Ravens in Week 1, but they may get a chance to do some damage in the turnover game against the Texans in Week 2. I can't imagine they trot Tom Savage back out there after his disastrous 2017 debut, and DeShaun Watson is still a very raw rookie, prone to inconsistency. I'm seeing a handful of sacks with potential for 2-3 turnovers, which makes the Bengals a really nice streamer. The Jags put up 10 sacks, so the Bengals should have no problem getting 4-5, right?

The Chiefs are coming into Week 2 with a full head of steam after walloping the Patriots, but they certainly don't have an easy task in Carson Wentz and the Eagles. Wentz's Week 1 was a mixed bag, but he still threw for a pair of touchdowns and over 300 yards, and looked great targeting Zach Ertz and, surprisingly, Nelson Agholor. If he and Alshon Jeffrey can get on the same page that offense could be lethal, as the combo of LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sproles will also give defenses fits.

 

Tier 4 Defenses (Deep Streamers)

14. New England Patriots (@ NO)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. MIN)
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN)
17. Minnesota Vikings (@ PIT)

Who's ready to take a trip to #Sacksonville? After recording 10 sacks in their season opener, the Jaguars get to take on Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans. They won't have anywhere near as much luck this time around, as the Titans have completely loaded up their offense with weapons. Still, the Jacksonville d-line looked downright lethal, so they should be able to give DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry some trouble and get to Mariota. If the Titans are going to win this game, they'll need to do it through the air.

The Vikings will be near the top of my rankings most weeks, but facing the Steelers in Pittsburgh is simply too much to ignore. Ben Roethlisberger's home/road splits are incredible, and with a fully healthy complement of weapons (Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Le'Veon Bell), the Killer B's will be nigh-unstoppable this year.

 

Tier 5 Defenses (Desperation Plays)

18. Tennessee Titans (@ JAX)
19. Washington Redskins (@ LAR)
20. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. MIA)
21. Dallas Cowboys (@ DEN)
22. Miami Dolphins (@ LAC)
23. Indianapolis Colts (vs. ARI)
24. Cleveland Browns (@ BAL)

 

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

George Kittle

Suffers Torn Achilles on Sunday
Aaron Holiday

is Moving into Starting Five
Aaron Gordon

is Available on Sunday
Christian Braun

is Downgraded to Out
Jamal Murray

is Unavailable on Sunday
Omarion Hampton

Active for Wild-Card Round Against Patriots
Kristaps Porzingis

Won't Play on Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

is Available to Play on Sunday
Christian Braun

Downgraded to Questionable on Sunday
Tyler Herro

to Suit Up on Sunday
Norman Powell

Ruled Out for Sunday's Game
Victor Wembanyama

Cleared for Sunday
George Kittle

Ruled Out After Non-Contact Achilles Injury
Cole Perfetti

Contributes Two Assists in Sunday's Win
Carl Grundstrom

Misses Sunday's Practice
Jrue Holiday

Cleared to Suit Up Versus New York
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Request Interview With Ejiro Evero
Josh Hart

Returning on Sunday Night
Travis Konecny

Hurt at Sunday's Practice
Thatcher Demko

Lands on Injured Reserve
Colin Miller

Injured Versus Devils
Bryan Rust

Remains Out Sunday
Morgan Geekie

Won't Play Sunday
Los Angeles Rams

Mike LaFleur to Interview With Raiders and Cardinals
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers?
Matthew Stafford

X-Rays Come Back Negative
Mark Stone

Extends Goal Streak With Empty-Netter
Nikita Kucherov

Has Four-Point Outing Saturday
David Pastrnak

Records Six Assists in Big Win
Stefan Noesen

to Have Knee Surgery
Carter Hart

Out Week-to-Week
Thatcher Demko

Exits With Injury Saturday
MacKenzie Gore

Yankees Pursuing Trade for MacKenzie Gore
Philip Broberg

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Saturday
Alex Bregman

Cubs Sign Alex Bregman to Five-Year, $175 Millon Contract
Chet Holmgren

Available Sunday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Suspended for Three Games for Attempting to Strike Another Player
Kristaps Porzingis

May Return Sunday
Zaccharie Risacher

to Miss Second Consecutive Game Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Considered Probable for Sunday
Aaron Gordon

Likely to Play Sunday
Christian Braun

Considered Probable for Sunday
Spencer Jones

May Miss Another Game Sunday
Jamal Murray

Iffy for Sunday's Action
Freddie Freeman

Withdraws from World Baseball Classic
Chandler Stephenson

Jaden Schwartz Replaces Chandler Stephenson in Kraken Lineup
Brandon Saad

Won't Play This Weekend
Shea Theodore

Returns to Golden Knights Lineup Saturday
Jaccob Slavin

Returns Against Kraken
Travis Konecny

Ruled Out Saturday
Brad Marchand

Misses Saturday's Game
Corey Perry

Available Saturday
Max Kepler

Receives 80-Game PED Suspension
CFB

Cam Coleman Visiting Alabama on Friday
Omarion Hampton

Expects to Play Sunday Night
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Enters Transfer Portal, Trending to Land at Florida
CFB

NCAA Denies Trinidad Chambliss a Sixth Year of Eligibility
Omarion Hampton

Questionable for Wild-Card Weekend
Kyle Tucker

Mets Remain in Mix for Kyle Tucker
Ketel Marte

Will Remain With Diamondbacks
Rashee Rice

to be Reviewed Under League's Conduct Policy
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri

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